“Word in force is needed” – fuss over subsidies for gas heating in Tyrol

Club president Gebi Mair demanded a “word of power” from the governor and owner’s representative Anton Mattle (ÖVP). “Since March at the latest, it has become clear to everyone in Europe that we need to get rid of fossil fuels – especially gas. That was the slogan of all parties during the election campaign,” recalls Mair of the recently ended state election campaign in Tyrol.

Extension of stop for natural gas requested
The existing Tigas subsidies would continue to fuel the climate crisis with “de facto government money,” Mair continued. The green club boss also called for a “stop to the expansion of natural gas through the Tigas” and announced a corresponding emergency motion in November’s state parliament.

Global 2000 had complained that the subsidies stood in the way of the planned Renewable Heat Act (EWG). The law, which is pending approval by a two-thirds majority in parliament, provides for a phasing out of gas heating by 2040.

That’s what the Tyrolean Tigas says
De Tigas told the APA on Wednesday that the EWG “does not take into account the limited availability of biomass, the consequences in terms of increasing other pollutants (particulate matter) and the specific challenges for available and affordable alternatives in rural areas”. In addition, Tigas confirmed its “clear commitment” to the energy transition.

Energy councilor Josef Geisler (ÖVP) said in April that there are no incentives to switch to gas heating in the future. Initially, there was no comment from current owner-representative Mattle.