Second attempt: the Greens still want to pass the biogas law

Fossil natural gas should be gradually replaced by biogas, according to established quotas. This is intended to reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on Russian natural gas.

The SPÖ was bothered by the fact that a regulation could be issued, but did not have to be, in order to “reduce an exceptionally high cost burden for end users.” In this context, it warned of high additional costs for households. This optional provision has now been replaced by a mandatory provision.

This is how biogas is created.

The responsible minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) has detailed the requirements for awarding subsidies to end users in an ordinance. The new design not only suits the SPÖ, but is also being coordinated with the ÖVP.

Exit with intermediate destinations
“All new biogas plants may only produce from waste and residual materials, and for the plants already in operation there is a fixed exit path with intermediate targets. If the decision is not taken, existing electricity-producing biogas plants will continue to use food – nobody can want that,” says climate and energy spokesman Lukas Hammer (Greens).

SPÖ unhappy with new design
According to him, the new draft should be approved during the last plenary session of the current government in September. A two-thirds majority in the National Council is needed for the decision. Hammer is counting on the votes of the ÖVP, Greens and SPÖ. The FPÖ had already said that it would refuse to approve the EGG.

For the SPÖ, the problem with the new design is still not solved. According to the Chamber of Labor, households that heat with gas must expect additional costs of 160 to 260 euros per year, environmental spokeswoman Julia Herr said on Tuesday. 900,000 households already have problems heating their homes properly. For Hammer, this criticism is incomprehensible.