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Many Germans unhappy with extension of aging nuclear plants

“The chancellor is selling off public safety by allowing ailing and ageing nuclear power plants to stay online longer and by taking money for it.”..

Angela Merkel risks Germans’ ire with fresh commitment to nuclear energyGerman chancellor adds 15 years to scheduled phase-out of country’s nuclear power plants ,  Kate Connolly in Berlin guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 August 2010 German chancellor Angela Merkel has announced an extension to the nation’s nuclear power plant operations for up to 15 years beyond a scheduled phase-out, in a move critics fear might signal that atomic power is here to stay….

Merkel’s announcement, which has the backing of her coalition partner, the Free Democrats, is a heavy blow for the left. The nuclear phase-out was secured under the government of her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder of the Social Democrats (SPD), and was considered one its most significant achievements.

Sigmar Gabriel, the leader of the SPD, said his party was ready to launch a constitutional challenge to the extension and accused Merkel of being a pawn of the nuclear lobby.

Gabriel said: “The chancellor is selling off public safety by allowing ailing and ageing nuclear power plants to stay online longer and by taking money for it.”…..

The Green party, which was part of the Schröder government when it struck the deal, announced an anti-nuclear demonstration in Berlin on Wednesday…..

Merkel’s decision is also likely to prove highly unpopular amongst the electorate. According to a recent poll, 56% of Germans are against extending the lives of nuclear power plants, citing fears of accidents and terrorism.

Angela Merkel risks Germans’ ire with fresh commitment to nuclear energy | World news | The Guardian

September 3, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, reactors