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Legal action looming against German govt’s nuclear plans

Greenpeace, the environmental NGO, suspects foul play and intends to sue. Its assumption is that the government has tried to hide the fact that demand for nuclear energy is falling and that there is no need to extend the lifespan of nuclear plants.

Merkel’s ‘nuclear tour’ remains inconclusive | EurActiv, 14 Sept 10, For several months, Germany has been discussing the future of its energy policy. Last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel went on an ‘energy tour’ across the country to meet different stakeholders and visit various power plants. These included renewable energy as well as nuclear sites. EurActiv Germany reports.

Merkel’s energy journey identified energy security as its highest priority, but did not address issues of safety such as the question of final storage of radioactive waste.

When the German government announced its Energy Concept 2050 on 6 September , the renewal that was granted to nuclear power plants was much longer than commentators had expected.

An extension of eight years was granted to plants built before 1981 and 14 years for plants built after that date. The average extension was 12 years compared to ten years under previous forecasts.

In addition, some stakeholders noted that few binding requirements were introduced to improve safety and the reinvestment of profits in research on renewables.

Sharp criticism came from municipalities, renewables companies and some Länder, like North Rhine-Westphalia, which is governed by the Social Democrats and Green parties……..

Infringement procedure looming?

Germany, like the other EU member states, was supposed to report on the security of its energy supply by 31 July. But the government let the deadline pass and now faces the possibility of infringement proceedings from the European Commission. It is expected to hand in the report later this year.

Greenpeace, the environmental NGO, suspects foul play and intends to sue. Its assumption is that the government has tried to hide the fact that demand for nuclear energy is falling and that there is no need to extend the lifespan of nuclear plants……..

Merkel’s ‘nuclear tour’ remains inconclusive | EurActiv

September 15, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, Legal | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium