Merkel bypasses German Parliament in move to prolong nuclear power

Merkel has indicated that she believes she will be able to bypass the Bundesrat because the new deal prolongs the phase-out period, but does not actually overturn the 2002 law. This apparent skipping of parliamentary process in such a significant policy for Germany’s energy future will form the crux of the anti-nuclear lobby’s opposition……..The Social Democratic Party and the Greens have made it clear that if the deal goes ahead they will make it a major issue in the next election and overturn it if elected.

Germany’s ‘hot autumn’ of nuclear discontent, Sydney Morning Herald, James Norman and Dave Sweeney, September 15, 2010, “…….. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrat coalition will move a new accord to extend the life-span of Germany’s 17 existing nuclear power plants by 12 years ….

The move has signalled a new “hot autumn” of anti-nuclear sentiment in Berlin and beyond. The German policy shift back toward nuclear energy also has clear implications for the country with the world’s largest uranium reserves — Australia.

Describing nuclear energy as “the bridge”, Merkel has sought to reverse a 2002 agreement by Germany’s former Social Democrat-Green coalition to close the country’s nuclear industry by 2022. She claims that it will be impossible to shut these power plants because not enough renewable energy will be available renewable energy to fill the gap — a claim denied by Germany’s strong anti-nuclear lobby, which views Merkel’s plan as more like a “bridge to oblivion”.

Germany’s Social Democrat opposition has already branded the new accord a “black day for energy policy”. The country’s Renewable Energy Association says that “the cat is now out of the bag”, and that extending the life of the nuclear industry threatens to create obstacles to expanding renewable energy.

But if the accord goes ahead, it could exert significant influence on energy policy across Europe. Other European countries, including Italy and Sweden, are debating long-held opposition to nuclear energy for generating energy and combating climate change. They will be mindful of moves in Germany, still Europe’s largest economy…….

Merkel has cushioned the deal by adding a new industry tax that will be used to further develop Germany’s already strong renewable energy industry. Power generators will have to pay a nuclear-fuel rods tax of €2.3 billion ($A3.2 billion) until 2016. The companies will also pay €200 million into an investment fund for renewable energy projects…….

A further hurdle the Merkel government faces is that the Christian Democrats no longer hold the majority in the Bundesrat (the equivalent of the Australian Senate), and the deal will be unlikely to pass. However, Merkel has indicated that she believes she will be able to bypass the Bundesrat because the new deal prolongs the phase-out period, but does not actually overturn the 2002 law.

This apparent skipping of parliamentary process in such a significant policy for Germany’s energy future will form the crux of the anti-nuclear lobby’s opposition. Already a major political stoush has broken out between members of the Bundestag (Germany’s lower house of parliament) and the Bundesrat.

While the politics remain tense, Merkel’s accord will be tested in the streets, with anti-nuclear groups vowing massive civil disobedience — starting in Berlin on Saturday. A further round of protest is expected in November, when German authorities are scheduled to attempt a transport of high-level radioactive waste. These transports have been the focus of sustained opposition in the past and all sides of the debate are preparing for a major show of force.

The Social Democratic Party and the Greens have made it clear that if the deal goes ahead they will make it a major issue in the next election and overturn it if elected.

Germany’s Nuclear Energy Move Sparks Controversy