Berlin should consider an extension
FDP wants debate about longer AKW maturities
07/11/2022, 10:15 am
Because of the war in Ukraine, Germany is threatened with an energy crisis. The FDP is now demanding that the federal government discuss the continued operation of the remaining nuclear power plants. The SPD and the Greens have so far rejected an extension of the terms.
The FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag has called on the federal government to examine extending the operating times for the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany. In view of the feared lack of gas, politicians must “do everything to get through the winter well,” said deputy parliamentary group leader Lukas Köhler of “Welt”.
“This also includes an ideology-free debate about whether we have to extend the nuclear power plants that are still in operation this winter. They are not a panacea, but in the event of a shortage, the gas for heating homes and for industry must be available.”
According to current nuclear law, the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany must be taken off the grid by the end of December at the latest. Against the background of reduced gas supplies from Russia and possible supply bottlenecks, the government is currently preparing to generate more coal. On the other hand, the SPD and the Greens reject an extension of the lifetime of the nuclear power plants.
“Must Strengthen Our Energy Independence”
This causes resentment in the Union. CSU boss Markus Söder reiterated his call for an extension of the nuclear power plant running times on Sunday on ARD. So far, however, this has failed due to the “stubbornness” of the Greens, Söder complained.
Green leader Ricarda Lang, on the other hand, raised serious allegations against the CDU and CSU because of the energy crisis. “16 years of Union-led governments have made us dependent on Russian fossils and thus on a warmonger and despot,” she told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Now Germany has to tremble whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue to supply gas after the routine maintenance of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. It must now be a question of making Germany independent of Russian energy supplies. “Energy policy is security policy. That’s why the way is clear: we have to strengthen our energy independence, also through the expansion of renewables,” said Lang.