POTSDAM (dpa-AFX) – After the approval of billions in compensation for the Rhenish operator RWE due to the coal phase-out, there is growing concern in Brandenburg politics about disadvantages for the Leag power plant operator in Lusatia. “We are concerned that the proceedings of RWE and Leag are being treated separately by the EU Commission – perhaps even with different results,” said CDU parliamentary group leader Jan Redmann on Tuesday. The state government must apply pressure, he demanded. “Brandenburg must not be treated worse than RWE in North Rhine-Westphalia.”
In order to phase out coal by 2030, the federal government is allowed to pay RWE subsidies amounting to 2.6 billion euros for the early closure of the power plants. The EU Commission announced on Monday that this does not violate EU regulations. The EU has not yet decided on compensation of 1.75 billion euros for Leag, which wants to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2038.
Economics Minister calls for a quick decision for Leag
Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) said in Potsdam that he welcomed the decision in favor of the energy company RWE. But it is now urgently necessary that the procedure for Leag is completed quickly. “There needs to be clarity on the matter. Leag also needs security at this point.”
The SPD parliamentary group sees responsibility with the Green Economics Minister
SPD parliamentary group leader Daniel Keller sharply attacked Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). “You get the impression because a quick exit was decided for RWE at the state level (…) that there is a certain amount of favoritism here – I see that critically,” said Keller. “We are therefore now expecting quick clarification from Federal Minister Habeck.”
Greens want an earlier coal phase-out in Lusatia
The Greens, who co-governed, defended the EU Commission. Because of Leag’s later exit, this is not comparable to RWE, emphasized Green Party leader Benjamin Raschke. Because of expensive CO2 trading, operating power plants will no longer be economical in 2038, he said. “The EU Commission rightly asks itself what compensation should be paid for if there are no longer any profits.” Therefore, an earlier coal phase-out must also be negotiated in Lusatia, said Raschke.
The opposition also has great concerns
Left-wing parliamentary group leader Sebastian Walter sees the deadlock over Leag as evidence that East German interests are not seen in political Berlin. If the funds were to go away, it would be a “complete catastrophe for the East,” he said. Everything must be done to prevent a structural break.
The Free Voters MP Matthias Stefke expects “the state government to give full support to Brussels.” To do this, you also have to send the “top fireman”, Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD), on the trail.
AfD parliamentary group leader Hans-Christoph Berndt emphasized that a possible loss of funds would be bad. “But without a completely misguided policy, we would not have gotten into this bad situation,” he emphasized./kp/DP/ngu
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