BERLIN (Dow Jones)–The German federal government is practically ruling out a return to the peaceful use of nuclear power. It does not want to take part in the development of new reactor technologies and also rejects international calls for investments in nuclear technology, writes the Augsburger Allgemeine (Monday edition), citing the response of the economic association led by Robert Habeck (Greens). and Climate Protection Ministry in response to a small request from the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag, which was available exclusively to the newspaper. The CDU and CSU criticized the fact that Germany was voluntarily putting itself at the “cat’s table” when it came to researching important future technologies.
Habeck’s State Secretary Philipp Nimmermann wrote to the Union that the fundamental decision to phase out nuclear energy also applies to possible further developments in reactor technology. “In the Federal Government’s opinion, energy production from nuclear fission is not sustainable, especially taking into account the risk of serious accidents, the problem of disposal of radioactive waste and the consequential burdens for future generations,” the newspaper quotes from the response letter. It also says that the federal government has taken note of the European Commission’s preparations for an alliance for so-called “small, modular reactors” (SMR), but is not planning to participate in it. Calls for investments in the nuclear industry are also not supported. Instead, resources should be invested in the further development of renewable energies,” said Nimmermann. Only research into the “decommissioning operation” of power plants is supported
The Union sharply criticizes the federal government’s position. Anja Weisgerber, spokesperson for environmental and climate policy for the CSU in the Bundestag, told the Augsburger Allgemeine: “The traffic light must finally come to its senses and recognize that – in addition to the massive and accelerated expansion of renewable energies – we are not currently giving up on the nuclear energy option can”. Germany also needs a new start in the area of research and development “with a view to the new technologies that promise more safety and less waste.”
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 21, 2024 10:00 p.m. ET (03:00 GMT)