On Friday July 3rd, members of the German Parliament passed a bill to eliminate coal and nuclear energy as power sources (Reuters). The legislation encompasses two main features, the first is the creation of a legal avenue to gradually reduce emissions by 2038 at the latest (DW). The second feature focuses on regional economies and their impact due to the phaseout. The bill includes over €50 billion euros ($56 billion USD) for affected regions and employees, as well as mining and power plant operators (Reuters).
German environment Minister Svenja Schulze said the bill is a “great political success for all those who care about the climate-friendly future” and for future generations (DW). Although, Climate and environmental activists are upset with the prolonged 18-year plan and the “over-generous” payments to energy companies (Mining). German Green party Chief Annalena Baerbock believes Germany’s coal phase out should be completed by 2030 at the latest, stating that the legislation is “oblivious to the future” (DW). Though operators will have additional money given to them by the government, they are required to phase out their plants regardless of the compensation..
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-coal-parliament/german-parliament-passes-coal-exit-bill-idUSKBN24419V
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-coal-phaseout-by-2038/a-54040605
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/spelling-out-coal-phase-out-germanys-exit-law-draft