The discussion about a lifetime extension for nuclear power plants in Germany becomes a stress test for the Greens. As can be seen from an internal e-mail, the party’s federal office now wants to specify a uniform language rule – “as calmly as possible”.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has not ruled out continued operation of the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany beyond the end of the year under certain conditions. The so-called stress test could result in a “special scenario”, Habeck said on Tuesday at “RTL Aktuell”. “The relevant question that needs to be asked is whether the electricity grid stability needs to be secured through further measures this year.”
As can be seen from an internal e-mail published by “Welt”, the federal office of the Greens now wants to establish a uniform language and a specific approach to the nuclear debate. In this way, critical questions should be answered “as calmly and concisely as possible”.
“It is fundamentally important that we do not allow ourselves to be driven by bogus debates. In the past, we have made decisions based on facts and the state of affairs and will continue to do so,” the letter said.
And further: “The following line is suggested: The Ministry of Economic Affairs is currently examining the security of supply of electricity in a second, more far-reaching stress test. As of now, this is guaranteed. As soon as the results are available, further possible measures will be discussed based on the situation – as before. We reject a service life extension, i.e. the procurement of new fuel rods.”
With regard to the uncertain heating situation in the coming winter, attention should always be drawn to “diversification and energy saving”. “Even some journalists tell me that the nuclear debate is completely disproportionate to the actual benefits,” writes the federal office of the Greens in the e-mail.
According to current nuclear law, the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany must be taken off the grid by the end of December at the latest. An initial stress test by the Federal Ministry of Economics for electricity supply in the spring showed that Germany’s security of supply was guaranteed even under difficult conditions.
A second test is currently underway, the result of which is expected in the next few weeks. The SPD and the Greens are skeptical about extending the term of an AKW. Your coalition partner FDP, on the other hand, suggested letting the reactors run until 2024.
