FDP boss: atomic energy is no longer an option in Germany

Created: 01/06/2022, 01:51 PM

Cooling towers of a nuclear power plant are behind a prohibition sign.

© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / dpa / symbol image

FDP leader Christian Lindner has given nuclear energy in Germany a clear rejection also for the future.

However, he warned against “distortion of competition against those who rely on climate-friendly, sustainable energy sources”.

"An energy source that can only be established if the state assumes liability, which already shows in a market economy that it cannot be a sustainably responsible source of energy," said Lindner, who is also the Federal Minister of Finance.

Stuttgart - He responded to plans from Brussels at the Epiphany meeting of the Liberals on Thursday in Stuttgart.

According to a proposal by the EU Commission, investments in new gas-fired power plants should be able to be classified temporarily as climate-friendly, especially at Germany's request.

Investments in new nuclear power plants - especially planned in France - should also be classified as green under certain conditions.

This classification of economic activities, called taxonomy in technical jargon, is intended to channel more money into sustainable technologies and companies and thus make a significant contribution to Europe's climate neutrality by 2050.

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“It is clear to me, it is clear to us: Each member state of the European Union decides on issues relating to its own energy generation.

And that deserves respect, ”said Lindner.

"When evaluating these investments, however, it must not be overlooked that nuclear energy may be CO2-free, but is anything but sustainable."

For Germany, "nuclear energy is not an option anyway," said Lindner.

“Some dream of it.

Where is there a readiness for new systems?

Where are private operators?

Where is there private capital?

Where would there be a private insurer that would insure the risk of nuclear energy in the market?

That can only be done with state liability, ”he said.

"For a market economist, this is already a sign that nuclear energy is not justifiable in terms of regulatory policy either."

Lindner advocated looking for opportunities in new technologies.

He said: “It has to be possible to get innovative, clean technologies onto the road and into practice with speed and creativity.

That is the question of prosperity in our society.

I'm more sure of that than ever. ”Dpa