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Coal exit: Eastern countries on a confrontational course to Robert Habeck

2022-03-23T22:16:24.067Z


Early exit from coal by 2030? Economics and Climate Minister Robert Habeck relies on dialogue with the coal areas in East Germany. But the plans of the traffic light government are not well received there.


Enlarge image

It's still smoking: the Black Pump lignite-fired power plant in Lusatia

Photo: Rainer Weisflog / IMAGO

Tough negotiations are underway between the federal government and the East German coal states about the earlier coal phase-out that the traffic light coalition is aiming for.

That became clear on Wednesday after a meeting between Federal Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and the heads of government from Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Brandenburg.

Habeck announced a report in which the scientific and technical requirements for an early exit from coal are to be examined.

When the results are there, the federal government will quickly seek an exchange with the federal states.

The law passed by the previous government to phase out coal in 2038 and the stricter climate targets that were also passed did not go together.

This must be changed.

The traffic light coalition agreement states that the phase-out of coal should “ideally” be brought forward to 2030.

So far, this is planned by 2038 at the latest.

Habeck said it could only be the case that, as a minister, you say what you want to achieve and explain and create the scientific and technical prerequisites for it - and then try to reach a consensus on the "how" but no longer on the "if". to manufacture.

Skepticism in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Brandenburg

"We take a critical view of that," said Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU), with a view to plans for an earlier exit from coal.

Haseloff warned of social conflicts and called for a consensual approach by the federal and state governments.

Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) accused the federal government of having "partially" canceled the compromise reached in the coal commission.

"People in the regions have relied on it, the workers have relied on it," he said of the decision to phase out by 2038. Anyone who talks about participation must prove that this is not an alibi, but is meant seriously.

Finding a compromise is a difficult task.

Brandenburg's head of government Dietmar Woidke (SPD) said with regard to the traffic light plans: "Security has been lost to some extent." The states should not face any additional burdens.

It needs acceptance in society, in the regions and among employees.

A viable way must now be found between stronger climate protection and security of supply.

"Good experience" with willingness to engage in dialogue and public participation

Habeck said that an early phase-out of coal is linked to the success of the goals for the expansion of renewable energies.

If the phase-out of coal were brought forward, structural change measures would also be accelerated.

The federal government had made commitments for billions in aid.

He had already been involved with the expansion of energy, said Habeck, referring to his time as state minister in Schleswig-Holstein.

"I've had the good experience that entrainment, willingness to engage in dialogue, citizen participation and speed are not mutually exclusive." He does not plan to provide less participation, less dialogue or less openness to the path, he said with a view to an early exit from coal .

About the previous government, Habeck said that nothing had happened in energy policy, except that dependence on Russia had increased.

atb/dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2022-03-23

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