Plans to cut coal in Germany are increasingly coming under fire in the Union. Carsten Linnemann (CDU), Chairman of the SME and Economic Association of the CDU and CSU, told Bild am Sonntag: „We are overburdening taxpayers, they are not really helping the climate, and we are soon in danger of being dependent on foreign countries.“
Union faction leader Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU) did not rule out later, as proposed by the coal commission from the coal auszuschteigen. „There is a broad social consensus that something has to be done in the field of climate,“ said Brinkhaus of the „Welt am Sonntag“. However, the supply security for energy must also be guaranteed.
„Dogmatism not appropriate“
„If she is in danger, then we should also take the liberty in the political process, once again to make a lap of honor and clarify this, but without leaving the path,“ said the Union’s leader. „Dogmatism on this question is certainly not appropriate.“
The German coal commission recommends the exit from the climate-damaging coal power generation by 2038 at the latest. Until then, the last power plant should be shut down. In order to cushion the consequences for the affected lignite areas in the Rhineland and East Germany, at least 40 billion euros are planned by 2040.
As a relief for the expected rise in electricity prices, it is expected that from 2023, according to the current state, about € 2 billion will be available annually for businesses and private households. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has hinted that the government should follow the recommendations of the coal commission.
