RE: German Nuclear Shutdown Planned

["Bob Hearn" <rah@AMERICA.NET>]

The shutdown does not "underscore [any] divide between Europe and the United

States", despite the annonymous reporters editorialization. Is France not a

part of Europe now?  This action is purely a result of political compromise

by the Social Democrats to manitain a slim majority in the German government

by alligning the support of the minority Green party in return for this

concession, which is a long-term schedule subject to reversal.

-----Original Message-----

From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of Robert Yoss

Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 8:33 AM

To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: German Nuclear Shutdown Planned





German Nuclear Shutdown Planned

Associated Press

Last Updated: June 11, 2001 at 6:57:42 p.m.

BERLIN - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and leading energy companies formally

signed an agreement Monday to shut down Germany's 19 nuclear power plants,

making it the world's largest industrialized nation to willingly forgo the

technology.

Though it could take decades to complete,



 ==>the plan underscores the divide

between Europe and the United States on environmental policy. President Bush

last month unveiled measures to promote the building of more nuclear plants,

and many now operating are expected to apply to extend their operating

license.

After the signing ceremony in Berlin, Schroeder said that while it was up to

every country to design its own energy policy, ``naturally we would hope

that many follow our example.''

The pact limits nuclear plants, which provide nearly a third of Germany's

electricity, to an average 32 years of operation. That would likely see the

most modern plants close around 2021 and see Germany join nations such as

Italy and Austria in abandoning nuclear power.

Still, some environmentalists say that timetable is far too long while

German conservatives argue that abandoning atomic power is a mistake. Power

company executives say they haven't given up hope that a future government

would scrap the plan.

The nuclear shutdown still must be approved by the Cabinet and parliament,

where Schroeder's Social Democrats hold the majority along with the

environmentalist Greens.

Eliminating nuclear power is a pet cause of the Greens, who for years backed

protests focused on halting nuclear waste transports, which the pact will

end by mid-2005.



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