Posted on 01/16/2020 9:17:45 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
The German government and regional leaders have agreed on a plan to phase out coal-fired power stations by 2038, involving compensation of about €40bn (£34bn; $45bn).
The end date for burning brown coal (lignite) - the dirtiest type of coal - could be brought forward to 2035, depending on the progress made.
Germany has more than 250,000 workers in renewable energy sectors - far more than in the coal industry.
Coal is a big driver of global warming.
The €40bn compensation will target four German states which have lignite mines and coal-fired power plants: Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg.
Much of the money will go into new infrastructure projects for coal-dependent areas and retraining workers for new jobs there.
Mines and utilities will also get compensation for the lost production. The compensation for closing coal-fired power stations in western Germany is set at €2.6bn, and for those in the east at €1.75bn.
There are some fears that the shutdown could trigger electricity shortfalls, as nuclear power is being phased out within two years.
The government will draft a law this month for exiting from coal, which it hopes to get passed by parliament in mid-2020.
Coal currently powers about one-third of Germany's electricity, and more than half of that relies on burning lignite. Germany is the world's biggest lignite producer.
"Germany has embarked on something really big. And I'm sure that we'll manage this," said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said "we're the first country to be finally exiting from nuclear and coal".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Moreover. I am waiting to see what the trade agreement between the UK and USA is going to be after Brexit happens the 31st of this month.
I would bet that coal and gas will be a big commodity that will be traded. Gas more than coal.
All I see for the USA is good times. Now if we can kill off a good many democrats..
Most likely gas from Russia and Trump used the deal as leverage against the Germans..and on and on..
Hope you noticed the sarcasm there.
Actually you have to go back a few more centuries as coal was fueling the Industry Revolution.
Unless China, Russia and India make a genuine effort to reduce fossil fuel consumption, the whole environmental movement is futile.
Germany is taking in wood chips from there? I know that Drax/Drak is taking them in the UK but didnt know that Germany was also..
Well, I see no problem with eliminating coal if there is adequate natural gas or nuclear replacement.
Yes I think they buy them from the big plant out in moorehead city. They are actually wood pellets not chips.
I cannot believe they are phasing out coal and nuclear. It must be some kind of head-fake. I simply refuse to believe it. In the Engineering dept., Germans are not, and have never been, stupid.
Good news is one less world economic competitor!
Someone remind fritz that it gets really cold in Germany in the winter!
What is replacing it? Cleaner Coal? Natural Gas?
Windmills, solar panels and Unicorn farts.
“No coal + no nuclear = 19th century living standards”
Think positively. At least the Muslims will feel more at home.
Hi.
“finally exiting from nuclear and coal”
Those crafty Germans must have figured something out. Otherwise Putin will be in Berlin, cheered by the people.
5.56mm
Their secret plan is to fire up the old ovens at Dachau, Buchenwald, Auschwitz, etc. and burn conservatives...
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