German Environ Min asserts rule over nuclear plants

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – German nuclear plants that want to
prolong operations beyond a national phase-out plan will need
approval from the environment ministry, its chief Sigmar
Gabriel said on Monday.

Debate has been renewed over the future of Germany’s 17
nuclear power stations beyond their allocated operational
lifetimes. They produce a third of its electricity but must be
phased out by the early 2020s.

Pro-nuclear advocates have suggested that the conservative
chancellery might allow some flexibility during the new
coalition government’s four-year term, pitting it against
Social Democrat Gabriel, who wants to stick to the phase-out
plan.

“Switching remaining production volumes from a young plant
to an older plant is only envisaged as an exception…,”
Gabriel was quoted as saying in an environment ministry
statement.

“Under nuclear law, such a case needs the explicit approval
of the environment minister,” he added.

Citing economic need, the pro-nuclear lobby argues that old
plants such as utility RWE’s 20-year old Biblis A, which under
the deal must close in 2008, could buy time by borrowing
remaining production quotas from RWE’s younger plants.

Gabriel said such a transfer would only be possible if the
operators could prove that safety was not being compromised.

A transfer from old plants closing early to younger ones
will be allowed as it minimizes safety risks.

Conservative economics minister Michael Glos at the weekend
pleaded with the SPD to change its mind over nuclear energy,
which is regaining popularity worldwide as an alternative to
expensive oil and highly CO2-emitting coal.

“It’s no good if we go ahead and switch off safe nuclear
plants…and increase our energy prices that way,” Glos said on
German television.

Chancellor Angela Merkel plans an energy summit on the
issue, which observers say is most likely now to take place in
early April.