Nuclear Phaseout Fight Continues in Germany

Germany's new Energy Minister, Michael Glos, isn't giving up his efforts to reverse his country's planned phaseout of nuclear energy:

"We need a reasonable mix of energy sources and energy that is affordable so that consumers and industry aren't further burdened by higher prices," Glos told German television outside a conclave in the Genshagen villa south of Berlin.

"Especially when it's cold and others can turn off their natural gas supplies," he added, referring to the recent dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supplies.

"We have to talk about the issue of whether we should be arbitrarily turning off nuclear power. We have to talk about whether it is reasonable to turn off nuclear plants in perfect technical condition and import expensive energy from abroad."

But [Prime Minister Angela] Merkel, who campaigned to extend the use of nuclear power in Germany, has already said she will stand by a coalition agreement signed after the election which clearly states that plans to shut down nuclear plants will not be changed.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Energy, Electricity, Natural Gas, Russia, Germany