Today is a historic day in Germany and for green energy world wide. The German Parliament has made a precedent setting move – not only have they set a plan to phase out all nuclear by 2022, but the Parliament has committed to renewable energy like wind and solar as the replacement. The decision will help Germany with its objective to reduce carbon pollution 40% by 2020, which will include a significant shift away from coal fueled power plants.
Germany is sending a very important signal to the world: They are convinced and committed that renewable energies and efficiency technologies that will not only contribute to a more sustainable life on earth but also support a more sustainable economic future.
After some of the largest demonstrations on green energy in Germany’s history, and a the planet bearing witness to one of the worst nuclear disasters in history, the law on the nuclear phase out passed the German Parliament with an enormous majority of 513 votes in favor, 79 votes against and 8 abstentions, combined with related laws for the switch to renewables like:
• Acceleration of investments in new grids
• Revised energy efficiency Promotion of on-shore wind energy
• Revised feed-in-tariffs for renewable
The nuclear phase out comprises the following steps:
• 8 nuclear reactors, under a March 2011 moratorium, will not be reactivated and will be phased out.
• These are eight of the oldest reactors with the highest security risks. The other 9 nuclear reactors will be phased out by 2022.
Germany, Switzerland and Italy are all abandoning nuclear in favor of clean and safe renewable energy that don’t threaten our homes and communities with meltdowns and radioactive fallout. People from Vermont to California are coming together to demand the same change here at home, and it’s Obama and Congress that have the power to answer their call by shutting down nuclear here at home and investing in renewables like wind and solar.
