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Why Coal Power Is Merkel’s Biggest Climate Challenge

Why Coal Power Is Merkel’s Biggest Climate Challenge

The German government is deciding how quickly to close all the nation’s remaining coal-fired power plants, part of an effort to fulfill its pledge

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The German government is deciding how quickly to close all the nation’s remaining coal-fired power plants, part of an effort to fulfill its pledges under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. While environmentalists hope Europe’s biggest economy will put fossil fuels on a short leash, utilities say any quick changes will drive up electricity prices. As an ad-hoc coal commission reconvenes this month to plot the exit, interest groups ranging from Germany’s biggest coal-plant owner, RWE AG, to the World Wildlife Fund are pushing their views on how regulators treat an industry that pumps out a third of all emissions.

1. How much time does German coal power have?

The current plan, according to Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier, is to cut coal capacity in half by 2030 and shutter the industry completely by 2050. Environmentalists say a quicker phaseout is necessary to meet climate targets. Chancellor Angela Merkel has committed to closing coal plants but not yet set a date for when.

2. Will the coal commission make that call?

The panel can’t make policy on its own, but Merkel’s government created it,and she has indicated she will act on its recommendations. The panel is designed to come up with a solution that all parties can live with. The 28-member group includes environmentalists, utility executives, scientists, union representatives, state officials and civil servants. It must map out both when Germany should finish with coal and how exactly to squeeze the remaining plants out of business. Both the date and the mechanisms are crucial to power generators, especially RWE AG, that still operate significant coal capacity.

3. How reliant is Germany on coal?

About 120 coal power plants provided 36 percent of Germany’s electricity last year. In 2000, coal provided half of the nation’s power.

 

 

 

 

bloomberg.com

 

 

 

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