The controversy over the topic was sparked by reports from the German magazine “Cicero”. In March 2022, immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Economy and Environment Ministries ignored expert opinions indicating that it might be justified to temporarily extend the operation of the country's last operating nuclear power plants, the newspaper's journalists say, citing internal information. Obtained through court documents from both ministries.
According to Cicero, Habeck's position contradicted the opinions of experts who claimed that nuclear energy could help reduce gas consumption and avoid an energy crisis.
The two ministries deny the newspaper's reports.
On Friday, during special meetings of the Bundestag's Environment and Economy Committee, Habeck and Lemke defended the decision to phase out nuclear power in Germany according to a timetable set before the Russian invasion.
Habeck stressed that his ministry analyzed the possibility of extending the operation of nuclear power plants at a very early stage. He said talks with nuclear power plant operators were key to the decision-making process. The Ministry of Economy also noted that “extremely high costs and safety risks” hinder extending the operational life of the plant.
The Minister of Environment spoke in the same tone. Lemke noted that her ministry presented all events in a “transparent and understandable” manner. According to her, the experts' opinions “were focused at all times on the nuclear security of our country.”
Politicians of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) announced that they wanted to continue the debate and clarify the matter. – There remains reasonable doubt that Habaek's ministry did the opposite of what the minister publicly announced. Distortion of facts rather than open analysis,” said Andreas Jung, representative of the Christian Democrats for Energy and Climate Protection.
– There is a growing suspicion that the decision to withdraw (the country) from nuclear energy was not made openly (based on the transparent decision-making process – PAP), but was determined in advance. “People have been deceived,” said CSU MP Andreas Lenz.
The last three German nuclear power plants – Isar 2 (in Bavaria), Emsland (in Lower Saxony) and Neckarwestheim 2 (in Baden-Württemberg) – were scheduled to be disconnected from the grid in early 2022-2023; This finally happened on April 15, 2023.
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