This past Tuesday, Germany approved of many different energy proposals. One in particular that sticks out more than the others is expanding the lifespan of the country's nuclear plants. The German government will also draw more energy for renewable energy, the renovations of power grids, and overall improving efficiency by 2050. "Four decades from now, the government wants greenhouse-gas emissions to be 80% lower". (Wall Street Journal) To increase to the reality of this goal, the German government's lifespan of the 17 nuclear reactors will be extended.
I am all for Germany finally approving of the new energy proposals because that will help put pressure on the rest of the nations around the world to progress themselves energy-wise. Even though this is a good thing for the future to have a "green" planet, the BDI Federation of German Industries believes what the government has done is acceptable but they also warned them that the investment for these utilities will be much more expensive than first expected. Even though the expenses will be very high, I feel it is necessary for a European country (such as Germany) to be noticed as a nation making a difference by improving their energy efficiency for the future.
-Michael Sheinfeld
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882404575519493309998222.html?mod=WSJ_Energy_leftHeadlines
When Germany passed this law they also ran a very high risk because they could sink Germany's current energy market. If things stay the way they are right now for oil Germany would be inefficient as both a producer and consumer of energy because it would be less expensive to just use oil. Hopefully for Germany's sake the cost to find and produce oil will increase and the technology will improve for alternative energy making alternative energy more efficient. One possibility is that this law that Germany has passed will help push producers in the direction of improving alternative energy.
ReplyDelete-Tom Langevin
I think people may fear nuclear energy but nuclear energy can be be used for good; it is also a renewable resource. Oil is not a renewable source so countries have to start looking elsewhere for alternative oil. This can effect the market but eventually it must be done. In terms of energy, it is good that Germany is thinking ahead.
ReplyDelete-Kelsey Tomlinson