Mark Flanagan posted that Europe is getting itself into a real tizzy over nuclear energy, because the strongest country in the European Union, Germany, is dead set against it and the other 27 members of the union as well, not so much. Using taxpayers money to fund nuclear power is absolutely out of the question, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Thursday, in an apparent swipe at British plans to finance new atomic generation.
The French company EDF is building the new reactor at Britain Hinkley Point site. The EU voted state aid for the project last year and the Germans are now threatening a law suit to stop it. He is not entirely sure who they are suing or why exactly and, frankly, I am not interested enough to find out. But what is interesting, and more relevant to us over here, is the behavior of other EU countries in light of this kerfluffle.
Representing member states that support nuclear power, Romanian Energy Minister Andrei Gerea has written to European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic calling for a supportive EU framework for safe and sustainable new nuclear. He also urges the Commission to publish promptly its plans for deeper reform of the European Union Emissions Trading System once efforts under way to set up a reserve for surplus carbon permits have been agreed.
The German position forces them to relay on Russian natural gas and brown coal, and anticipated wind and solar energy contributions.
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