Behind Germany’s Nuclear Power Extension

  • Share
  • Read Later

Peter Steffen/dpa/Corbis

The German government nixed plans to phase out nuclear power in the country by 2021, extending the plants’ lives by an average of 12 years.

Over at Econcentric, TIME’s Eban Harrell breaks down the decision:

Nuclear analysts have had their eye on Germany in recent years as one of the test-cases for a long-predicted nuclear renaissance in Europe, as the country balances concern over climate change and energy security against its fear of radioactivity. The country has become a world leader in alternative energy technology, but according to the BBC, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the decision by saying that renewables cannot meet Germany’s energy needs on their own. She said that nuclear provided a “bridge technology” until renewables become more viable. “The accord means that we will have energy security,” Merkel said.

Read the full post at TIME’s Ecocentric blog.