Nuclear power as a spoilsport in the political debate. The new federal government's energy policy debate

The focus on environmental policy changed with the 1998 parliamentary elections and the arrival in office of the Red-Green coalition. Both coalition parties had been critical of nuclear energy long before they came to power. Following the Chernobyl disaster, the SPD decided to abandon nuclear power at its 1986 Congress. The Greens, for their part, emerged from the anti-nuclear movement of the early 1980's. Understandably, the coalition decided in 2000, in consultation with the energy industry, to abandon nuclear power. However, this decision did not meet with the approval of all parties. The Nuclear Energy Act, amended in 2002, stipulates that the phase-out of nuclear power must not be abrupt. The cycles of Germany's nuclear power plants are being shortened so that they only produce limited quantities of electricity, based on a normal operating life of 32 years. In this way, power plants are gradually disconnected from the grid according to their age, which varies; the last nuclear power plant is scheduled for shutdown in 2021. In addition, no more permits are granted for the construction of new nuclear power plants or reprocessing facilities for spent fuel. Since 2005, the reprocessing of spent fuel and its export abroad has been prohibited. The reduction in capacity must be offset by other energy sources, foremost among them renewable energies. The Red-Green government's plan includes a program to promote renewable energies. Ideological differences alone do not explain the controversy on this subject. Several economic factors come into play when it comes to energy supply. Industry needs a secure supply of energy at an attractive price, but regulations apply to the energy sector. Moreover, operating nuclear power plants involves unpredictable risks. More generally, it is the security of supply that is at stake: it can be jeopardized if the supply is too dependent on imports. The debate on energy policy has been reopened in Germany since the formation of the grand coalition between the CDU and the SPD. The CDU/CSU would like to change the law, but the parties in government cannot act without each other, given their positions. The issue was due to be resolved at an energy summit in early April. But a solution to the conflict has yet to be found. Nevertheless, the government has decided to increase investment in research by two billion euros until 2009, and to heavily subsidize renewable energies. A further summit is planned for September, to define the government's policy direction in the energy field. In the meantime, this issue will be dealt with in the working groups. This contribution describes the environment in which this conflict is taking place, and highlights the reasons behind the reopening of a wide-ranging debate on nuclear power in Germany