A nuclear power station in Nogent sur Seine, France

Every man for himself

Germany is going down the green energy road, Poland is drilling for shale gas, and the United Kingdom has announced the building of new nuclear plants: when it comes to energy supply and security, the Europeans are hauling in different directions. It’s in their own interest, though, to adopt a common strategy.

Published on 7 November 2013
A nuclear power station in Nogent sur Seine, France

While some are reacting with shock and others with enthusiasm, the EU Commission has responded with a single sentence to the British announcement that the UK will be building new nuclear reactors: on the question of the energy mix, the member states have sole responsibility. It’s in the EU treaties: be it from nuclear reactors, gas and coal, or from windmills and solar grids, how a country produces its power is up that country alone. The Commission, as mere guardian of the treaties, has no say in the decision. No one in Brussels, in any case, has been surprised by the news. After all, the British have been signalling for a long time now that the country intends to roll out nuclear power in the fight against climate change. End of debate.

Read full article on Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

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