Top German conservative hints at slower coal phase-out in nod to party right
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS FEBRUARY 2, 2019 / 6:19 PM / UPDATED 39 MINUTES AGO
Top German conservative hints at slower coal phase-out in nod to party right
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germanys phasing out of coal-fired power stations could be delayed beyond 2038 if the deadline creates problems for the security of electricity supply, a senior legislator in Chancellor Angela Merkels party said.
The phase-out, proposed last Saturday by a commission tasked with mapping out Germanys transition to a more environmentally friendly low-carbon economy, drew criticism from some in industry who fear the impact of higher energy prices.
But in remarks that appeared aimed at the right of a party not always comfortable with Merkels centrist approach, Ralph Brinkhaus, chair of the conservative benches in parliament, said it was crucial not to be dogmatic in pursuing a goal that was widely accepted.
Energy supply security must be guaranteed, he told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. If it is endangered, we should be free to do another round and address that, without abandoning the path weve chosen. Theres no reason to be dogmatic about this.
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