German utilities: Abolish nuclear power by 2020

[jpak]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MFKE781.htm

An umbrella organization of Germany's utility companies has called for a "swift and complete" abolishment of nuclear power in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster.

The German Association of Energy and Water Industries said Friday the technology should be phased out by 2020.

The group calls on the government to speed up the transition toward a stable, ecologically responsible and affordable energy mix.

The association represents about 1,800 utilities, among them the operators of the country's 17 nuclear reactors.

<more>

[newfie11]

1. Go Germany!

This country has solar on 400 year old homes, wind power every where. We in America could certainly follow their lead.

[ladjf]

2. Germans showing some brains. I'm disappointed with the French

on the nuclear issue. Thought they were smarter than that.

[kristopher]

3. Nuclear power export is a HUGE business sector for France & its government

They are the worst fission pushers on the planet.

[ladjf]

4. Just shows how often greed trumps wisdom. nt

[kristopher]

5. That is probably one of the most universal things about human culture... nt

[ladjf]

7. True. Maybe we should be looking for some older candidates

to serve as our politicians. I mean by that, we might could find some people 75 to 85 years old who aren't senile, who would be willing to serve America honestly and would have the courage to do so.
Carter comes to mind. He's healthy enough to be President and the last thing he would do would be to steal from Americans just to get rich or powerful. Or, Bernie Sanders. What about Sen. Mitchel?

We don't need any more Clintons, Bushes, Nixons, or Obamas. Too much ambition along with a few other
unsavory characteristics.

[TheWraith]

6. You don't mention that what they're doing is replacing it with coal.

Until somehow they're saved by renewables. You know, exactly what we've been doing for 30 years. What a brilliant idea! :sarcasm:

[kristopher]

8. Why would they do that when the long term economics favor solar?

By 2020 they could easily build 30-40 GWp of solar manufacturing capacity. That would provide enough panels each year to replace the electricity from 7 or so large nuclear plants. Then, after meeting domestic needs within 3-5 years they could amortize their manufacturing investment by exporting their surplus production.