Bärbel Höhn, MP, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Fraction of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen

The Nuclear Phase-out is not for debate

Why Nuclear Energy is dangerous and a Resurrection would not represent Progress

We all are currently experiencing a massive campaign for a pullout of the prior agreed-on nuclear phase-out in Germany, even though nuclear energy is expensive, dirty and a threat to health and safety. Whoever tries to cancel the phase-out or whoever states that nuclear energy is acceptable from a biological point of view, cannot be a partner for Green politics. The nuclear phase-out is not for debate.

Nuclear Power is a Threat to Health and Safety

There are no safe nuclear power plants. None is immune against catastrophes like those that occurred in Chernobyl or Harrisburg. In the year 2006, the near-GAU (Größter anzunehmender Unfall / Maximum Credible Accident) in the shining example of nuclear power plants – the assumed modern reactor in the Swedish town of Forsmark – dramatically presented how easily a major accident can happen. Additionally, the permanent breaking down of German nuclear power stations in Brunsbüttel, Krümmel and Biblis A shows that the older the plants are, the more ailing and more unsafe they become.

Nuclear Energy is expensive for everyone

For society, there is no more expensive energy production than nuclear energy. It is only supposedly less expensive if one does not take the general costs for society into account. For example, an approximate sum of 100 billion euros in direct and indirect state subventions has already been invested. Additionally, the price for the customer – if taking a closer look – is not an argument since the majority of the benefits stays with the energy producers. A possible share with the consumers, as currently debated, would not have any significant effect, too.

A longer running time for German nuclear power plants hinders the industry from investing in other, more appropriate forms of energy production, such as renewable energies. Already the debate alone leads to a reluctant behaviour of the affected industries. Therefore, nuclear energy is no way for the future.

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