this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
1002 points (93.7% liked)

Europe

8324 readers
1 users here now

News/Interesting Stories/Beautiful Pictures from Europe ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ

(Current banner: Thunder mountain, Germany, ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ) Feel free to post submissions for banner pictures

Rules

(This list is obviously incomplete, but it will get expanded when necessary)

  1. Be nice to each other (e.g. No direct insults against each other);
  2. No racism, antisemitism, dehumanisation of minorities or glorification of National Socialism allowed;
  3. No posts linking to mis-information funded by foreign states or billionaires.

Also check out [email protected]

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
1002
Well, this is something! (files.mastodon.social)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

Meanwhile in Germany:

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The decision to get out of nuclear was made over ten years ago.

Nope, at least over 20, in 2000. Quick overview:

  • Starting approximately with the 68 movement anti-nuclear sentiment began to become common, also tied up with opposition to stationing of nuclear warheads, the general peace movement, etc. Every single new nuclear plant was protested heavily, as such
  • By the 90s, it was clear that no new plants would be built: It was political suicide.
  • That then was made law in 2000, alongside with giving all existing reactors expiry dates, based on age and security record
  • Then a Merkel came along and gave extensions to the remaining reactors. She didn't touch the ban on new construction.
  • Then Fukushima happened and she took back that extension.
  • Then Ukraine happened and the three last remaining reactors got a 4 1/2 month extension to help tiding over the whole no gas from Russia situation: Originally (as planned in 2000) they should have shut down on the 31st of December last year, they actually shut down 15th of April this year. Some politicians wanted more but the operators themselves were opposed as they were already winding down the plants, would have to do another round of maintenance and inspections, procure more fuel etc. It was an "either at least five more years or forget it" type of attitude.