German Chancellor Merkel defends extension of nuclear power use

German Chancellor Merkel defends extension of nuclear power use

2011-03-17 23:51:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday defended the extension of nuclear power use amidst opposition calls against reversing the 2010 decision.

According to Deutsche Welle television, Merkel rejected reversing the September 2010 agreement to extend the lifespan of its 17 nuclear plants reached by her coalition of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats.

Instead of stopping use of nuclear power, a measured nuclear phase-out is need, said Merkel. Accoridng to the Chancellor, shutting down all nuclear reactors will force Germany to import nuclear power from neighboring countries.

Merkel said that her main objective is ensuring the safety of the nuclear reactors and supporting the inspections that will be conducted at Germany's oldest seven nuclear power plants.

While addressing the Bundestag (lower house of the Parliament), the Chancellor defended her government's policy on nuclear power and assured that she is working to ensure safety of the country's nuclear plants.

The opposition Green Party accused Merkel of overestimating the safety standards of Germany's plants. The party's parliamentary leader, Jürgen Trittin, said that more than three months are needed for serious inspections to be carried out.

On Monday, Merkel announced a three-month moratorium that put on hold the plans of extending the lifespan of the German nuclear reactors in order to conduct safety inspections at the nuclear facilities.

One day later, the German chancellor said that seven plants constructed before 1980 would be shut down for the duration of the moratorium. The remaining 10 active plants will be subject to thorough safety inspections.

"We will use the moratorium period, which we deliberately set to be short and ambitious, to drive the change in energy policy and accelerate it wherever possible, as we want to reach the age of renewable energy as quickly as possible," said Merkel.

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