European lawmakers have endorsed a Commission-backed plan to safeguard employees from hazards linked to ionizing radiation contact.
The northern states of Germany, including Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein, have issued a joint demand to the federal government, urging action on the North-South disparity in electricity prices and a reduction in energy costs overall.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) supports this call, advocating for a swift reduction in electricity prices and the rapid introduction of an industrial electricity price. The states see potential for more wind parks in the Baltic and North Seas, which they believe could significantly contribute to Germany's electricity supply.
Lower electricity prices, the states argue, are crucial for a competitive industry and boosting the current sluggish economy in the northern states. The states are already planning for the 100 billion euros promised to them, with a focus on the renovation and expansion of North and Baltic Sea ports.
Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther (CDU) stated that the ports are nationwide tasks, not solely the responsibility of the northern states. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister-President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) agreed, highlighting the ports' significance for Germany's supply and the investment needs totaling 15.7 billion euros. The current annual allocation of 38 million euros for port renovation is considered insufficient, with 400 million euros needed.
The states also demand an increase in recycling capabilities for offshore wind energy infrastructure and the expansion of production capacities for rotor blades and platforms in Germany with state aid.
The states have called for faster approval procedures and targeted state promotion for offshore wind energy projects. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Natalie Reiche, introduced plans to optimize the installation of offshore wind farms to save costs of up to 40 billion euros, aiming to improve the efficiency of the energy transition and reduce expenses by optimizing offshore expansion and network connection lines.
However, Schwesig criticized the federal government's considerations to significantly cut back on the construction of offshore wind farms. DGB representatives from the five northern states support the continued pursuit of the energy transition, calling for climate protection not to lead to poverty. Fair pricing of electricity is considered a matter of justice by the northern states, as residents struggle to understand why electricity prices are highest where the most wind power is produced cheaply.
The states demand that the federal government stick to the 70 gigawatts offshore expansion target by 2045, providing companies with planning security. The states are seeking clarity from the federal government regarding the use of funds from a multi-billion-dollar special reserve.
Offshore wind parks along the coasts find more acceptance among the population, and their contribution to Germany's electricity supply could be significant. The northern German federal states are determined to address the energy cost issues and invest in port infrastructure to drive economic growth and ensure a sustainable energy future.
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