Public Witness Examination by the 2nd Committee of Inquiry into the Nuclear Phase-Out
December 2, 2024
The 2nd Committee of Inquiry into the Nuclear Phase-Out held a public witness examination on December 2, 2024, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the decision to phase out nuclear power in Germany.
Background
In 2021, the German Bundestag established the 2nd Committee of Inquiry to investigate the decision-making process of the nuclear power phase-out that was initiated by the Federal Government in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The Committee’s mandate includes examining the roles of government bodies, energy companies, and other stakeholders during the decision-making process.
Witness Testimony
The first witness examined was Dr. Angela Merkel, who served as German Chancellor from 2005 to 2021. Merkel testified that the decision to phase out nuclear power was made in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, which raised serious concerns about the safety of nuclear energy. She emphasized that the decision was based on a risk assessment conducted by the Federal Government and on broad public support for a nuclear phase-out.
The second witness examined was Sigmar Gabriel, who served as German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy from 2013 to 2017. Gabriel provided detailed testimony on the negotiations between the Federal Government and the energy companies that operated nuclear power plants in Germany. He explained that the government’s goal was to phase out nuclear power in a gradual and orderly manner, while also ensuring a secure energy supply for the country.
Key Findings
The Committee’s examination of witness testimony revealed several key findings:
- The decision to phase out nuclear power was made in the context of heightened public awareness of the risks of nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster.
- The government’s approach to the nuclear phase-out was guided by a risk assessment conducted by experts.
- Negotiations between the government and the energy companies involved complex technical and political considerations.
- The goal of the government was to achieve a controlled and orderly nuclear phase-out while maintaining a secure energy supply.
Conclusion
The 2nd Committee of Inquiry into the Nuclear Phase-Out continued its public hearings with the examination of witnesses on December 2, 2024. The committee’s findings provide valuable insights into the decision-making process surrounding the nuclear power phase-out in Germany. The committee’s final report is expected to be published in 2025.
Öffentliche Zeugenvernehmung des 2. Untersuchungsausschusses „Atomausstieg“
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