German ministry softens CO2 emission demands for power plants
Source: Yahoo/Reuters
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany plans to force coal-fired power plant operators to reduce their CO2 emissions by 2020 by less than previously planned, according to an economy ministry document seen by Reuters on Monday, bowing to opposition from within the industry.
Thousands of coal workers marched in Berlin last month to protest against plans to slap a levy on the oldest and most polluting power plants, which unions say could put 100,000 jobs at risk.
The levy is aimed at forcing coal operators to slash their emissions and stop Germany from falling short of its target to cut greenhouse gases by 40 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.
But RWE, the country's largest power producer, warned the measure would lead to the immediate closure of its lignite-fired power plants.
Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/germany-scale-back-co2-emissions-cuts-coal-plant-100912092--sector.html
For the older plants to be more profitable.