Power sources - Flexible funding programs for the coal phase-out: Government proposal
The goal of the federal government is to broaden the reach of state financing programs in ex-coal communities to foster the establishment of new industries. In a document from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, they assert that the pre-established plan to phase out coal-fired energy production by 2038 will stand strong. "The federal government won't make any political endeavors to adjust this legal cutoff." Any market-driven phaseouts before 2038, along with state and regional measures, will stay unaffected.
German Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), who's addressing the East German Economic Forum in Brandenburg’s Bad Saarow this morning, has previously favored an earlier coal phaseout, particularly in the eastern coal-rich regions. The document underlines: "If coal-fired energy production is anticipated to decline considerably earlier than 2038 and the exit also comes before then in the eastern coal regions, it's critical to make the transition as smooth as possible."
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz and Bundesministerium der Finanzen agree on an aid deal for better aid to coal regions. This entails authorizing direct funding for business developments. Money will be encouraged toward brown coal areas, for instance investing in eco-friendly transformation technologies. Funding times will be more flexible, allowing leftover resources from a project to be spent up to three years after the project's end.
With close communication with the states, the federal program "STARK" should be scaled up. Railway projects already approved should be initiated to enhance transport infrastructure in these regions, such as the extension of the line between Berlin and Görlitz.
2030 is the target for coal region exit, with billions in federal help
The federal government intends to aid coal regions during their departure from coal-fired power generation with billions of euros. Through a deal with Rhineland's administration and RWE energy corporation, the coal exit in Rhineland is set for 2030, shortened by eight years.
Last January, Habeck stated that an earlier coal exit in the east necessitates a broad consensual agreement. "This won't be decrered by command, but must be perceived as a sound plan by a diverse coalition."
