German Chancellor Defends Decision to Extend Life of Nuclear Plants

Noting that it will take time to develop alternative energy sources, the German government has agreed to extend the operating life of the nation’s 17 nuclear plants. The decision, which will extend the life of Germany’s nuclear facilities an average of 12 years, was criticized by green groups, who charged it would create windfall profits for power companies. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany was not able to get rid of nuclear power as planned because nuclear was needed as a “bridge” to other new sources of energy. German sentiment toward nuclear power has shifted recently; a July poll found that 81 percent of Germans believed the country could not go entirely without nuclear power, up from 59 percent five years ago.