On the one hand, there is the vast subsidization of 'green energy', which is not only thoroughly uneconomic andblighting the landscape, but the costs of which have been off-loaded on consumers, who pay a special 'ecological fee' on top of their already far too high bills.
On the other hand, after the Fukujima accident, Germany's government quickly gave in to pressure from the Greens and decided to completely phase out nuclear energy (as if Germany were in danger of being hit by a tsunami). This is of course a completely futile gesture, as the country is surrounded by other countries brimming with nuclear reactors over which it has no control whatsoever (admittedly, even one nuclear accident would be one too many). However, this hasty step has once again made electricity more expensive.
Fracking also remains forever stuck in the 'debating stage' in Europe, with resistance organized by various NGOs growing steadily.
As Gabriel remarked:
“In the debate over Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas it is often falsely pretended that there are many other possibilities. This is incorrect.”Moreover he warned of scaremongering and misplaced fears that Russia would stop its deliveries, arguing that “even in the dark times of the Cold War, Russia has always fulfilled its contractual obligations.”
This insightful observation was followed by a succession of hollow phrases about how EU foreign policy must 'not be guided exclusively by economic interests'. Right. Still no alternative to Russian gas though. Tough titty, as they say. Moreover, as Gabriel rightly points out, it isn't a problem anyway..."
at http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-09/german-vice-chancellor-warns-no-alternative-russian-gas
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