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Unreliability of the railways forces steelworks to cut back production
In Germany, major steelworks will have to cut production in early June 2026 because the unreliability of rail freight transport is slowing down crucial raw material deliveries. Facilities in Salzgitter (Lower Saxony) and Eisenhüttenstadt (Brandenburg) are affected. Construction work on the rail network in northern Germany is disrupting key freight routes, preventing iron ore, coal,…
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EU plans more debt for the energy transition: Germany set to shoulder a new multi-billion-euro burden
The EU Commission intends to allow higher levels of debt to fund the energy transition, as the conflict involving Iran has exacerbated the energy crisis. Oil prices have risen sharply due to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, member states are to be permitted to take out additional loans for solar energy,…
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Natural gas supply: Domestic gas could last for 20 years through fracking
According to a new report, Germany could significantly bolster its natural gas supply using its own reserves. Hans-Joachim Kümpel, former president of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, sees sufficient potential in domestic shale gas deposits to extract approximately 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually for about 20 years. This would…
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European courts review US judgments: Greenpeace lawsuit becomes a precedent
On June 3, 2026, the District Court in Amsterdam ruled that Greenpeace International may proceed with its lawsuit in the Netherlands against the US pipeline company Energy Transfer. This sets a precedent: a European court is examining the consequences of a US judgment regarding events and damages that occurred in the United States. The protests…
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Mini-nuclear reactors: Germany is losing access to a potential key technology
Germany is sticking to its nuclear phase-out, even as many industrialized nations examine small modular reactors (SMRs) as a potential key technology for their future power supply. This trend is gaining momentum because SMRs are attracting research funding, industrial projects, and political support worldwide. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described Germany’s phase-out…
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Energy Efficiency Act as a drag on growth: DIHK warns against arbitrary consumption limit
A calculation by the DIHK intensifies criticism of the Energy Efficiency Act introduced by the “traffic-light” coalition government in November 2023. Germany is required to reduce its final energy consumption to 1,867 terawatt-hours by 2030, as the law mandates a 26.5 percent reduction compared to 2008 levels. By 2045, consumption is slated to drop by…
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Emigration at Record Levels: The Highly Skilled Flee Germany’s Burdens
Last year, the emigration of German citizens reached a historic high. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a total of 288,579 German citizens left the country in 2025. This marks the highest figure in the Destatis time series since 1954. Of particular concern, however, is the profile of those leaving: two-thirds of the emigrants are…
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Municipal council lets citizens vote, then ignores their “no” to the wind farm
The Quirnbach municipal council held a vote among residents regarding wind power planning on March 25, 2026, but on May 28, 2026, it made a decision contrary to the majority view of the participants. 145 residents voted against initiating the planning process, while 116 were in favor; thus, 55.6 percent rejected the project. Nevertheless, the…
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“Beautiful, clean coal”: Trump announces $700 million for fossil energy
“Beautiful, clean coal”: Under this motto, US President Donald Trump has announced investments of 700 million dollars (around 603 million euros) for the coal industry. The funds are intended to modernize US power plants, expand mines, and build a container port north of San Francisco dedicated to exports. According to Trump, the funds are intended…
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Millions in state funds for wind turbine recycler: Trial over illegal disposal begins now
On June 11, the trial of Michael Roth—an entrepreneur from the Upper Palatinate region—begins at the Weiden Regional Court. His company, which specialized in the disposal and recycling of wind turbine scrap, had received state subsidies shortly before facing insolvency. Prosecutors accuse him of transporting waste materials to the Czech Republic between June 2024 and…
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Alcolock: EU mandates interface for alcohol interlocks in new cars starting in July
From July 2026, new cars in the EU must be equipped with an interface for an alcohol interlock, as Brussels aims to curb drunk driving more effectively through vehicle technology. The legal basis for this is Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 on general vehicle safety. It mandates several modern safety systems for new vehicles, including provision for…
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Infrasound study from Sweden: Measurements show higher signal levels than previously assumed
In Sweden, researchers analyzed measurement data from the Målarberget and Lervik wind farms and published their findings in 2026. The infrasound study concludes that modern, large-scale wind turbines can generate stronger low-frequency signals than earlier generations of turbines. Furthermore, the measurements indicate that standard calculation models may underestimate the propagation of infrasound under certain conditions.…
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Michelin to cut up to 1,500 jobs: Tire giant intensifies cost-cutting measures
Michelin plans to cut up to 1,500 jobs in France over the next three years. The tire manufacturer announced this move in late May 2026. The decision was prompted by high costs, less favorable operating conditions, and international uncertainty. At the same time, additional costs of around 400 million euros linked to the war involving…
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Germany’s unique path drives up electricity prices and weakens industry
Berlin is debating the consequences of the energy transition, as the nuclear phase-out, high electricity prices, and lackluster CO2 reduction results increasingly converge. Germany’s unique approach to decommissioning its nuclear power plants is impacting an industrial sector that is already grappling with high energy and production costs. Despite investing billions in renewable energies, Germany remains…
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Expansion of Wind Power Costs Billions: New Turbines Deliver Hardly Any Additional Electricity
In Germany, the wind power sector between 2020 and 2025 highlights a central problem of the energy transition. The installed capacity of onshore wind turbines rose by 25.2 percent, while actual electricity fed into the grid increased by only 1.2 percent. In absolute terms, this means: capacity grew by 14 gigawatts, yet electricity generation in…