Sunday, May 26, 2013
International

Nuclear Headache: Task of Decommissioning Plants Is Herculean

Nuclear Headache Task of Decommissioning Plants Is Herculean

SPIEGEL ONLINE - May 10, 2013

The dismantling of Germany's nuclear power plants will be one of the greatest tasks of the century as the country moves to phase out atomic energy. It will take at least until 2080 to complete the job. But what happens if energy utility companies who own the facilities go bust before the work is done? By Gerald Traufetter more... Forum ]

Land O' Lakes: Melting Glaciers Transform Alpine Landscape

Land O' Lakes Melting Glaciers Transform Alpine Landscape

SPIEGEL ONLINE - April 26, 2013

Climate change is dramatically altering the Swiss Alps, where hundreds of bodies of water are being created by melting glaciers. Though the lakes can attract tourists and even generate electricity, local residents also fear catastrophic tidal waves. By Axel Bojanowski more... Forum ]

Desertec on the Ropes: Competitors and Opponents Threaten Energy Plan

Desertec on the Ropes Competitors and Opponents Threaten Energy Plan

SPIEGEL ONLINE - April 03, 2013

The ambitious Desertec plan to supply Europe with solar power from the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East seems to have stalled. It could now be facing even greater problems as competitors arise and local opposition mounts. By Nicolai Kwasniewski more... Forum ]

The Price of Green Energy: Is Germany Killing the Environment to Save It?

The Price of Green Energy Is Germany Killing the Environment to Save It?

SPIEGEL ONLINE - March 12, 2013

The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists. By SPIEGEL Staff more... Forum ]

Brazilian Adventure: A German Utility's Multibillion Risks Abroad

Brazilian Adventure A German Utility's Multibillion Risks Abroad

SPIEGEL ONLINE - March 12, 2013

Looking for new growth markets, executives at German electrical utility company E.on saw what they thought could be a golden opportunity in Brazil. Now their local partner is threatened with major financial problems and the joint venture MPX may face billions in potential losses. By Frank Dohmen more... Forum ]

Last Shift in the Shaft: Coal Companies Refuse to Pay Mining Victims

Last Shift in the Shaft Coal Companies Refuse to Pay Mining Victims

SPIEGEL ONLINE - February 20, 2013

After two centuries of coal mining in Germany companies are pulling out of the industrial Ruhr region, leaving millions of dollars worth of damage in their wake. Though companies used to compensate the victims of mining operations, some are now resorting to dubious tactics to escape responsibility. By Frank Dohmen and Barbara Schmid more... Forum ]

Under Pressure: Once Mighty Gazprom Loses Its Clout

Under Pressure Once Mighty Gazprom Loses Its Clout

SPIEGEL ONLINE - February 01, 2013

Energy giant Gazprom is no longer the powerhouse it once was. The company is losing its tight grip on the European market and its rivals are gathering steam. The world's largest producer of natural gas might even lose its export monopoly. By Stefan Schultz and Benjamin Bidder more... Forum ]

Full Throttle Ahead: US Tips Global Power Scales with Fracking

Full Throttle Ahead US Tips Global Power Scales with Fracking

SPIEGEL ONLINE - February 01, 2013

The United States is sitting on massive natural gas and oil reserves that have the potential to shift the geopolitical balance in its favor. Worries are increasing in Russia and the Arab states of waning influence and falling market prices. By SPIEGEL Staff more... Forum ]

Dutch Ruling: Shell Mostly Cleared in Nigeria Oil Spills

Dutch Ruling Shell Mostly Cleared in Nigeria Oil Spills

SPIEGEL ONLINE - January 30, 2013

A closely watched environmental lawsuit against oil giant Shell has ended in mixed results. A court in The Hague cleared the company of wrongdoing in oil spills in the Niger Delta, but ordered its subsidiary to compensate one farmer for revenue lost because of the damage. more...

Risky Investments : Berlin Wants To Cap Renewables Subsidies

Risky Investments  Berlin Wants To Cap Renewables Subsidies

SPIEGEL ONLINE - January 29, 2013

Environment Minister Peter Altmaier wants to limit the cost of Germany's green energy revolution by capping subsidies for renewable energy. The plan, aimed at halting a recent surge in electricity prices, faces likely rejection from a political opposition that views the move as a clever ploy to win votes in the next election. By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff more...

 
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