[Bloomberg, 18 May; Thomson Financial, 21 May] The German Environment Ministry has rejected a request from RWE to extend the life of its Biblis A nuclear power reactor through the transfer of lifetime from the shut down Muelheim-Kaerlich plant to Biblis A. A statement from the ministry said, "After examining a statement by the company's lawyers, the Federal Environment Ministry has issued its rejection." However, the ministry said that capacity could still be transferred from other plants, or from the Muelheim-Kaerlich plant to a plant other than Biblis A. It said it is still reviewing RWE's application to transfer generation from its Emsland plant, which is still operating. The ministry had announced a preliminary rejection on 9 March and had allowed RWE to respond. RWE plans to mount a legal challenge to the ruling. Under current legislation, RWE is required to shut down Biblis A in 2008. However, the company wants to extend the reactor's operating life until the end of 2011.
Further information
RWE
WNA's Nuclear Power in Germany information paper
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