German is in the final stages of phasing out all nuclear power. Fourteen reactors have shut down since 2011. The remaining three reactors are scheduled to shut down by the end of the year. Germany has also been placing major restrictions on coal. This has been done in the name of fighting pollution. Germany dramatically increased its dependence on natural gas from Russia and taxpayer-funded windmills to compensate.
Now energy costs have exploded due to sanctions against Russia.
Baden-Württemberg Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Protection Peter Hauk chastised constituents who are complaining about rising energy prices. He told them that Ukrainians are dying and all they need to do is wear a sweater.
Hauk stated, “You can withstand 15 degrees [15°C / 59°F] in winter in a sweater. No one dies of it. But people are dying elsewhere.”
Hauk was denounced by the German Tenants’ Association, who stated that Hauk doesn’t need to worry about high energy costs himself with his lavish salary and benefits. Under German law, landlords are required to heat the homes of tenants to at least 22°C / 71.2°F.
