Law Fosters Renewable Energy in Germany

After German Economics Minister Wolfgang Clement and Environmental Minister Jürgen Trittin finally reached a compromise on the long-debated and highly controversial carbon emission cap, the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens came together again on Friday to pass sweeping new renewable energy legislation despite strong opposition from the Christian Democrats (CDU). The "Renewable Energy Law" was passed by a majority of Social Democrats and Greens in the German parliament, while the Christian Democrats opposed. According to the legislation, funds will now be diverted to foster the use of renewable energy in Germany with the goal of having it account for 12,5 percent of the power supply by 2012 and 20 percent by 2020. Subsidies to increase the use of wind energy will be reduced and more will be diverted towards natural gas and solar energy.