Replacement for Russian gas?

US climate envoy: “Go for nuclear power!”

Kerry (photo) recommends the construction of nuclear power plants. Gewessler emphasizes, however, that Austria decided against a nuclear power plant in Zwentendorf (photo) in 1978 and thus also against nuclear power.(Bild: Gabriele Moser, PA/Facundo Arrizabalaga, Krone KREATIV,)

US climate envoy John Kerry may soon be history, but he is still stirring up "nuclear dust": he recommends that Austria replace Russian gas with nuclear reactors.

It is something of a minor "nuclear bomb" that US President Joe Biden's soon-to-depart eco-ambassador has dropped. On the fringes of the ministerial meeting in Paris to mark the 50th anniversary of the International Energy Agency, John Kerry, whose Jewish family roots can be traced back to Vienna, Mödling and Altaussee in 1905, reveals himself to be a nuclear lobbyist in the purest sense of the word. "I know Austria and have been there myself. You have many regional initiatives for the expansion of green energy, such as biomass," says the former foreign minister, praising Austria's path to the energy future.

But then he tells Vienna that he recommends nuclear power as a solution to dependence on Russian gas imports. The construction of modern reactors could allay concerns. Naturally, the statement causes a stir in Austria. "Russia has 46 percent of the world's uranium enrichment capacity. Austria would become even more dependent," criticizes GLOBAL 2000 expert Reinhard Uhrig.

Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler(Bild: SEPA.Media/Michael Indra)

Gewessler backs eco-sources
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) also rejects Kerry's proposal: "We will cover our entire electricity consumption from green sources in 2030. This makes us an absolute pioneer not only in Europe, but worldwide. I invite everyone to take a look at our success story before they give us tips. Because we can learn from Austria how the energy transition can succeed without dangerous nuclear power."