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Germany Sets 2038 Deadline to End Coal Use:
In a pioneering move, a German government-appointed panel has recommended that Germany stop burning coal to generate electricity by 2038 at the latest, as part of efforts to curb climate change.
The Coal Commission reached a deal early Saturday following months of wrangling that were closely watched by other coal-dependent countries.
"We made it," Ronald Pofalla, the head of the commission, told reporters in Berlin. "This is a historic effort."
Germany gets more than a third of its electricity from burning coal, generating large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
The 28-member panel, representing mining regions, utility companies, scientists and environmentalists, suggests a review in 2032 could bring forward the coal deadline to 2035.
The plan foresees billions in federal funding to help affected regions cope with the economic impact, and to shield industry and consumers from higher electricity prices. The energy transition will also need a huge overhaul and modernization of the country's power grid, the commission's members said.
The decision still needs government approval.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday January 28 2019, @05:25PM
All coal infrastructure controlled by computers or embedded systems should be sure to use 32-bit time counters since Jan 1, 1970. (eg, the Linux 2038 problem)
That way you can be sure coal will stop be being used by 2038, even if people forget to transition to something else in the years leading up to 2038.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.