GERMAN ENERGY INDUSTRY PROPOSES POLICY OVERHAUL
Germany's energy industry association proposed an overhaul of government renewable energy policy to take place after upcoming elections. The proposal would remove the feed-in tariff system and ensure that only renewable energy at an early stage of development would be eligible for premiums over market price, meaning the higher prices would be paid for a much shorter period of time. The industry group has warned that high energy prices, due in large part to the cost of green energy incentives, threaten German industry's competitiveness. Angela Merkel, expected to win a third term, has said that she will revamp energy policy but has stated that she wants to keep an incentives system in place. Around a quarter of Germany's energy already comes from green sources, and Merkel's plan to wean the country off nuclear and fossil fuel is widely seen as her most significant domestic policy initiative. For the full story, see http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/19/us-germany-energy-idUSBRE98I0D420130919.