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Protest against LNG terminal on Rügen

Photo: Stefan Sauer / dpa

The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu) has also failed to achieve its goal of stopping construction before the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig in the dispute over the Rügen terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG). The court confirmed a corresponding decision on Wednesday. Last week, it had already rejected a corresponding application for legal protection from the German Environmental Aid (DUH).

According to the court, the reasoning of the latest decision corresponds in essential parts to the reasoning of the decision on the DUH application. After a summary examination, the court had stated that the defendant permit was right to assume that the gas supply crisis would continue with a view to the coming heating seasons. The court also referred to the assessment of the Federal Network Agency, which sees an additional need for feed-in options for LNG.

It was about the line to Lubmin

Nabu reacted disappointed. According to its own statements, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state association had applied for a construction freeze, in particular to prevent dredging work on legally protected reefs. According to Nabu, damage has not been ruled out beyond doubt.

Regional Managing Director Rica Münchberger criticized: "Overall, the decision leads to a defeat for nature. The Federal Government's acceleration frenzy has a serious impact on legal protection in proceedings such as the present one."

The lawsuit was specifically directed against the approval of the first sea section of the connecting pipeline of the planned terminal. The pipeline, which is around 50 kilometres long, is intended to connect the terminal in Mukran in the north of Rügen with the gas pipeline junction in Lubmin. As in the case of DUH, the action itself has not been decided with the rejection of the urgent application. There is also a lawsuit filed by the municipality of Binz including an urgent application in Leipzig.

According to the German government, the terminal should be ready for operation before the end of the coming winter. It considers the terminal in Mukran to be necessary, referring to the security of energy supply. Critics, on the other hand, speak of unneeded overcapacities and see the environment and tourism, which is important for Rügen, at risk.

beb/apr/dpa