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Schwerin (dpa / mv) - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) has expressed understanding for the criticism from environmentalists regarding the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and the associated climate foundation.
Natural gas is considered a transition technology to supplement renewable energies.
"But: The extent of fossil gas use must be adjusted," Backhaus told the Schweriner Volkszeitung (Friday).
In this respect, the question is justified as to whether an infrastructure still has to be built today that will not achieve its maximum useful life with a view to the climate-neutral energy generation, which is targeted by 2038.
In addition, the climate and environmental associations were not properly involved in the preparation of the controversial environmental foundation.
"I understand that there is criticism," said Backhaus.
Nevertheless, the minister called it an "environmental insane" to cancel the construction of the natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea.
“The pipeline is nearing completion.
If we stop now, not only will we have a gigantic ruin on the ocean floor, but we would also be giving up the opportunities the project opens up for us.
All the climate protection measures and the valuable work of the new foundation would probably have died too, ”said Backhaus.
The construction of the pipeline was accompanied by compensatory measures on land amounting to 40 million euros, such as the renaturation of the Bargischow polder near Anklam or the Fischlandwiesen on the Darß.
In addition, Nord Stream AG had committed itself to initially giving 20 million euros to the state's newly established environmental foundation.
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Critics see the state-owned foundation “Climate and Environmental Protection MV”, established at the beginning of the year, as a sham, as it also includes an economic part that supports the further development of Nord Stream 2.
With the help of the foundation, sanctions threatened by the USA against companies involved in the construction should be circumvented as far as possible.
The US is against the gas pipeline because it sees its partners in Europe as being too dependent on Russia.
Critics accuse the US, on the other hand, of only wanting to sell their liquid gas better in Europe.
Since the arrest and conviction of the Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny, however, the political demands for an immediate and final end to the pipeline project have increased noticeably in Germany as well.
The main investor is the Russian energy company Gazprom.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210205-99-314872 / 2