Legal opinion commissioned by Greenpeace says clearing of Hambach Forest illegal
German energy company RWE will breach the law if it continues to press ahead with the clearing of the Hambach Forest in western Germany to expand its nearby lignite mine, environmental NGO Greenpeace says in a press release. According to a legal opinion commissioned by the NGO, RWE is only allowed to cut down trees in the forest if this is 鈥渦navoidable鈥� for continuing operation. However, the company itself declared that this would not be the case before mid-December, Greenpeace argues. An assessment made by mining experts says that the forest could be left standing for at least another year before operation in the nearby Garzweiler mine is obstructed, Greenpeace adds. The NGO鈥檚 Karsten Smid says RWE 鈥渉as intentionally lied to the coal commission鈥� when it stated that stopping the forest鈥檚 clearing would threaten the continued operation of the company鈥檚 lignite mines.
Find the press release in German .
For background, read the 威力彩玩法 article Germany鈥檚 coal commission insists no decision yet on exit date and the coal commission watch.