"Ukraine crisis has pushed Europe toward renewables — but will the change come quickly enough?"
"For years, Europe’s dependence on Russian energy has held it back from taking powerful action against Kremlin mischief. But now, the Russia-Ukraine crisis is forcing a change unlike any before, driving the European Union to make plans for a permanent, far-reaching break from Russian oil and gas, European policymakers said.
The strategy to split from Russian energy, expected to be announced by the European Commission next week, would give Europe a freer political hand against Russia than it has had in the past. It would take years and come with a hefty bill for European taxpayers. But it comes with the crucial backing of Germany, a nation so entangled with Russia that one of its former chancellors, Gerhard Schröder, is the chairman of Rosneft, Russia’s biggest oil company.
With this week’s arrival of Russian boots on Ukrainian soil, Germany had enough. Chancellor Olaf Scholz shelved the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, a new project that was emblematic of Europe’s energy-focused approach to Russia. President Biden on Wednesday imposed U.S. sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and its corporate officers. And the European Commission’s planned strategy next week aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy so that Europe never again is so dependent on the Kremlin to keep households warm and factories humming."
Michael Birnbaum and Steven Mufson report for the Washington Post February 23, 2022.
SEE ALSO:
"How The Russia Crisis Hits Energy, From CO2 To Pipelines" (E&E News)
"Oil Tops $105 After Russia Attacks Ukraine" (Reuters)
"How a Ukraine Conflict Could Reshape Europe’s Reliance on Russia" (New York Times)
"Germany's Nord Stream Move Adds To Europe's Fuel Price Crunch" (The Hill)
"Russian Conflict in Ukraine Is Reshaping the Climate Debate" (New York Times)
"Russia Invades Ukraine: What’s Next For Energy Oil Prices?" (Aljazeera)
Opinion: "The West’s Delusion of Energy Independence" (New York Times)
"Energy Price Shock From The Russia-Ukraine Crisis Could Hurt The Economy" (CNN)
"Ukraine Crisis Jolts Europe To Push For Secure Energy Supply" (AP)
"How The Russia-Ukraine Crisis Will Affect U.S. Energy Prices" (Axios)
"U.S. Talks To Energy Firms On EU Gas Supply In Case Of Russia-Ukraine Conflict" (Reuters)
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