Press Release No. 35/2016 IG Metall Welcomes Agreement on On-Site Power Generation

Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall has welcomed Germany’s agreement with the European Commission on on-site power generation. This agreement largely codifies the status quo of the previous regulations. Existing facilities, as well as some modernized facilities, will continue to be exempt from levies. The successful efforts of Federal Minister of Economics Sigmar Gabriel are of particular importance to the steel industry, which generates climate-friendly energy by converting process gases into electricity. “In light of our ‘Steel Is the Future’ campaign, this is a first step. More must follow. Climate and employment goals must also be balanced in the reform of the emissions trading system,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, on Friday in Frankfurt.