Setting the scene: 40 Years of nuclear phase-outs in Germany

This chapter analyses and presents developments in the German legal system concerning strategic decisions concerning nuclear power. Exactly 40 years ago, the German Parliament received a draft "law on the immediate extinction of nuclear installations in the Federal Republic of Germany" (the so-called Atomsperrgesetz). Since then, numerous attempts have been undertaken. Two strategic decisions were made on nuclear phase-out and two on prolonging nuclear power plant usage. The chapter analyses legal constructs used in the laws introducing nuclear phase-outs. It also depicts international arbitration proceedings initiated against Germany for the nuclear phase-outs.