German government drops plans for contested coal tax

Germany has scrapped plans to tax its oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants after fierce opposition from unions and operators, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Thursday. Instead it will shutter some of the old coal plants in coming years and keep them on stand-by during power shortfalls, as it increasingly relies on renewable energy to meet its climate goals. Gabriel, who is also vice chancellor, announced that his planned levy on the biggest polluters had been dropped after talks by m