RWE slams Germany's plans for coal levy

German power giant RWE hit out Thursday at government plans to impose a levy on older fossil-fuelled power plants, warning of tens of thousands of job losses in the industry and soaring electricity prices. In a bid to meet its goals of reducing carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2020, Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel has proposed a climate fee on older coal-fired power plants. "If the undertaking by the economy and energy ministry is implemented as planned, it will lead to major st