Coal Phase-out Act and Structural Development Act passed
In July 2020, the decision to phase out coal by 2038 at the latest was passed. In addition, the German Parliament and the Bundesrat (Upper House of Parliament) have adopted the latest amendments of the Federal Government to the act to support structural changes in current coal regions (Structural Development Act) and approved the act. The legal framework for granting financial aid for capital expenditures and further measures of up to € 40 billion by 2038 in the coal regions has been created. The Structural Development Act includes investments in 40 rail expansion projects, among other things. Twelve of the measures were included in the Measure Law Preparation Act (Maßnahmengesetzvorbereitungsgesetz). It also includes the possibility of expanding a vehicle maintenance depot in Cottbus.