MÜNSTER (dpa-AFX) - There is a new lawsuit against the mining in the Hambach opencast lignite mine. The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) has turned to the North Rhine-Westphalian Higher Administrative Court (OVG) in Münster. The North Rhine-Westphalia branch of the organization believes that the new main operating plan for RWE Power AG, which has been in force since January 1, 2025, is flawed. The Higher Administrative Court in Münster confirmed receipt of the lawsuit on Friday.

The state is being sued because the plan was approved by the Arnsberg district government in its capacity as the regulatory authority. According to the BUND statement, the main point of attack is the dredging of the so-called Manheimer Bucht in the next three years. This will destroy an important biotope network. The state has not seriously considered the alternatives to mining. The environmentalists also want to use urgent proceedings to prevent possible clearing work in the coming days.

The Hambach Forest and places like Lützerath have been the scene of years of protests against the Hambach open-cast lignite mine. North Rhine-Westphalia plans to phase out coal-fired power generation ahead of schedule in 2030.