The approval of wind turbines and power lines will accelerate in Germany with the implementation of new EU regulations. On Monday, the Cabinet started the process of putting the EU rules into effect, meaning that an environmental impact assessment for wind turbines will often no longer be necessary. Solar plants and heat pumps are also to be approved much more quickly in future, namely within three months. Small solar plants of up to 50 kilowatts are to be automatically considered approved unless the authorities register their opposition within a short period of time. “Today, the federal gover…