Germany is going away from nuclear power and going back to very very low grade lignite coal to generate their power. 

To be economic, the coal must be produced in the cheapest way possible.

It is surface mined using gigantic bucket wheel excavators and conveyors. Once these massive mobile machines are erected and conveyors set up behind them, the system cannot change direction. Absolutely everything in their path must be moved out of the way-farms, towns, churches, etc.

It is all put back together years later with towns rebuilt, the topsoil that had been saved put back in place, etc. This dislocation is something that would probably not be acceptable in North America.