Planned overturning of the ban on new nuclear power plant construction leads to joy and criticism
Published: Friday, Dec 20th 2024, 15:00
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The Swiss nuclear debate is entering a new round with the Federal Council's plan to overturn the ban on new nuclear power plant construction. While the Greens have announced a referendum, the conservative parties have welcomed the proposal.
On Friday, the Federal Council submitted a counter-proposal to the blackout initiative for consultation. In it, it proposed deleting the ban on general licenses for nuclear power plants from the law without replacement.
The Federal Council is thus correcting the biggest energy policy mistake of recent years, the FDP announced on Friday. The openness that has now been signaled is also important for the operation of today's nuclear power plants, as the Federal Council is no longer sidelining nuclear energy. Nuclear energy reliably protects the climate and provides the population with a secure supply of electricity, the party wrote. The Federal Council has recognized the signs of the times.
For the Social Democrats, however, lifting the ban on new construction would be a step backwards, as they wrote in a press release. The Green Liberals also oppose the lifting of the ban. The Federal Council is thus jeopardizing the energy transition, wrote GLP National Councillor Jürg Grossen on X. "We reject this step backwards."
Referendum announced
The Greens are going one step further. "If the Federal Council insists on new nuclear power plants, our referendum is certain," said Lisa Mazzone, President of the Greens, in a party statement on Friday. The Greens were convinced that the bill would sabotage the energy transition.
Several associations were also critical of the lifting of the ban on new builds. The Swiss Energy Foundation described the Federal Council's plan as "fatal", consumer protection warned of rising electricity costs if the ban on new builds is lifted and the Trinational Nuclear Protection Association expressed its "outrage".
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