New Forum Aims To ‘Promote Debate’ On Nuclear Energy In Italy
Written by NucNet
Thursday, 29 July 2010
The Italian Nuclear Forum was launched in Rome this week at a gathering of industry, academia and government representatives on 27 July.
The forum has appointed as president Chicco Testa, former chairman of utility Enel and managing director of Rothschild bank in Italy.
Mr Testa was also a founding member of environmental group Legambiente.
Minister of the environment, land and sea Stefania Prestigiacomo said in a statement Mr Testa’s commitment to the environment “cannot be doubted” and as president of the forum he will be promoting a “secular” information campaign on nuclear.
The new forum said it aims for the “promotion of debate, the diffusion of information and dialogue and discussion” on nuclear energy in Italy, according to a statement.
The forum will work specifically towards the dissemination of scientific and technical information in a “transparent and understandable” way.
Italian Minister for the Environment, Land and Sea, Stefania Prestigiacomo hailed the forum as an “important initiative” which would help Italy “assess fully and accurately a strategic choice for the future such as that of the return to nuclear”.
The body is comprised of 24 founding members from industry and academia, but will look for additional members from civil society.
In February 2010 Italy moved a step closer to reinstating nuclear energy, abandoned more than 20 years ago, after the government gave final approval to a decree setting out steps for the construction of new units.
The decree is designed to pave the way for starting work on new plants in 2013 and production of the first nuclear power in 2020.
