In response to a written question on the role of nuclear energy in European energy policy, the European Commission has stated that, despite the ongoing energy crisis, it is sticking to a politically motivated course of restricting nuclear power. While the reply acknowledges that some Member States continue to rely on nuclear energy, the EU’s political direction remains clearly opposed to this form of safe, reliable baseload and low-CO2 energy.
Alexander Jungbluth, budgetary spokesman of the ESN Group and co-signatory of the written question, stated:
“The European Commission’s reply once again shows that ideological prejudice matters more than realities on the ground and the legitimate interests of European citizens and businesses. While the Commission claims that Member States are free to determine their own energy mix, it is at the same time using regulation, standards and funding criteria to push nuclear power out of the European energy system in practice. This is nothing less than a creeping disenfranchisement of the Member States.
Member States must be genuinely free to decide to what extent they rely on nuclear energy. That includes ensuring that nuclear power is treated equally in all relevant EU frameworks, from the taxonomy and state aid rules to research programmes, and is not disadvantaged by green ideology. It is completely unacceptable that the EU is, through bureaucratic obstacles and a selective funding policy, effectively pursuing a form of central energy planning whose costs are borne above all by citizens and by small and medium-sized industry.”
