Italy greenlights return of nuclear power after decades-long ban

Italy's Senate has given final approval to legislation allowing for the return of nuclear power, nearly forty years after the country abandoned the technology following the Chernobyl disaster. The measure, which previously passed the Chamber of Deputies, establishes a legal framework for next-generation nuclear technologies. This move is part of Premier Giorgia Meloni's efforts to enhance energy security and achieve climate objectives, though the construction of new reactors remains years away. The bill authorizes the government to develop implementing decrees within the next year regarding reactor licensing, safety standards, waste management, and site selection. This decision positions Italy to reintroduce nuclear power, despite previous public rejections in referendums after the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents.