Nuclear supporters focus on positives of new EU Commission

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🗞️ Driving the news: The nuclear industry’s initial concerns over the EU Commission appointments of nuclear skeptics Teresa Ribera and Dan Jørgensen have subsided, as industry stakeholders now emphasize potential positives
• Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission plans to foster a balanced approach to energy, but tensions between pro-nuclear and pro-renewable factions remain

🔭 The context: Ribera and Jørgensen, known nuclear opponents, are set to hold key roles in the new Commission, sparking concerns among nuclear advocates
• However, the Commission’s support for recent nuclear financing in the Czech Republic and von der Leyen’s backing for increased nuclear energy have tempered fears

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Nuclear energy is a major component of the EU’s clean energy transition strategy, but its role is hotly debated
• Balancing investments in nuclear and renewable energies will shape the EU's future climate impact

⏭️ What's next: The new commissioners will undergo hearings in the European Parliament, where they will face pressure to clarify their positions on nuclear energy and secure a path for future investments

💬 One quote: “It will take more to convince us,” said French Renew MEP Christophe Grudler, emphasizing the need for strong commitments from Ribera and Jørgensen

📈 One stat: As of 2022, nuclear energy provided approximately 25% of the European Union's electricity, with 13 of the 27 member states operating nuclear reactors

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