Estonian parlt committee decides to hold 2 public discussions on nuclear energy

TALLINN - The environment committee of the Estonian parliament decided on Thursday to hold two public discussions on a bill supporting the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia, and to send the bill to the parliament's plenary for first reading.

Environment committee chairman Igor Taro said that the committee decided to hold two public discussions to involve stakeholders. The first debate on May 28 will address environmental and nature conservation aspects, and the second debate on June 4, in collaboration with the economic affairs committee, will focus on energy issues.

"We cannot currently foresee all possibilities or needs decades into the future, yet it is the duty of the Riigikogu to make long-term decisions," Taro said.

Taro emphasized that the discussion on introducing nuclear energy is not just about the long-term plans of Estonia's energy industry or economy.

"It is largely a discussion about environmental and climate impacts -- how we fulfill our commitments to transition to a climate-neutral economy while also seeking to improve the well-being of the Estonian people," he said.

The bill, presented by 55 members of the Riigikogu, aims to initiate preparations for the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia and to create a suitable legal framework for it. According to the bill, the Riigikogu will make a decision in principle on whether to allow the production of nuclear energy in Estonia. The bill is based primarily on an analysis conducted by a nuclear energy working group between 2021 and 2023, concluding that the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia is feasible.

The members of the Riigikogu who submitted the bill support the preparation for the introduction of nuclear energy and the creation of an appropriate legal framework. This includes drafting a bill on nuclear energy and safety, amending existing legislation if necessary, establishing a regulatory body for the safe use of nuclear energy, and developing sector-specific competencies.