Economic Affairs Committee to discuss bill on nuclear energy and safety

TALLINN - The Economic Affairs Committee of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, is set to discuss the economic aspects of the bill on nuclear energy and safety during its session on Monday.

Marek Reinaas, chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, stated that the issue of adopting nuclear energy affects all residents of Estonia in one way or another. Therefore, he stressed, the legislative process must be exceptionally transparent and thorough. "Once enacted, this bill will establish the regulations for potentially building a nuclear power plant in Estonia. This decision cannot be a political leap into the unknown; it must be, firstly, an evidence-based strategic choice and, secondly, it must have public approval and trust," the chairman explained.

Reinaas added that on Thursday, the Economic Affairs Committee and the Environment Committee plan to hold another public session to discuss the bill from an environmental perspective.

The Bill on Nuclear Energy and Safety (856 SE) passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on April 8. The deadline for submitting proposals for amendments is 2:15 p.m. on April 30.

The purpose of the legislation is to create a comprehensive legal framework in Estonia for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to ensure a high level of safety throughout the process. The bill regulates the entire lifecycle of nuclear facilities, from planning and construction to operation, decommissioning, and the final disposal of nuclear waste, as well as the handling and transport of nuclear material. The bill establishes a nuclear safety licensing system, state supervision, and defines the role of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority as an independent regulator. It also establishes the principle that the builder and operator of a nuclear power plant bear full responsibility for the facility's safety and for all costs at the end of its lifecycle.

Invited to Monday's session are representatives from the Ministry of Climate, including Indrek Anepaio, coordinator of the nuclear energy steering group; Rene Lauk, a lawyer from the strategy and innovation unit; and Karin Maria Lehtmets, head of energy markets. Also attending are Kristi Talving, director general of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, and its deputy director general Lauri Kütt; Kalle Kilk, chairman of the management board of Elering AS; Reigo Lehtla, environmental adviser at the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities; Tõnis Vare, managing director of the Estonian Electricity Industry Association; Siim Umbleja, director of the Estonian Power and Heat Association; Kalev Kallemets, CEO, and Marti Jeltsov, CTO, of Fermi Energia AS; and Evelin Pärn-Lee, director general of the Competition Authority.

The session will begin at 11:10 a.m. in the Riigikogu's conference hall and will be available to watch via a live web stream.

A recording of the session will be available for later viewing on the Riigikogu's YouTube channel.