Persistence wins: the N-VA proposal on reversing the nuclear power phase-out is finally being implemented

After 11 (!) times, the N-VA proposal to amend the nuclear power phase-out law is finally being implemented. MP Bert Wollants’ proposal goes to the Council of State for an opinion, following an alternative majority in the Chamber with the Open Vld, MR and PS parties. “Finally a step forward and an important hurdle to make new nuclear power stations possible,” Wollants responds.

The 2003 law stipulates that no new nuclear reactors can be built and that the last nuclear power station will close in 2025, but in the meantime, the government has decided to keep the two most recent reactors open longer. Wollants’ proposal focuses on the development of SMRs, small modular reactors.

Perseverance

Initially, the majority seemed to ignore Wollants’ proposal this time too, but Bert persevered and submitted the proposal once again with the suggestion to request an opinion from the Council of State. This convinced not only the opposition but also the majority parties Open Vld, MR and PS.

Untenable

The majority also signalled that the situation had become untenable. This shows how long this issue has dragged on. Bert Wollants submitted the proposal no fewer than 11 times. The last time, it could not even come to a vote because the committee chairman simply resigned. But persistence wins. “After 11 times, they will have had enough time to investigate my proposal properly,” Bert says on the matter.

No SMRs in Van der Straeten’s proposal

In the meantime, Van der Straeten’s proposal was also submitted to the Chamber, but according to Wollants, those plans barely mention a word about SMRs and are solely about the extension of the current Doel 4 and Tihange 3 power stations.