Rli publishes advisory report ‘Splitting the atom, splitting opinion? Decision-making on nuclear energy based on values’

7 September 2022

Energy transition calls for diligent decision-making on nuclear power stations

Over the coming years, the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) is anticipating a political and public debate on the organisation of our future energy system and the possible role of nuclear energy within it. Decisions in this area will need to be taken diligently and be future-proof to avoid putting the 2050 climate targets at risk. In its advisory report ‘Splitting the atom, splitting opinion?’, which was presented on 7 September 2022 to the Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, Rob Jetten, the Rli identifies the issues that should be addressed in the decision-making process relating to nuclear energy. It also describes the best way to conduct the public debate in this area.

The Council recommends explicitly involving citizens in the debate and decision-making on nuclear energy, in a manner that goes beyond the public participation procedures required by law. A decision on nuclear energy also requires a comprehensive assessment of the energy system as a whole based on the five key values at issue here: energy supply certainty, affordability, safety and security, sustainability and justice.

Rli chairman Jan Jaap de Graeff (r) hands over the advisory report ‘Splitting the atom, splitting opinion?’ to the Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, Rob Jetten (l). 7 September 2022 Photo: Fred Ernst

Read the full press release ‘Energy transition calls for diligent decision-making on nuclear power stations’ here

For more information about the advisory report, please contact Bas Waterhout, project manager, bas.waterhout@rli.nl, tel: +31 (0)6 21178802.