Energy transition requires careful decision on nuclear power plants

The Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) expects to see a debate in politics and society on the design of the energy system of the future and the possible role of nuclear energy in it in the coming years. Decisions on this must be made carefully and be future-proof, otherwise meeting the 2050 climate targets will be jeopardised. In its advisory report "Splijtstof?", which was received by Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten on 7 September 2022, the Rli identifies what should be addressed in decision-making on nuclear energy. The advisory council also outlines how best to conduct the public debate on this issue. Professors Sabine Roeser and Behnam Taebi were members of the committee. They contributed their expertise to the reflection on the ethical pros and cons of nuclear energy and fair decision-making on the possible role of nuclear energy in the energy transition. 

Debate on nuclear power should be about five values

The coalition agreement of the Rutte-IV government agreed to support the construction of two new nuclear power plants. Opinions differ widely in Dutch society on the use of nuclear energy in the future energy system. However, the Rli also finds that five values are considered important for debate and decision-making. These are energy security, affordability, safety, sustainability and justice. Currently, these values do not receive sufficient attention in the conversation about our energy system and the possible deployment of nuclear energy in it. Making choices within and between these values requires both technical-substantive assessment and ethical considerations. There should therefore be more room for ethical reflection in the debate and decision-making.

Recommendations for good debate

The Rli does not pronounce itself for or against the deployment of nuclear energy. To ensure a good debate on nuclear energy, the Rli recommends:

• Policy choices on the role of nuclear energy should not be taken in isolation, but should fit into the choices for the energy system as a whole.
• Before making such choices, strengthen factual knowledge on four points and then focus the debate on seven policy questions.
• To clarify which technical and ethical considerations the government and parliament make when implementing the five values.
• Explicitly involve citizens in the debate, beyond the statutory public participation procedures. In principle, the Rli considers a citizens' forum a suitable form of citizen participation when making choices about the future energy system in our country and the possible role of nuclear energy in it. The council therefore endorses Minister Jetten's proposal to explore the role a citizens' forum could play.