"We must consider nuclear power as an important energy source for our country. This is why, as a government, we are working to establish the conditions for us to become producers of renewable energy from nuclear sources." Gilberto Pichetto, Minister of Environment and Energy Security said this during the annual meeting of the Italian Nuclear Association: "We are not planning or hypothesizing the construction of nuclear power plants in our country," said the minister, "but we are only thinking about small modular reactors that should be on the market in about ten years. The state has no active role in nuclear power plant development, only a regulatory and permitting duty. The use and location of the compact reactors will be decided by private people, industrial hubs, and local communities." "With the 'Mission Innovation' - explained the minister - we have allocated 135 million for nuclear power, providing for research activities on 'small modular reactors'“.
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