Italian Researchers May Have To Emmigrate To France For Nuclear Jobs

Italians have voted overwhelmingly against a return to nuclear power, repealing rule that allowed development of new nuclear reactors in a national referendum.
The poll held just before mid June 2011involved three important questions aside from nuclear; on privatisation of water supplies and water tariffs as well as highly debatable immunity from prosecution for government ministers. Participation was the highest ever seen for the decade and the people overwhelmingly rejected all in block. On the nuclear question almost fifty five percent of folks responded, and almost all of these rejected the construction of any new nuclear reactors in Italy.
Inspite of being a early adopter of nuclear engineering and science, Italy will now be unique worldwide to have again refused the technology and also for actually shutting down its nuclear power stations per this policy. A few other 'phase-out' nations such as Sweden and the Netherlands have changed course, while very much work still lies ahead of Germany and Switzerland formalise the high hopes to change nuclear with renewables.
Following a press conference before the ballot had closed, pm Silvio Berlusconi stated Italy would have to say "goodbye to nuclear power" and that the government would concentrate its endeavours on renewable energies. He later released an announcement saying that "even if a referendum is not viewed as the ideal instrument for confronting complex questions, it is clear that Italians have a firm opinion about these matters."
The leader of Italy's Nuclear Safety Organisation, Umberto Veronesi, communicated a mixed reaction to the referendum outcome. "I am pleased with the voter turnout a sign of good civil contribution and also this is a very good indicator for the country, and I acknowledge the will of the nation with respects to the 'NO' to nuclear power."
"Nevertheless I actually do feel it is a grave mistake to face our future energy lack with no possibility of nuclear power... I am worried that research, that has been paying attention to nuclear fusion, will stop and we know that with no research there's no future. My dread would be that Italy is going to finish as a tourist appendix to the advanced world," he said.Additionally the prospects for nuclear jobs in Italy seems now bleak.
His remarks were echoed by Chicco Testa, chair of Nucleare Italiano, a group of research organizations and corporations. "We accept with respect the opinions of voters shown with the referendum. However an energy strategy that can deal with the requirements of future circumstances remains needed for the nation, striving in particular at savings in energy efficiency. Italy would need to carry on to monitor R&D in the use of atomic technological know-how with a view to modernisation and increased competitivity," he explained.
The referendum comprised 4 distinct questions on the privatisation of water resources and water charges; A criminal imunity for the actual prime minister as well as ministers of the government whilst in office; in addition to the development of nuclear reactors in the country.
The ruling centre-right coalition suffered a thorough defeat in recent local elections, and some specialists stated the referendum outcome was even more evidence of Italians' rising disenchantment with their prime minister.
On the other hand Antonio di Pietro, head of Italia dei Valori which had instigated the referendum, said that the result should not be over-politicised as it manifested the views of Italians on tangible issues, regardless of whether they'd voted for Berlusconi'scoalition or not.
Berlusconi had in fact advised citizens to not vote in the referendum and many ministers had followed his recommendation. Various other officials of Italy's main universities and scientific organizations had also called electors to not fill in the nuclear ballot.
Italy's previous nuclear plants were closed after the referendum in the aftermath of Chernobyl accident - a move that was described as a 'fifty billion mistake' by then economic minister. The most recent referendum result will likely not have an effect on decommissioning work on those outdated nuclear plants, nor determining a national repository for radioactive waste.