Swiss upper house backs move to lift ban on new nuclear plants

GENEVA

Switzerland's upper house of parliament voted to support lifting the ban on building new nuclear power plants, reopening debate over atomic energy in the country.

The Council of States approved the move on Wednesday by 26 votes to 12, according to the Swiss Parliament. The proposal backs a government counterproposal linked to the "Stop the blackout" initiative.

Greenpeace had delivered a protest letter to parliament the day before the vote with more than 22,000 signatures opposing a return to nuclear power.

The measure was supported by lawmakers from the Swiss People’s Party, the Free Democratic Party, and a majority of The Center party.

Switzerland’s lower house, the National Council, must still decide on the measure, with heated debate expected.

The popular initiative titled Electricity for everyone at all times (Stop the blackout), launched by right-leaning lawmakers and representatives of the business sector, seeks to amend the constitution to ensure that all forms of electricity production that respect environmental and climate standards are allowed, including nuclear power.

Instead, the Federal Council proposed a counterproposal that would amend existing law rather than the constitution, as well as allow for different electricity generation technologies, including nuclear.

The Free Democratic Party and the Swiss People's Party argued that Switzerland should keep nuclear power as an option to ensure a long-term electricity supply.

However, lawmakers from the Social Democratic Party, the Greens, and the Green Liberal Party have warned that the move will slow investment in renewable energy and that Switzerland still lacks a long-term solution for nuclear waste.

Energy Minister Albert Rosti said a referendum on the issue is likely.

Switzerland’s voters previously approved a ban on building new nuclear power plants in 2017. The country currently has four operating nuclear power reactors.