Return to nuclear power: but where does Cingolani live?

To make his outburst more appealing, Cingolani peppered it with a few anathemas. He denounced "radical chic" environmentalists (who are they?) who claim they're doing more harm than the climate emergency , and those who hold outdated ideologies. On the contrary, precisely on the basis of alleged technological progress, we should discuss and reason "without prejudice" and perhaps change course. Free words, sparkling water in a glass of water that has turned into a storm. Naturally, the minister's statements were opposed by the most important environmental associations (all radical chic?), a good portion of the political world, the Italian Episcopal Conference, and several top managers of energy giants. With his rabbit pulled out of his hat, Cingolani couldn't have done worse.

WHY DOES ITALY NO LONGER USE NUCLEAR ENERGY?

But method aside, which only the "fear of appearances," the kind that afflicts any TV starlet, it's the merit that makes the minister's statement incomprehensible. Perhaps none of his aides informed him that in Italy, for over half a century, there have been incessant debates , at all levels, and two referendums (1987 and 2011) that definitively closed the dossier . If anything, we waste millions of euros every year on Sogin, which should complete the dismantling and reconversion of the now-closed nuclear plants. But this is Italy, and when it comes to closing one book and opening another, we always take it easy, becoming masters of procrastination, to the sole advantage of the bearers of opaque and personal interests. In any case, under these conditions, no government would ever dream of reopening the nuclear dossier, knowing it would hit a wall of unpopularity: it would be suicidal.

WHAT IS MEANT BY THE NUCLEAR QUESTION?

The so-called nuclear issue , or rather the entire global debate surrounding this energy source, reached a turning point in 1986 with the Chernobyl disaster, which definitively changed public opinion everywhere regarding nuclear power and forced decisions on the matter to fall to the highest levels of government. And here we come to the second substantive objection to the minister's words: Roberto Cingolani is no longer the scientific director of the Italian Institute of Technology and a distinguished university professor, but the Minister for Ecological Transition in the government led by Mario Draghi. The difference is not insignificant. As a scientist, he can say what he likes; as a minister, he must speak thoughtfully, especially on issues that, by their very nature, fall within the prime minister's responsibility. Even if there were a glimmer of hope for reopening the nuclear issue in Italy—which we categorically rule out—the prime minister would be the one to announce it, assuming full responsibility. And he would do so in an institutional setting, for example, speaking to the Chambers, and certainly not by speaking impromptu at a party rally. Cingolani, with his blunder, demonstrates once again how ambiguous the role of a technician assuming a government function is . He claims to still be speaking as a technician, neutrally; in reality, since he became a minister, he is no longer a technician and must respect the rules of the game. And these rules also include an ancient and wise definition of politics: the art of the possible. Which nuclear power is not, today and tomorrow.

READ MORE: One year to get approval for a charging station. This is how Spain surpasses us in renewables, too.

RETURN TO NUCLEAR POWER UNREALISTIC FOR ENEL

Rather than making such outlandish announcements, Cingolani would have done well to have a chat with Francesco Starace , CEO of Enel, specifically about a possible reopening of the nuclear dossier. Who more interested in the topic than he? Instead, Starace immediately rejected the minister's overture, emphasizing two crucial aspects. The first is that it would be, as we've said, "an unrealistic rethink to implement ," while it is important to focus, when it comes to ecological transition, on an energy mix that includes an increasingly higher share of renewables and an increasingly lower share of fossil fuels . The second argument concerns the technological breakthrough that so excites Cingolani: according to Starace, the new technology the minister is talking about "is not as new as it seems ." And we must assume that, by virtue of his official duties, the CEO of Enel is certainly more informed on this topic than the minister.

NUCLEAR POWER IN EUROPE

Finally, let's remember we're in Europe, and we don't do it only when it suits us. Here, the share of energy produced from nuclear sources has significantly decreased, and the most important choice was made by Germany , which decided to completely phase out nuclear power , where it had a very significant position, by 2022. A costly decision, but a serious and rigorous one, carried out without delay or hesitation. Among the major European countries, France remains anchored to nuclear power, but here the debate is very intense and strategic rethinks are not excluded much sooner than expected. Imagine for just a second the reactions in Italy and abroad to this difference in choices: the Germans abandon nuclear power while we return to it. Ridiculous.

Finally, Cingolani's gaffe deserves a comment on the relationship between ministers and communications. Among the things we liked most about the Draghi government is its seriousness in communicating: social media isn't the mouthpiece of truth, there isn't a daily deluge of posts, tweets, and interviews; everyone, if they speak, does so in reference to their own area of ​​responsibility. And not in a general way, except for ministers who also have a role in their party. We have adopted, to a small extent, the style of the German government, where each minister has the program they must implement on their desk and takes care of it, both in their daily work with the various dossiers and in public appearances through interviews and position statements. Encroachment on boundaries is not an option, and in this case, with incidents like Cingolani's, there is a risk of being forced to resign. Cingolani has a tremendous responsibility: the ecological transition is our present and our future. He must take care of this. And don't waste time on debates, statements (with a string of replies and counter-replies), or public statements, especially on highly sensitive topics outside your immediate area of ​​expertise. In short: talk less and do more than we've seen so far.

GREEN ENERGY:

• Giannutri Island achieves green self-sufficiency thanks to photovoltaic systems.
• San Lorenzo Bellizzi: In Calabria, the town where residents, thanks to photovoltaic systems, do not pay TASI (tax on energy)
• California Green: Starting in 2020, all new homes will require solar panels only. The focus is on photovoltaics.