Italian Nuclear Oversight Agency Officially Starts Up

摘要

Italy's new Agency for the Security of Nuclear Power (Agenzia per la Sicurezza del Nucleare) began full operations Jan. 26, one week after the Senate approved its leadership structure. The agency, which was created by edict in 2009, was originally expected to start official operations in 2010, but that was delayed by the political crisis that nearly toppled the government led by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (33 INER 1128, 11/24/10). In recent months, the agency has started some operations, such as hiring staff. The agency will monitor plans for Italy's reintroduction of nuclear power, focusing on possible health and environmental risks.