Belgium Plans EU Funding Shift Boosting Nuclear Power Support

Nuclear power remains a contentious issue globally, with critics in Scotland strongly opposing its expansion due to concerns over safety, economic viability, and local consent, while English Labour supports it largely influenced by the nuclear lobby. In Armenia, the Soviet-era Metsamor nuclear plant, located in a seismic zone near the capital Yerevan, has been labeled a 'Chernobyl in waiting' due to its outdated technology and earthquake risks, raising fears of a potential environmental disaster. Meanwhile, in the United States, nuclear power is gaining attention as a clean energy source amid geopolitical tensions, with 93 commercial reactors operating and additional ones under construction, as well as concerns about nuclear weapons sites in case of conflict. In Europe, Belgium's recent acceptance of EU funding eligibility for nuclear fission energy signals growing support for atomic power within the bloc, marking a shift from previous opposition and reflecting divisions between pro-nuclear countries like France and those favoring renewables like Germany. This renewed momentum has led to the expansion of the European Nuclear Alliance with new members such as Belgium, Italy, and Greece considering or committing to nuclear energy. Overall, nuclear power's future is shaped by a complex interplay of safety concerns, political influence, environmental goals, and geopolitical factors.