Slow, but the project for the construction of the single Italian nuclear waste repository is progressing: the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has started the scoping phase on the “ Proposal for a National Map of Suitable Areas (Cnai) to Host the National Radioactive Waste Repository ” to be built by Sogin. And the Sardinian mayors are already ready to return to the trenches: out of 51 potential sites identified in December 2023, eight are on the Island and concern 14 Municipalities.
The documents were published last November 18th but only yesterday did Mase issue the official announcement: «The implementation of the SEA procedure on the location process of the Deposit, declared Minister Pichetto, «has the purpose of guaranteeing a high level of environmental protection by contributing to the integration of environmental considerations in the process of drafting, adopting and approving the Cnai. In this way we offer local administrations the possibility of participating again in the decision-making process before the approval of the Charter».
Statements that seem to demonstrate the Government's will to continue to take the path of dialogue. But in Sardinia the barricades are rising. The areas affected by the Charter are Albagiara, Assolo, Usellus in Oristanese, Mandas, Siurgus Donigala, Segariu, Villamar, Setzu, Tuili, Turri, Ussaramanna, Nurri, Ortacesus and Guasila.
The mayor of Mandas Umberto Oppus took pen and paper and wrote to the president of the Regional Council Piero Comandini and to all the group leaders asking for an urgent meeting with the mayors of the municipalities involved for "a united position against the proposal to include the territory of Mandas and all the other Sardinian municipalities identified as potential locations for the National Repository for Radioactive Waste. As regards this municipal administration", it is written, "we reiterate what was previously unanimously decided by the Municipal Council and a new meeting will be held to request the removal of the Mandas area, together with all the other areas of Sardinia, also from the preliminary report".
"The Island says no to radioactive waste and Nurri says no to radioactive waste. The authorization process for the identification of the site for the storage of radioactive waste continues", reiterates on Facebook the mayor of Nurri, Antonello Atzeni, "we will continue to say no to the storage of radioactive waste, in all forms and in all ways. Punctually at the end of the year we receive happy new year wishes".
Enrico Fresu