The head of Assolombarda, the industrial association of the Lombardy region of northern Italy, called for a reversal of EU Green and Fiscal policies at Assolombarda’s national congress in Milan, on Oct. 21. Chairman Alessandro Spada said: “In Europe, the switch to electricity could put up to half a million jobs at risk. In Italy alone, up to 40,000 jobs are at risk throughout the supply chain by 2030 and a turnover drop of €7 billion for the components sector is estimated….
“Continuing to ignore the three fundamental pillars of transition—technological neutrality, scientific objectivity and gradualism—carries with it a certain risk of market exit for key sectors of our industry: not only automotive, but—referring especially to this territory—also metallurgy, food processing, packaging, waste treatment….”
As for energy, costs and availability can be guaranteed only by nuclear energy, Spada asserted. “Nuclear energy is an essential source—along with natural gas, renewables and hydrogen—to ensure a balanced and sustainable energy transition strategy. Meanwhile, studies tell us that 20 small modular reactor plants would bring more than €50 billion of additional GDP, activating up to 117,000 employees from 2030 to 2050.”
