San Marino energy and waste management policy debates

San Marino is navigating discussions regarding its energy and waste management infrastructure. Initial debates focused on a proposal for a waste-to-energy plant capable of processing 250,000 tons of waste annually. While proponents argued the facility could serve as a regional hub and reduce reliance on foreign landfills, local groups like the Gualdicciolo Citizens Group for the Defense of Health and the Environment raised concerns regarding pollution, traffic, and landscape impact.

As the energy conversation evolved, the movement Domani Motus Liberi called for the evaluation of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). This push follows the Italian Senate’s approval of a sustainable nuclear energy bill. The group noted that San Marino already relies on nuclear energy for approximately 4.07% of its mix via imports from France. Domani Motus Liberi criticized current government spending on solar parks in Italy, arguing such investments fail to build local expertise or address the vulnerabilities of energy dependency highlighted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Following the Italian Senate's approval of a delegation law regarding ‘sustainable nuclear energy’, the Italian government has been granted new powers through Law No. 169. Published on September 30, 2026, and effective October 15, 2026, the law mandates the government to define a new national regulatory framework within twelve months. This framework will cover nuclear production, fuel manufacturing and reprocessing, radioactive waste management, and the decommissioning of plants, as well as research into fission and fusion technologies. While supporters view this as a step toward energy independence, critics have described the law as an ‘empty box’. In response to these legislative shifts, Domani Motus Liberi has called for a technical-political table to evaluate advanced nuclear technologies like SMRs.