“The new German government has signalled to France it will no longer object to treating nuclear power on a par with renewable energy in EU legislation, French officials said, confirming a published report.

The EU’s two largest economies have long been at loggerheads over whether to promote atomic power to achieve CO2 emissions targets, delaying policymaking on tackling climate change in the bloc.

France, which gets around 70% of its energy from atomic power, is nuclear energy’s main champion in Europe. Germany, which has phased out its nuclear plants, has viewed it as low-carbon but not renewable.

However, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has called exiting nuclear energy a mistake, has promised a reset in relations with France. Berlin was also becoming increasingly isolated, with many European countries planning to revive nuclear power to replace gas flows from Russia.

Germany’s new stance left Austria as the only major holdout left in Europe.”

From Reuters.

“Denmark’s government appears to be warming to the perceived benefits of new nuclear power technologies following a commitment to analyse the options and potentially reverse a 40-year national ban on traditional nuclear reactors.

The country’s federal parliament has voted by a large majority to repeal a 1985 law that phased out nuclear power and prevented the construction of new nuclear-generating capacity.

The latest move marks a significant policy shift in a country that has prioritised expanding its vast wind and solar power resources.”

From Small Caps.

“In an effort to encourage denser development, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law Tuesday to allow smaller apartment buildings in Colorado to be built with a single staircase, instead of the two previously required by building codes. 

Backers say fewer internal stairways are a way to significantly lower the building cost for multi-family housing and help ease the state’s high cost of living.”

From The Colorado Sun.

“Montana is set to become a proving ground for experimental medical treatments, thanks to a newly passed bill.

The bill, signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte this week, will permit clinics and doctors to sell and provide nearly any experimental drug to potential patients, so long as it has undergone at least one Phase I clinical trial. Advocates argue that the law will allow Montana to be a hub for medical tourism, especially for potentially life-extending medicine.”

From Gizmodo.