All Nuclear Reactors In The EU Need Safety Improvements
By Countercurrents.org
05 October 2012
Countercurrents.org
“Practically all” of the more than 130 active nuclear reactors in the European Union need safety improvements, repairs or upgrades, at a cost up to 25 billion euros ($30 billion), according to a draft copy of a European Commission report [1] released October 4, 2012 .
The EC undertook an EU-wide safety review after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan .
According to the commission's report, practically all NPPs need to undergo safety improvements, as hundreds of technical upgrade measures have been identified."
Guenther Oettinger, the European Energy Commissioner, said [2] last month:
"The situation is satisfactory but there is no room for complacency."
Mr Oettinger, from Germany where atomic power is being phased out, announced that he was planning to introduce new EU legislation next compelling the industry to take out liability insurance based on largely theoretical risks of nuclear disaster.
"The obligation to have insurance cover will lead to costs that will be reflected in the cost to the consumer of buying electricity. Certainly this will not lead to nuclear energy becoming more competitive," he said.
According to other reports, many of the EU's 132 reactors failed to meet international safety standards.
It was found that seismic instruments were either lacking or needed improvement in 121 reactors. In 81 of the sites checked, equipment for use in the case of severe accidents was not stored in a protected place where it could become quickly available in case of devastation. And, 32 reactors were not equipped with systems enabling the reactor to be safely depressurized in case of an accident.
Source:
[1] Stephen Lacey, Oct. 4, 2012 ,
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