Monday, March 14, 2011

Germany suspends the aging of its power plants. Concerns in France and Switzerland

The effect of accidents in nuclear power plants whose true impact on the Japanese word yet relatively inexpensive, and some analysts estimated could cost insurance companies $ 34 billion, has agreed to immediately hear in the 14 countries of the old continent for years living with the atom, turning high-level debate on the safety and appropriateness to build new power plants.

The measure of how serious are the concerns was given by European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, who on Tuesday convened a meeting of leading experts on nuclear safety in Europe. In an interview with a German radio Oettinger said that the safety of older nuclear plants should be tested rigorously and has refused to rule out plant closures, if necessary.

"If we take it seriously and say that the incident has changed the world - he said - and that the way in which we, as the industrial society, we looked to the security and manageability is now under discussion, then we can not exclude anything ". Statements that come as Angela Merkel, his party colleagues, is facing a backlash from environmentalists to the German government's decision to extend the life of Berlin for the use of existing nuclear power plants.

However, a choice that now seems to be reversed. After the extraordinary meeting convened by Chancellor early on Saturday to discuss the crisis in Japan, Germany has decided to retrace his steps and freeze for three months, the decision on prolonging the life of its 17 nuclear facilities.

Saturday in the south about 50 thousand people were demonstrating to say no to nuclear. In France, the second largest number of plants in the world after the United States and birthplace of nuclear giant Areva, the theme has been the focus of a Ministerial Summit held on Sunday between Prime Minister François Fillon and the Ministers of Defense, Ecology , Interior, Economy, Health and Industry.

The meeting concluded with a statement reassuring tones, that France "will draw useful lessons from the Japanese events." Industry Minister Eric Besson, later, however, has spoken of a "worrying scenario." While the left immediately asked a French ecologist nuclear referendum. Even in Switzerland the effects of accidents Japanese were felt immediately.

Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard has decided to suspend current procedures relating to applications for permits for two new nuclear power stations, explaining that 'security is a top priority, "while the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate was asked to undertake a Early verification of the safety of plants, already in the game Mühleberg.

And in Italy? Although they have plants, the debate about nuclear safety that the government wants to reintroduce it was inflamed. Without direct participation of the executive, who has not felt the need to meet in any way to make a point about the situation. The most authoritative voice, not to mention that of Fabrizio Cicchitto, was that of Foreign Minister Frattini.

The debate, said the minister "has reopened in a way, as always wrong, that comes from the emotional moment of the accident, without thinking about things absolutely clear. Italy is a country comparable to the Japanese seismic intensity. I do not think that the disaster in Japan justifies questioning of Italian plan to nuclear energy.

" The process of the atom in the Italian Parliament and then continues. The Senate should consider this week, between Tuesday and Wednesday, the act of government to the discipline of the location of nuclear facilities. Many regions have already promised battle.

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