Japanese disasters reignite the debate on nuclear energy.

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We gladly receive and publish this paper from Brigitte Ferrari, the president of the Movement for Europe (MEF).
These words call for reflection, and the debate is open.

Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant by J.L Zimmermann
Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant by J.L Zimmermann

-The disasters affecting Japan cannot leave us indifferent.

No Zero Risk

Obviously, Europeans feel solidarity with all the peoples affected by natural calamities of such magnitude. But it is also the serious nuclear accidents that question us. Yes, this archipelago is an area prone to severe seismic shocks, and the government claimed to have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure nuclear safety in this context. The serious events that have occurred and are likely to occur show us that there is no zero risk and that, clearly, the unpredictable had not been considered.

-In Europe, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Poland have committed to increasing nuclear energy production. Meanwhile, Sweden, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria have reignited the debate on its use. According to a prospective study by the Nuclear Energy Agency, there will be at least 600 additional nuclear power plants worldwide by 2050.

Nuclear Safety in Europe

-The issue of developing nuclear safety is therefore crucial. Today, nuclear safety is an exclusive competency of the member states. In 2009, a directive aimed at enhancing nuclear safety in the member states was adopted. It introduced the obligation for member states to “establish and continuously improve national frameworks in the field of nuclear safety”. The text strengthens the role and independence of national regulatory authorities and confirms the primary responsibility of license holders in terms of nuclear safety. Member states are obliged to encourage a high level of transparency in regulatory actions and ensure that independent safety assessments are conducted regularly. This text must be implemented by the member states by July 22, 2011.

Reactions

-Following the Japanese catastrophe, several European leaders made their voices heard.
Angela Merkel announced, last Monday, the implementation of a nuclear moratorium for three months. “After an incident like the one that occurred in a country like Japan, Europe and Germany cannot act as before,” she added. The Chancellor also indicated that the European Commission should work on a single standard model for nuclear safety in Europe.
Austrian Nikolaus Berlakovich announced that he would request rapid organization of stress tests for nuclear power plants in Europe.

-In France, in response to numerous calls for a referendum on nuclear energy or even an exit from nuclear power, Prime Minister Franรงois Fillon announced an inspection of the French nuclear fleet, which includes 58 reactors across 19 power plants.

-The European Union will implement stress tests for its nuclear power plants. The European Commissioner for Energy, Gรผnther Oettinger, indicated this on Tuesday, March 15, following a meeting held in Brussels attended by government representatives from member countries, industry representatives, and national safety authorities.

-It is high time that a debate is organized both in France (where 80% of produced energy and 20% of final consumed energy is of nuclear origin) and across the whole of Europe about our energy production and nuclear production. The safety of future generations depends on it!

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