German nuclear plants fail safety test

A German nuclear power plant (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/180678.html

A “worst-case scenario” test of Germany's nuclear reactors has revealed that none of the European country's seventeen nuclear reactors would withstand a disastrous event.

The study by the country's Reactor Safety Commission concluded that all the power plants are vulnerable when it comes to an “event of extreme disaster,” the German magazine, Spiegel, reported.

The plants fell short in meeting the highest safety standard, level three, in different facets of the tests. They even failed to achieve an overall average of the medium standard, level two.

Among the events envisaged in the tests were earthquakes, flooding, power failure and plane crashes.

The report, however, did not recommend the closure of any of the reactors.

Germany's Environment Minister Norbert Rottgen, also responsible for the country's energy affairs, also said there was no urgent need to shut any reactor.

"There is no reason for us to make a mad rush to stop using nuclear power overnight," he said, adding, "It remains the case that a way must be found for us to leave nuclear power behind as soon as possible."

However, he pointed out that the plants lacked the "required safety features," and would probably have to be closed before their scheduled shutdown date.

Rottgen also acknowledged that four reactors would not even withstand the impact of a small airplane crash.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has attempted to respond to public concerns over the safety of nuclear energy in the country by holding two commissions that sought advice on the future of the atomic energy in the European country.

She also ordered the review of the reactors' safety after a nuclear disaster was triggered by an earthquake in Japan, and imposed a moratorium on her last year's decision to extend the lifetimes of Germany's nuclear plants.

The plants were due to be taken offline by 2021 under legislation passed by the government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder.

The current legislation requires all of Germany's nuclear plants to be shut down by 2036.

Britain secretly builds nuclear plants

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158367.html


Britain has already started work to build two new nuclear power stations even before receiving the building process approval, says a new alliance of anti-nuclear power campaigners.

The alliance accused the nuclear industry of jumping the gun by launching preparatory works at two sites including Hinkley Point in Somerset, Sizewell in Suffolk, the daily Morning Star reported.

The group said it has opposed proposals to construct nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point, Sizewell, Bradwell in Essex, Wylfa in Anglesey, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, Sellafield in Cumbria and Hartlepool in County Durham.

Communities Opposed to New Nuclear Energy Development (Conned) aims to bring together groups around seven sites earmarked for possible development.

Conned aims to not only raise public awareness about the health, environment and safety consequences of potential new nuclear power developments but also support the use of alternative energy strategies.

"It's clear that the industry wants to give the impression that everything is signed, sealed and delivered, hoping that the opposition will fade away,” Conned spokesman Crispin Aubrey said.

"In fact this is far from being the case. Opposition is strong and some investment analysts even argue that it will be extremely difficult for the companies to finance these expensive white elephants. Our local countryside will then have been trashed in vain," he added.