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Shut leaking reactor down – Greens | NEWS.com.au

Shut leaking reactor down – Greens

news.com.au September 24, 2008 11:25am

Article from: AAP

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THE Australian Greens have called for Australia’s only nuclear reactor to be closed down, following reports a chronic water seepage problem has yet to be fixed.

The reactor, commissioned in 2006, is based at Lucas Heights south of Sydney and is managed by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

The facility has been out of operation for 11 of the past 14 months,…………….The water seepage was first identified in December 2006 and attempts have been made to address the problem during an extended shutdown.

The reactor is used to make nuclear medicines, neutrons for scientific research and irradiation services.

It does not generate electricity.

“We think the safest solution for this reactor is for it to be shut down and for the waste to be contained properly,” Greens senator Scott Ludlam said today.

Importing nuclear products from South Africa and Canada could continue, he said.

“You’d be surprised how little that reactor was used for.”

Local residents had fought against the construction of the reactor, and there were “always dangers” with nuclear technology.

Shut leaking reactor down – Greens | NEWS.com.au

Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium

September 24, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics