FOI reveals catalogue of nuclear near misses

FOI reveals catalogue of nuclear near misses

SNP News 21 June 09 Energy Spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has expressed disbelief and concern over a secret UK Government report which reveals a woeful safety record inside the UK’s nuclear power stations. The report authored by the UK Government’s chief nuclear inspector Mike Weightman and obtained by the Observer newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that more than 1750 leaks, breakdowns and other “events” were logged between 2001 and 2008. The reports notes that half of these incidents were deemed “to have the potential to challenge a nuclear safety system” according to inspectors…………………Commenting, Mr Weir said:

“The near disaster at Sizewell revealed last week was just the tip of the iceberg. The potentially catastrophic consequences of any one of these 1750 “incidents” does not bear thinking about.

“The UK Government’s cavalier approach to nuclear safety is a major cause for concern – a lack of safety inspectors will do nothing to reassure the rightfully fearful public.

“The risks and uncertainties of nuclear power, in terms of waste disposal, decommissioning, security and health concerns, or cost, are far too great.

“And it is not good enough for this information to be dragged out through FOI requests rather than made public by Ministers.

FOI reveals catalogue of nuclear near misses | SNP – Scottish National Party

June 21, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety | antinuclear, Kazakhstan, nuclear, radioactive