nuclear-news

American nuclear companies nervously awaiting Indian Parliament over Civil Liability Bill

The bill triggered a storm when it was first presented to lawmakers in May, with the opposition arguing it will shield American technology suppliers from compensation claims.

GE, Westinghouse Await Nuclear Bill as Singh Set to Face Stormy Parliament,  Bloomberg, By Bibhudatta Pradhan – Jul 26, 2010, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh faces an opposition buoyed by support for a recent nationwide strike when parliament meets today, promising a rough ride for legislation such as a bill to enable the entry of U.S. nuclear power companies………..

The nuclear liability bill, which seeks to make nuclear reactor operators solely responsible and to cap damages, is being scrutinized by a panel of lawmakers and is likely to reintroduced in parliament this session. The bill triggered a storm when it was first presented to lawmakers in May, with the opposition arguing it will shield American technology suppliers from compensation claims.

Indian opposition to the bill was bolstered June 6 by public outrage over two-year jail terms awarded to former senior employees of a local unit of Union Carbide Corp. for their role the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. The sentencing reignited anger over compensation and punishment in the case……….

“If the concerns of the people are not addressed or accommodated in the nuclear liability bill, then there will be problem,” said S.S. Ahluwalia, a BJP member of the parliamentary panel scrutinizing the liability bill.

Approval of the bill will help nuclear technology suppliers including Westinghouse Electric Co. and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, controlled by Tokyo-based Hitachi Ltd. and Fairfield, Connecticut-headquartered GE, compete for $175 billion of expected orders.

European nuclear equipment providers, including Paris-based Areva SA and Russia’s Rosatom Corp., are covered by sovereign immunity because they are fully or partially controlled by governments. All atomic energy facilities in India are run by state-owned Nuclear Power Corp…..

GE, Westinghouse Await Nuclear Bill as Singh Set to Face Stormy Parliament – Bloomberg

July 27, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, reactor, uranium