nuclear-news

Greenpeace now blocking construction of dangerous Flamanville nuclear reactor

The EPR design in particular has a number of safety risks similar to Fukushima, as the French nuclear safety authority ASN pointed out a few weeks ago.

Greenpeace Blocks Construction at France’s Flamanville Nuclear Reactor, Greenpeace by Justin – May 4, 2011 , At dawn on Monday this week, Greenpeace activists began blocking the construction of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) under construction at Flamanville, France. Two trucks were anchored to the ground, blockading the entrance carrying activists. More activists scaled four cranes, attempting to impede further construction work at the site.

Why did we do this? The situation at Fukushima in Japan demands a reassessment of all reactor safety, and the first thing to do is stop construction of the new ones so that any modifications can be properly implemented. The EPR design in particular has a number of safety risks similar to Fukushima, as the French nuclear safety authority ASN pointed out a few weeks ago. The regulator must now act and enforce a moratorium on this site. [1]

…… Problems with the EPR include a vital dependence on a continuous power supply to cool the reactor, the risk of hydrogen explosions, the location of backup diesel generators close to the ground making them susceptible to flooding, pools with spent fuel located outside the protective containment building, and the close proximity of the control room to the reactor which could make it inaccessible in the event of a large radiation release.

The EPR is promoted as the flagship of new generation of reactors. It is the largest reactor in the world but none are currently in operation. Two projects are underway in Europe, one in Finland and one in France. They have both been struggling with thousands of technical and safety problems, delays and cost overruns. [2]

Nuclear safety doesn’t exist, there are only inherent reactor risks……http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/nuclear-reaction/greenpeace-blocks-construction-at-frances-fla/blog/34556

May 4, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, opposition to nuclear