Brussels, March 15, 2011 – European nuclear safety representatives will meet today with Commissioner Oettinger on nuclear safety, following the worsening situation at the Japanese Fukushima nuclear power station.
Friends of the Earth Europe expresses deep concerns about the situation at the Fukushima nuclear power station, and stands in solidarity with the population of Japan and colleagues at Friends of the Earth Japan, following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. We support Japanese authorities in doing everything they can to prevent the immeasurable damage to people, the environment and the local ecosystem that further radioactive leaks, or melt-down will cause.
Magda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe says: “Our thoughts go to those workers risking their lives to bring the Fukushima reactors under control, and to those citizens endangered by radioactive contamination. Friends of the Earth Europe stands in solidarity, and supports Japanese authorities in doing everything they can to avoid a nuclear disaster.”
Many countries with nuclear programmes or plans now find themselves in discussion on the future of nuclear energy. The events in Japan highlight that no matter how prepared, there are risks with nuclear power, and the consequences of unpredictable events can have disastrous outcomes for people and planet.
Patricia Lorenz, nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe says: “European leaders must take note of the growing nuclear crisis in Japan, and act now. Europe needs a phase-out plan for nuclear, and must open the way for safe solutions to climate change and energy security.
“The only safe and secure form of energy is that which harnesses clean, renewable resources, or the energy we save through increased energy efficiency.”
Friends of the Earth Europe is calling for the following measures:
- Closure of reactors without full pressure containment: Dukovany in the Czech Republic, Paks in Hungary, and Bohunice and Mochovce in Slovakia.
- Closure of old reactors, or those with outdated designs: for example, numerous reactors in Germany including Isar and Neckarwestheim.
- Closure of reactors in seismically active areas: Krsko in Slovenia, Belene, planned in Bulgaria, Akkuyu in Turkey.
- No life-time extensions for old reactors.
Patricia Lorenz, nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe says: “The catastrophic events in Japan are a clear signal that high risk reactors across Europe need to be shut down, and the process needs to start immediately.”
Friends of the Earth Europe calls upon the European Commission to demand a genuine, open process to bring about the end of the nuclear age in Europe, and for the introduction of phase-out laws at national level [1].
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NOTES:
[1] This must include a moratorium on new reactors, and the discontinuation of export of reactors. The EURATOM Treaty must be abolished, and transparency surrounding nuclear safety reports ensured.
