Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger moderates the floor during a heated discussion on nuclear energy
The Japanese nuclear accident opened in EU a heated debate on the nuclear energy. Some countries already decided to do security checks for their nuclear plants and close down the old ones. On 16 March, energy commissioner Günther Oettinger talked with MEPs on how nuclear safety can be improved in EU. MEPs also asked questions on the future of energy policy.
Günther Oettinger reminded MEPs of the "mammoth earthquake that shifted Japan's position on the globe" and mentioned the Council meeting on Tuesday during which MS's views were different, some saying safety is first (DE, AT) and some opposing this (FR, IT, UK).
"But there was a common view on the necessity of safety review. EU's 143 nuclear plants will be subject to stress tests that take into account risks as earthquakes, flooding, aircraft crashes, cyber or terrorist attacks, local electricity supply failure."
The Commissioner said that in the coming weeks, the Commission will start setting the general standards for these tests. The standards should be defined by June and the tests carried in the 2nd half of the year. "Partner countries should be involved and have the same safety standards."
© European Union 2011 PE-EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari