A second EPR to be built in France

The French government has authorized construction of a second EPR in Normandy near Dieppe, even though the first one under construction at Flamanville, also in Normandy, has encountered technical problems and is behind schedule. The French and international nuclear opposition network - Sortir du Nucleaire - has challenged the decision since it violates the stated basis on which a second EPR can be built - that the first one must have already demonstrated a track record in construction and operation.

Protest in Dieppe against second EPR

Protesters from Stop EPR-2, the campaign against the proposed second EPR reactor in France -slated for the Dieppe area - attended and then disrupted a September 18 meeting of the Dieppe City Council when it was poised to approve the EPR project. Informing the press in advance and providing plenty of strong visuals, EPR opponents told council members and the mayor that the public had been omitted from consultation. Handcuffing themselves to chairs and tables the opponents chanted "the city belongs to all its inhabitants!" Watch the video (in French). And see how the the French really protest the EPR (warning: photo contains nudity.)

Trouble at' mill

Areva and Electricte de France (EDF), responsible for the Finnish and French Areva EPR reactor construction sites respectively, have both run into further problems causing additional delays. Furthermore, their rivalry threatens to impede safety as the EDF-managed construction team in France races to complete the reactor there by 2012, the same deadline newly set by the Finnish construction project that is already three years behind schedule.

In France, EDF has encountered problems with the concrete foundation, casting of the steel liner, poor on-site quality control and manufacturing of forged components by its subcontractors. In Finland, Areva has encountered similar problems with the concrete, faults in the steel welding, nonconformity of essential parts and a fire at the site in late July. The French anti-nuclear network, Sortir du Nucleaire, has called for an end to these fiascos, demanding a permanent halt to both projects.

Join the U.S. Stop EPR campaign

Please join the U.S. Stop-EPR campaign today. Send us an email to sign up. And read our STOP EPR booklet for more information. For details on the French campaign, of which Beyond Nuclear is a member, go to the Stop-EPR campaign Web site. And read the Greenpeace International EPR Fact Sheet.