France
France gets nearly 80% of its electricity from its 58 reactors. However, such a heavy reliance on nuclear power brings with it many major, unsolved problems, most especially that of radioactive waste. Despite assertions to the contrary, the French nuclear story is far from a gleaming example of nuclear success. Please visit Beyond Nuclear International for current coverage of nuclear France.
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Our newly expanded and updated pamphlet - Nuclear Power in France, setting the record straight - contains a comprehensive set of examples showing that nuclear power in France is far from a success. Please download and distribute the pamphlet or order hard copies via email at info@beyonduclear.org.
New documents released in Britain have revealed that the French nuclear utility - EDF- that wants to build new reactors in the U.K., lobbied behind the scenes to reduce a planned disposal levy for the amount of nuclear waste produced by the new reactors. This latest effort by EDF to cushion its path to nuclear build in the UK follows efforts last year to eliminate wind farms in order to bolster the role of nuclear in the country. The British government has publicly stated that new reactors must be built without subsidy. However, a Greenpeace spokesperson said the documents show that EDF has been secretly attempting to deal-make for subsidies behind closed doors.
June 9, 2010