Earth Equity News

French Doubts about Nuclear Energy Up after Twin Mishaps. By Bruce Crumley, AP, July 19, 2008. "Security breaches at nuclear power plants are never a laughing matter. But with oil prices at near-record levels and the rush on to find safe, clean sources of energy, news of leaks at two different French nuclear sites could not have come at a worse time. Concern over the incidents is rekindling questions about the safety of France's giant nuclear power grid and could complicate the country's quest to become the world's leading purveyor of nuclear technology. On Friday France's Nuclear Safety Agency (ASN) revealed that damage to an underground conduit at the Romans-sur-Isère plant in southwestern France had allowed radioactive waste to leak, though in quantities so small, it said, to have 'not at all affected the environment.' But it was not the first such incident. The ASN announced July 7 that uranium-tainted waste liquids from the Tricastin nuclear plant, in southern France... had leaked into surrounding rivers and topsoil... Barring any further revelation of French breaches, this month's twin mishaps won't alter France's official [nuclear] policy... nor are they alone likely to undermine the French public's approval of it... But should... inspections turn up additional failings, France's long-term bet on nuclear power could face shakier odds."