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(unofficial translation from Russian)
Ecodefense - NIRS/WISE Russia
PRESS-RELEASE
Moscow, December 16, 2004
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT GIVES NEW LIFE TO CHERNOVYL-TYPE REACTORS talks on inefficient protection of nuclear sites and amount of radioactive waste
On December 16, 2004 Russian President Vladimir Putin went to inspect Kalinin nuclear plant and chaired the meeting of the State Council there. At the meeting, Putin told journalists that new licenses will be given to 10 old nuclear reactors which are first generation of Soviet designed units (RBMK-1000 and VVER-440). President also said that nuclear facilities must be well protected. Another point of presidential speech was focused on improving technology to utilize radioactive waste.
Decision to delay shut down of old reactors and grant new licenses for Leningrad, Kola and Novovoronezh nuclear plants is the most dangerous. All 10 units were designed and built long before Chernobyl catastrophe; it's impossible to bring its safety level to modern standards. Chernobyl-type reactors RBMK already shut down in Ukraine. Last two RBMKs exist in Lithuania where first unit will be shut down and decommissioned by the end of this month while second unit expected to be taken out of operation by 2007. First generation VVER-440 already shut down in Bulgaria. Dates to shut down the rest of such units in Eastern Europe are fixed.
"Decision to continue operation of first generation reactors in Russia is the most dangerous political step since Chernobyl tragedy. Russian authorities learnt nothing out of largest catastrophe at nuclear facility in the history of humankind. Allowing nuclear industry to keep Chernobyl-type reactors in operation is no less than global threat to whole Europe", said Vladimir Slivyak, co-chairman of Ecodefense, Russian anti-nuclear organization demanding to shut down old reactors immediately.
At the meeting of the State Council, for the first time in history Putin announced that amount of solid radioactive waste occumulated at Russian facilities is extremely high - nearly 70 million ton. Environmental groups for the long time demanded to open information on radioactive waste accumulated in country, but nuclear industry kept that numbers in secret. At the same time, announced number does not include liquid radioactive waste and its amount remains unknown to Russians. The stockpiles of spent nuclear fuel at Russian civil plants is close to 17,000 ton.
Putin also said that facilities where radioactive waste and nuclear materials stored must be better protected. Russian environmentalists has been repeatedly calling on authorities in the past to improve control over stockpiles of materials that may be used in nuclear weapon or dirty bombs.
Sadly, various statements by Russian Presiden calling for higher security at nuclear sites did not result in any improvements in 2004. That pose the question about ability of nuclear industry management to guarantee safety and adequate level of protection for its sites and, finally, lead to conclusion about the need for Rosatom head' resignation.
For more information in Moscow - phone +7(095)2784642, (903)2997584 e-mail:
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