2017 : The Bastille Day is nuclear
July 14, 2017. (9h26 Paris time).
Unfortunately France and the United States of America have published a joint statement to name the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a nuisance and a threat to World peace. (1)
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted on July 7, 2017 by 122 States with support of the United Nations. It was inspired by the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons initiated by France. It completes the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The preamble mentions not only the catastrophic consequences of use of nuclear ammunition but also the risk of accidental triggering.
Nuclear : Kafka in the EPR – N°1
The vessel confines nuclear fire. Flamanville’s EPR* vessel in the Manche department in Western France would be subject during its 60 years life time planned by EDF and AREVA to considerable thermal, hydraulic, mechanic, and neutronic stresses. The vessel does not have to be strong; it has to be indestructible.
“The nuclear safety demonstration excludes the breakage of the vessel because no reasonable provision to restrict consequences for the reactor management, for personnel, the population and environment can be defined ” (source: report from Monitoring Group “EPR Vessel” of HCTISN, Haut Comité pour la Transparence et l’Information sur la Sécurité Nucléaire, High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety).
Towards a new Chernobyl ?
Twenty-eight years following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Ukraine is confronted with political turmoil. In this context, management issues concerning the Ukrainian nuclear industry are dangerously put aside. There are 15 nuclear reactors in Ukraine, all fueled by Russia. They were designed in EX-USSR in the 1960s and 1970s and do not meet safety regulations in place today in Ukraine. However, in 2012 the Ukrainian government decided to implement life extensions of 20 years for 11 of its oldest reactors which were to be decommissioned from 2015. Under the current financial and political difficulties, it is doubtful that necessary funds will be available. Important investments are needed to guarantee the adequate radiation protection of workers responsible for upgrading the sites as well as the safety of the reactors beyond the initial life-span. The reactors life extensions are financed by the international community, notably European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The nuclear life extensions have not been subject to a public Environmental Impact Assessment and are not in compliance with the ESPOO Convention which addresses transboundary environmental and health impacts issued by industrial projects.
