The French Nuclear Medusa

(The French Nuclear Medusa – or La Meduse Française Nucléaire – exposes the tentacles of the French nuclear complex – and especially French nuclear industrial giant, Areva – that reach across the globe in an attempt to gain a stranglehold on nuclear energy production, from uranium mining to radioactive waste.)

 

Medusa July 31: The Independent Commission on Research and Information on Radioactivity (CRIIRAD), an independent French research group, says too many French nuclear workers are being contaminated with radioactivity. “In less than 15 days, the CRIIRAD has been informed of four malfunctions in four nuclear plants, leading to the accidental contamination of 126 workers” CRIIRAD director, Corinne Castanier told the Reuters news agency. The group also found morale at nuclear installations in France markedly low and criticized the French state-owned utility, EDF, for downplaying the dangers of radioactive contamination.

Medusa July 24: Beyond Nuclear’s Linda Gunter has just returned from a fact-finding mission in France where she also spoke at a rally of 5,000 demonstrators in Paris on July 12 calling for a nuclear-free world. Watch for new updates on France on the French Connection page on our Web site. French speakers can also view videos of the rally here. During Linda’s visit, there were coincidentally – but not inappropriately – two accidents at nuclear sites both operated by Areva. (Three more have since been reported.) Although the company tried hard to downplay the accidents, they represented a serious black eye for an industry anxious to hide its ugly under-belly from public view. When uranium leaked into the groundwater from a uranium processing plant at Areva’s enormous multi-complex nuclear site – Tricastin – in southern France, residents were rightly perturbed. It took more than 12 hours after the accident before Socatri, the Areva subsidiary that operates the processing plant, told the public not to bathe in or drink the water. The ban lasted two weeks during which frightened residents began to file suit – not only because of the unacceptable health risks they endured but also because their agricultural livelihoods were destroyed and the value of their homes rendered negligible. Testing by an independent French radiological lab found the presence of isotopes that likely leaked at an earlier date from the site’s nuclear weapons installation, casting doubt on the safety of the groundwater at all French nuclear facilities. The lab condemned the authorities for their delay in safeguarding the health of residents. After a second leak at a different nuclear facility in the area the same week, Areva chief, the Cheshire Cat-grinning Anne Lauvergeon, paid a visit to the community and assured the press and public there was no danger while bemoaning the fact that her company’s “transparency’” had led people to be unnecessarily afraid! However, since then, authorities have admitted that at least 100 workers at the Tricastin site were “slightly contaminated.” All of this occurred at the same moment that French president and nuclear salesman par excellence – Nicolas Sarkozy – began his stint as president of the European Union. He is expected to use his six-month term to heavily promote nuclear energy to his European partners. Further reports and updates from Linda’s French visit will become available soon.

Medusa July10:The French government, under the leadership of its president, Nicolas Sarkozy (“the world’s most aggressive nuclear salesman” according to the New York Times) has announced it will construct a second EPR reactor in France. The decision runs contrary to earlier declarations made by Électricité de France that it would first construct just one reactor in France in order to gain experience and expertise in preparation for future reactors. Construction at the current reactor site in Flamanville was recently halted after inspections by the French nuclear security agency revealed flaws in the concrete base and reinforced steel and poor quality control. Construction will likely resume in September after the defective reinforced concrete has been removed.

Medusa July 3: The French government, under the leadership of its president, Nicolas Sarkozy (“the world’s most aggressive nuclear salesman” according to the New York Times) has announced it will construct a second EPR reactor in France. The decision runs contrary to earlier declarations made by Électricité de France that it would first construct just one reactor in France in order to gain experience and expertise in preparation for future reactors. Construction at the current reactor site in Flamanville was recently halted after inspections by the French nuclear security agency revealed flaws in the concrete base and poor quality control. Construction has now resumed.

Medusa June 26: Waste-dump anyone? Takers remain secret.

Medusa June 19: Areva ramps up uranium mining in Kazakhstan.

Medusa June 10:  $3.8 billion bill at La Hague reprocessing site.

Medusa May 29: MOX moves in the U.S.

Medusa May 21: Areva transportation safety violation in TN.

Medusa May 15: EDF buys up British Farms?

Medusa April 15: Burning at stake not an option but random arrests of anti-nuclear activists OK.