The European Parliament has voted on a comprehensive reassessment of the EU’s approach towards nuclear energy, pushing for common safety standards of nuclear facilities across Europe and more investment into renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. No majority however has been found for any proposal.

Guy Verhofstadt: “I deplore the fact that no majority has been found. Two extreme positions, those who want nothing to happen and those who want nuclear plants to close down immediately, have hindered the Parliament to have a position at all. This is really sad. How can we ever move forward in this very important issue of nuclear safety if some political groups are failing to look for a good compromise? Sticking to an extreme position is the same as moving backwards.”

Lena Ek (Centre party, Sweden), and ALDE coordinator on the energy and industry committee said “It is absolutely scandalous that the European Parliament does not have an opinion about nuclear safety. Given the information we have about the safety of some European nuclear plants and at plants in neighbouring countries, the parliamentarians who voted against this resolution bear a heavy responsibility.”

Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) in the European Parliament called for a comprehensive reassessment of the EU’s approach towards nuclear energy, pushing for common safety standards of nuclear facilities across Europe and more investment into renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Stressing that the consequences of a nuclear accident go beyond national borders and need to be tackled at a multinational level, Lena EK (Centre Party, Sweden), ALDE spokesperson for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), said:

“There is an obvious need for close cooperation, coordination and exchange of information within the EU and with neighbouring third countries. We need a strategy that goes beyond EU borders and that provides common standards guaranteeing a high level of nuclear safety.

“The proposed stress tests on nuclear facilities within the EU in the wake of the Fukushima disaster do not go far enough. We have to test not only technological and geographical risks but also the general safety culture and the accumulative effects of multiple failures such as electricity shutdowns, cuts to water supplies and unreliable back-up systems. These tests must be conducted by independent experts in a completely transparent manner.”

ALDE MEP Fiona Hall (Liberal Democrats, UK) added:

“Reviewing nuclear safety standards within the EU is a long overdue exercise.

“Member States do need to be honest and open about the actual costs of nuclear energy, including insurance aspects, the unresolved problem of radioactive waste, state intervention in case of accidents or emergencies and other state aid.

“While the stress tests are going on, Member States should declare a moratorium on the development and commissioning of new nuclear reactors so that the full assessment can be taken into account. This will also encourage investors to put their money instead into making faster progress on additional renewable and energy efficiency projects which will now be needed.”