“Increase of nuclear units in Europe, impact of uranium mines and alternatives” takes on the myths that nuclear power is clean, safe, cheap and climate friendly. The reality is that the scale of nuclear energy in East Europe is characteristic of hidden cost, which will be added to the account of the tax payer, technical problems and lurking danger. At the same time, more profitable alternative energies and more optimal means for energy management are already existent.
The report focuses on Bulgaria and Slovenia [2">, where there a number of uranium related problems: from abandoned mines (zombie mines) to badly managed radioactive waste. Slovenia has plans for a new nuclear reactor and for lengthening the use of another one, whereas in Bulgaria initiatives for two separate nuclear units are being pondered. The report concludes that the forecasted energy needs of Bulgaria and Slovenia have been purposely exaggerated, whereas the costs for the nuclear reactors have been highly underrated. Economically justified potential for renewable energy sources without subsidizing exists and does at a lower price per kilowatt hour.
“Uranium mines. Unveiling the impact of nuclear industry” digs into the dirty business of uranium production [3">. It is hard to understand why more of the members of the EU consider uranium a natural energy source when almost the whole uranium is being imported. The EU bears responsibility for what is happening in the countries from which it takes uranium. Especially for the mining companies situated in Europe a lot of ways for influence on uranium mining exist, but political will is needed for enforcing them. The report explains also how economic stimuli can be created, which will prevent the companies from abandoning the mines before full rehabilitation of the contaminated land.
New epidemiological research show that exposure to the gas radon (through construction materials, non-ventilated ground rooms and others) through inhaling, even at very low levels, increases the risk of cancer. Field research done for this report reveal how these abandoned mines continue to affect the life of thousands, even decades after having been shut down, as is the case with the uranium mines around Sofia. Long-term expenses related to zombie mines have to be accounted as part of exploitation expenses for nuclear reactors.
Notes:
[1"> More about the project and more about ecological justice atlas with filtering functions about all nuclear or simply uranium conflicts
[2"> The Reports
[3"> The report in Bulgarian
[4"> A documentary movie of EJOLT on the uranium mines in Namibia