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Sommaire / Contact : winrun@naonet.fr

 

NUCLEAR ALERT

 

THE LOIRE ESTUARY IS IN DANGER

 

A LARGE INTERNATIONAL GATHERING

 

SATURDAY 31 MAY AND SUNDAY 1 JUNE 1997

 

ORGANIZED IN PROXIMITY OF THE SITE BY

THE ANTINUCLEAR FEDERATION 44

 

Since 1971, E.D.F., the French Electricity Company, has been determined to construct a nuclear power station in the estuary of the River Loire, on the Atlantic coast.

 

The possible construction of this " wandering reactor " is now threatening " Le Carnet ", a beautiful site of reed wetlands and bird habitat.

 

THE LOIRE ESTUARY IS IN DANGER !

 

All citizens have the right and the duty to be informed ...

 

This texte retraces the history of the protest against the E.D.F. plan, like it did before. The stakes around this project raises numerous reactions.

 

 

THE INCREDIBLE SAGA OF THE WANDERING REACTOR

 

1971 :

EdF intends to erect a nuclear power station in the Lower-Loire at Montjean-Ingrandes , upstream from Nantes.

 

1974 :

France embarks on its first large scale nuclear-electric program : 200 reactors PWR to be constructed before the year 2000- including SUPERPHENIX, a full size fast breeder reactor.

Creation of numerous antiNuke committes.

Demonstrations are held against the Liré project (upstream from Nantes).

A new site at Corspet, opposite St Nazaire, is threatened.

 

1975/1981:

Abandoning of the Corsept site in favour of " Le Pellerin " between Nantes and St Nazaire.

The anti-nuclear protest grows : on the 8th of May 1977 : 10000 demonstrators force of EdF to retreat. Following joint opposition, the site of Pellerin is abandoned, as is that of Plogoff at the point of Brittany.

 

1981/1988 :

The socialist government of F.Mitterand decides on a moratorium and a freezing of the sites in west France, without backtracking (questioning) the rest of the 1974 program.

In the meantime the EdF continues to submit proposals, with the support of land, filling of 400 hectares of marshlands.

The 22nd of March 1988, Jacques Chirac, then Prime minister signs a " Public Utility Decree ".

 

1988/1995 :

With only 58 operational reactors, France finds itself in over production of electricity, despite an active marketing policy that encourages waste : electrical heating of homes, none justifiable industrial uses, low cost exports...

 

1995 :

The first nuclear-electric program is concluded. In order to continue sustaining the construction apparatus and commence replacing existing reactors, the government and the pro-nuclear lobby decide to initiate a second large scale program between the years 1999-2005. Since 1989 the EdF, Framatome and Siemens spend 120 million Euros on researching a new reactor EPR (European Presurized water reactor) of 1450 Mw.

 

1996 :

The site of Carnet resurfaces. The Edf would like to use it a show case aimed at export. It is a vast virgin site, large enough to support 4 reactors.

The EdF requests the landfill of the Carnet wetlands. In accordance with the law concerning water management, an enquiry register is open to the citizens of the nearby communities.

The population remains mobilized and on the 20th of October 5000 people participate in a protest march.

 

1997 :

In mid January 6000 people protest in the streets of Nantes.

On the 31st of january the regional representative of the french gouvernment signs the authorization of the landfill of 51 hectares on the site.

 

The AntiNuclear Federation decides to organize

a large international gathering against the project

in the proximity of the site

 

Saturday the 31st of May and Sunday the 1st of June.

 

The program :

a breton festival, supports concerts,

a " village " of environmental actions, a human chain June 1st 10:30 am,

campings, organic catering...

Detail contact : winrun@naonet.fr

 

Contact and financial support : FAN44 Maison de lāécologie 76 rue Jean Jaures 44600 St Nazaire Tel : 02 40 01 95 82 E-mail : winrun@naonet.fr

 

THE LANDFILL

 

A real enclave in an area of major ornithological interest, le Carnet is known as one of the last reed wetlands which is part the Loire estuary ecosystem.

The EdF is well aware of the great importance of the site from a fauna and flora point of view.

 

2.450.000 cubic meters.

 

In fact, EdF intends to cover a 51 ha area with landfill in order to stabilize the land where the nuclear power plant is supposed to be built.

 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE LANDFILL

 

 

WHAT DOES THE EdF WANT ?

 

They want to start the works before the second and last deadline of the Declaration of Public Interest of the nuclear plant 1988-1993-1998.

 

EdF does not intend to satisfy any local or national needs. It clearly states to the elected establishment that build a new type reactor which will serve as a " technological showcase " for potential buyers in South-East Asia.

 

WHAT WE DREAD

 

In any case, even if the government finally chose an alternative site (Pensy or Flamanville which are further advanced than Carnet), the natural site of Le Carnet would be definitely damaged.

 

In the more probable hypothesis of a nuclear plant at Le Carnet, the Loire estuary will become a high risk area : 5 firms depending on the European SEVESO security norms in a 15 kms radius including a methane tanker terminal and a refinery.

 

There is also a seismic risk already revealed by surveys.

 

A nuclear plant would constitute a particulary hight-risk for the population of Nantes (30 kms) and St Nazaire (18 km), without taking into account the additional summer influx population of holiday-makers.

 

A NUCLEAR PLANT AT CARNET MEANS PUTTING 600 000 PEOPLE DOWNWIND !

 

A USELESS PLANT ...

 

Give the over capacity for local needs (Cordemais, 10 km away, operates 300 to 400 hours a year), and nationally, 17% of the national production being exported at dumped prices.

 

THE STAKES

 

1) On a local level :

EMPLOYEMENT : The EdF has always played the employment card. Nuclear energy has not resolved the unemployment problems in France. During the last three years the EdF has cut 2500 jobs and the French unemployment figure is now of 3.5 million.

FINANCIAL : the elected representatives of the concerned communities are expecting financial benefit (through taxes) and economic recovery. In fact, the other French sites are still waiting.

2) On the national level :

Le Carnet is the only virginal site held by EdF at this moment.

Le Carnetās project is to build a new generation reactor (SIEMENS FRAMATOME), with the aim of renewing the French nuclear network and to establish a showcase for the export of the European nuclear technology.

No other European state is willing to develop nuclear energy on its territory.

3) On the international level :

The conception of the EPR reactor is undertaken by : FRAMATOME, SIEMENS/KWUM and their joint filiale NPI (Nuclear Power International).

The exploiters include : Electricite de France (EdF), Babenwerk AG, Bayernwerk AG, Energie-Versorgung Schwaben AG, Isar- Amperwerke AG, Kernkraftwerke Lippe-Ems GmbH, Kernkraftwerk Stade GmbH, Neckarwerke Elektrizitätsversorgungs AG, PreussenElektra AG, RWE Energie AG.

The safety studies include three levels :

 

 

THE FEDERATION OF

LOCAL ANTINUCLEAR COMMITIES IS CALLING FOR HELP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-mail us message for give oneās public support to this antinuclear action : winrun@naonet.fr

 

 

Post adress :

Fédération Antinucléaire 44 76 rue Jean Jaurès 44600 SAINT NAZAIRE France

Tél : 02 40 01 95 82 Fax : 02 40 01 96 02 E-mail : winrun@naonet.fr

 Thanks a lot.


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