Lukashenka signs decree on Belarusian NPP safety. Scientists warn against launch


Safety issues regarding the construction and operation of nuclear power plants will be regulated by the decree number 70, signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The amendments have been made to the decree “On security assurances at the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.” Experts, however, have noted the absence of real actions of the Belarusian authorities to ensure security and warned that the document would not protect from radiation.

According to the new decree, authorized public bodies will be able to control the contamination without a license. But it is the potential hazardous waste from the production of the NPP energy that presents the biggest problem, because there is no infrastructure to manage it.

Andrei Ozharovsky, Russian environmentalist, nuclear physicist:

“We are currently discussing sand castles. We are supposed to launch a nuclear power station now. Then, someday, we are supposed to create a waste management infrastructure for it using certain amount of money.”

The authorities, instead of taking concrete action, are signing yet another decree. At this time, the President approved the document, which manages safe operation of the Belarusian NPP.

“We know that at the time of explosion both the Charnobyl plant and the Fukushima nuclear power plant had all the possible permits. From the national controlling authorities, from the International Atomic Energy Agency. A document would not protect from radiation,” says Andrei Ozharovsky.

In addition, the Ministry of Emergency Situations now has to conduct public hearings in the area of nuclear power safety.

Belarusian nuclear power plant being built at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border near Astravets in the Hrodna region. Therefore, security doubts are being expressed by our neighbors. Especially because the Lithuanians did not receive any information about the construction work.

The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is based on the Russian design. Belarus received from Russia a 10 million dollar loan for this. The first NPP unit is to be launched later this year, and 2020 will see the second unit being put in operation.

Hanna Mordan, belsat.eu

TWITTER