Troubled French Reactor Receives Conditional OK
PARIS — The troubled Superphenix, the world’s biggest and costliest fast-breeder reactor, could resume operations after a three-year shutdown if new safety measures are completed, officials said Friday.
The nuclear plant has operated for only 174 days since it opened in 1985, and has been a constant target of criticism by environmentalists who claim it is unsafe.
In a report submitted to the Isere regional government in southeastern France, a review commission supported a restart upon completion of new fire-safety measures at the plant on the Loire River.
Superphenix, built at a cost of $5 billion, was first started in 1985 as the world’s first commercial breeder reactor. But it was shut down in 1990 after liquid sodium used to cool the reactor repeatedly leaked out, causing a fire hazard.
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