Difference between revisions of "Anti-nuclear Movement in Latvia"

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=== References ===
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[[Category: Latvia]]
 
[[Category: Latvia]]
 
[[Category: Anti-Nuclear Movement]]
 
[[Category: Anti-Nuclear Movement]]

Revision as of 14:15, 25 September 2012

Nuclear Policy in Latvia

Latvia has no nuclear facilities, no plans to build them and no plans to establish a spent fuel management facility[1]. However, it is rather a pro-nuclear than an anti-nuclear country. The Government's opinion on nuclear power is positive[2]. The general public opinion about nuclear power is pro-nuclear, too.

In past Latvia had a research reactor, which is the only reactor the country has ever had. It is called „Salaspils Research Reactor“ (SRR) and is located in Salaspils, 2 km from the centre of Salaspils city, 25 km from Riga, the capital. SRR was in operation from 1961 to 1998 and was the only civilian research reactor in the Baltics[3]. The plant partook in neutron activation analysis and gamma irradiation for various materials.

Since there are no nuclear power plants in Latvia, the country has a repository only for low and medium level radioactive waste. It is called „Radons“ and is located in Baldone, 5 km from the city of Baldone and 27 km from Riga, the capital[4].

„Radons“ (in operation since 1962) is a near-surface repository for both burial and storage of low and medium level radioactive waste. The repository consists of 2 parts: supervision part and control area with 7 vaults. Only vault No.7 is still in use. The Government plans to extend it but due to various reasons it has not happened yet.

Currently Latvia is a shareholder of the Visaginas NPP project. In February 2012 several Latvian environmental organizations wrote a letter to the Latvian Prime Minister expressing their negative opinion about this project. Also they asked for answers to several questions, for instance, how much this project will cost to Latvians, how participation in this project will conduce Latvian energo-independence, how the spent fuel will be stored and much will it cost[5]. In March 2012 the Prime Ministers of all Baltic States met in Lithuania and "reaffirmed their commitment to build the Visaginas power plant promised to work together to make sure progress is maintained"[6].

Groups and organizations working on the anti-nuclear field

Organizations/institutions connected to nuclear issues


References