Japan nuclear disaster sparks heated EU debate

EurActiv and other sources reported that Japan's nuclear reactor emergency in March 2011 triggered a wave of reactions in the European Union, with EU Environment Ministers urging stress tests on operating nuclear power plants NPPs) and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) calling for nuclear energy to be phased out.

Nuclear power policy varied widely across the EU. But Japan's crisis at multiple reactors reinvigorated anti-nuclear states and led the bloc to consider closer energy coordination on the continent.

• Primary Source

Tageszeitung, 15.3.11: Nuclear exit in doubt (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief-cover/549701-nuclear-exit-doubt

Deutsche Welle, 15.3.11: Too hot to handle? EU meets to examine nuclear energy safety http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14911940,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 14.3.11: Merkel suspends nuclear extension over Japanese risks http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14910843,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 15.3.11: As Japan Reels from Disaster, EU Debates Nuclear Future http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,750978,00.html

France24, 15.3.11: Nuclear energy under the microscope http://www.france24.com/en/20110315-nuclear-energy-under-microscope-after-japan-crisis

Spiegel Online International, 15.3.11: Germany Cripples Itself With Nuclear Angst http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,751135,00.html

EUObserver, 15.3.11: Nuclear debate sees rise in EU carbon prices http://euobserver.com/9/31987

European Commission: DG Energy and Transport: Nuclear Issues http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/index_en.htm

IAEA: Top Stories and Features: IAEA Update on Japan Earthquake http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

EUObserver, 15.5.11: Germany delays nuclear plans as Japanese meltdown fears rise http://euobserver.com/9/31985

ESO: Background information: Nuclear power: New dawn for a former sunset industry http://www.europeansources.info/record/nuclear-power-new-dawn-for-a-former-sunset-industry/

ESO: Background information: German opposition calls for nuclear energy referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-opposition-calls-for-nuclear-energy-referendum/

Deutsche Welle, 15.3.11: EU agrees 'stress tests' for Europe's nuclear power plants http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14913225,00.html

European Commission; Press Release: IP/11/313: The European Commission is following closely the developments of the earthquake in Japan and has established contacts with Japanese sources, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the established emergency networks in Europe, like ECURIE http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/313&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Wikipedia: European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Community_Urgent_Radiological_Information_Exchange

European Commission > JRC > IES > REM > Activities > ECURIE http://rem.jrc.ec.europa.eu/RemWeb/activities/Ecurie.aspx

EurActiv, 16.3.11: Oettinger pushes for stress tests of Europe's nuclear plants http://www.euractiv.com/energy/oettinger-pushes-stress-test-eu-nuclear-plants-news-503139

European Nuclear Society: Nuclear power plants in Europe http://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/n/nuclear-power-plant-europe.htm

Spiegel Online International, 16.3.11: 'The World Champion of Hysteria Around Nuclear Power' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,751351,00.html

EUObserver, 17.3.11: EU commissioner: Japanese disaster in 'hands of God' http://euobserver.com/9/32003

EurActiv, 17.3.11: Brussels nuclear debate goes into meltdown http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-wind-energy/brussels-nuclear-debate-goes-meltdown-news-503173

PressEurop, 14.3.11: Fukushima relaunches debate http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/547631-fukushima-relaunches-debate

Postimees, 17.3.11: Chernobyl to Fukushima - media gets it wrong (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/556251-chernobyl-fukushima-media-gets-it-wrong

EUObserver, 15.3.11: EU to 'stress test' the bloc's nuclear energy plants http://euobserver.com/9/31992

PressEurop, 16.3.11: Don’t panic... http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/553101-don-t-panic

European Environment Agency: Highlights, 23.3.11: Nuclear accident in Japan: Where to get up-to-date information http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/nuclear-accident-in-japan-where

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