European Commission pledges $142 million to complete safety work at Chernobyl

[News_Editor]

European Commission pledges $142 million to complete safety work at Chernobyl

2011-04-19 05:29:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on Monday said that $142.25 million (€110 million) will be allocated to complete nuclear safety work at Chernobyl.

"The recent accident at Fukushima in Japan shows that nuclear safety remains a critical issue. The EU will continue to work steadfastly in its citizens' best interests, making nuclear sites safe and preventing accidents," Barroso said.

The European Union will formally announce the Commission's pledge at a high-level conference in Kiev on Tuesday, a week before the 25th anniversary of the tragic Chernobyl accident, which is considered the world's worst nuclear power plant accident in history.

On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded and released large quantities of radioactivity into the atmosphere. At least 56 people died immediately after the explosion and fire, while thousands more died as a result of cancer over time.

"Nuclear safety is a global issue that requires a global response. Our pledge, which reflects the European Commission's leading role on nuclear safety, will be key in making the Chernobyl site safe again," said Barroso.

The $142.25 million will be used for finishing the construction of the New Safe Confinement, a giant arch structure which will cover the damaged Chernobyl unit 4, to isolate it and to allow its deconstruction in the future.

Once built, the massive structure will be long enough to cover almost two football pitches and high enough to house the Statue of Liberty. The pledge will also be used for completing the Spent Fuel Storage Facility.

This building will store the spent fuel from the units which remained in operation after the 1986 accident. Such operation is required for the decommissioning of the Soviet-era nuclear plant.

Since the disaster, the Commission has been working on improving nuclear safety in the site largely through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund and the Nuclear Safety Account international funds.

The Commission's works have achieved the stabilization of the existing shelter, the construction of facilities in view of future decommissioning, and the implementation of infrastructure which meets international health regulations and provides the best possible protection for on-site workers.

In addition to nuclear safety, the Commission has carried out social projects in areas such as healthcare, education and horticulture as well as efforts to secure the environment and contributing to international funds.

"Today's pledge is a big step forward in helping to meet the funding shortfall, and sends a clear signal that the Commission is committed to doing all it can to ensure that Chernobyl is made safe, both for the local people and the environment," concluded Barroso.

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