 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
UAE adopts nuclear law ahead of power plant contracts
Dubai (AFP) Oct 5, 2009 The United Arab Emirates has adopted a civilian nuclear energy law that paves the way for contracts worth 41 billion dollars for the construction of power plants, WAM news agency reported on Monday. The law, issued on Sunday by presidential decree, prohibits the enrichment of uranium, the process by which the substance is transformed into nuclear fuel and atomic bombs, the official agency reported. The UAE has set up the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation to oversee and guarantee nuclear safety and security, and devise a system to accredit workers in the sector across its seven emirates. "We totally understand the utmost importance of safety and security in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," said authority chairman Ahmad Mubarak al-Mazrouie. "We are committed to our role in guaranteeing the benefits of nuclear energy... in such a way that does not impact public safety or the environment," he was quoted as saying. The regulator has been empowered to punish anyone who steals or conducts illegal trade in nuclear material, a move that came after talks with partners including Britain, France and the United States, according to WAM. The National newspaper said the adoption of the law makes the UAE the first country in the world to ban uranium enrichment, opting instead for importing its nuclear fuel. "The government of the UAE has made a commitment in its nuclear energy law to forgo domestic enrichment and reprocessing of nuclear materials," Hamad al-Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency was quoted as saying by The National. "The UAE believes that it can achieve the necessary degree of fuel security through reliance upon mature and diverse international fuel services market without resort to domestic enrichment or reprocessing." The Gulf state has invited bids to build nuclear power plants in contracts worth 41 billion dollars. It is seeking to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons and boost its image as environmentally friendly. US President Barack Obama approved a civilian nuclear deal with the UAE in May and earlier this year, the UAE signed a nuclear energy deals with France during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
Thousands protest against France's oldest nuclear plantColmar, France (AFP) Oct 3, 2009 Thousands of people demonstrated in eastern France on Saturday to demand the closure of the country's oldest nuclear power plant amid a huge police presence. Organisers said more than 10,000 people, including from Spain, Italy and neighbouring Germany and Switzerland, rallied peacefully in Colmar while police said 3,500 took part in the protest against the Fessenheim nuclear plant. "This ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2009 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook