China suspends nuclear plant construction

[jpak]

http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&cf=all&ncl=deso5O_q99IxNQMysWKUxm5bqw3AM

China has temporarily suspended work on 26 or so nuclear reactors currently under construction, pending revision of its safety standards.

The decision was made at a meeting of China’s State Council today, and reflects the country’s increasing concern about safety following the nuclear accident at Fukushima, Japan.

A statement from the State Council said that existing nuclear plants would also be checked for safety. Medium- and long-term plans for expansion of its nuclear programme would be re-considered, it said.

<more>

[Kolesar]

1. I thought that China handled PR issues by shooting people.

This seems so pansy, knee jerk in comparison

[madokie]

2. The nuclear genie should never have been let out of the bottle

We didn't need the bomb to kill all the people in Japan when we did as they were beat and were on the verge of surrender anyway but the powers to be had to use Japan as an example of what you're up against if you fuck with the good ol usa
rec'd

I suspect we'll follow suit here shortly. :-)

[Statistical]

3. China isn't giving up on nuclear power. Just temporarily suspending construction in progress.

China needs power and unbelievable amount of power. They are far beyond other countries which need to "merely" transition from fossil fuels to alternatives over the next couple decades. That is a large enough task as it is but China has it far worse.

China doesn't even have enough power right now and that is with burning massive amounts of fossil fuels. Unlike developed nations their need for power will grow 12% to 20% a year for the next two decades.

China will continue to use nuclear power as part of a portfolio of energy sources.

[madokie]

5. Your opinion

but who knows they may do like other countries are doing and taking bolder steps towards the use or better yet non-use of nuclear energy

[Statistical]

7. China is taking steps to use wind energy. They have the largest installed wind capacity.

However even with wind and nuclear and massive amounts of coal they STILL don't have enough electricity to support the demand of their population.

Even per you quote:
"suspended pending revision of its safety standards"

[DODI]

4. They have not suspended construction. They have suspended

approval of any new plants. The plants that were under construction are still in process.

[madokie]

6. I guess that depends on which link you want to read now doesn't it

check it out and see for yourself, I dare ya :-)

[DODI]

8. Not which one you read -- but which one is correct.

Construction, at this point, is going forward. The nature.com blog is the only link that mentions construction being suspended -- all others say new plant approvals are suspended. MSNBC has an article today - China's nuclear energy policy "Build Baby Build. The construction suspension article is from 3/17/11.

From the msnbc article:

"Under the State Council's order, power plants and other nuclear facilities that are operational or under construction will be inspected, said Zhou. But the new standards will be imposed only on plants that have either not yet been approved or have not advanced beyond site preparation."


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42219006/ns/world_news-asiapacific/