| © ICIS HEREN - EU singles out countries with highest seismic risks |
| 2011-03-17 |
| Italy, Greece, Portugal, Romania and the Balkan region have been singled out as areas of high seismic risk in Europe, according to a document released on Thursday (17th March) by the European Commission in light of the Japanese nuclear crisis. Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said on Tuesday (15th March) that geographical differences will be taken into account in drawing up criteria for suggested nuclear plant stress tests. At this stage, the so called stress tests will be carried out by member states on a voluntary basis but this new report suggests areas at risk from earthquakes could be subject to tougher conditions. Among the countries listed, Romania is currently the only one to produce nuclear power, while a big debate is ongoing in Italy about whether to restart nuclear generation. Italy and Portugal are the only two countries where tsunamis have been recorded, the EU note said. The Commission`s document also says that, among neighbours, Turkey and Switzerland have been subject in the past to earthquakes. (THE ICIS HEREN REPORTS - EDEM 15053 / 17 March 2011) |
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