Nuclear energy, a French neurosis - After Fukushima, when is the end?

With 58 reactors in operation, France is at 75% a nuclear-dependent country for power generation. For forty years no calling into question of this policy has been possible. The Fukushima catastrophe of March 11, 2011 has changed the deal. Several countries, like Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy have taken the decision to get out of nuclear energy. In France, the taboo question of its abandonment has moved to the front of the scene. Some political parties have proposed a significant reduction of the nuclear share in the energy mix while some 'zero nuclear' scenarios are already on the table. (J.S.)