Sweden makes a nuclear choice!

After nearly 20 years of debate, Sweden has decided on a contraction in its nuclear power programme. Two of its twelve reactors, Barseback 1 and 2, are to be closed down by July 1 1998 and July 1 2001 respectively. These are a natural choice being among Sweden's oldest reactors and having experienced problems in recent years. The government is presenting the closure as representing the will of the Swedish people who voted in a referendum in 1980 to phase out nuclear power. More recently, though, public opinion has shifted and a poll taken after the announcement showed 66% against the decision. Controversy surrounds a number of related issues: the schedule for closing the other reactors; the cost of compensating the nuclear generation companies; and detailed plans for replacement power that will not increase unacceptably CO2 and NOx emissions and prove very costly. (UK)