Radio Mundo Real

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23 de septiembre de 2015 | | | |

Argentina: environmental activists protest against nuclear advance in the country and the lack of prioritization towards renewable energy

Environmental organization Friends of the Earth Argentina rejected the national government plan to build a new nuclear power plant in Formosa Province, 15 kilometers from Formosa City and 20 kilometers from the Paraguayan city of Alberdi.

“These plans in favor of another dirty and dangerous source of energy, disregarding the technological advances on renewable energy that are possible in our territory are sad”, stated the organization in their website.

In Argentina there are several nuclear power plants in operation: the Juan Peron (Atucha I) nuclear power plant, in Lima, Buenos Aires Province, since 1974; Embalse in Embalse Rio Tercero, Cordoba Province, since 1983; Nestor Kirchner (Atucha II) which had its works suspended for over 20 years and was resumed in 2007 is already operative right by the Juan Peron plant.

In addition, in July 2014 a cooperation agreement was signed between Argentina and China, together with an implementation agreement for the building of the fourth nuclear power plant in terms of power in the country, Atucha III.

In parallel, the strategic plan of the Argentinian nuclear sector is advancing with “Carem” reactors (low power), one for Lima, Buenos Aires Province and another one in Formosa, near the Paraguayan city of Alberdi, states Friends of the Earth Argentina.

“In addition to the risks of a nuclear accident, the activity could pollute the Guarani aquifer and recently the Paraguayan government has expressed its interest in entering the uranium production chain, which would worsen the problem. Uranium mining is highly polluting”, added the organization.

According to the Argentinian activists there are two operative uranium mines in the country, in Mendoza and La Rioja provinces, and there are plans to reopen the Sierra Pintada mine, also in Mendoza. “The distance between these mines and Formosa are an opportunity to offer uranium from Paraguay, a nearer market”.

Finally, Friends of the Earth Argentina stated that the devastating nuclear accidents in Chernobyl (currently in Ukraine) in 1986 and in Fukushima, Japan, 2011 “do not seem to be enough evidence to rule out nuclear power for its high risks”.

And they warn, nevertheless, that different organizations have gathered in the alliance “Renewable and anti-nuclear Paraguay” to reject this “new threat against the peoples”.

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