Japan affects Finnish nuclear debate
Plans to construct new nuclear power plant near Oulu can be cancelled.
Finland’s Minister of Environment Paula Lehtomäki says to Helsingin Sanomat that she expects the disaster in Japan will influence the debate over the construction of more nuclear energy in Finland.
Last summer, the Finnish Parliament approved to construct one new commercial nuclear power reactor in either Simo or Pyhäjoki in northern Finland. The plant would be the second nuclear power plant in the Barents Region. Russia has one operating nuclear power plant on the Kola Peninsula with four reactors.
Lehtomäki says the last time nuclear energy was debated in Finland many reservations were expressed on constructing new plants. -This point of view of view could now gain strength, Lehtomäki told Helsingin Sanomat.
