Support for nuclear power plant

  • 2009-03-11
  • TBT staff in cooperation with BNS

TALLINN- It was announced that most localgovernments would support being a potential location of Estonia'sown nuclear power plant.  

The local authorities of Sillamae, Kohtla-Jarve, Toila, Vaivara and Paldiskisaid they support the construction of a nuclear power plant in theirmunicipalities.

However, two municipalities, Noarootsi in the western Laanemaa County andViru-Nigula in the northeastern Laane-Virumaa, were against the idea.

"Building a nuclear power plant in our municipality would be positive,because the construction would create new jobs and life in the municipalitywould develop faster," the leader of Toila, Tiit Salvan, said. "Oilshale energy destroys our living environment and the nuclear power plant wouldhelp stop the advance of mines and ash fields."

The Vaivara mayor, Veikko Luhalaid, said that he is in favor of nuclearpower plant construction, but noted that a dialogue with local residents on theissue would have to be started at as early a stage as possible.

The city of Sillamae would be happy with a nuclear power plant in both theneighboring Toila as well as in Vaivara. "We have many specialists withexperience of working with uranium here," Mayor Ain Kiviorg said. Heat andelectricity at a good price would in his words be an argument in support of anuclear power plant.

"I don't think a nuclear power plant hereabouts will meet withopposition, because everybody would be delighted with the development of thebackward region," Deputy Mayor of Kohtla-Jarve Juri Kollo said.