Nuclear U-turn “not rational”, says German official
Citing minutes taken at an event hosted by industry association BDI, the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the comments by Rainer Bruederle surprised the 40 or so top managers at the meeting.
"The minister... illustrated that with the upcoming state election, pressure was weighing on politics and decisions would not always be rational," the paper quoted the minutes as saying.
Bruederle defended atomic power at the meeting, which was attended by two power company CEOs, Juergen Grossmann from RWE and Johannes Teyssen of E.ON, saying there was no way to avoid its use, especially for energy-intensive industries.
Merkel's party faces tough elections in states where anti-nuclear sentiment is strong.
Following the nuclear crisis in Japan, the moratorium Merkel declared on March 14 — the same day the BDI meeting took place — led to the closing of seven of the country's 17 nuclear plants for at least three months.
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Ameren, Safe Electricity urge safety near downed lines
CAROLINA - Ameren Illinois and Safe Electricity are urging the public to stay in their cars and call 911 in the event of an accident involving a power pole that brings down power lines on or around the car.
In a media simulation Tuesday at the Ameren facility on West Lafayette Avenue, Ameren Illinois employees demonstrated the proper way to react if a power line has fallen on or around a vehicle. Although the situation might seem rare, Illinois motorists alone hit 3,000 power poles each year, said Krista Lisser, communications director for Safe Energy.
“We want to get the word out…
