Luxembourg municipalities renew alliance against nuclear energy

Resistance is forming among a group of Luxembourg communes to the approval of regulations by the French Nuclear Safety Authority that could extend the operating life of the Cattenom nuclear power plant beyond 2026.

In a press statement on Monday, the socialist mayor of Roeser, Tom Jungen, announced that he has taken the initiative to revitalise the platform of municipalities against nuclear energy.

At an initial meeting in Roeser, representatives from twelve municipalities came together to reinvigorate the platform initially founded in 2011 by the then-mayor of Remich, Henri Kox. According to Jungen, 27 communes have now joined the alliance.

At the meeting in Roeser, there was agreement that nuclear energy should be expressly rejected and that energy transition goals should be achieved as quickly as possible with a clear commitment to using renewable energies.

These municipalities are involved

Bettembourg, Bertrange, Biwer, Boulaide, Contern, Dudelange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Esch-sur-Sûre, Frisange, Kayl, Kehlen, Mertert, Monnerich, Niederanven, Reckange-sur-Mess, Roeser, Rumelange, Sanem, Schieren, Schifflange, Schuttrange, Steinfort, Steinsel, Vianden, Walferdange, Weiler-la-Tour and Wiltz.

Contrary to the assurances of power plant operators, nuclear energy is not a safe technology for the future, the communes argue.

Commissioned between 1986 and 1992, Cattenom’s reactors are approaching their 40th year of operation. French nuclear safety authority ASNR earlier this year approved for the lifespan of the Cattenom nuclear power plant just across the border in France to be extended beyond that age.

The extension was granted even though the causes of cracks caused by stress corrosion a few years ago have still not been conclusively clarified. It is also unclear how these cracks are to be repaired or prevented from widening, the alliance warned.

The municipalities have now jointly requested a meeting with Energy Minister Lex Delles (DP) to discuss further steps.

(This article was first published by Luxemburger Wort. Translated using AI, edited by Duncan Roberts)