Turkish nuclear plans on Mediterranean raise fears (build a power plant near seismic fault line)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SELCAN HACAOGLU

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey plans to build a coastal nuclear power plant close to an earthquake-prone area, dismissing neighbors' fears that Japan's nuclear disaster shows that the new plant could be a risk to the whole Mediterranean region.

Greece and Cyprus say the move is a gamble that could cause catastrophe and want the European Union to scrutinize the EU candidate's plan in a debate fraught with political and historical baggage. Turkish officials insist the plant is safe and necessary to keep the country's strong economy going.

The EU is reassessing the whole 27-nation bloc's energy policy and questioning the role of nuclear power on a continent where no one can forget that Ukraine's 1986 Chernobyl disaster spewed radiation for thousands of miles (kilometers).

But Turkey is standing firmly by plans to build three nuclear power plants in the years ahead - including one at Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast, close to the Ecemis Fault, which an expert says could possibly generate a magnitude-7 quake.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110402/D9MBF2280.html

---

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot environmental activists protest against Turkey's plans to build a nuclear power plant on its southern coast near a seismic fault line, during a demonstration in the divided island's capital Nicosia, in this file photo dated Saturday, March 19, 2011. Turkey is pushing ahead on building a nuclear power plant close to an earthquake-prone Ecemis Fault area on the Mediterranean coast, dismissing fears from neighboring Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou who claims that Japan's nuclear disaster is a warning of the risks to the whole region.(AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

[daleo]

1. Several of the seven wonders of the ancient world

Were destroyed by earthquakes in the Mediterranean region.

[Taft_Bathtub]

3. Construction and Engineering have made some improvements since then

[daleo]

6. Hubris clearly hasn't changed. n/t

[dipsydoodle]

2. By coincidence

Posted earlier today : Strong quake strikes Crete http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x797193

I think you'll find it the same fault line. :(

[nc4bo]

4. Sheer brilliance!!

:sarcasm:

Even a box of rocks knows how safe that nuke plant anywhere near a fault line wouldn't be. Protest on my friends!!!

[arikara]

5. Its absolutely a form of insanity

to keep building these things, especially in a dangerous area. And the resulting disasters have proven that they not only affect the surrounding area, or within the borders but have an effect thousands of miles away and for hundreds of years. There is no other word for it other than insanity... except perhaps evil.

[Runework]

7. collective death wish?

maybe Freud was right