Valentin Ivanov, member of State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communication

— Public hearings of LNPP-2 project were one of the widest discussions of this subject and the population has supported the construction

On Feb 7 Sosnovy Bor hosted public hearings of the project for the construction and operation of Leningrad NPP-2. The objective was to inform the public of Rosatom’s plans on the project.

It is clear that the four units of LNPP-1 will be gradually stopped because of depreciation. This will result in a big energy shortfall in Leningrad region, and only a new NPP can cover this gap.

Unified NPP-2006 is the best solution for this project. The last such unit has been launched at Kalinin NPP. This one will be even stronger: 1,160 MW.

It is quite natural that the hearings have received so wide public response: almost 800 people came to hear about the project.

According to the official position – and my personal opinion is the same – it was one of the widest discussions ever, and the population has supported the project. Those who spoke against are against nuclear energy as such, and this is their right.

I think that the hearings were organized and conducted very well. I support the idea of ecological examination and believe that we should not be afraid of anybody: only normal dialogue with the public can produce a solution acceptable for both the local population and the neighboring countries. 

I think that NPP-2006 meets all international safety standards. Its fuel cycle has already been tested and has big statistics. So, I think it will pass the ecological exam.

We should understand that the plant cannot be built in isolation from the other problems on the site. Our primary task is to clear the site from the accumulated nuclear waste. The waste will be transported in containers to Krasnoyarsk, where they are building a 38,000-ton storage facility. However, some of the transportation technologies are not very safe. Rosatom knows that and will consider this project under its nuclear and radiation safety program.