France nuclear reactor gets green light

The EU today gave France the green light for a new atomic power reactor that will be a model for the next generation of nuclear power stations.

Electricite de France SA says the new station – to be built at Flamanville, northern France – will be able to generate 1,600 megawatts of energy using European pressurized-water reactor, or EPR, technology that aims to use 17% less fuel.