Chelyabinsk governor supports construction of NPP

CHELYABINSK (Itar-Tass) - Governor of Russia's Chelyabinksk
Region Mikhail Yurevich is for contruction of a nuclear power plant in the
region, the governor's press service reported on Friday.
"If we consider the situation in Japan, it is clear that to a certain
extent the reason is in the age of the reactors - they are between 30 and
40," he said. "Modern technologies are more advanced and more safe, and
besides, there are no earthquakes in the Southern Urals, this is why we
support construction of a nuclear power plant here."
"Our industries need inexpensive electricity and nuclear energy will
be a step towards future competitiveness of the region."
With the present price for electricity, many industrial enterprises
are inefficient, which threatens the regional economy and may cause
unemployment, he added.
Construction of a nuclear power plant in the Chelyabinsk Region is due
in 2016. The governor plans to discuss with head of Rosatom, Sergei
Kirienko, how to speed up the process.