Dukovany’s oldest nuclear reactor cleared for continued operation

The Czech nuclear regulator, the State Office for Nuclear Energy, has approved the continued operation of the Dukovany 1 nuclear reactor. The existing permit for the reactor was due to expire on Thursday. The regulator has not set a time limit on the new approval but has demanded that power plant operator ČEZ fulfills a series of yearly and other reports on the ongoing condition of the reactor and key equipment. The previous 10 year operating permit was extended by three months to give CEZ more time to meet the regulator’s demands for documentation and details. The Austrian environment minister has reportedly called for the European Commission to examine the decision, in particular the cross border aspects of the reactor’s continued operation. Austria has historically taken an anti-nuclear power stance.