European court: Austrian courts do not have jurisdiction over Czech nuclear plant

Austrian courts do not have jurisdiction over the Temelín nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, the European Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday. That verdict came in response to a complaint against Temelín’s operators ČEZ filed by the Upper Austrian regional authority at an Austrian court. It said Temelín was guilty of causing damage to farm land at a school owned by Upper Austria in the vicinity of the nuclear station. The Austrian court then asked the European Court of Justice to consider whether it was obliged to respect a permit issued to Temelín by authorities in the Czech Republic. The nuclear power station, which is situated close to the Austrian border, has for several years been a source of tension between the two countries.