Lithuania plans referendum on Ignalina closure

[Reuters, 15 July] Lithuania's parliament has voted to hold a referendum on whether to extend the operating life of the Soviet-designed Ignalina nuclear power plant, despite having agreed to shut the plant by the end of 2009 as a condition of its entry into the European Union (EU). On 14 July, 88 of the 141 lawmakers voted to hold the referendum on 12 October, the same day as the general parliamentary elections. The first unit at Ignalina was shut down in late 2004. The country is concerned that when the second unit shuts at the end of next year electricity prices will double and Lithuania's energy dependence on Russia will increase. Voters will be asked whether they would agree to extend Ignalina's lifespan by "technically safe terms," according to the parliamentary press service. European Commission spokesman Ferran Tarradellas Espuny said that Lithuania had agreed to shut the plant during its accession negotiations and could only change this with the agreement of other EU states. He added, "Of course it is Lithuania's right to have a referendum but it is not going to change anything."