RWE says Biblis fuel rod safely retrieved
Date: 17-Aug-01
Country: GERMANY
The element has been placed in a stable position next to a water storage pool in the presence of safety experts, it said.
It was dropped on August 6 after it became detached from its head while being transferred to a transport container destined for reprocessing at the French La Hague facility.
"We will decide on repair and disposal of the element after we have drawn up and assessed relevant plans," RWE said.
The company said it has developed measures aimed at preventing a repeat of such an incident, which could be implemented immediately if safety authorities approved.
RWE must submit a report to the industrial standards authority for southern Germany (TUeV-Sueddeutscdhland) to get the go-ahead for repair works.
Germany's Green Party has said that its information showed this was the first incident of its kind in the western world.
The German brand of the Friends of the Earth environmental lobby has called for the closure of the plant.