NEW TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES SAFETY OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN RUSSIA

MOSCOW, March 17, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - The modernization of the equipment of first-generation power units contributed to the improvement of the compatibility of the nuclear power plants and the environment, the general director of Rosenergoatom, Oleg Sarayev, said.

"The introduction of new technology and information systems enhances the safety of Russian nuclear power plants, which leading Russian and international experts rate at the highest world level," he said.

Thanks to the measures taken in the Russian nuclear power industry to raise the level of radiation safety in the past 12 years, the level of radiation from Russian nuclear power plants in the environment has markedly decreased, compared to the natural background radiation, added Mr. Sarayev.

"The volume of pollutants that nuclear power plants release into the air is less than 0.009% of the total amount all Russian enterprises release," noted Mr. Sarayev. "The volumes of general industrial pollutants released into the air are constantly decreasing, making up about 30% of the ceiling established by controlling nature conservation bodies."