Residents block Batan's office in Jepara protesting nuclear plant
The Jakarta Post, Jepara, Central Java | Thu, 02/28/2008 5:34 PM
Thousands of residents in Jepara regency on Thursday blocked off
the office of the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan) in Balong
village, Rembang district, to protest a planned nuclear power
plant.
Some 3,000 residents stacked bricks in front of the main gate
of the office before peacefully dispersing.
There was only one security guard in the office as Batan does
not have a permanent presence at the office.
The government plans to build a 1.2 gigawatt nuclear plant on
the slopes of Mount Muria in Jepara regency, in response to
rising power demand and higher fuel prices. The power plant is
expected to be operational by 2016.
Residents and environmental activists oppose the nuclear
plant, fearing an accident.
Batan currently operates three nuclear reactors for scientific
purposes. They are located in Bandung, Yogyakarta and Serpong,
Banten. (Suherdjoko/****)
