Switzerland Nuclear Energy Vote: Keep Reactors Humming

A Switzerland nuclear energy vote on Sunday calling for a quick shutdown of the country's five nuclear power plants failed, allowing the reactors to keep humming for more than 30 years.

Switzerland's strategy had the country slowly replacing nuclear plants that supply about one-third of the country's power by 2050, said Reuters. That wasn't fast enough for environmentalists and the referendum was on whether the Muehleberg and Beznau I and II plants would instead shut down next year, followed by Goesgen in 2024 and Leibstadt in 2029.

Nearly 55 percent of the voters rejected the idea, siding with the Swiss government and industry leaders. Swiss officials said the rush could have led to blackouts, higher costs, and the loss of energy independence because the country would have become more dependent on coal-fired power from Germany.

"Swiss voters regularly follow the advice of their government and of business leaders: the vote to hang on to nuclear power was no exception," said BBC News' Imogen Foulkers. "Although many Swiss do worry about the safety of their elderly nuclear plants, fears that a rapid shut down could cause energy shortages and even blackouts proved stronger."

"… What's more, the Swiss government does have a long-term plan to shift energy production towards renewable sources, and to gradually reduce and finally end the country's reliance on nuclear power."

The Associated Press said Switzerland adopted its plan to move away from nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. An earthquake and tsunami lead to three core meltdowns a the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc., becoming the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986, according to Japan's Kyodo News.

"We would have liked to win, that's clear, but 45 percent for 'yes' is a good result," Regula Rytz, the Greens' chairwoman, told Switzerland broadcaster SRF. "The problems haven't been resolved with this referendum Sunday. We will keep at it on safety, on financial security ... and on expanding renewable energies."

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