Russian government and the nuclear industry
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Charles Digges/Bellona |
Moscow and the nuclear industry have shared an almost symbiotic relationship since the Soviet Union Developed the atom bomb. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the decay of the nuclear industry, Moscow still, by and large, gives the industry free reign. There is little government accountability for Rosatom and regulatory structures, and Moscow is pressing hard to build new reactors that will generate more spent nuclear fuel even as it takes western funds (some of which are abused) for nuclear clean-up and security. Moscow views its nuclear programme as integral to fulfilling its future energy needs and securing its international prestige.
Sergei Kiriyenko was relieved of his post as head of Russia's atomic energy agency Rosatom on Monday, but officials were quick to say that it was a cosmetic change prior to Kiriyenko taking the reigns of Atomenergoprom, Russia’s new all encompassing nuclear industry monopoly.
The Russian State Duma approved last week the second reading of the presidential bill on the foundation of the “Rosatom” State Corporation.
NEW YORK - Russia signed deals Tuesday to help China develop another uranium enrichment facility and to build two more nuclear reactors at an estimated cost of $4billion for a power station on China's eastern coast, nuclear officials said