This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In "Nukes? Nein: Germany takes a bold step forward" (Our View, June 1), I read with interest that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is committed to phasing out Germany's dependence on nuclear power. However, one item was left out of the editorial.
Neighboring France derives almost 80 percent of its domestic energy needs from nuclear power, with no plans to reduce its dependence. Since the nuclear disaster at the Japanese Fukushima plant, the issues surrounding nuclear safety are foremost in many people's minds. But, two of France's largest nuclear power plants, Cattenom and Fessenheim, are located on the border with Germany. Fessenheim is in a known seismic zone! So, while Merkel's plan may help her in the coming German elections, my question is: What's the point?
William E. Hewitt Jr.
Salt lake City