Fukushima Stalls the Nuclear Future

As the nuclear crisis in Japan worsens, concerns have been expressed worldwide about the safety of aging nuclear facilities: “German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s announcement was the most decisive turnabout in response to the crisis—she suspended her government’s decision just last year to extend the operating life of Germany’s nuclear power plants. She also ordered the immediate shutdown of seven plants built before 1980; officials say the plants will remain closed for safety evaluations through at least June.”