[Presenter] The conflict in Voronezh Region between the management of the Novovoronezh atomic power station [AES] and local environmentalists is growing. The environmentalists are protesting against the construction of two new reactors. All this is happening as the AES celebrates its 20th anniversary.

[Correspondent] On the basis of the experimental 5th reactor at the Novovoronezh AES, a whole series of similar reactors were run in and then put into operation at other power stations in Russia and Europe. The Voronezh station's chief engineer, Vladimir Zarubayev, used the occasion of its 20th anniversary to confirm rumours that two more reactors will be built there in the next few years under the plans of the Ministry of Atomic Energy. This has led to fresh protests by Voronezh environmentalists.

[Unidentified environmentalist] There are two reasons behind our protest: the project will mostly be financed by importing, reprocessing and storing foreign radioactive waste; and there are plans to use plutonium most actively.

[Correspondent] The decision to use weapons plutonium, which is more dangerous than uranium, has long provoked disputes between environmentalists and atomic scientists. On this occasion, too, Zurabayev was categorical - when describing the plans to develop the two new reactors - in his denial that weapons-grade plutonium will be used.

[Vladimir Zarubayev, Novovoronezh AES chief engineer] There are no plans to use it at the Novovoronezh AES. We are talking of using the traditional fuel, just as we do in the fifth reactor.

[Correspondent] As for the financing of the construction work by importing into Russia radioactive waste, the management of the Novovoronezh AES sees only commercial benefits in this activity.

[Zarubayev] We are talking here of normal technological processes. They are all tried and tested. So I can see no harm happening to Russia or the region because we agree to take 1,000 t or 2,000 t for the corresponding fee.

[Correspondent] Ecological organizations are preparing various protests. The environmentalists are determined to stop all atomic construction projects in Voronezh Region.

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