Romania to increase use of nuclear power

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu called Tuesday for the building of two more nuclear reactors to be speeded up.
"Due to the world energy crisis and rising prices, nuclear energy is being reconsidered," said Tariceanu, adding that Romania's economy was growing rapidly and needed to diversify its energy resources.

Romania has a functioning Canadian-design nuclear reactor in Cernavoda and a second one is scheduled to become operational later this year. The working plant provides about 10% of Romania's energy needs.

The two new reactors in Cernavoda, about 90 miles east of Bucharest, are expected to be operational in 2012 or 2013, with construction estimated to cost $2.6 billion.

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