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| Switzerland votes against strict timetable for nuclear power phaseout | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| People in Switzerland voting in a referendum have rejected a proposal to introduce a strict timetable for phasing out nuclear power. | People in Switzerland voting in a referendum have rejected a proposal to introduce a strict timetable for phasing out nuclear power. |
| A projection for SRF public television showed the initiative failing by 55% to 45%. | A projection for SRF public television showed the initiative failing by 55% to 45%. |
| A majority of cantons (Swiss states) voted against the initiative. | A majority of cantons (Swiss states) voted against the initiative. |
| The plan, backed by the Green Party, would have meant closing three of Switzerland's five nuclear plants next year, with the last shutting in 2029. | The plan, backed by the Green Party, would have meant closing three of Switzerland's five nuclear plants next year, with the last shutting in 2029. |
| The five plants currently generate almost 40% of Switzerland's electricity. | The five plants currently generate almost 40% of Switzerland's electricity. |
| After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the Swiss government said it would gradually move the country towards renewable energy by 2050. | After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the Swiss government said it would gradually move the country towards renewable energy by 2050. |
| It said nuclear plants should continue to operate as long as they are deemed safe, but did not set a precise timetable. | It said nuclear plants should continue to operate as long as they are deemed safe, but did not set a precise timetable. |
| Environmentalists have said no nuclear reactors should be allowed to operate for longer than 45 years - meaning that at least two would have had to close almost immediately. | Environmentalists have said no nuclear reactors should be allowed to operate for longer than 45 years - meaning that at least two would have had to close almost immediately. |
| But business leaders and the government said shutting them down too quickly could lead to power shortages and raise reliance on fossil fuels. | But business leaders and the government said shutting them down too quickly could lead to power shortages and raise reliance on fossil fuels. |
| Why the Swiss voted no - By the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva | Why the Swiss voted no - By the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva |
| Swiss voters regularly follow the advice of their government and of business leaders: the vote to hang on to nuclear power was no exception. | Swiss voters regularly follow the advice of their government and of business leaders: the vote to hang on to nuclear power was no exception. |
| Although many Swiss do worry about the safety of their elderly nuclear plants, fears that a rapid shut down could cause energy shortages and even blackouts proved stronger. | Although many Swiss do worry about the safety of their elderly nuclear plants, fears that a rapid shut down could cause energy shortages and even blackouts proved stronger. |
| Over a third of Swiss energy comes from nuclear power. Switzerland is currently ranked as the world's most competitive economy, and voters don't want to do anything to undermine that. | Over a third of Swiss energy comes from nuclear power. Switzerland is currently ranked as the world's most competitive economy, and voters don't want to do anything to undermine that. |
| What's more, the Swiss government does have a long-term plan to shift energy production towards renewable sources, and to gradually reduce and finally end the country's reliance on nuclear power. | What's more, the Swiss government does have a long-term plan to shift energy production towards renewable sources, and to gradually reduce and finally end the country's reliance on nuclear power. |