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Ukraine to Cover Chernobyl in Steel

Radioactive site still contains 95% of its nuclear material

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2007 6:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – The crumbling concrete that has encased Chernobyl for over 20 years is about to be replaced. In a deal worth $1.4 billion, a French firm will cover the aging nuclear reactor with steel, the BBC reports. Ukraine president Viktor Yushchenko declared today the day "a solution to the problem that has long been called the Chernobyl problem was formally found."

The arc-shaped structure will measure over 600 feet on each side, completely covering the original, hastily constructed concrete shell. Once the project is completed, officials will finally be able to dismantle the reactor, which still contains 95% of its nuclear material. In a separate deal, a US company will build a nuclear waste storage facility nearby.

French junior minister for industry and foreign trade Herve Novelli visits the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, with the sheltered Chernobyl's reactor No. 4 in the background. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a $505 million (Euro 364 million) contract with a French-led consortium for...
French junior minister for industry and foreign trade Herve Novelli visits the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, with the sheltered Chernobyl's reactor No. 4 in the...   (Associated Press)
The sheltered  reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a $505 million (euro 364 million) contract with a French-led consortium for the construction of a new shelter for the Chernobyl reactor, the site of the word's worst nuclear...
The sheltered reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a $505 million (euro 364 million) contract with a French-led consortium...   (Associated Press)
French junior minister for industry and foreign trade Herve Novelli, right, and Vinci SA Chairman Yves-Thibault de Silguy visit the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, with the sheltered Chernobyl's reactor No. 4 in the background. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a $505 million (Euro...
French junior minister for industry and foreign trade Herve Novelli, right, and Vinci SA Chairman Yves-Thibault de Silguy visit the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
A general view of the recently built spent fuel storage facility at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a US$ 505 million (euro 364 million) contract with a French-led consortium for the construction of a new shelter for the...
A general view of the recently built spent fuel storage facility at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. Ukrainian officials on Monday signed a US$ 505 million (euro...   (Associated Press)
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