Nuclear energy in Europe: what future?

This brief aims to supply a framework of facts and analysis to the debate on nuclear power in Europe. After outlining the details of the crisis in Japan, it describes the current state of European nuclear safety regulation and the various factors, economic and otherwise, affecting nuclear power in Europe. Finally, it examines the debate on the future of nuclear energy with reference both to European energy policy in general and to particular decisions on energy sources which will need to be made.