Brussels, 29/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Speaking at a conference on nuclear safety in Brussels on Tuesday 28 June, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger was careful to avoid any undue haste with regard to carrying out the stress tests that member states have to put all the nuclear power plants in operation through before the end of the year. Arrangements for these tests were agreed by the European Commission and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) on 24 May (see EUROPE 10386). Oettinger also called for the findings of the tests not to be seen as blank cheques or signals for hastening the closure of installations which do not come up to scratch. “It is important not to prejudge the outcome of the tests”, he said. The procedure must ensure that there is enough time for a complete risk assessment of the power stations rather than rushing into the tests as some member states did in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on 11 March, the Commissioner went on to say, stating that the findings of the stress tests, initially expected for the European Council of December, would only be communicated to European leaders in time for their spring 2012 summit. Oettinger will restrict himself to providing the European Council with an interim report in December. According to the stress tests road map, operators should report the outcome of their assessments to national regulators by 15 August. National regulators will then compile these reports before submitting them to the Commission which will provide a progress report to the Council on 8-9 December. (E.H./transl.rt)