Environmental problems

UNIT4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN ROSTOV REGION

TEXT1. A DELEGATION OF ECOLOGISTS VISITED

VOLGODONSK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

A delegation of ecologists of municipal districts of Rostov region visited Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on December 3, 2009.The delegation was led by the chairman of the Committee on Protection of Environment and Natural Resources of the Administration of Rostov region Grigory Skripka. The delegates held a guest meeting at the Information Centre of Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant to familiarize themselves with the plant’s ecological safety performance before the public hearings of the project to build the 3rd and 4th blocks of Nuclear Power Plant.

The guests made a tour of the plant. They visited the machine compartment of the 1st block, the construction site of the 2nd block. At the Information Centre they heard a lecture on the ecological and nuclear safety of the plant.

Director of Volgodonsk NPP Alexander Palamarchuk said: “Ecological safety is our priority task. This is not only a matter of technology - this is a matter of human health. We ensure ecological safety because we take care of our employees”. Asked about the relations between nuclear power engineers and “greens,” Palamarchuk said that there were no problems or misunderstanding between them. “Polar views ensure balance. We are always ready for dialogue with the “greens,” we respect their position, of course, if it is reasonable and constructive,” Palamarchuk said. Mayor of Volgodonsk Viktor Firsov pointed out that Volgodonsk NPP provided the local public with timely and objective information about its work. “The city and the plant are engaged in a constant productive partner dialogue and any problems are solved at negotiating table. Today Volgodonsk not only enjoys the money allocated by the plant as taxes but is also building social facilities in the framework of the financing of the 30-km zone. Over 5,000 residents of the city are working on the plant construction sites.”

Ex.1. Find in the text the words which mean:

1. Coming together of a number of persons at a certain time and place.
2. A sum of money paid by people to the government for public purposes.
3. A person who lives in a place (not a visitor).
4. A scientist who studies ecology, a person who is interested in ecology and believes the environment should be protected.
5. Being safe, out from danger.
6. A part of a town or country marked out for a special purpose.
7. A group or team of people at the meeting.
8. People concerned with the protection of the environment.
9. People who are paid to work for somebody.
10. The natural world in which people, animals and plants live.

Ex.2. Read the text again and mark the sentences T (true) or F (false).

1. The delegates held a guest meeting at the Business Centre of Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant.
2. The delegates discussed the question of building the 3rd and 4th blocks of Nuclear Power Plant.
3. Director of Volgodonsk NPP Viktor Firsov said: “Ecological safety is our priority task.”
4. The authorities of Volgodonsk NPP say that they think about ecological safety of the region and nuclear safety of the plant.
5. There are some problems and misunderstanding between nuclear power engineers and “the greens”.
6. Volgodonsk NPP provides the local public with timely and objective information about its work.
7. Volgodonsk gets money from the plant as taxes.
8. More than 7,000 people of Volgodonsk are working on the plant construction sites.

Ex.3. Answer the questions:

1. Who was a delegation of ecologists led by?
2. What was the programme of the guests meeting?
3. Who is the Director of Volgodonsk NPP?
4. What do you know about the “greens”?
5. What does Volgodonsk do with the money got from the plant as taxes?
6. How many people work on the plant construction sites?

Ex.4. Retell the text.