CEZ has received permission to load fuel into Temelin 1.
CEZ spokesman Ladislav Kriz said that CEZ would seek to gain permission in 40-50 days to initiate criticality. The first unit is scheduled to begin commercial operation by May 2001, with the second following about a year later.
Austrian environment minister Wolfgang Molterer has asked for Austrian involvement in the approval process for Temelin. "Austria must be involved in the ongoing approval process for Temelin. The plant must never start operating as long as all questions concerning the environment and safety remain unresolved." Czech politicians united to reject the Austrian demand.
