ABSTRACT
Following a new European Economic Community regulation, Electricité de France (EDF) has increasingly entered the free electricity market. Until now, EDF had been applying the production and distribution costs to consumers. Experience-based feedback has provided lessons for improving safety that deal with preventing the consequences of nuclear accidents involving people and the environment. Now, after about twenty years of operating experience, it is evident that to the extent that all aspects of the nuclear plant and equipment are operating in good order, a possible severe accident is quite unlikely. Preventive activities and safeguards provide a safe response to human errors. Such activities and safeguards require a focus on maintenance, testing, calibration, and malfunctioning.
