Switzerland: Top Nuclear Safety Inspector Resigns
By SwissInfo
Switzerland’s top nuclear safety inspector has resigned following allegations of a conflict of interest.
The Environment Ministry said in a statement it had accepted the resignation of the president of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ESNI), Peter Hufschmied, who quit his post temporarily in May when the conflict allegations first surfaced.
News reports alleged that Hufschmied maintained close ties with FMB BKW Energie, the company which operates the Müleberg nuclear power station in canton Bern.
Hufschmied is chairman of the board of Tropic House, an alpine renewable energy project which is sponsored by FMB BKW Energy.
“In accordance with legal requirements, members of the board of the ESNI are not allowed to conduct business or occupy a federal or cantonal position that could prejudice their independence,” the Environment Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The ministry said vice president Anne Eckhardt Scheck would assume the functions of president until the end of the year.
