Another European Country Is Ditching Nuclear Power

Switzerland has taken a big step toward getting rid of nuclear power.

In a referendum, Swiss voters approved a plan that will eventually phase out all nuclear power use.

Instead, the country will focus on increasing its dependence on renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power.

Switzerland currently has five nuclear power plants, and its residents heavily depend on them for electricity.

But, once this new law goes into effect, it will bar any new nuclear plants from being built.

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The existing plants will be allowed to operate as long as they're safe. But according to The New York Times, at least one closure is scheduled for 2019.

Switzerland is joining other European countries that decided to ditch nuclear power.

Germany promised to phase out all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. And Austria banned it a long time ago.

But critics fear Switzerland's move away from nuclear energy could get pricey. And not everyone is convinced that renewable energy sources are as reliable as nuclear power.

The Swiss government will gradually start implementing the new law starting next January.