Atom Plant Finally Set To Close; Basel Tourism Authority Gets Financial Support; Telebasel CEO To Leave His Post

News For 30 June 2020

Less than 25 miles from Basel sits France's oldest nuclear power plant: The Fessenheim reactor which was built in 1970 and commissioned in 1977.  The power plant has been the source of considerable stress for France's neighbors because of its location on a seismically active zone.  Nevertheless, France relies on more than 70% of its power generation on plants such as the one in Fessenheim and so has been reluctant to close the aging plant, postponing its decommissioning multiple times over the last 10 years.  It appears however, that the final atoms will be split at the plant next week - of the two reactors at the plant, one has been shuttered since the end of February, and the second will be powered down permanently early next week.

**********

The government of Basel Stadt has applied to the Grand Council for 1.4 million Swiss Francs of financial support for the Basel Tourism bureau during the next two fiscal years.  The financial support is sought to help offset the over 50% drop in touristic activity like hotel stays and patronage at restaurants resulting from the quarantine measures associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic.  In addition, as part of the financial support application, the government is seeking over 160,000 in annual support for the Baloise Sessions music festivals for the next four fiscal years.

**********

Michael Bornhäusser, CEO of Basel television broadcaster Telebasel will leave his post a half a year earlier than expected.  Apparently the departure is the result of a recent interview in which Mr. Bornhäusser made some controversial statements.  The foundation which controls Telebasel, subsequently announced that they thanked Mr. Bornhäusser for his service and contributions in the successful realignment of the television broadcaster's operating strategy.