France to Invest $1.4 Billion in Nuclear Power

 French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France plans to invest¹ $1.4 billion for the development of nuclear power plants.

The announcement comes amid² French concerns about the safety of nuclear energy following the disaster at Japan's power plant in Fukushima in March.

Thousands of protesters on Sunday formed a human chain around France's oldest nuclear power plant in the northeastern city of Fessenheim, calling for the facility to be shut down. French officials are considering whether to allow the plant to operate for another 10 years.

France is heavily reliant³ on nuclear energy, with most of its electricity coming by way of nuclear power plants.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 invest   

v.投资；投入(时间等)；授予，赋予

参考例句：

• I have decided to invest in a new car.我已经决定买一辆新汽车。
• The best time to invest is now.现在是投资的最佳时机。

2 amid   

prep.在…中间，在…之中，被…围绕

参考例句：

• The government collapsed amid budget quarrels.政府因预算问题争吵不休而倒台。
• This book was written amid many difficulties.这本书是在困难重重中写成的。

3 reliant   

adj.依靠的，信赖自己的

参考例句：

• The hostel is heavily reliant upon charity.这家收容所在很大程度上依赖赞助。
• The service has become heavily reliant on government support.这项服务变得高度依赖政府扶持。