Jordan moving on nuke plant plans

AMMAN, Jordan, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Jordan says it is moving ahead with plans to build its first nuclear power plant, inking a $12 million deal with a Belgian firm to study environmental concerns.

Khaled Toukan, head of Jordan's Atomic Energy Commission, Saturday signed an agreement in Amman with Tractebel Engineering. The Belgian company will conduct a two-year environmental impact study to determine whether a desert area near the Saudi border about 15 miles south of the Red Sea port of Aqaba is the best location, Ynetnews.com reported.

Jordanian King Abdullah II had announced in January 2007 the oil-rich Middle Eastern nation's intention to forge ahead with a non-military nuclear program that has U.S. approval.

Jordan's goal is to have 30 percent of its energy come from nuclear power plants by 2030.