France Shuts Down Nuclear Plants Because Rivers Are Getting Too Warm

France shut down eight nuclear reactors on July 13—the biggest cutback this summer—because rivers were getting too hot. Nuclear plants need cool water to function safely; government rules prevent them from dumping too much heated water back. This is the third major shutdown since June, caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures creating drought conditions. For France, which relies on nuclear power for two-thirds of its electricity, this is becoming a regular summer problem.