Government 'bypassing democratic debate on nuclear power"
23 January 2006
Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor comments: "The government claimsnot to have made its mind up on the nuclear issue, but its decision to look into the potential role of pre-licensing for nuclear power stations in advance of the energy review's finding beliesits real stance regarding this dangerous and exorbitant form of energygeneration. (1)
"The concept of 'pre-licensing' flies in the face of the government'sprofessed desire to review all the options before following the nuclearpower route. It seems clear that, despite all the arguments to the contrary,the government have fallen under the nuclear lobby spell, at a cost todemocracy.
"Pre-empting the review's findings in this way bypasses democratic debate onthis vital issue. Nuclear power is not popular with the public - despite thesectors attempt to frame energy debate within Britain in a 'false context'of climate change versus nuclear.(2)
"Atomic power's role in tackling greenhouse gas emissions has been seriouslyinflated. Nuclear power is not, as often claimed, a zero carbon technology.In fact, every stage in the process uses fossil fuels (oil and gas) - withthe exception of fission itself. To generate electricity from uranium, acomplex chain of industrial processes is needed: to convert uranium ore inthe ground into fuel elements for the reactor; to construct the facilitiesincluding the nuclear power plant itself; and to handle and store wastesafely. All these processes produce substantial amounts of carbon dioxide.
"Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks is right to say we need a 'huge step-changeto save the planet...(to make some) urgent decisions, (3) but nuclear poweris not the way to do this. Renewable technology using wind, wave and solarcan provide the UK with clean, cheap and inexhaustible supplies of energy.
"Nuclear power does not stand up to renewable technology, on any front.Nuclear power is astronomically expensive - in the UK, no nuclear projecthas ever come in on budget - a staggering fact considering the enormoussubsidies provided at the public's expense. It is incredibly dangerous -not just in terms of continual low level radiation in the areas aroundfacilities contributing to 'cancer clusters' but also with regard toaccidents such as Chernobyl. In recent years, the growing threat ofterrorism has heightened this risk. Imagine if the Buncefield Oil Depot hadbeen nuclear?
"Britain has been generating radioactive waste for over 50 years, yet noprogress has been made on how to dispose of it. Current strategies fordealing with waste are unreliable, unsafe and ruinously expensive. It is notenough for Mr. Wicks to look to the "special relationship between state andmarket." (4) Private enterprise does not hold all the answers, especiallywhen you are talking about a technology so dangerous the government hasbeen forced to underwrite all nuclear power stations.
"Nor is nuclear power a 'home-grown' energy supply. Uranium ore, whethersourced from dwindling high grade supplies or the more common but moredifficult to use low grade, is not mined in the UK. A third of theworld's supplies come from Canada.(5)
"But, thanks to our climate and rugged coastline, the UK is uniquely placedto generate energy from renewable sources - such as wind, wave and solarpower. We have no need to rely on external sources - be it fossil fuels oruranium ore. Wind power alone could generate up to three times the UK'selectricity needs, were we to properly utilise the technology. (6)
"It is vital that the DTI Energy Review consultation is honest aboutnuclear's fundamental problems and takes into account the public's concernsover nuclear power. Sadly, the government's decision to look intopre-licensing does not give us much hope that this is the case."The Green Party last week launched its own energy campaign - Green EnergyWorks. ( www.greenenergyworks.org.uk) This campaign has two primary targets:for two million people to sign up to certain renewable energytariffs by the end of 2006; and for the new Low Carbon Buildings fund formicrogeneration grants to be used up within months of their launch in March.If enough households and businesses sign up to green electricity, and thenew green grants are exhausted within months, we can show the governmentthat we want our 2010 target achieved now, and much more investment put intonew renewables capacity for the future.
"The government cannot continue to mislead the electorate about the human,financial, and environmental costs of nuclear power. The reality is thatnuclear technology is not only unnecessary, but also a grave mistake. YetTony Blair seems intent on taking the dirty and dangerous route that isnuclear power. This is a deplorable move. We are talking about the future wepass onto our children, let it not be a tainted legacy."
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1) www.hse.gov.uk
(3) "No obstacles to atomic option, says 'nuclear neutral' energy minister," The Guardian, 23/01/2006see: www.guardian.co.uk TheGuardian 23/01/2006
(4) "No obstacles to atomic option, says 'nuclear neutral' energy minister," The Guardian, 23/01/2006see: www.guardian.co.uk TheGuardian 23/01/2006
