Government advisors reject nuclear power
06 March 2006
Government advisors have rejected calls for new nuclear power stations in the UK - saying the dangers and costs outweigh any potential benefits in terms of combating climate change or guaranteeing future energy security.
"Today's report makes it that much harder for the Government to sanction any new nuclear power stations in the UK - they are dirty, dangerous, expensive and unpopular, both with the public and even with the Government's own advisors," said Green Party Euro-MP Caroline Lucas.
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), in its response to a Government public consultation and review of the UK's energy needs, finds that both the economic and environmental cases for nuclear power are based on a whole range of uncertainties and speculation - and as such are not compelling.
Its report, 'The role of nuclear in a low carbon economy', published today, said nuclear power could provide some economic and environmental benefits - but these are uncertain and outweighed by the clear disadvantages of creating a long-term radioactive waste disposal problem, undermining energy efficiency and international security, its long-term inflexibility and the uncertain economics surrounding the industry.
Dr Lucas MEP, Green Party Principal Speaker, said Greens welcomed the SDC's report - and its conclusion that we should concentrate on energy efficiency and conservation measures, echoing the findings of the Green Party's 'Alternative Energy Report', launched last week
"This report is based on a careful analysis of the costs and benefits of nuclear power - and it finds, simply, that the costs and dangers outweigh the benefits," she said.
"It acknowledges that, at best, nuclear power could only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a mere eight per cent - that's not much more than could be cut overnight by regulating to prevent six per cent of UK electricity being used to power machines left on standby.
"A far greater impact on reducing CO2 emissions and securing our energy needs could be made through energy conservation: according to the EU's own figures, for example, 40 per cent of Europe's existing primary demand for energy could be met through the implementation of energy efficiency measures using existing technologies.
"Nuclear energy is neither safe nor economically viable - quite the opposite. We simply can't shy away from the need to reduce energy demand and increase electricity generation from renewable sources: delivering new jobs and improved economic efficiency as we do so."
The Green Party is running a campaign, 'Green Energy Works', which aims to encourage two million people to sign up to green electricity by the end of 2006, to show the government that people want more investment in energy saving and renewable energy generation, not nuclear power. See www.greenenergyworks.org.uk for more details.
