UK environmental campaigners nuclear power concerns
John Hicks
May 17, 2006
The UK's prime minister has put nuclear energy firmly back on the agenda to avoid Britain becoming dependent on foreign energy.
Speaking ahead of the publication of a government energy review due out in July, Tony Blair said the issue of a new generation of nuclear power stations was back "with a vengeance", alongside a push on renewables and energy efficiency.
A fast-track planning scheme could see new plants constructed within 10 years.
Britain's 12 nuclear power stations provide 22 per cent of the UK's electricity, but all three will be shut down by 2020.
Blair's move marks the first major test of the main opposition party Conservative's green credentials, whereas the Liberal Democrats are steadfastly opposed to nuclear power.
The Nuclear Industry Association welcomed Blair's words, saying they came at a "crucial time".
But Elliott Morley, the recently sacked environment minister, told the UK?s Guardian newspaper he had rejected the case for a new nuclear build.
"The reality is that economically the risks are great and the returns are low," he said.
Some campaigners are also concerned at the exposure of such sites to acts of terrorism. Nuclear power plants make major targets which are difficult to defend.
Anti-nuclear environmental group Greenpeace condemned Blair's remarks, saying the nuclear endorsement was "recklessly incompetent".
They claim that it takes over a million years for nuclear waste to become safe, (a time span equivalent to the evolution of modern man). "Yet, one man is set to make a decision that will increase lethal waste levels threefold."
Their message is: ? Is this the sort of legacy Tony Blair wants to leave mankind??
But the alternative may be to leave a legacy for future generations where their only energy resources are those bought from abroad at huge expense resulting in rationing, fuel poverty and economic imbalance.
Difficult choices ahead for the politicians!
Copyright John Hicks, Headline Promotions, Press & PR 2006
Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com
Speaking ahead of the publication of a government energy review due out in July, Tony Blair said the issue of a new generation of nuclear power stations was back "with a vengeance", alongside a push on renewables and energy efficiency.
A fast-track planning scheme could see new plants constructed within 10 years.
Britain's 12 nuclear power stations provide 22 per cent of the UK's electricity, but all three will be shut down by 2020.
Blair's move marks the first major test of the main opposition party Conservative's green credentials, whereas the Liberal Democrats are steadfastly opposed to nuclear power.
The Nuclear Industry Association welcomed Blair's words, saying they came at a "crucial time".
But Elliott Morley, the recently sacked environment minister, told the UK?s Guardian newspaper he had rejected the case for a new nuclear build.
"The reality is that economically the risks are great and the returns are low," he said.
Some campaigners are also concerned at the exposure of such sites to acts of terrorism. Nuclear power plants make major targets which are difficult to defend.
Anti-nuclear environmental group Greenpeace condemned Blair's remarks, saying the nuclear endorsement was "recklessly incompetent".
They claim that it takes over a million years for nuclear waste to become safe, (a time span equivalent to the evolution of modern man). "Yet, one man is set to make a decision that will increase lethal waste levels threefold."
Their message is: ? Is this the sort of legacy Tony Blair wants to leave mankind??
But the alternative may be to leave a legacy for future generations where their only energy resources are those bought from abroad at huge expense resulting in rationing, fuel poverty and economic imbalance.
Difficult choices ahead for the politicians!
Copyright John Hicks, Headline Promotions, Press & PR 2006
Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com
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