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The nuclear industry has faced obstacles for many years, but is now entering an even more crucial period as government policy is neglecting the future and security of UK's energy supply. Current government proposals are severely limiting the opportunities for the industry at a time when its contribution cannot be undervalued.
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| Mia Nybrant, Scientific Alliance |
The nuclear industry has faced obstacles for many years, but is now entering an even more crucial period as government policy is neglecting the future and security of UK's energy supply. Current government proposals are severely limiting the opportunities for the industry at a time when its contribution cannot be undervalued. As the Scientific Alliance recently wrote in a letter to the Financial Times on 1 September 2003, "The decision to abandon nuclear fuel reprocessing is further evidence of the Government's neglectful attitude to the nuclear programme, and highlights genuine problems with its energy policy. It seems erroneous to adopt such an attitude to the nuclear option particularly when a comparatively efficient and emissions friendly alternative has yet to be discovered."
The Energy White Paper our energy future - creating a low carbon economy, published by the government in February, proposes large obstacles to the progress of nuclear power at a time when the pressure to reduce carbon emissions is high. This anomalous approach by government requires urgent redress.
The goal of truly sustainable and emissions friendly energy has to include the nuclear industry.
The Scientific Alliance has been playing a key role in challenging government energy policy. The highlight of the campaign so far was the The conference 2020 vision - powering the UK's future in May this year, which examined the scientific underpinnings of the major energy sources as set out in the Energy White Paper, and facilitated dialogue between the DTI and stakeholders. Adrian Ham, former Chief Executive of the NIA, put forward the case for nuclear power to retain a role in UK energy supply, warning of the perils of increased reliance on gas and the loss of nuclear expertise. Furthermore, he referred to the MARKAL energy model, and subsequent to the conference, a workshop was organised between NIA representatives and DTI modelling experts to further discuss the model's capabilities.
Martin O'Neill MP, Chairman of the Trade & Industry Select Committee said subsequently to the conference "As the Chair of the Scientific Alliance's 2020 vision - powering the UK's future, I was impressed with its high standard and great contribution to the debate surrounding the publication of the Energy White Paper."
Our dependence upon electricity should be encouraging the government to place a greater emphasis on scientific research into the reduction of perceived risks attached to nuclear energy and enabling it to play the role that is sufficient and necessary for the stability, security and reliability of energy supply in the UK. Often public opinion,, and consequent government policy, is shaped by unsound, unscientific perceptions. Given the current state of the debate, there are clear challenges for the nuclear industry; however, they are not insurmountable as long as there is a focused programme to change the current government policy.
The Scientific Alliance is non-profit membership campaign organisation that brings together scientists and non-scientists who are committed to rational discussion and debate on the challenges that face the environment today.
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