| Nuclear power vital to national energy strategy | | Print | |
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In a letter published in the Financial Times on Thursday 2 January 2003, an eminent group of scientists, academics trade unionists and politicians who are the patrons of Supporters of Nuclear Energy (SONE) expressed their views on the need for nuclear energy. "Sir, British Energy’s problems demonstrate that we need a new approach to energy policy. The opportunity is to hand since the government is finalising its white paper on the subject. In the interest of safe, clean, continuously reliable and economic electricity supplies, we believe that the following action is required by the government: 1) Immediate reform of the Neta wholesale marketing arrangements for electricity which, by rendering generation uneconomic, are putting longer-term supplies at risk. 2) Recognition that, if the national interest is served by the reprocessing of nuclear fuel rather than by storing and disposing of spent fuel, the additional cost should be borne by the taxpayer rather than by utilities that are required to be competitive. 3) An end to discrimination against nuclear power generation, notably by excluding it from the so-called climate change levy. It produces no greenhouse gases and is vital if Britain is to meet its Kyoto climate change obligations. 4) An end to tokenism in energy policy by recognising that wind power, essentially the only available renewable source of energy apart from hydropower, cannot, even if it were economic, meet the predominant demand for continuous, reliable supplies of electricity. 5) Recognition that the national interest can only be imperilled by over-reliance on imported gas, as is contemplated; 70 per cent reliance on gas, 90 per cent of which would have to be imported from such volatile places as the Middle East and Russia, would put the economy seriously at risk. 6) Setting out clearly that the national interest can only be served by a mixture of reliable, competitive energy sources, including a very substantial nuclear power industry. 7) Accordingly, an end to the procrastination over the long-term handling of nuclear waste, which political courage could resolve tomorrow. 8) A campaign to correct the misrepresentations and distortions about nuclear power, which have been perpetrated over a substantial number of years by those whose alleged concern for the environment actually imperils the economy, jobs and the very environment they profess to wish to protect. The time has come to end the long drift in energy policy to put Britain on a sound footing for the future." Supporters of Nuclear Energy (SONE) can be contacted at: c/o BNES, PO Box 25124, 7 Great George Street, London SW1P 3ZS. Tel: 0207 655 2045, Fax: 0207 665 2269. email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it |
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