Antinuclear

The Lowy Institute’s nuclear revivalist meeting

Two years after Fukushima: a tale of two symposiums, Noel Wauchope,  Independent Australia 12 April 13, “….. Symposium Two: The Lowy Institute’s nuclear revivalist meeting  

SOON AFTER Caldicott New York symposium, the Lowy Institute for International Policy put on a panel of its own to discuss nuclear power. Apparently, anything the USA can do, Australia can do better! Or perhaps worse.

The Lowy Institute’s March panel discussion topic was Asia’s nuclear future after Fukushima. The role of nuclear industry. The panel was composed of leaders of Australia’s nuclear industry — Michael Angwin, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Uranium Association, John Borshoff, CEO of Paladin Energy and Dr Selena Ng, Regional Director South East Asia and Oceanea, AREVA. The chairman was John Carlson, former Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office

I like enthusiasm and optimism, however, this panel went beyond enthusiasm. I tell you — it was like a religious revival meeting. And I think that’s just what it was. Just like a pastor exhorting a tiny remnant congregation, there seemed to be a more than  a hint of underlying desperation, combined with that touching faith in the Second Coming.

There was unanimous agreement on the inevitable booming future of nuclear power, especially in South East Asia. Yet, between the lines, we heard from Michael Angwin that

“…public perceptions of nuclear industry are now  less confident than before in the short term, but my expectation is that will return to confidence in the long term.”

He also admitted:
“We know that people take a negative view of nuclear industry — see it as remote from them, and as the creature of big government and big industry”…….

However, faith in the nuclear industry’s future being a given, all speakers moved on to three secondary themes, which were:

• the problem of the media
• the need for public education
• the safety of the nuclear industry…..

All said worthy things about the need for safety measures in nuclear reactors. But not a word about the cost issues involved. At the New York symposium, David Lochbaum estimated these as likely to be simply unaffordable.

Indeed, John Borshoff turned Fukusima into a positive:

“The Fukushima emergency demonstrates the resilience of nuclear technology”

The panel completely ignored the crisis in nuclear in the USA, UK and Japan over nuclear waste disposal — which has paralysed the nuclear industry there.

They demonstrated their lack of interest in, and probably complete ignorance of, radiation issues.  Radiation was mentioned just once, by John Borshoff, speaking about Fukushima:

“No deaths have occurred. There were some releases of radioactivity. It is doubtful if this will be [sic] cause harm in the medium or long term.”

Angwin stressed that

“…what we know from studies done at Chernobyl — the  major risk of psychological health risk [sic], caused by fear of radiation.”

The cause of the Fukushima meltdowns was ascribed to the tsunami — yet latest evidence indicates  that in fact the earthquake was the initial cause, not the tsunami. But, anyway, nobody seemed particularly interested in Fukushima any more, as long as the media continues to put it on the back burner — that seems to be all that matters…. What struck me most of all was that the other speakers [except Dr Ng] showed no interest whatever in examining the after effects of Fukushima and questions about its future. I found their statements on this both puzzling and worrying…….

Dr Ng spoke of the nuclear industry’s previous attitude of complacency – now shaken up by Fukushima – towards more vigilance about safety.

Listening to Australia’s nuclear “expert panel”, it seems that complacency still reigns. What a contrast to the professionally organised, meticulously referenced symposium in New York! http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/environment/two-years-after-fukushima-a-tale-of-two-symposiums/

April 12, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, spinbuster