Antinuclear

A debate over nuclear power for Australia should not become an excuse for inaction on transitioning NSW to 100 percent renewable energy, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye was commenting on Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea’s call for another look at the controversial technology (‘MP calls for rethink on nuclear power’, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 Nov, p. 4, http://j.mp/HwXFb2).

Dr Kaye said: “A debate based on the facts will inevitably find that nuclear energy is much more expensive than wind or solar.

“Mr O’Dea’s so-called ‘proven supplier of secure, affordable base load power’ also creates highly radioactive and toxic wastes for which there are no known safe long-term storage solutions.

“It is an interesting time to bring on a debate about nuclear power as Japan confronts the potentially catastrophic consequences of removing spent fuel rods from the damaged cooling tank at Fukushima.

“Mr O’Dea is to be commended for his acceptance of consensus climate science and the damage that higher concentrations are inflicting on the planet’s oceans.

“It is a shame that when conservatives finally open their minds to the overwhelming body of evidence on climate change, they all too often jump to the least practical and most expensive option. The debate will also show that NSW can transition to 100 percent renewable electricity before a single nuclear reactor can be planned, designed, constructed and operational.

“At a lower cost, much less damage to the environment and minimal health risks, NSW could bring to an end the 60 million tonnes of CO2 its six large coal fired power stations dump each year into the atmosphere before one nuclear plant could be built.

“Australia has a plentiful supply of sun and wind raw energy and the skilled workforce needed to build the renewable energy technologies that will power a rapidly transition out of fossil fuels.

“I welcome the debate but I am surprised that Mr O’Dea as the chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee would be promoting a technology that is more expensive than the clean options.

“Pursuing the nuclear path would kill off the option for tens of thousands of jobs in NSW in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“Most of the capital value of a nuclear power plant would be imported, while renewables can be largely built in NSW.

“The worst outcome would be if the pro-nuclear propagandists were able to derail the transition to a clean energy future by subverting the need for action on climate change,” Dr Kaye said.