Antinuclear

As the debate over nuclear power is thrown open again, Rio has told the Abbott government’s energy white paper taskforce that it is important to ensure Australia — a major uranium exporter — has the “broadest possible” range of options to bolster energy ­security……….

Rio Tinto says [this] in a new ­submission in response to the energy green paper released in September.

“The lead time for nuclear energy is long, and it would be prudent to start taking steps now towards building the capability to make informed decisions  by 2020 on whether nuclear energy should be part of Australia’s energy mix.”………. The debate comes as a raft of submissions push for debate on nuclear power and companies including BHP Billiton, ANZ, Peabody Energy and Qantas Airways have made fresh submissions weighing into the debate on the nation’s energy future.

BHP, which like Rio is a major uranium producer, has told the taskforce that Australia is well-­positioned to capitalise on an expected growth in demand……..

The government’s energy green paper says nuclear energy remains a “serious consideration for future low emissions energy”.

Australia has not deployed nuclear power because of government policy, including legal bans, community sentiment, and the abundance of cheap energy. Also, Australia’s glut of electricity generation is expected to last until 2023-24. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/rio-pushes-for-nuclear-power-in-energy-debate/story-e6frg9df-1227141384763