Nuclear Power

Jim Taggart

THE ACHIEVING OF A POLITICAL AGENDA THROUGH THE MANIPULATION OF PUBLIC PARANOIA is as old as the hills. The agenda for a programme of new nuclear power stations is presently the subject for such manipulation. The public paranoia being utilized is the fear of global warming caused by burning fossil fuels followed by the assertion that the only option left for power generation is nuclear power -wind wave and water power could not possibly produce enough energy. The notion that wind turbines are environmentally unfriendly is also useful here.

First, let us look at this widely held assumption that world temperatures are rising and that this is a bad thing. The argument is that observed increases in that minute fraction of the atmosphere that is carbon dioxide will significantly reduce heat loss to space and therefore world temperatures will rise. Reduce the proportion of carbon dioxide and temperatures will tend to fall.

But are there not benefits to be had from an overall temperature increase? The atmosphere will hold more water vapor and enhanced temperatures may lead to faster plant growth. Increased rates of carbon dioxide assimilation will lead to greater biological productivity on both land and sea.

It may be that world climate patterns will stabilize with higher CO2 and temperatures over coming centuries. However; even if events prove this to be the case, it will still be far from an unmitigated disaster. In the meantime, let us feel not too guilty in regard to the human contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide from burning coal, oil and gas.

Beware the nuclear power project. It needs your guilt and will exploit it to the full.

It is clear that the developed countries could make serious reductions in fossil fuel use should the have the political determination so to do. In Scotland wind turbines could easily compensate for energy deficits resulting from a reduced use of fossil fuels. However; such a cheap, clean, CO2 free, source of energy is not what the nuclear power lobby is looking for.

Environmental concerns in respect of wind turbines are being carefully massaged. The ruined landscape of much of the west and north of Scotland becomes described as 'wilderness' and of 'world heritage' importance. Such areas are described as 'fragile' and must be protected from modern industrial machinery like wind turbines.

Beware, The nuclear power lobby greatly values these foolish concerns.

So, what is wrong with nuclear power? It certainly does not produce carbon dioxide. Its installations do not require many square miles of land. There is abundant fuel availability. It has a good safety record (apart from Chernobyl).

On the other hand: The industry is bankrupt and only continues to exist on state handouts. It has enormous and continuing decommissioning costs which will have to be met for many years to come. It has ongoing waste disposal problems that are, as yet, unresolved.

The waste and decommissioning costs will have to be underwritten by the state because of public safety concerns. These matters make the real cost of nuclear power generation highly non competitive. There is, however; one overriding reason why the blandishments of the nuclear power industry must be resisted. This is an industry, which cannot afford another catastrophic disaster resulting in the uncontrolled release of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The ongoing consequences of the Chernobyl disaster tell us why nuclear power generation should be phased out.

Jim Taggart is a member of Argyll and Bute CLP