Nuclear Power in Australia
Nuclear power plants in a decade
Matthew Warren
October 17, 2006
AUSTRALIA has been put on a path towards nuclear power after the Howard Government said construction on new plants could start within a decade.
John Howard said yesterday Australia had to consider the nuclear power option, given the nation had the largest uranium deposits in the world, and it had to be debated as part of the response to global warming.
The Coalition's strongest endorsement of nuclear power yet establishes a clear divide on climate change policy, with the Labor Party yesterday moving quickly to oppose nuclear and back solar energy as an alternative source of low greenhouse-emissions energy. Solar energy is currently 10 times the cost of conventional sources of power.
The Coalition is also facing a grassroots backlash, with Labor already running a marginal seat campaign with the theme that the Government wants to build a power station in voters' neighbourhoods.
But the Prime Minister said nuclear power had to be examined.
"I believe very strongly that nuclear power is part of the response to global warming, it is clean green, it is something in relation to which many rabid environmentalists have changed their views over recent years," he said.
Industry and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane, who has largely stayed out of the power debate until now, yesterday claimed Australia could start construction on a nuclear power plant within 10 years.
Mr Macfarlane said the mood towards nuclear energy in Australia was likely to change when the community understood its ability to supply affordable electricity while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
To read the full article from The Australian, click on:
The Australian
Matthew Warren
October 17, 2006
AUSTRALIA has been put on a path towards nuclear power after the Howard Government said construction on new plants could start within a decade.
John Howard said yesterday Australia had to consider the nuclear power option, given the nation had the largest uranium deposits in the world, and it had to be debated as part of the response to global warming.
The Coalition's strongest endorsement of nuclear power yet establishes a clear divide on climate change policy, with the Labor Party yesterday moving quickly to oppose nuclear and back solar energy as an alternative source of low greenhouse-emissions energy. Solar energy is currently 10 times the cost of conventional sources of power.
The Coalition is also facing a grassroots backlash, with Labor already running a marginal seat campaign with the theme that the Government wants to build a power station in voters' neighbourhoods.
But the Prime Minister said nuclear power had to be examined.
"I believe very strongly that nuclear power is part of the response to global warming, it is clean green, it is something in relation to which many rabid environmentalists have changed their views over recent years," he said.
Industry and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane, who has largely stayed out of the power debate until now, yesterday claimed Australia could start construction on a nuclear power plant within 10 years.
Mr Macfarlane said the mood towards nuclear energy in Australia was likely to change when the community understood its ability to supply affordable electricity while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
To read the full article from The Australian, click on:
The Australian
posted by Pax Christi @ Tuesday, October 17, 2006
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