Policy & Politics Blog

15 March 2011

More on Japan, nuclear and the UK

Sadly the news out of Japan gets worse as time goes on.

The hope of finding survivors from the tsunami diminishes hour by hour, and now there is the threat of radiation following the third explosion at the nuclear power plant.

Although the developments at Fukushima are extremely worrying we have to hope that they can still get the situation under some sort of control and prevent any further releases of dangerous radioactive material.

Politicians across the globe are now considering what this might mean for the so-called nuclear renaissance. As we wrote in our briefing yesterday, politicians have recently fallen-in love again with nuclear power. Now they must ask themselves whether this is a wise choice.

The BBC says that the Government's Cabinet has discussed the issue. It also reports that Germany has halted plans to extend the life of some of its nuclear plants as well as switch off some of its oldest ones.

Friends of the Earth has today written to Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the UK, asking him to:

1. Ensure the assessment of nuclear safety he has ordered from Dr Mike Weightman, Chief Nuclear Inspector, considers all likely threats to UK nuclear plants and assesses the quality of emergency evacuation plans. We have asked for the review to be published in full and that there should be local hearings close to nuclear plants locations across the country so the public can hear and question the findings.

2. Refocus UK energy policy to prioritise energy savings and the development of renewable energy. This is the safest energy pathway.

I've been at Friends of the Earth for over 20 years. During this time we've successfully defeated Margaret Thatcher's plans for a huge expansion of nuclear power, successfully opposed a dangerous underground nuclear dump in Cumbria and exposed the poor economics of nuclear power.

When I retire in 20 years time hopefully we will have said good-bye to nuclear power - and hello to a safe, low-carbon and renewable energy supply.

Posted by Mike Childs | 15 Mar 2011 |