nuclear-news

Nuclear power no good for climate change action: James Hansen wrong

Nuclear power is set to disappoint, again: Kemp By John Kemp Jan 21 (Reuters)….“The authors of this letter (and other nuclear energy proponents) are on the wrong track,” the NRDC wrote in a withering response.

“Given its massive capital costs, technical complexity, and international security concerns, nuclear power is clearly not a practical alternative,” they added (“Response to an Open Letter on the Future of Nuclear Power”, Nov. 5, 2013).

The NRDC wants policymakers to focus on energy efficiency and renewables such as wind and solar, and not become distracted by dreams of cheap, plentiful and clean nuclear energy.

“The open letter suggests that it is the environmental community that is somehow holding back a nuclear power surge. Nothing could be further from the truth,” the NRDC complained.

“No one can or should close the door to the prospect of improved nuclear power technology. But in a world with constrained capital resources and an urgent need to find the lowest-cost ways to cut carbon pollution, nuclear power ranks far down the list of promising or likely solutions,” according to the council.

“A U.S. nuclear renaissance has failed to materialize, despite targeted federal subsidies, because of nuclear power’s high capital cost, long construction times, the lower demand for electricity due largely to improvements in energy efficiency, and competition from renewables,” the NRDC said…….http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/01/21/nuclear-power-climate-change-idINL5N0KV1V620140121

January 22, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized