The nuclear debate

The UK government has (again) denied that the sites for several new nuclear power stations are already decided.

The UK already has reactors in Sizewell, Dungeness and Hartlepool among others and is looking at possible sites to add to these in an effort to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

Research since nuclear went into shutdown has allowed the development of the 'new' nuclear energy which will be used as the UK attempts to cuts carbon emmision dramtically over the next 20 years. No point going into details but it's supposed to be safer, cleaner and more efficient. We'll see... no real harm in trying for now.

Greenpeace has of course waded in, arguing that research suggests that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025. Well that's 4% more of a cut that any plan they've ever suggested.

I'm a total green-geek and grew up in the home of 'green' (the Centre for Alternaive Technology). Therefore I should really be walking around with banners (spray painted with CO2 oozing chemicals I'd like to add screaming for the end of nuclear. However, this appears to be the more viable and promising option in the battle to cut CO2 emmisions. Yes there are risks, as there are with everything but until someone comes up with a better plan, this will have to do.