There were some interesting articles on the nuclear debate in today’s Observer for those who are interested:
- Grasping the nuclear nettle by the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, gives the basic government position saying that it’s time to revisit civil nuclear but the forthcoming review will be open-minded – “The answer could be yes. But it could be no.”
- ‘We have no other option’, the pro-nuclear angle from former energy minster Brian Wilson interestingly points out the 62% of Britains would support nuclear “if it was part of a strategy that also included increased reliance on renewables” – in other words, pointing out that the question may not be either or.
- ‘Who puts up the cash?’ by Prof Gordon McKerron, chair of the Committee for Radioactive Waste Management. A great read with the following quote – “The risk for the nuclear industry is that if it argues for 10,000 MW or nothing, it may get nothing.”
The Economist this week was saying that Blair has a tendency to be over-eager in accepting new ideas and promoting them (Bagehot). But if he’s feeling patient, there appear to be many around who are ready for a frank discussion before concluding what technology or technologies are needed to secure the UK’s energy supply and address climate concerns.
