Opposition to the nuclear option not based on logic

THE recent report on the World Energy Outlook for 2009 from the OECD’s International Energy Agency highlighted the need for greater energy efficiency and “green growth” – including nuclear as well as renewable energy.

For the members of BENE (Better Environment with Nuclear Energy) this was a very welcome confirmation by a highly respected international organisation of our long-held belief that nuclear energy is “green” and without it the world cannot avoid a very bleak future.

We have written and spoken widely on the need for the Government to revoke its present legal prohibition on the use of nuclear energy for the generation of electricity (Electricity Generation Act, 1999) and to engage experts without delay to examine the feasibility of its adoption in Ireland.

We have spoken to the minister responsible, his civil servants and spokespersons on energy from the major political parties and some other members of the Oireachtas.

With the exception of a few senators (mostly independents) we have received little support.

This rejection was not based on logic but rather on a belief that public sentiment is firmly against nuclear energy.

On the other hand, we have spoken to community groups, students, trade associations and others where we have detected wide support for our aims.

We have addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and although we await their final report we received a very attentive hearing.

We note with satisfaction that organisations such as Irish Academy of Engineering, Eirgrid, the National Competitiveness Council, the Commission for Energy Regulation and Chambers Ireland do not share most politicians’ negative view of nuclear energy.

Adding this perceived shift of opinion to the very evident resurgence of support for nuclear-generated electricity among both developed and developing countries we believe Ireland must now revoke the present prohibition on nuclear energy and set up an expert group to examine the feasibility of its adoption in this country.

Finally, we note that the Government’s prohibition appears to be contrary to article 192 of the Euratom Treaty, which clearly states, among other matters of relevance, that member states “shall abstain from any measures which could jeopardise the attainment of the objectives of this treaty”.

Frank Turvey C Eng, F Inst P, FIAE, FIEI, FINucE

Philip Walton Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics, NUI Galway.

enis Duff BE

Tom O’Flaherty C Eng, FIEI, FIET

John Stafford BBS, MA,FCA

David Sowby MD, FSRP

Ian McAulay Associate Professor Emeritus, MA, PhD., F Inst P

Maire Morrissey-Cummins

Secretary

BENE (Better Environment with Nuclear Energy)

Burnaby Woods

Greystones

Co Wicklow