Nuclear energy comes at a price
Posted: 25 November 2006
The Federal Government’s obsession with nuclear energy will come at the detriment of renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biofuels, according to Western Australian Energy Minister Francis Logan.
Mr Logan was commenting after a Federal Government review of uranium mining and nuclear power found that nuclear energy was a practical option for Australia.
He said the review’s findings were utterly predictable and very disappointing. He also said the taskforce’s report contained some very disturbing scenarios in its fineprint.
“The taskforce concedes that nuclear energy is more expensive than most other energy sources - so its introduction will lead to more expensive electricity for consumers,” he said.
“Based on their own figures, we believe this increase could be up to 30 per cent for households and much more for industry.
“The report also admits that the Government will need to offer financial support to encourage private investment in first-built nuclear reactors.
”This money would be better spent providing incentives to proponents of renewable energy sources.”
Mr Logan also visited a Perth-based company which has successfully trialled a wave-power machine that could produce fresh water and electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The Minister said the machine, invented by a local businessman, was a terrific example of the innovation which could be achieved in the area of renewable energy.
“However, I am afraid that the Federal Government’s obsession with nuclear will quash all incentives for companies and individuals to pursue areas of low-emission energy generation,” he said.
“Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell should consider the views of his Western Australian electorate rather than kow-tow to the ideologies of his misinformed leader.
“WA does not need a nuclear reactor - our energy future lies in natural gas, renewable energy and clean coal technology.
“Senator Campbell needs to come clean and tell us now where he wants to build the nuclear reactors in WA, where the money will come from to upgrade the transmission lines to cater for them and where in WA does he propose to dump the waste.”
Posted by Richard Price, Editor, EnergyME.com
Information supplied by companies or PR agencies who are responsible for content.
Send press releases to richard@energyme.com |
