It is a source of endless fascination, and not without a chuckle, reading the pontificating of people without any topical “technical” qualifications (other than that of spin doctor), who claim to understand the motivation of those who choose to fight plans for the massive nuclear expansion in our country. (With reference to “Might Russia still get the nuclear power station deal?” by Keith Bryer in Business Report, January 12).
The critical issue of radiation is roundly ignored by the correspondent – the single most problematic part of the nuclear chain, for which no viable solution has been found after about 70 years.
Even a cursory glance at figures of radiation released from Fukushima gives the lie to the bald statement that Chernobyl was “the worst accident by far” – not only are the figures already far higher than Chernobyl, the potential release could go as high as 50 times that of Chernobyl (for the latest figures see tekknorg.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/ tepco-cooked-core-of-reactor-2-core-and-then-blew-it-out/)
The “climate emissions” spin of nuclear power has been thoroughly discredited, as has the ongoing myth that wind and solar cannot generate stable, industrial base-load volumes of electricity. These technologies have matured, also generating many times the possible number of jobs compared with nuclear, while utilising our existing skill sets – something nuclear cannot do.
Perhaps to lay to rest the notion that “non-technically minded” people are the only ones opposing nuclear power, people may like to read the many clear, detailed and highly technical submissions made by civil society during the various legal processes – the integrated resource plan, the integrated energy policy process, and the current environmental impact assessment process, including economic data and analyses, which confirm that nuclear power will in all likelihood double electricity prices (as has happened recently in the UK).
The nuclear spin must be exposed.
Muna Lakhani
Earthlife Africa Cape Town
Member of The South African United National Anti-nuclear Mobilisation Initiative
(TSUNAMI)