Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Power

Well the futures bright the futures Nuclear. Well OK I'm being a little unfair. The government is also promoting renewables but the big news story was the governments change of heart on Nuclear power.

The government did make moves that pleased the green lobby.

The direction of travel is a welcome one, - Dave Sowden of the Micropower Council.


"The government has seen the light on renewables ....
The energy review supports what we and many others have been consistently saying - that renewables, energy efficiency and decentralised systems are the strongest prospects for secure and sustainable energy supplies. - Philip Wolfe of the Renewable Energy Association (REA).


But of course the Nuclear bit was the big news agenda.

Now for once I actually have some sympathy with the government. As soon as someone proposes a new wind farm we all nod sagely, "yes nice enviromentally friendly but it'll spoil the look of the place so not here thank you" or "but it endangers protected birds (White Tailed Eagles in Norway for one)"

So what are they do? Global warming is happening whatever that twat in the White House thinks. To my mind whatever they do someone somewhere will carp. Nuclear Power may not be palatable but we have to do something. Do we want to be held to ransom by European countries controlling pipe lines?

To my mind yes we have to get more heavily into renewable sources: wind, solar and tidal but if we are going to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels then in the short-medium term then Nuclear has a role to play.

The question though is are the public interested? Of course they may say they are but if it is a choice between a holiday in Majorca this year and...... I know what they will choose.

One of my hopes (fat chance) is that with increasing Oil prices our American cousins will put pressure on the automotive industry to look at non fossil fuel engines. I would have thought post 9/11 there would have been a desire to reduce their dependance on fossil fuels controlled by possibly unfriendly powers.

Looks like I'm going to be out of luck there folks.

3 comments:

Ally said...

B is looking at solar solutions for our hot water as I type ... . To me, it's all about personal responsibility. But at the end of the day phasing out fossil fuels must be done gradually; and perhaps nuclear energy will fill the gap in the short/medium term, if it's done responsibly. It's a difficult situation.

KAZ said...

After seeing films like 'The China Syndrome' and reading about Chenobyl - I just can't support nuclear.
I think you have to look to the car designers and manufacturers. Honda are doing a good job. It's no use leaving it to the well off and well meaning middle classes.

The Quacks of Life said...

Roger - so many to choose from, nice blog btw.

Ally - agree 100%!!

Kaz - I don't see Nuclear as the answer but I think that renewables are not the answer is the short term and that Nuclear is a necessary evil.

I think the governments have to give "incentives" to the automotive industry.

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