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June 20, 2006
I'm on the road in Brisbane and I might not be able to post today because of meetings. This Moir cartoon captures the debate on nuclear power in Australia:
Alan Moir
Though it is true that other countries can no longer get by without nuclear energy, Australia could. It has vast eastern coal seams, large and still to be discovered north-western gas, the wet southern brown coal, wind, sun, substantial geothermal sources. Australia's energy choices are wide and reasonable, and this natural advantage indicates that nuclear energy may never get a cost edge in energy-exceptional Australia.
But what we continue to hear about is Australia having 40 per cent of the world's uranium, emerging technologies that could substantially alter costs and choice, lower fuel costs, more easily recycled waste, the rebirth of Australian nuclear industry and bringing new skills and jobs.
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Almost all of the arguments I have seen in favour of nuclear energy have been stated with reference to the potential economic benefits rather than in terms of whether nuclear energy is a credible and safe energy source.
Robert over at View from Benambra is an exception.