An extract of an interview from Riman's own website.
It's time to board the nuclear renaissance train Published: 21.4.2008
Author: department 01110 Document print interview, 21.4.2008, E15
The discussion on the construction of two more blocks of the Temelin nuclear power station is entering its final phases despite the protests of the Green Party. The Government coalition discusses potential changes to the Programme Declaration which have blocked the construction of more nuclear power stations so far. According to the Minister for Industry and Trade Martin Øíman, a number of Green Party members fully understand the demands to bring about the renaissance of the nuclear power.
* E15: Approximately half a year ago you claimed that a debate on a new power station is without merit, as the Government Programme Declaration does not allow any such thing. Have the discussions within the coalition moved forward on this point?
As far as nuclear power stations are concerned I think we are now getting to the practical issues. But it does not depend on the state as much as on the agreement between the individual companies. Just consider the relatively spectacular wooing between Mostecka uhelna and E.On. There is no agreement yet but there is a room for a new source and this room will be taken up sooner or later. The question is who will be the winner.
* E15: And how about nuclear power?
It is obvious, following the massive debate on climate change and permit trading, that coal as a source is limited here not only by the size of the deposits bit also by its price. The hysteria around the permits will probably continue for some time. I believe it is time to board the nuclear renaissance train, same as many other countries already did. Anyway… how to put it diplomatically… with respect to this area we have not progressed far enough within the coalition to think of revising of the Programme Declaration yet.
* E15: Do you discuss this in the coalition?
There are discussions. There is room for discussion and for the potential change here. Also with respect to the European politics. Since 2006, when the Programme Declaration took shape, the situation radically changed. The pressure on the emission reduction two years ago was nothing as enormous as today. In the meantime we also committed ourselves to generate 12.9% of electricity by 2020 from renewable resources, which is a lot, and which will cost a lot of money and effort. On top of that it does not really solve our situation. We still have to generate the remaining 87% of electricity somehow, just to have electric light. A now we move in a relatively narrow corridor of coal — nuclear power. The coal is limited by various regulations, and what remains? Nothing but nuclear power. The pressure of reality is in my opinion strong enough that it is only a matter of time before significant changes happen, and I would not say it will take all that long.
* E15: Does the Green Party think like that?
I would say, on the basis of the discussions, that many understand the point in the same way. On the other hand many do not understand this and never will.
* E15: Now, it will all depend on the distribution of power between the supporters of nuclear power and the opponents inside the Green Party …
Exactly. At the same time, there will be a number of principal events taking place in the first half—a—year. Firstly, in May, the Nuclear Forum will meet in Prague. That's one of the events which form public opinion, and I believe the Prague Nuclear Forum will be the next step toward the defence of the nuclear power. Shortly after that the conclusions of the Paèes committee will be published. Whatever its verdict will be it will again be a strong signal, in a certain direction. I believe that things are already moving.
http://www.mpo.cz/dokument43885.html
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