labor divided on nuclear debate, page-17

re: beattie fears nuclear threat to coal Bracks says no to N-power

06jun05
NUCLEAR power was not an option for Victoria, Premier Steve Bracks said today.

Mr Bracks was responding to controversial comments by his New South Wales counterpart Bob Carr who has called for public debate on the issue.

"I don't support nuclear energy or the use of uranium to fuel electricity generation in Victoria," Mr Bracks said.

"We need to find cleaner ways of burning greenhouse gases and to make sure we can reduce greenhouse gases."

Instead, the Victorian Premier said his Government had earmarked $85 million in its last Budget to investigate methods of drying brown coal which is used to generate most of Victoria's power.


"We're looking at the resources we have, looking at how we can do it better with less greenhouse gas emissions and I think that's the right way forward."

In NSW, Mr Carr stood by his comments that nuclear power could act as a bridge between coal-fired power and a new era of renewable energy.

"We've got to debate seriously whether global warming is proceeding at such a pace that nuclear power might be the bridge to the era of renewables," Mr Carr told the Nine Network last night.

"The polar ice caps are melting, the rainfall is more erratic, it's getting hotter and hotter."

Green groups last week labelled Mr Carr's comments a ploy to divert attention from the problems with polluting coal-fired power stations.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said there was no need to consider such a proposal while his state had a 300-year supply of coal.

Victoria burns brown coal – in contrast to the black coal used in the northern states – and is negotiating to extend the life of Hazelwood power station, dubbed the nation's dirtiest by environmentalists.

http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15526223%255E1702,00.html