Copy of todays article from ABC Online. Highlights include Ziggy's totally unbiased ;) recommendation that Australia has plenty of ideal locations for a U waste-dump !! and Beaslys misquoting of Bush suggesting that he said there should be no new U enrichment plants anywhere - yeah that's why the US govt have backed the GE plans to build more than 30 new nuclear plants and the GE.Silex process for providing enriched Uranium. Kym you are so yesterdays news.
ABC - 21st November. Nuclear energy 'a practical option' The Federal Government's review of uranium mining and nuclear power has found nuclear energy is a practical option for Australia.
After a five-month investigation, Dr Ziggy Switkowski's review has found nuclear power could be delivered to the grid within 10 years, although 15 is more likely.
It found uranium production would ease the problem of greenhouse gas emissions but will not meet the challenge on its own and the priority should continue to be on reducing carbon emissions from coal and gas.
At between 20 to 50 per cent more expensive than conventional power, Dr Switkowski says nuclear energy would only be competitive in Australia if there were a recognised cost for greenhouse gas emissions.
The review also found the domestic processing of uranium, including conversion and enrichment, would add a further $1.8 billion to the sector annually.
Nuclear power safe In an article written for ABC News Online, Dr Switkowski says the nuclear industry is safer than other energy-related industries.
Dr Switkowski says the task force visited the sites of nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Ukraine where accidents had occurred.
He says while the health and safety legacy from Chernobyl is real, the nuclear industry is far safer than other energy-related industries, although he says no industry is risk-free.
Dr Switkowski also says while nuclear proliferation is a an issue of concern to the public, greater Australian involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle would not change the risks.
"It is clandestine activity that is likely to lead to the production of nuclear weapons, not civil nuclear activities," he said.
He says safe disposal of low and intermediate-level nuclear waste is currently practiced at many sites around the world.
"Australia has suitable locations for deep underground repositories for the safe storage of high level waste and spent nuclear fuel."
Opposition disagrees Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says Australia's future lies in renewable energy and clean coal technology and he rejects any push for domestic uranium processing.
"There is absolutely no strategic nor economic argument for enriching uranium," he said.
"That is one of the few things on which I can say in recent times I've absolutely agreed with George Bush - there should be no new uranium enrichment facilities anywhere."
CMR Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
