If the buzz is to be believed, nuclear power is coming back to the world but under the brand of a new, clean and green, low-carbon energy source for the 21st century. The agenda was in George Bush’s latest state of the union address. Britishers do not have much choice but to get a fifth of their electricity from nuke power due to an older generation of nuclear plants that are nearing the ends of their working lives. The question is, should that continue?

My biggest concern about such a prospect is the nuclear waste, particularly the hot radioactive material like spent fuel. Hiroshima and Nagasaki stand witness to the damage nuclear power can cause over a span of many years. We must not forget the planned giant repository in the US mean for spent reactor fuel at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. It was supposed to open for business in 1998. But it is still at least 13 years from completion.
I feel that if there are any secret plans, then it is dishonest not to reveal them. Ministers should not try and win over a skeptical public. Even George W Bush shouldn’t!

Via NewScientist