Nuclear power stations -bad news for democracy and the environment

13th November 2009

Dear Sir

The Government has announced plans for 10 new nuclear power stations. They want to bypass the long standing planning system and fast track their development without proper consultation. This is bad news for democracy and the environment.

A key democratic right is for the public to have a say on how their area is developed. Decision-making about where we get our energy from, and the long-term costs associated with nuclear, should be opened up to more accountability, not less.

Nuclear power is not green or environmentally friendly. The power stations are supposed to be in operation by 2018 but this is too late to reduce carbon emissions. We need a solution to the problem now, not in nine or ten years time. Also the Government does not know what to do with the problem of nuclear waste. The new stations will produce 200 tonnes per year of this most radioactive and toxic material which needs to be stored safely for 1000s of years. The mining and extraction of Uranium, the ore needed to fuel the new plants, causes massive pollution, destroys wildlife and ways of life. Britain has no uranium reserves so we will have to import all we need leaving us dependent for our energy needs on other nations. It is also a limited resource, like oil, and does not offer a long term solution.

We don't need nuclear or new coal plants. With energy efficiency, and proven technologies such as wind, solar and combined heat and power, we can meet Britain's energy needs, create hundreds of thousands of green jobs and slash carbon pollution.

Yours sincerely

Steve Barnard
Green Party
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
Sheffield Hallam