Keeping the lights on in S Yorks Keeping the lights on in S Yorks – nuclear free or nuclear? – nuclear free or nuclear?

Sean MorrisSean Morris

UK and Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities UK and Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities

What I’m going to look at:What I’m going to look at: Brief overview of the NFLABrief overview of the NFLA Nuclear ‘myths’ –Nuclear ‘myths’ –

effects on climate changeeffects on climate change

energy securityenergy security

nuclear costs / jobsnuclear costs / jobs

radioactive wasteradioactive waste

nuclear safetynuclear safety

public healthpublic health

nuclear proliferation / terrorismnuclear proliferation / terrorism A renewable future A renewable future Nuclear free or nuclear?Nuclear free or nuclear?

Who are the NFLA?Who are the NFLA?• Originated in 1980 – 30th anniversary in November• Over 70 members in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern

Ireland, Republic of Ireland• Campaign and research on nuclear power and nuclear

weapons issues• Principal cross-party voice on nuclear issues in local

government (reps from 11 political parties)• Strong interaction with government and NGOs• http://www.nuclearpolicy.info

Nuclear ‘myths’ – climate change Nuclear ‘myths’ – climate change The myth – nuclear can provide ‘green’ energy for climate change mitigationThe myth – nuclear can provide ‘green’ energy for climate change mitigationNFLA notes: NFLA notes: We don’t need nuclear – renewables are unlimited, free and much saferWe don’t need nuclear – renewables are unlimited, free and much safer Nuclear needs a raw material – uranium extraction and long-term Nuclear needs a raw material – uranium extraction and long-term

availability (see next slide)availability (see next slide) Can nuclear be part of the 30% ‘green’ energy to mitigate climate change? -Can nuclear be part of the 30% ‘green’ energy to mitigate climate change? - Electricity is 18% of UK energy demand (most of the rest transport / heating)Electricity is 18% of UK energy demand (most of the rest transport / heating) Nuclear power is 14.4% of electricity generation in UKNuclear power is 14.4% of electricity generation in UK With losses at the power station / transmission this is reduced to With losses at the power station / transmission this is reduced to just just

5.3% of total energy5.3% of total energy So replacing nuclear saves just 5.3% CO2 emissions (Source: Hansard / So replacing nuclear saves just 5.3% CO2 emissions (Source: Hansard /

D Adam / DUKES 2009)D Adam / DUKES 2009)

Nuclear v wind – CO2 emissionsNuclear v wind – CO2 emissions

nuclear

gram/day/person

wind

gram/day/person

construction 175 - 700 325 - 850

high-grade, lost forever 25 –

natural uranium 2.83 –

chemicals U extraction * 101 - 609 –

U ore processed * 2025 - 12175 –

rock mined * 8125 - 48750 –

CO2 emission * 10000 - 50000 750 - 1500

• ore grade dependent (Source JW Storm van Leeuwen)ore grade dependent (Source JW Storm van Leeuwen)• ALSO does not include C02 emissions from waste ALSO does not include C02 emissions from waste transportation / storage, decommissioning or securitytransportation / storage, decommissioning or security

Myth 2 – Energy securityMyth 2 – Energy security The myth – new nuclear guarantees greater energy security The myth – new nuclear guarantees greater energy security NFLA notes:NFLA notes: UK has a long-term secure energy deal for gas with UK has a long-term secure energy deal for gas with

Norway Norway France went for nuclear in 1973, but is more oil dependent than France went for nuclear in 1973, but is more oil dependent than

the EU averagethe EU average MIT study shows that centralised systems eat up energy and MIT study shows that centralised systems eat up energy and

increase fossil fuel usageincrease fossil fuel usage PB Power study for London and Edinburgh showed PB Power study for London and Edinburgh showed

decentralised renewable system saw gas consumption down by decentralised renewable system saw gas consumption down by 15% over 20 years15% over 20 years

Crunch time for energy supplies is 2015 – new nuclear not built Crunch time for energy supplies is 2015 – new nuclear not built till at least 2017. Gas and energy efficiency the only options in till at least 2017. Gas and energy efficiency the only options in the short-termthe short-term

Myth 3 - Costs / jobsMyth 3 - Costs / jobs The myth – Nuclear power is cheaper and provides more jobsThe myth – Nuclear power is cheaper and provides more jobsNFLA notes:NFLA notes: A new nuclear power station will cost between £12 - £20bn (10 A new nuclear power station will cost between £12 - £20bn (10

£120bn - £200bn) Citibank – huge public subsidy required as too £120bn - £200bn) Citibank – huge public subsidy required as too risky for private sectorrisky for private sector

Finland – Olikuluto now £3bn over budget, 1000 safety flaws and Finland – Olikuluto now £3bn over budget, 1000 safety flaws and 3 years behind schedule3 years behind schedule

Radioactive waste legacy – NDA estimates this is £80bnRadioactive waste legacy – NDA estimates this is £80bn Yes – some jobs, but will they be diverted from waste and Yes – some jobs, but will they be diverted from waste and

decommissioning work?decommissioning work? Government has suggested there are thousands of new jobs in Government has suggested there are thousands of new jobs in

renewable energyrenewable energy Biggest international recession in history – can we spend on Biggest international recession in history – can we spend on

nuclear, renewables and energy efficiency?nuclear, renewables and energy efficiency?

Myth 4 – Radioactive wasteMyth 4 – Radioactive waste Myth – radioactive waste strategy is resolvedMyth – radioactive waste strategy is resolvedNFLA notes:NFLA notes: After 50 years still no long-term solution for wasteAfter 50 years still no long-term solution for waste No guarantee of deep waste repository in Cumbria – even if, No guarantee of deep waste repository in Cumbria – even if,

around 40 years from being builtaround 40 years from being built Low level waste repository almost fullLow level waste repository almost full Councils unwilling to see waste dumped into landfillCouncils unwilling to see waste dumped into landfill New nuclear reactors will have waste dumps for 160 years on New nuclear reactors will have waste dumps for 160 years on

sitesite New build waste more radioactive as burnt at higher New build waste more radioactive as burnt at higher

temperaturetemperature New nuclear now means our great grandchildren and beyond New nuclear now means our great grandchildren and beyond

will be sorting out OUR messwill be sorting out OUR mess

Myth 5 – Public healthMyth 5 – Public healthMyth: that nuclear power has no great Myth: that nuclear power has no great effect on public healtheffect on public health

NFLA notes:NFLA notes: German government KIKK report German government KIKK report

to prove no health risksto prove no health risks 2.2 times increase in child 2.2 times increase in child leukaemias within 5kms of reactorleukaemias within 5kms of reactor 1.6 times increase in child solid 1.6 times increase in child solid cancerscancers Strong link to living near reactorsStrong link to living near reactors Accepted by German governmentAccepted by German government UK COMARE considering it but UK COMARE considering it but not reporting until June not reporting until June How can new nuclear go ahead How can new nuclear go ahead

with such health risks? with such health risks?

Myth 6 – Nuclear SafetyMyth 6 – Nuclear Safety Myth – Nuclear power is safe and secureMyth – Nuclear power is safe and secureNFLA notes:NFLA notes: NII has raised concerns over Westinghouse design for NII has raised concerns over Westinghouse design for

resisting terrorist attack or natural disasterresisting terrorist attack or natural disaster Leaked documents from EDF suggest it is susceptible to a Leaked documents from EDF suggest it is susceptible to a

Chernobyl type disaster Chernobyl type disaster NFLA have followed up leaks and incidents at Sellafield, NFLA have followed up leaks and incidents at Sellafield,

Sizewell, Wylfa and Hunterston in past yearSizewell, Wylfa and Hunterston in past year Also major concerns of transport accidentsAlso major concerns of transport accidents Recent Washington Conference has highlighted major concerns Recent Washington Conference has highlighted major concerns

over nuclear terrorism over nuclear terrorism

Myth 7 – Nuclear proliferationMyth 7 – Nuclear proliferation Myth – nuclear power has no impact on nuclear weapons or Myth – nuclear power has no impact on nuclear weapons or

terrorismterrorismNFLA notes:NFLA notes: There are still enough bombs for 280,000 HiroshimasThere are still enough bombs for 280,000 Hiroshimas Widespread promotion of nuclear power encourages nuclear Widespread promotion of nuclear power encourages nuclear

proliferationproliferation Pakistan, India, North Korea, Iran – nuclear power led to nuclear Pakistan, India, North Korea, Iran – nuclear power led to nuclear

weapons proliferationweapons proliferation More opportunity for terrorists to get nuclear materials More opportunity for terrorists to get nuclear materials Trident replacement – a £97bn bill in a recession?!Trident replacement – a £97bn bill in a recession?!

A renewable futureA renewable futurePrice Waterhouse Coopers report Price Waterhouse Coopers report suggested a ‘super-smart’ grid:suggested a ‘super-smart’ grid: Solar farms in Southern Europe / N Solar farms in Southern Europe / N

AfricaAfrica Wind farms in N EuropeWind farms in N Europe Hydro-electric from Scandinavia Hydro-electric from Scandinavia and the Alpsand the Alps Biomass and marine tidal energy Biomass and marine tidal energy across Europeacross Europe Technical components are mostly Technical components are mostly

therethere It only needs political willIt only needs political will Energy efficiency fills the gapEnergy efficiency fills the gap UK the perfect location for UK the perfect location for renewables – windy, long tidal coastrenewables – windy, long tidal coast

A local energy revolutionA local energy revolution• £20m 3yr Kirklees Warm Zone

initiative. UK’s largest council-run trail-blazing home insulation scheme.

• More homes with renewables than anywhere else in UK.

• More insulation installed in one year than London.

• One of many examples around the British Isles

• Councils are keen to lead an energy revolution but need resources to do it

• Fuel poverty – Councils key role to assist through energy efficiency

Nuclear free or nuclear? Nuclear free or nuclear? New Nuclear is too expensive and too risky New Nuclear is too expensive and too risky It has under-performed and failed to live up to its promises over It has under-performed and failed to live up to its promises over

its 60 year historyits 60 year history There ARE better alternatives (Scotland / Ireland)There ARE better alternatives (Scotland / Ireland) NFLA’s energy mix policy is as follows:NFLA’s energy mix policy is as follows:

A sustained push for renewable energyA sustained push for renewable energy Encourage localised micro-generation projectsEncourage localised micro-generation projects Concerted effort on energy efficiency Concerted effort on energy efficiency Decommissioning and clean-up nuclear legacyDecommissioning and clean-up nuclear legacy

A safe, sustainable future and a nuclear free jobs bonanza for A safe, sustainable future and a nuclear free jobs bonanza for South Yorkshire and the UK is possibleSouth Yorkshire and the UK is possible

http://www.nuclearpolicy.info for further detailshttp://www.nuclearpolicy.info for further details

Thank you for listening.Thank you for listening.