Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy
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� At the inauguration of the fuel reprocessing plant at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s<br />
in Tarapur, January 8, 2011: He praised the plant at Tarapur as “an outstanding example of<br />
clean, economic and safe energy that our nation requires”. vii<br />
� At the <strong>Nuclear</strong> Security Summit, held in Washington, DC on April 13, 2010: “Today,<br />
nuclear energy has emerged as a viable source of energy to meet the growing needs of the<br />
world in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. There is a real prospect for nuclear<br />
technology to address the developmental challenges of our times... The nuclear industry’s<br />
safety record over the last few years has been encouraging. It has helped to restore public<br />
faith in nuclear power.” viii<br />
� Statement to the Indian Parliament on July 29, 2005 after returning from a visit to the United<br />
States where the first steps were taken towards signing what has come to be known as the<br />
'Indo-US <strong>Nuclear</strong> Deal': “<strong>Energy</strong> is a crucial input to propel our economic growth... it is<br />
clear that nuclear power has to play an increasing role in our electricity generation plans” ...<br />
For this purpose, it would be very useful if we can access nuclear fuel as well as nuclear<br />
reactors from the international market... There is also considerable concern with regard to<br />
global climate change arising out of CO2 emissions. Thus, we need to pursue clean energy<br />
technologies. <strong>Nuclear</strong> power is very important in this context as well.” Since “the US<br />
understood our position in regard to our securing adequate and affordable energy supplies,<br />
from all sources” and because President Bush was willing to “work towards promoting<br />
nuclear energy as a means for India to achieve energy security”, this was the reason why<br />
India has decided to enter into a nuclear cooperation agreement with the USA. (emphasis<br />
ours) ix<br />
� Speech after dedicating Tarapur 3&4 atomic reactors to the nation on August 31, 2007: A<br />
“nuclear renaissance” was taking place in the world “and we cannot afford to miss the bus<br />
or lag behind these global developments.” Elaborating on the reasons for the growing<br />
importance of nuclear energy, he stated: “Our long-term economic growth is critically<br />
dependent on our ability to meet our energy requirements of the future... (Since) our proven<br />
reserves of coal, oil, gas and hydropower are totally insufficient to meet our requirements<br />
(and) the energy we generate has to be affordable, not only in terms of its financial cost,<br />
but in terms of the cost to our environment”, this was the reason why “we place so much<br />
importance on nuclear energy”. (emphasis ours) x<br />
On January 18, 2011, at an 'open house' on the Jaitapur <strong>Nuclear</strong> Power Project organised by the<br />
Chief Minister of Maharashtra in coordination with eminent nuclear scientists and the <strong>Nuclear</strong><br />
Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to clear misconceptions about nuclear power, an entire<br />
galaxy of scientists and doctors emphasised that nuclear power was safe, clean and green. They<br />
countered the claims of the opponents of nuclear energy that radiation leakage from plants causes<br />
horrendous impact on human health, that cancer and birth deformities in children, that mankind has<br />
4