atw - International Journal for Nuclear Power | 08/09.2019

atw Vol. 64 (2019) | Issue 8/9 ı August/September
442
NUCLEAR TODAY
John Shepherd is a
journalist who has
covered the nuclear
industry for the past
20 years and is
currently editor-in-chief
of UK-based Energy
Storage Publishing.
Sources:
Memorandum on the
Effect of Uranium
Imports on the
National Security and
Establishment of the
United States Nuclear
Fuel Working Group
https://www.
whitehouse.gov/
presidential-actions/
memorandum-effecturanium-importsnational-securityestablishment-unitedstates-nuclear-fuelworking-group/
James Lovelock’s
articles
https://bit.ly/318tQqd
https://bit.ly/2OplCIH
CNNC’s proposal
nuclear
https://bit.ly/2Gq0Im8
A Century of Wisdom Underlines
Nuclear’s Green Credentials
John Shepherd
Probably one of the oldest proponents of nuclear energy celebrated his centenary this summer and his support
continues to be an energising force to be reckoned with. James Lovelock is probably best known as the creator of the
Gaia hypothesis – which argues that Earth acts like a self-regulating system. He’s also a self-confessed, lifelong ‘green’,
who upset the status quo more than a decade ago when he said those environmentalists who opposed nuclear were
wrong to do so.
In interviews to mark his 100 th birthday in July, Lovelock’s
spirited defence of nuclear was as powerful as ever and he
is, to put it simply, still correct.
To be green and nuclear was always seen as a misnomer
until, in 2004, Lovelock penned an article for The
Independent newspaper in the UK that had international
significance.
“By all means, let us use the small input from renewables
sensibly, but only one immediately available source
does not cause global warming and that is nuclear energy,”
Lovelock said.
“Opposition to nuclear energy is based on irrational
fear fed by Hollywood-style fiction, the green lobbies and
the media,” he added. “These fears are unjustified, and
nuclear energy from its start in 1952 has proved to be the
safest of all energy sources. We must stop fretting over the
minute statistical risks of cancer from chemicals or
radiation. Nearly one third of us will die of cancer anyway,
mainly because we breathe air laden with that all- pervasive
carcinogen, oxygen.”
In a separate article published in 2005, Lovelock
warned: “To phase out nuclear energy just when we need it
most to combat global warming is madness.”
Lovelock’s message is as timely today as it has ever
been, and perhaps his centenary year could be used to
generate a revival of interest and confidence in nuclear.
Goodness knows we need it and, indeed, maybe the green
shoots of a new offensive in favour of nuclear energy are
sprouting.
In Australia, the newly appointed chair of the Minerals
Council, Helen Coonan, is the latest industry figure to call
for nuclear power to be considered as part of that country’s
future energy mix.
Coonan, a former federal government minister, said the
nuclear option should be on the table, along with renewables
as countries explore energy options beyond the use
of fossil fuels. She told Australian broadcaster ABC that
Australians were ready for a “sensible conversation” about
nuclear power generation, which is currently outlawed in
Australia.
Coonan suggested Australia could consider the introduction
of modular nuclear power plants.
He comments came after the former leader of the
country’s National Party, Barnaby Joyce, suggested
residents living near a nuclear plant could be offered free
nuclear power.
Security of supply continues to be as important an issue
to companies operating nuclear power plants as those
relying on the raw materials batteries need to power the
electric cars and buses of the future. However, there’s
welcome news on that front too.
In the US, the Trump administration has announced its
decision that imports of uranium do not threaten national
security. There had been fears that quotas could be slapped
on uranium imports. Instead, the announcement, made
during the summer, removes uncertainty affecting the
global uranium market and clears the way for buyers and
sellers to discuss long-term supply and demand arrangements.
The US Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) also welcomed
the administration’s backing to form a Nuclear Fuel
Working Group, recommended by the NEI, “to support the
front end of the domestic fuel cycle… and address the very
real challenges faced by the US uranium miners and other
fuel cycle suppliers”.
Progress for innovative nuclear in Canada too, where
regulators have launched an environmental assessment of
a proposal to build the country’s first small modular
reactor. Global First Power, with support from nucleartechnology-innovator
Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation and
Ontario Power Generation, are seeking to build and operate
a 15-megawatt thermal (about 5 MW electrical) ‘Micro
Modular Reactor’ plant at the Chalk River Laboratories.
Meanwhile, the China National Nuclear Corporation
(CNNC) has signed an agreement with the Emirates Nuclear
Energy Corporation aimed at cooperating with companies
in the United Arab Emirates in nuclear technology.
China has deep pockets when it comes to investing
overseas and its strategy of supporting projects of strategic
interest, particularly related to nuclear, appears to have
stepped up a gear. In fact, the CNNC is now touting its
“complete nuclear industrial chain” of which it is “willing
to share its expertise with countries that want to develop
nuclear energy”.
Even in the UK, where there has been worse than
lacklustre government support of late for nuclear, there is
now a glimmer of a revivalist streak running through the
new administration formed by Boris Johnson.
Asked about nuclear energy after delivering his first
speech to the House of Commons as prime minister,
Johnson told legislators: “It is time for a nuclear renaissance
and I believe passionately that nuclear must be part of our
energy mix.” He said his government recognised that
nuclear energy would also help the UK meet its carbon
emission reduction targets.
Johnson has hit the nail on the head. Whatever the
naysayers may have us think, Mother Earth would be in a
sorrier state than she is today without nuclear energy.
We would all do well to reflect on James Lovelock’s
century of wisdom.
Author
John Shepherd
Nuclear Today
A Century of Wisdom Underlines Nuclear’s Green Credentials ı John Shepherd