Some issues with the energy minister’s claim that nuclear is just ‘hot air’

(Courtesy of Graham Young)

The Russians, Chinese, and Koreans have been constantly building nuclear power plants so they have expertise and a regulatory regime that is fit for purpose.

Intriguingly the UAE, which more than rivals Australia for continuous and strong sunlight, and so should have plentiful renewable energy potential, is not only building a nuclear power plant, but at the lower end of cost.

This is because they have the political will to make smart decisions, and are wise enough to buy their reactor from the Koreans.

In Australia, rather than baying at the atoms, the minister ought to be clearing away the weeds impeding our ability to go nuclear.

This includes two acts of parliament.

The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (which is currently being revised by his colleague, the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek), and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.

No one is asking the minister to build a nuclear power plant himself. They are asking him to open up his mind and see what the public sees.

Renewable energy is a niche generation source that can't power a modern civilisation on its own, and if you are serious about zero emissions there is only one technology that can provide it at a reasonable cost.