Nuclear power – in your neighbourhood?
I was thinking about nuclear generation and it occurred to me that the NIMBYism of people towards wind farms is nothing to that of the NIMBYism that would occur if there were plans for nuclear power stations on the same site
I appreciate the reasons for people like George Monbiot (for whom I have huge respect) and other prominent greens declaring that nuclear may be our only realistic option (or part) at the moment to make massive CO2 cuts.
On a pragmatic level I agree, but emotionally I cannot, like many others I am sure. Nuclear power stations obviously will not be located so near to people, but my point is that actually even those in favour of nuclear power wouldn’t want to be living near to one – no matter what the safety record is relative to other power industries.
Would you really be happy for one to be placed near to your family’s house? For the benefit of the world?
I have to say, that I would answer “no” to this – and I think the vast majority of people will.
So is the only reason nuclear might be acceptable to the masses, the fact that it will be located far away from them? That would be a realisation of deep-seated (and I would say natural) distrust of a technology that can (if rarely) have such dire consequences.
So to accept siting of these power stations “over there somewhere”, is to say “I think its risky but as long as it might be a problem elsewhere I don’t mind”. 
1 Comment
Fletch
December 3, 2009Definitely NIMBY! However people will do a lot of stuff for money, meaning that many would be prepared to work near a power plant for the sake of a job if they can’t get a decent one anywhere else. I’m sure those lobbying for power plants would push the economic benefits. Alternatively maybe they’ll create them in more remote locations and build towns of workers around them (like they have to do with some mines). That said, nuclear power needs plenty of water, i.e. river or sea, and generally these locations are already full of people.
The guardian article was interesting. Check this out as well for a deeper analysis: http://www.twoedged.org/2009/09/nuclear-power-generation-the-inevitability-and-consequences-of-a-worldwide-move-to-nuclear/