Greenpeace projects '72% say no' on Sizewell nuclear reactor
Nearly three-quarters of the British public would rather their electricity came from renewable energy like wind, wave and solar power than from nuclear plants. In a national MORI poll commissioned by Greenpeace 72% said they preferred renewable energy to the nuclear option (cost being similar). The poll also found that 41% of the public would be less likely to vote for a political party if it supported nuclear power (1).
Greenpeace activists early today projected 72% SAY NO in giant letters on the Sizewell B reactor dome in East Anglia. Sizewell is a favourite site for a new nuclear power station and already has land set aside and levelled for a Sizewell C plant.
The MORI poll results come as the Government is reviewing the UK's energy sources for the next fifty years. Despite the high risks and already massive public opposition to nuclear power, the Government is seriously considering giving the go-ahead for more nuclear power stations across the UK. As well as East Anglia, sites are being considered in Gloucestershire, Essex, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Somerset, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Cumbria, Lancashire, East Lothian and Kent (2).
All of these regions are also strong potential sites for wind farms out at sea. Last week Greenpeace launched a report by leading energy analysts AEA Technology and backed by a major electricity utility, which showed how building forty wind farms at sea in just one of these regions - East Anglia - could entirely replace the energy generated by nuclear power and create 60,000 jobs (3).
Greenpeace nuclear campaigner Louise Edge said,
"The British public have made their choice -they don't want more dangerous, polluting and expensive nuclear plants which threaten our health and could be a target for terrorists. The Government needs to listen to public opinion and make the right decision because as this poll shows, not only are people rightly hostile to nuclear energy but would react against any party that backed raising it from the ashes".
"There is no need for more nuclear power. Wind power at sea alone could meet our electricity needs three times over and bring thousands of jobs to the UK. Add the future potential of solar and wave power, and Britain would have a clean green energy mix that will never run out."
The Government has announced a public consultation on Britain's energy supply, which will feed into a Government White Paper - due out towards the end of this year. However documents recently leaked to New Scientist magazine indicate the government is seriously considering new nuclear plants and in doing so is working to overcome some of the obstacles including restrictions imposed by international radioactive pollution laws, safety checks and planning applications (4).
Notes for editors:
(1) "If the costs of supplying the UK's energy needs were the same by either nuclear power or renewable energy sources, which, if either, would you prefer?"
I have no preference either way- 17%
Don't know- 5%
Prefer nuclear power- 6%
Prefer renewable energy sources- 72%
NB - the first offshore wind turbines in Britain are already producing power more cheaply than Britain's newest nuclear power station. Government's own figures show that wind - both on land and at sea - will be cheaper than nuclear power in 2020.
"And in principle, what effect, if at all, would a political party supporting (read out A and B) have on the likelihood of your voting for them ?"
Nuclear power: 41% less likely; 6% more likely; 47% no change; 6% don't know.
Renewable energy sources: 3% less likely; 50% more likely; 42% no change; 5% don't know.
MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 973 adults aged 15+, face-to-face in home, throughout Great Britain between 17-21 May2 002. Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile. For the full MORI poll visit www.mori.com
(2) Extract from "REPLACE NUCLEAR WITH NUCLEAR" - British Energy's Submission to the Government's Review of UK Energy Policy, September 2001- para 29. "Across the UK there is a range of suitable sites adjacent to existing nuclear facilities owned by British Energy and BNFL."
(3) For full report visit www.greenpeace.org.uk/seawindeast.htm
(4) According to internal policy briefings leaked to New Scientist, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) wants to speed up safety checks of new reactors and is discussing ways to soften up public opposition to nuclear power. Proposals in the briefing included:
- Overhauling regulations on reactor safety so that new designs can be licensed more quickly and cheaply by "simplifying licensing requirements" and collaborating with the US on "generic approvals"
- Making it easier for nuclear plants to receive planning permission - "Simplification of the planning system could also be an issue, together with ways of compensating local communities for the perceived disbenefits of new nuclear build."
- In the document the DTI is also expressed concern that international moves to tighten the limits on radioactive discharges into the sea could prevent new nuclear plants from being approved. "The limits - and pressure to further reduce them - will be carefully monitored to ensure that the future position is not unintentionally compromised," it promises. For the full article visit www.newscientist.com.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
