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Should Britain build more nuclear power stations?
Ed Miliband has said the UK cannot afford to "say no" to nuclear power. On Monday he announced a new generation of nuclear power stations. Do you think Britain should increase its use of nuclear power?
The government has approved 10 sites in England and Wales for new nuclear power stations, most of them on the sites of existing plants. The Energy Secretary said that a decision on where plants will be built will be taken by a new commission after national and local consultation.
Ministers are hoping the planning reforms, which will mean future schemes will not be subject to a public inquiry, will avoid battles such as the six-year struggle to get the Sizewell B power station approved.
The Conservatives warned that people would not be consulted, while pressure groups said nuclear was "not the answer".
Do you think nuclear power is a good option to combat climate change? Would you mind a new nuclear power station where you live? Would you reduce your use of energy in order to reduce the need for nuclear power?
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Published:
Monday, 9 November, 2009, 11:03 GMT
11:03 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:45 GMT
11:45 UK
Considering all the leaks and secrecy over the years and no debate allowed, next to the Houses of Parliament would be an ideal location.
quietoaktree anon
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:44 GMT
11:44 UK
Yes, unless we want our population freezing to death in a few years time, as oil runs out, or becomes to expensive to import.
Janet Shaw, Romford, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:37 GMT
11:37 UK
NO Choice
Chris Parker, Bucks
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:32 GMT
11:32 UK
The only useful option for clean energy and without risk to public health is solar energy.
Nuclear power will create more problems, although seemingly new plants appear safe.
[RobertDL], ITALY, Italy
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:23 GMT
11:23 UK
But I am not convinced by the CO2 Global Warming argument, now called Climate Change when lobbyists realised the upper atmosphere is actually cooling...
Annie Glypta
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A cooling upper atmosphere is entirely consistent with AGW - in fact, it is exactly what is expected with increased CO2 in the lower atmosphere. It is evidence that more energy is being retained in the lower atmosphere rather escaping into the upper atmosphere and into space. It is evidence FOR AGW, not evidence against.
Leslie Winkle-Harry
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:22 GMT
11:22 UK
Nuclear power is obviously the answer. However much we try to save energy there will still be a requirement for more because of the very nature of a modern civilisation. There can be no more danger from these power stations than there was from all the fumes and smoke produced in the past from generating stations,factory chimneys,railway engines,etc. etc. Come on,get on with it.
[democratic-al], York, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:21 GMT
11:21 UK
What I would like to know is why wind turbines are turned off half the time. They should be operation 24/7 unless they are being maintained. It may not completely solve any problems but it will help.
DM, UK
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:17 GMT
11:17 UK
No, No, No! No more nuclear power stations!
Nuclear energy is the most dirty and environmentally harmful form of energy that Man have ever devised! Stop now, or regret it later.
Peter, Ulverston
In 2012 the north magnetic pole will change its direction thus causing all sort of problems. So i think nuclear power is the least of your worries.
Legion trevt
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:16 GMT
11:16 UK
As long as the 'nimby's' complaining about wind farms keep on, nuclear is the only option
[fisher85], Solihull
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:13 GMT
11:13 UK
I would like to ask all those who think nuclear energy is so clean and wonderful one single question: if it is all so safe, then surely you would volunteer having the nuclear waste stored next to your house - correct?
Annemarie in Edinburgh
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:12 GMT
11:12 UK
that was in Windscale 1957,in the very days of Nucelar power.That incident taught us a lot of lessons about nuclear safety & there have been no other major incidents since to my knowledge.
Rod Dublin, Aldershot, United Kingdom
I'm a firm advocate of nuclear power, but the case is not helped by misleading information. There have been several serious incidents at Windscale/Sellafield since 1957, I don't know what you mean by "major". The main problem is management and lax procedural practice.
Tom, Exeter
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:10 GMT
11:10 UK
20 years ago, they would have a hard time convincing people, but now, it's all good...
Co-incidence, I don't think so, do you?
fooled again eh?
Paul, Wirral
No, Paul, not 'fooled again'. Changed circumstances change criteria. Whereas your argument is appropriate for the situation years ago, it is not longer applicable in today's world. Unlike yesteryear, there are now many more people using many more energy-consuming devices - and these numbers will surely increase. Answer = nuclear
[NewsMonitor]
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:09 GMT
11:09 UK
If HYS posters are going to make statements on how we generate the 80+ GW needed today and the probable nearly 100GW needed by 2020, people should establish the real facts on generation and on emissions, too many prejudices based on too little knowledge.
It is noticeable how uptight environmentalists get on building nuclear stations, suggesting wind farms instead - but try building 40,000 onshore wind generators and you will see masses of protests against the desecration of our countryside.
Peter Marton, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 11:04 GMT
11:04 UK
YES.
We need at least 400% of the current generating capacity to take into account the current and future requirements for electric cars/vans, etc + the rising population; and while we are at it perhaps export the energy to those 'green' countries that will be blacked-out.
Nationialised of course!
GET ON WITH IT!
Baines, Hayle
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Added:
Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 10:59 GMT
10:59 UK
Whoever came up with the idea that Global Warming was a 'bad thing' obviously doesn't live in Scotland.
As we approach the winter we will be reminded that many OAP's will die of hypothermia. Milder winters should be welcomed in that case. So let's build more coal fired power stations and pour as much CO2 as possible into the atmosphere so global temperatures increase.
LEAVE THE LIGHT ON AND SAVE A GRANNY THIS WINTER!!!
Gareth O'Neill, Glasgow, UK
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Published comments: 1070
Rejected comments: 72
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