PLEASE FORWARD

Anyone who would like hard copies (multiples if required) of the report 
can get them from Dave Toke <[log in to unmask]>.

This is the link to the Green Party website, from where you can download 
the full report

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2439

Greens to launch Alternative Energy Report

27th Feb 2006


New research shows nuclear is inferior choice

The report, co-authored by Dr David Toke, Green Party Energy Advisor, 
and Dr Simon Taylor, will add to the debate surrounding publication of 
the government's Energy Review.

Green Party Principal Speaker Caroline Lucas MEP, commenting on the 
report, said: "Tony Blair is determined to push this country down the 
nuclear route, based on two arguments: guaranteeing affordable energy 
supply, and reducing carbon emissions. The Alternative Energy Review 
proves what anti-nuclear campaigners have long suspected - that even 
using these criteria, nuclear power is the inferior choice. It shows 
that a twin-pronged investment in renewable alternatives and energy 
efficiency and conservation measures will not only deliver greater 
emissions reductions than nuclear power, it will deliver them more 
cheaply, and all without the huge safety risks inherent in the nuclear 
option."

Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor said: "The DTI's energy 
review is a token effort, aimed at legitimising a pre-determined 
decision to commission a new generation of nuclear power stations.

"This report introduces some radical yet practical steps to combat 
emissions without expensive investment in unsustainable, uneconomic and 
unsafe nuclear power."

Proposed measures include: - A Demand Reduction Obligation: extending 
the current Energy Efficiency Commitment to cover the commercial, 
industrial and public administration sectors - Expansion of the 
Renewables Obligation

A range of measures are evaluated, specifying how much carbon and 
investment capital would be saved, with a net saving economically, 
compared to a nuclear option that will cost billions, even by optimistic 
industry figures.

Dr Toke said: "The amount of carbon saved through 'fast tracked' nuclear 
power over the next 15 years will be around 28 million tonnes compared 
to 150 million via the cheaper measures mentioned. The non-nuclear 
measures cited constitute the equivalent of a reduction in annual CO2 
emissions from the electricity sector of nearly 40 per cent of present 
levels."

Keith Taylor added: "By implementing the measures proposed in this 
report we can save the present generation a huge hike in electricity 
bills and taxes, and the generations to come an unsolvable legacy of 
toxic nuclear waste."