Transcript Evaluating Russia’s Bid for a Multinational Nuclear Waste

Waiting for the Nuclear
Renaissance:
Exploring the Nexus of Expansion
and Disposal in Europe
Jane I. Dawson
Weinmann Professor of Government &
Environmental Studies
The Nuclear Doldrums
1979-2003
Popular Opposition in U.S. & Western
Europe
Cost
Three Mile Island & Chernobyl
Nuclear Power:
The Answer to Climate Change?
The new “low-carb” alternative
A “Renaissance” for Nuclear
Power?
• Currently 443 nuclear reactors – 30
countries
• 29 new reactors under construction majority in Asia
• U.S: First licensing applications for new
reactor construction since 1979
• Europe: Finland’s Olkiluoto-3 and plans for
new builds across Europe
Impact of the GHG Crisis:
• Unraveling united front of environmental
ngos – Splits emerging on nuclear issue
• Governments recalculating pros & cons of
nuclear energy
Kyoto, Copenhagen, & Beyond
Promising Signs of
Impending Climate
Change Action in the
U.S.A.
EPA & the Clean
Air Act
U.S. Legislation:
• Waxman-Markey Bill of 2009
GHG Protocols & Targets
WAITING for the Nuclear
Renaissance
Nuclear Waste:
The Industry’s “Achilles’ Heel”
The principle of “national
responsibility”
• Public opposition and failed siting attempts
• The European Union’s failed “Nuclear
Package”
Two Small Countries Leading
the Way
• KBS-3 Technology
Environmental Justice
• Standard Definition:
A fair and equitable distribution of environmental
benefits, burdens, and decision-making power
across all members of society
Finland’s Onkalo Facility: “Not just
a hole in the ground”
Lessons?
• Siting Process: Voluntarist
• Nuclear Oases vs. Virgin Sites
• Democracy & Veto Power
• TRUST
How universal a model?
U.K. & the Voluntarist Approach
Wanted: Communities to volunteer to host
a giant underground nuclear bunker.
Guaranteed jobs for thousands of
years; attractive annual payment
package; should be in geologically
stable area.
Need to know: 10bn plus construction
package will involve excavation of
hundreds of millions of tonnes of rock,
and the building of new roads, railway
lines and workshops. Site may attract
terrorists; potential safety risk for one
million years or more.
The London Guardian, June 26, 2007
The Nuclear Nexus
• Finnish Parliament
approves Onkalo
Repository (May
2001)
• Finnish Parliament
approves fifth reactor
(May 2002)
The Yucca Mountain
Debacle
A New Day for Nuclear?
Will it be this?
Or this?
Thank you!