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Waiting for the Nuclear Renaissance: Exploring the Nexus of Expansion and Disposal in Europe

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.

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Waiting for the Nuclear Renaissance: Exploring the Nexus of Expansion and Disposal in Europe

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  1. Waiting for the Nuclear Renaissance:Exploring the Nexus of Expansion and Disposal in Europe Jane I. Dawson Weinmann Professor of Government & Environmental Studies

  2. The Nuclear Doldrums1979-2003 Popular Opposition in U.S. & Western Europe Cost Three Mile Island & Chernobyl

  3. Nuclear Power: The Answer to Climate Change? The new “low-carb” alternative

  4. 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

  5. Impact of the GHG Crisis: • Unraveling united front of environmental ngos – Splits emerging on nuclear issue • Governments recalculating pros & cons of nuclear energy

  6. Kyoto, Copenhagen, & Beyond

  7. Promising Signs of Impending Climate Change Action in the U.S.A. U.S. Legislation: • Waxman-Markey Bill of 2009 EPA & the Clean Air Act

  8. GHG Protocols & Targets

  9. WAITING for the Nuclear Renaissance Nuclear Waste: The Industry’s “Achilles’ Heel”

  10. The principle of “national responsibility” • Public opposition and failed siting attempts • The European Union’s failed “Nuclear Package”

  11. Two Small Countries Leading the Way • KBS-3 Technology

  12. Environmental Justice • Standard Definition: A fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits, burdens, and decision-making power across all members of society

  13. Finland’s Onkalo Facility: “Not just a hole in the ground”

  14. Lessons? • Siting Process: Voluntarist • Nuclear Oases vs. Virgin Sites • Democracy & Veto Power • TRUST

  15. How universal a model?

  16. 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

  17. The Nuclear Nexus • Finnish Parliament approves Onkalo Repository (May 2001) • Finnish Parliament approves fifth reactor (May 2002)

  18. The Yucca Mountain Debacle

  19. A New Day for Nuclear? Will it be this? Or this?

  20. Thank you!

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