Media Release
Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC)
For Immediate Release: Wednesday 19th of June
Dutton’s Nuclear Fantasy: A Dangerous Distraction from Urgent Climate Action
The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) condemns the federal Coalition’s recent nuclear energy fantasy policy proposal. According to DDEC spokesperson Ahri Tallon, this move is not only impractical but also diverts attention from the immediate need to reduce climate pollution this decade.
"Nuclear reactors cost too much, take decades to build, use immense amounts of water and produce toxic waste," says Tallon. "This is a distraction from the urgent need to address climate change now. If we waited for this nuclear fantasy to materialize, coal and gas would continue to be burned, releasing billions of tonnes of climate pollution."
A Costly and Delayed Solution
The cost of building and operating nuclear reactors is prohibitively high. In a time of economic strain, transitioning to the world’s most expensive energy source is not a viable option. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for nuclear power stands at $180USD per megawatt-hour, compared to $50USD for onshore wind and $60USD for utility-scale solar. Additionally, projects like the Hinkley Point C reactor in the UK have seen costs blow out from £18bn to up to £46bn.
"In Australia, taxpayers would bear the full burden of these exorbitant costs," Tallon points out. "Unlike renewables, which attract private investment, the Coalition’s nuclear proposal expects public funding to foot the bill."
Environmental and Safety Concerns
There is also the unresolved issue of radioactive waste. "Australia currently struggles to store low-grade waste from nuclear medical facilities," Tallon notes. "There is no long-term solution for the highly radioactive waste that needs storing for 10,000 years from nuclear reactors that meets community expectations for safety and environmental protection."
Furthermore, the proposed location for a nuclear power station at Tarong raises significant concerns about water usage. "During drought conditions, the immense water requirements of a nuclear power station would place an unsustainable burden on local water resources," Tallon warns.
A Call for Immediate Action on Renewable Energy
"We need to reduce pollution now to protect our firefighters, farmers, and food supply from the increasingly severe weather extremes of droughts, fires, storms, and floods," Tallon emphasizes. "The federal Coalition should focus on the fast and fair rollout of renewable energy and the phasing out of coal and gas."
About Darling Downs Environment Council
The Darling Downs Environment Council represents over twenty environmental groups around the Darling Downs and Southern Queensland regions.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Ahri Tallon
Darling Downs Environment Council
Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0455 619 454
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