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newsletter 154

The TimesJanuary 28th 2008

NEW NUCLEAR BUILD: ‘WRONG DECISION’ SAYS GREENPEACE

Ben Ayliffe, climate campaign, writes:

‘To deliver cleaner, safer and cheaper energy, we must invest in renewables, energy efficiency and a decentralised energy system. Yet last month, despite the urgency of tackling climate change and ensuring energy security from foreign and unstable suppliers, Gordon Brown gave his full support for the building of new nuclear power stations.

However, what the Prime Minister failed to mention was that nuclear power can only generate electricity, and will do nothing to reduce our dependency on imported natural gas for heating our homes, and oil for transport. He overlooked the energy gap – even the most optimistic new build programme of up to ten nuclear power stations would only deliver a 4% cut in CO2 emissions by 2025 – too little, too late. He made false claims that there is a solution to the legacy of radioactive waste, and buried a clause in the small print that said taxpayers would pick up the tab for clean up and waste disposal, costing tens of billions, should the industry run out of funds.

Greenpeace’s team of legal experts are considering our next moves.’

From: ‘Network’ – newsletter for Greenpeace activists, February 2008.

We are awaiting Greenpeace’s lawyers’ decision – and those of Friends of the Earth and the Nuclear Free Local Authorities before we take action locally.

THE WAY FORWARD: Energy conservation and energy efficiency, coupled with renewable energy: wind, solar, wave, tidal, decentralised combined heat and power. In the near meantime: natural gas and clean coal, with the CO2 emissions therefrom removed from the biosphere, but only until the renewables are full operational.

DIARY

Tuesday 11 March, ‘New Nuclear Build at Sizewell?’ Public meeting 6.30pm, Sizewell Sports and Social Club, King George’s Avenue, Leiston. Meeting hosted by British Energy, with representation from BERR (the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – formerly the DTI). Questions asked for – be there!

Thursday 20 March, 8pm. Monthly meeting of the campaign. Open to all opposed to nuclear power in general and to Sizewell A, B and C in particular. At ‘Tiffany’, 3 Wentworth Road, Aldeburgh.

Easter Monday, 24 March March Aldermaston – The Bomb Stops Here. Surround the base at 12 noon.. Organised by CND on its 50^th anniversary. Transport from Norwich, stopping off at Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and A12. Contact Melanie Harrison on 0845370282, Jennifer Berry on 01986 835945 or (for Norwich) Lesley on 01603 464120, for your seat.

Thursday 17 April, 8pm. Monthly meeting of the campaign, as above.

Monday 28 April, Public meeting 7.30pm, Saxmundham Market Hall, addressed by Bill Coley, the Chief Executive Officer, British Energy: ‘Sizewell C: a place in new nuclear build?’ Our questions welcomed??

Thursday 15 May, 8pm, monthly meeting of the campaign, as above.

STOP PRESS

CORE GROUP: NEW MEMBERS. The campaign’s core group has two vacancies – campaign members who would like to fill them, are asked to speak to our Chairman, Charles Barnett, on 01728 648300 for an informal discussion as to what is involved.

How much more do we need to know before we have the sense

To close them all down and not build any more?

‘And who would run, that’s moderately wise,

A certain danger for a doubtful prize?’

Rev. John Pomfret (1667-1702)

SHUT DOWN SIZEWELL CAMPAIGN Tudor House, St James Street, Dunwich, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP173DU

Web: www.shutdown-sizewell.org.uk email: jfulcher@freenetname.co.uk

Chairman: Charles Barnett 01728 648300 Secretary: Mary Barnett Treasurer: John Fulcher: 01728663359