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

Explore the intertwined saga of nuclear expansion and waste disposal in Europe, delving into popular resistance post-Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. Is nuclear power the key to combating climate change? Unearth the revival and challenges faced by the industry, from public opposition to legislative breakthroughs. Discover the industry's Achilles' heel - nuclear waste - and witness the innovative KBS-3 technology. Dive into environmental justice, Finland's Onkalo Facility, and the quest for community-led nuclear bunkers. Unravel the complex web of trust, democratic voluntarism, and veto power in nuclear site selection. Will it be a new era for nuclear power or a repeat of past failures at Yucca Mountain? Discuss the impact on global climate efforts and the promising signs in the U.S. legislation landscape.

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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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