Yesterday I posted on both David K. Smith's concerns about the British economy and the Becker-Posner discussion about the future of nuclear-generated power. Today, Tim Worstall (unknowingly) triangulates with this story from the telegraph.co.uk:
Industry is preparing for Tony Blair to launch a new nuclear power programme if Labour wins a third term this week.
Downing Street policy advisers, with Mr Blair's blessing, have been taking the lead in encouraging major industrial users, including chemical companies, glassmakers and brickmakers, and investment bankers to start discussions on building atomic plants in anticipation of a post-election change in energy policy.
Worstall has some advice:
My only problem is the paucity of the target. Why not aim for 70% like France? Are we not meant to be becoming more European?
One suggestion as well. Currently it will be necessary to have a public inquiry for each and every plant, in order to get planning permission. Of course, people like Greenpeace and FOE will fight tooth and nail to drag these enquiries out. Given the way the financing works (huge up front costs, low running costs) delays at the start of the process have a huge impact upon costs. If there is a two to four year enquiry for each plant, the system will never work.
I would suggest then that there be one enquiry, to which all can put whatever objections they want, this then being used as the blueprint for all subsequent ones. Whatever questions were raised at the first cannot be raised again.
UPDATE: Tech Policy has links to several previous posts there on the nuclear power issue.