The Global Future of Nuclear Power after Fukushima

[kristopher]

Harvard University | Harvard Kennedy School | Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The Global Future of Nuclear Power after Fukushima
Posted on March 16, 2011 by Power & Policy

The crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan is sending shockwaves through nuclear planning agencies around the world. Policy makers are asking for reviews of safety regulations, publics are expressing concern, and it appears likely that some of the planned construction will be curtailed. The politics of nuclear power is likely to be more contentious even in places where public support has been strong (or irrelevant). As a result, in the coming decade, nuclear power may make less of a contribution to the mitigation of carbon emissions than it otherwise might have, (though even before the current crisis its role in overcoming the climate change challenge was a minor one). Below are thumbnail sketches of how the discussion of nuclear energy is unfolding in key countries where plans for growth are most significant.

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The Fukushima tragedy really gave the Chinese a serious wake up call on the importance of nuclear safety. Currently, China has 13 reactor units in operation and 28 units under construction. Although the Chinese government quickly claimed China would not change its plan for developing nuclear power projects right after the Fukushima crisis began on 12th March, the latest news shows the Chinese government taking actions to strengthen its nuclear safety at reactors in operation and under construction. On 16 March, China decided to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection for every nuclear facility. In the meantime, China will update current nuclear safety regulations and guidelines based on the lessons learned in Fukushima accidents. Nuclear projects which do not comply with the new safety regulation and requirements will be suspended or terminated. In addition, China will adjust “its medium and long nuclear energy development plan” and stop approving new nuclear power projects before the updated nuclear safety regulation and guideline are released....

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As for Russia’s own response to the nuclear accidents in Japan, the Ministry of Emergency Situations has conducted exercises to manage the impact of a nuclear meltdown in Japan on Russia’s Far East while the Russian state nuclear energy corporation “Rosatom” issued a statement to assure residents of the region that their health would not be affected even in the case of reactor meltdowns in neighboring Japan. The Ministry of Defense has also designed plans to evacuate the population from the coastal areas in that region if needed. So far, the level of radiation has gone up only slightly in Russia’s Far East so, although the local population is concerned, they are not panicking. As important, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered safety inspections at Russian nuclear facilities and checks and a review of nuclear industry development plans. But none of the latter have been suspended inside Russia and I don’t expect them to be reversed even if a nuclear meltdown does occur in Japan, primarily because Russia is not a liberal democracy and the reaction of the public does not have such a strong and immediate impact on political decision-making. However, some adjustment in the form of extra safety measures should be expected, especially given the upcoming federal elections (both the December 2011 elections to the federal parliament and the March 2012 presidential poll), which traditionally make the government more sensitive to public sentiments.

As for the Russian nuclear industry’s multi-billion dollar foreign contracts ...

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/power/2011/03/16/the-global-future-of-nuclear-power-after-fukushima/

[freshwest]

1. Thanks for keeping on it.

[BeFree]

2. Big money in nukes

Big money.

If they ever get around to seeing the truth that this is as bad or even worse than nuclear bomb proliferation, they will halt this anti-human process.

These time-bombs are spreading across the world, and each one has the potential to blow up at nearly any time. Adding to our nuke problem is just plain idiotic and anti-life.

And all for a fistful of easy money.

If I was a doomer and wanted humans eliminated from the face of the planet, I'd want more nukes, not less.