In response to the recent news that SaskPower has ‘selected’ its SMR of choice to meet the challenge of the climate crisis, it is important to examine two issues:
One, the slick jargon about this so-called technology means nothing to most people. One has to read more than half-way through the press release before it is revealed, finally, that they are talking about using small modular ‘nuclear’ reactors (the word ‘nuclear’ is always withheld with these things), to produce our electricity.
Second, nuclear energy is NOT the solution to climate change.
Nuclear energy is an unnecessary, dangerous, dirty, obscenely expensive distraction from employing ‘political will’ and ‘common sense’ to use truly clean, truly safe, readily available and relatively inexpensive renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal to truly meet the climate crisis.
Sadly, one must wonder what goes through the minds of people who make decisions such as this.
Elaine Hughes, ARCHERWILL, SK
Idea’s and opinions expressed here are those of the author
