Delay in decision on nuclear energy urged

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 26

Delay in decision on nuclear energy urged

PA Auckland New Zealand could comfortably reach the turn of the century without increasing its energy production, a visiting Canadian expert on nuclear power, Professor F. H. Knelman, has said. By using energy resources more efficiently, New Zealand could probably delay a decision on the need for nuclear power for as long as 50 years, he said. International studies showed that New Zealand had a poor record in the efficient use of energy. The amount of energy required to manufacture certain commodities was much higher here than for the same item in many other countries. “You have plenty of ■fat’ to live off,” Professor Knelman said.

'Without producing any more energy, you could still have a net energy gain until the year 2000 by more economic use of power. “You don’t have to sacrifice your standard of living to do it. There is no reason why there should be radical changes, although it would lead to more community living and more decentralisation.” Rather than wrenching people from their present life-style, Professor Knelman suggested that there could be a two-phase development which would gradually turn New Zealand into a “conservation society,” which would then pursue a policy of extremely limited or even zero growth. He said that to achieve

the efficient use of energy and avoid expensive increased energy production, there would have to be a commitment by the Government, and extensive public participation. Professor Knelman, a chemical engineer from Concordia University in Montreal, was brought to New Zealand by environmental and conservation organisations in New Zealand. He will give evidence before the Royal Commission on nuclear power generation, and will deliver a series of lectures throughout New Zealand. An opponent of the spread of nuclear power, he has serious misgivings about the safety of reactors, and the assurances that have been given on the likelihood of reactor accidents.