Nuclear power dilemma

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 21

Nuclear power dilemma

PA Wellington The question of possible introduction of nuclear power represents the most important environmental dilemma at present facing New Zealand, the Environmental Council says in its annual report tabled in Parliament. A decade ago the proposed raising of the level of Lake Manapouri brought into the open mounting concern over the destruction of the natural environment that has accompanied economic development in New Zealand, the report says. “Now the question whether New Zealand should turn to nuclear technology to satisfy its energy needs seems again to have crystalised a widt variety of environmental issues. “Long and short-term implications for the phy sical environment repi sent a key element in th current controversy.” Beneath the debate ovc the relative safety o nuclear power station, th problems of disposing o importing fissionabli material, and the consequence of a nuclear acci dent, lies the fundamental question of whether in tht long-term the environmental risks associated with nuclear technology are worth running "The council is con-

cerned that before anv decisions are taken on the nuclear question, fundamental issues such as the country's approach to economic development, consequential future energy consumption patterns, and the viability of alternative methods of producing energy, should be explored publicly.” Noting that significant progress had been made over the last few years in implementing legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Marine Pollution Act, the W'alkways Act and amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act. the council commented there sveie other important fields in which progress had not been adequate. It pointed out that New Zealand still did not have m effective land informaion system and the absence of land-use criteria nhibited the development >f enlightened land nanagement policies. “We are not dealing ffectively with the still rowing problem of noise nd no action has been aken to establish an effecive control on noxious exhausts from motor vehicles.” Effective regional management, which the council said was a vital element in effective planning, had not been established.