P.M. looks at a nuclear alternative

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 5

P.M. looks at a nuclear alternative

NZPA staff correspondent San Francisco The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has seen evidence of a new wave of nuclear technology which may mean that New Zealand will not have to build nuclear plants of the type now producing electricity. He was told about nuclear fusion systems now being developed by the Lawrence Livermore nuclear research laboratory near San Francisco.

Nuclear fusion may eventually produce unlimited electricity safely, with almost no radioactive waste. Scientists at Livermore are now deep in experiments on nuclear fusion. One employs laser beams to create fusion, the other uses magnetic fields.

A second type of magnetic fusion, based on Soviet findings, is being studied at, Princeton University. Researchers at Livermore emphasised that the work was still very much in the experimental stage and that power stations using a fusion process are for the future — 2000 and beyond. But they predicted that their research was about to emerge to the engineering stage. Mr Muldoon said that the new nuclear technology might make it possible for New Zealand to put off consideration of nuclear fission power plants.

Mr Muldoon, on the secondlast leg of his United States trip, relaxed as San Fran- | cisco shut down for Thanksgiving. Mr Muldoon and his wife spent the day with a longtime friend, Mr C. F. Holmes, on his property in the Napa Valley, 75 miles from San Francisco.