Nuclear SA?

Sensational Adelaide brings us...

Private sector considers building SA nuclear plant

As the debate over uranium exports continues, plans have been floated for the development of a nuclear power plant in South Australia.

The Chamber of Mines and Energy believes there is enough interest in the private sector to build a pilot plant in the state's north.

Prime Minister John Howard says be happy to see Australia develop a nuclear power industry, if it is economically viable.

Phil Sutherland from the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy says it would not be hard to find backing for the project.

"I think the private sector would be interested in putting a submission to the state Government that could see the construction of a nuclear power facility that could really be of a lot of benefit to South Australia and satisfy many of our energy requirements going into the future," Mr Sutherland said.

South Australia's new Thinker In Residence, global warming expert Professor Stephen Schneider, says nuclear power would be cleaner for the state than burning coal but its the long-term impact that needs to be considered.

"You have to be really sure that if you're going to go nuclear, you're going to do it smart, safe and you're going to deal with the waste accounting problem... Are all those problems solved yet? Let's wait and see," he said.

source...