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[cdn-nucl-l] EFN's Bruno Comby, touts nuclear energy as safest option
FYI
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Speaker touts nuclear energy as safest option
Northumberland Weekly
Fri 23 Jun 2006
Richard Young
There is no such thing as completely clean energy production, French
scientist and president of Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy (EFN) Bruno
Comby says. However, he believes nuclear is the cleanest source for mass
production.
EFN is a non-profit organization created in 1996. The organization supports
energy conservation, renewable energy sources and the use of clean nuclear
energy. A Canadian chapter, chaired by Cobourg resident Rod Anderson, was
created this year.
The dwindling supply of oil and a looming climate crisis caused by burning
of fossil fuels are both reasons to look for an alternative form of energy,
Dr. Comby said at the June 15 public meeting hosted by Cameco. Wind and
solar technologies do not produce enough energy to meet human needs across
the world.
In addition to 30 per cent conservation of electricity over the next 10
years, nuclear is the most reasonable solution, he said, adding there are no
fundamental contradictions between energy conservation and nuclear energy.
"All clean energies should be developed," Dr. Comby said.
"The fighting between the pro-nuclear and anti-nuclear, forget about it.
It's an old story.
"Put together efforts to find a solution. Stop wasting your time and energy
with stupid fights." Uranium will be available over a longer period of time
than fossil fuels, Dr. Comby said. While there is waste involved, it is
contained and stored away.
Carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels goes straight into
the biosphere, he said in comparison.
Nuclear reactor technology will improve in coming years to become more
efficient, Dr. Comby said.
There are misconceptions about levels of radiation and the dangers they
pose, he said. Many places in the world register higher levels of radiation
than in the Port Hope area. Residents of those areas are generally healthy,
he said.
Dr. Comby said measurements he has taken from around Port Hope are no higher
than those in his home in France.
But among about 30 in attendance were some doubters.
Local Green Party representative and longtime environmentalist Pat Lawson
disputed the effects of radiation, saying radiation is more harmful than Dr.
Comby says.
Resident Graham Brown also questioned the safety of the nuclear industry -
pointing to emissions from the Cameco facility in town and to health dangers
involved in mining uranium.
Dr. Comby insisted fossil fuel emissions are harmful and contribute more to
global warming than nuclear.
Coal mines are also dangerous, he said.
The international EFN organization has existed for 10 years and has over
8,000 members in 56 countries on 5 continents.
After the meeting, Dr. Comby told the Evening Guide he does not believe
nuclear is completely clean, but is the cleanest available to meet the
world's electricity demands.
ryoung@northumberlandtoday.com
Excerpted from the Port Hope Evening Guide,