Britain’s nuclear power industry should act its age

…On the other hand, there are those who have great faith in national, state, central planning guided by wise, strategic politicians. Nuclear power has emerged as an answer to their prayers, providing predictable quantities of apparently carbon-free energy using tried and tested technology and minimum foreign involvement. Adherents of this view now seem to include the CBI and the Prime Minister. David Cameron’s views are unclear. Yet it is surely absurd to take up philosophical positions on the basis of technologies, per se. For politicians to be “pro” or “anti” nuclear makes no more sense than to be “for” and “against” silicon chips or aeroplanes. The issue is about the relative risks and costs.

Risk in relation to nuclear power concerns the tiny probability of catastrophic events and perceived risk may, indeed, be overstated in the public mind. Costs, on the other hand, invariably are understated.

Times Online