Every nuclear power plant produces highly radioactive waste that keeps radiating for up to a million years. Human beings have no grasp of such time spans and as of today, no solution for safe disposal of these hazardous wastes has been identified.
In spite of all safety measures, accidents in nuclear power plants cannot be excluded. Last of a long series, the recent events all over the world, and in particular in the French Tricastin nuclear power plant cannot but confirm the critical attitude of the Greens. The damages and the long term consequences resulting from a reactor accident are beyond imagination.
The effects on the health of people living nearby, too, of “normal” exploitation of a NPP have not yet been sufficiently studied. Today, a correlation between an increased risk of infant cancer and living in proximity of a NPP seems highly probable, as shown by a study ordered by the German Federal Office for radiation protection.
Sticking to the obsolete nuclear technology is, in the long run, not even profitable in financial terms, as it does not create new working places. In contrast, investments in sustainable energies are programs stimulating the economy and the labour markets as shown by studies in Germany and Switzerland.
The future of energy supply lies in greatly improved energy efficiency and the enormous potential of renewable energies. Full supply with renewable energy is possible provided that there is full political commitment.
Therefore, the European Green Party claims:
Unambiguous and clear commitment of the national and cantonal governments against the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Immediate increase of the subsidies for renewable energies. From a Green point of view, neither the cap on subsidies nor the corresponding modes of their allocation concerning electricity feed-in tariffs are acceptable.
No more prolongation of the operating approval for the Mühleberg nuclear power plant.
Gradual reduction of consumption of energy, gradual reduction of imported nuclear energy from EU by the energy suppliers and its replacement by renewable energy sources.
