No knee-jerk reaction on nuclear, say engineers
15 March 2011
Institution of Mechanical Engineers appeals for calm amidst Japan nuclear fears.
The explosions at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plants must not derail the UK’s nuclear energy plans, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has said.
The urge for caution comes on the day that Germany and Switzerland suspended decisions on future nuclear power as a result of the accidents at the Japanese plants.
Stephen Tetlow, Chief Executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:
“The humanitarian tragedy currently unfolding in Japan is deeply shocking and our thoughts go out to all affected. However we are beginning to see kneejerk reactions against nuclear power in this country and across Europe which could prove to be profoundly damaging to our long-term energy security.
“The fact is that without nuclear power we face a very real possibility of the UK’s lights turning off in a decade’s time. We shouldn’t be complacent – we need to learn from what is happening now in Japan – however to make any long-term decisions before we know the facts would be reckless.”
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