Nukes Bite the Dust in Italy
"The anti-nuclear movement won a crushing victory in Italy on Monday when well over 90% of voters rejected Silvio Berlusconi's plans for a return to nuclear power generation.
The result represented an overwhelming setback for the prime minister, who had tried to thwart the outcome by discouraging Italians from taking part. The referendum needed a turnout of at least 50% to be binding. Interior ministry figures projections indicated that more than 57% of the electorate had taken part. Greenpeace called it a historic result. Quorums were also reached in three other referendums held simultaneously – the first time in 16 years that a quorum had been achieved in any referendum in Italy. ...
Italy abandoned its nuclear programme following a similar referendum in 1987. The government of the day opted to phase out all the country's existing plants. The last one shut down in 1990. Berlusconi had planned to generate a quarter of Italy's electricity with French-built nuclear plants. Construction of the first was due to start between 2013 and 2015."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/13/berlusconi-nuclear-power
Some good news at last,
Some good news at last, Chancellor Merkel is my new hero, a bone fide LEADER.
Now both countries will have
Now both countries will have to deal with power shortages.
Well, that's better then life shortages
They'll get along just fine without it. And who knows, maybe they'll actually progress with REAL clean energy alternatives while other countries are busy dealing with a huge toxic mess. Then, when the other countries figure out the right direction, Germany and Italy can sell their solutions to those countries. Isn't that what Obama *claimed* he wanted to do? Stimulate our economy and growth by becoming the source of clean energy solutions? Seems we in the US are heading in the wrong direction.
Well right now Germany has
Well right now Germany has power issues. They import vast amounts of natural gas from Russia, which has a complete monopoly which has caused problems before. They also import energy from France which is nuclear. Germany's price of electricity is 7 times that of France.
Italy's issue is they said they would get rid of nuclear, but then changed their mind when they realized they could not meet their power needs in the future. These countries can survive without nuclear, but its cheap power that drives economies and renewables are not cheap yet.
I lived in Italy for several
I lived in Italy for several years and NEVER had power issues. GO ITALIANS!
Power issues for whom? As I
Power issues for whom? As I have proven myself, a home can be powered adequately with one puny solar panel. Besides, I posit that some power issues are good in tempering growth. Growth as we have known is, despite all you've heard, despite the widespread GDP worship, is not actually good for life on Earth.
Perhaps we should ask Japan now
"Hey, Japan. How's that cheap nuclear power working out for ya? Is it driving your economy?"
I think their answer would be that the cheap nuclear power is driving their economy and health into the ground.
Very well said.
Very well said.
What stands out is
What stands out is THIS:
"The result represented an overwhelming setback for the prime minister, who had tried to thwart the outcome by discouraging Italians from taking part."
WTF?
The important thing is that
The important thing is that they did all they could and still lost. This is a big win for the people.
yes!
This is a silver lining of the Fukushima disaster. Hopefully, more countries will follow Italy's and Germany's lead, but I'm guessing the U.S., France and Argentina will be some of the last hold-outs. Too much money changing hands there.
It is the beginning of the
It is the beginning of the end for Nuclear Power, and not a moment too soon.