Members of East Gippsland Climate Action Network (EGCAN) say they are disappointed the Liberal Party (LNP) is effectively delaying the phase out of fossil fuels.
The group says their proposal to build seven nuclear power plants, including one on the site of Loy Yang power station, will delay reductions in greenhouse gases.
“There is no justification for nuclear power in Australia. Nuclear power is costly so we would have higher power bills than with electricity from cheap renewable sources,” group member Tony Peck said.
“The nuclear plants proposed are unlikely to be finished by the late 2030s based on the experience in other countries and will cost many billions of dollars more than promised.
“The LNP is proposing that we rely on new gas fired plants and extending coal plants use. Gas is more expensive than renewables and is a potent greenhouse gas. Nuclear is the most expensive way to create power and its cost is actually steadily rising.
“The cheapest sources of new power for Australia are wind, solar and storage.
“Scientists are extremely concerned that this proposal will delay cutting our emissions. Promoting nuclear ignores scientific research showing that we must have significant reductions in greenhouse gases well before 2050.
“We are already seeing devastating changes in climate around the world: from more frequent and extreme storms, bushfires and floods, to deaths from heatwaves.
“We must keep global warming as close to 1.5ºC as possible. Relying on nuclear power delays the reduction of greenhouse gases. We will have more warming and more harm.
“We don’t want and don’t need nuclear power in Gippsland or Australia. Nuclear does not make sense for Australia, let alone our own region of Gippsland.”
