Title: A reflection on a sustainable energy strategy

Authors: Sidonio De Freitas Branco Paes

Addresses: Former General Director of Energy, Portugal Instituto Nacional do Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial, Azinhaga dos Lameiros a Estrada, do Paco do Lumiar, 1699 Lisboa Codex, Portugal

Abstract: The nuclear industry and its supporters have committed some errors which contribute to much of the industry|s present lack of success. The first and greatest is to underrate the arguments and the growing power of their opponents. The insistence on economic rationality as a criterion for decision making is of course rational, but ignores two important points, first, that rationality, even in industrial management, is far from being only economic; second, that nuclear opponents and the general public do not lack rationality, and at least some of their arguments are highly rational and reasonable. Public information is of the foremost importance, but it must be based on facts, solid, clear, indisputable facts. These facts must show that the nuclear industry is taking serious account of the public|s concern and anxiety, and is addressing and solving the issues which condition nuclear acceptability.

Keywords: Chernobyl acccident; nuclear accidents; nuclear acceptability; political constraints; public information; sustainable energy; energy strategy; nuclear energy; nuclear power; public concern.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1995.063415

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1995 Vol.8 No.1/2/3, pp.1-5

Published online: 14 Jul 2014 *

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