Despite increased awareness about energy conservation and emissions reduction, there’s no decrease in society’s need for electricity. And this is at the heart of the UK’s recent resumption of their nuclear energy program. Other countries have been quick to respond, with Sweden’s Liberal Party also keen to promote reinvestment in nuclear power. France and Finland are already building new facilities.

In the new UK plan, nuclear power is seen as a way to lower emissions and reduce fossil fuel power generation. The changing focus has given nuclear energy a new competitive edge. It is now included in an Energy Bill headed to Parliament; along with a Climate Change Bill and Planning Bill, these pieces of legislation spell out future policies for energy and climate change.

Currently, about 18-20% of electricity comes from nuclear power stations - both in the UK and globally. The recent announcement has been met with enthusiasm for replacing aging facilities with new ones, at least on the part of current power providers. Most existing UK nuclear plants are scheduled for decommission by 2023.

Opposition has come from Greenpeace among other critics - including Germany’s government. One of the major issues remains the waste produced through nuclear power generation. There is still no satisfactory way to store, transfer, or dispose of toxic used fuel; it remains radioactive for thousands of years. Uranium extraction and processing is often a messy business. When problems arise, they can have huge and devastating effects (think Chernobyl). Nuclear power is also expensive, particularly when building new power stations.

Happily, the proposal also includes recommendations to increase energy from renewable sources, as well as incentives to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses.

There are no easy answers. Nuclear power provides reliable and relatively clean energy. Certainly, fossil fuel generators belch out harmful emissions and consume increasingly finite resources. But rather than falling back on known technology, with its own attendant risks, it would be more inspiring to see a commitment to real change. Given that this legislation spells out the future for several decades, alternative energy sources should be highlighted. Money could be spent to improve renewable sources. And maybe we all have to cinch in our belts a little. Every home could reduce its energy footprint.