I just want to point out that the headline is incorrect - there is no such thing as safe nuclear power currently. When you factor in micromorts from fuel mining and waste storage, you get a relatively low number of deaths compared to coal. But I wouldn't call nuclear power "safe". The worst part is that those deaths are delayed by years and even generations, so we feel an artificial sense of security because we aren't likely to hit those problems in our lifetime.
Yes there are some promising reactors that produce less waste, and breeder reactors that can burn waste. But those are mired in political problems unrelated to the tech itself. I think that the crux of the issue is that human fallibility approaches 100% on decades-long timescales, so some reactor somewhere will be melting down roughly every decade from this point forward. Personally that level of risk just isn't acceptable to me. That's why I'm against the construction of new reactors.
All that said, I would not have voted to retire this reactor at this time. I also find it sad that little or none of the cost of operating it will make its way to renewable energy. So even in progressive France, noble goals like sustainable non-polluting energy generation continue to face artificial hurdles created by attempts at shortsighted political gain.
Yes there are some promising reactors that produce less waste, and breeder reactors that can burn waste. But those are mired in political problems unrelated to the tech itself. I think that the crux of the issue is that human fallibility approaches 100% on decades-long timescales, so some reactor somewhere will be melting down roughly every decade from this point forward. Personally that level of risk just isn't acceptable to me. That's why I'm against the construction of new reactors.
All that said, I would not have voted to retire this reactor at this time. I also find it sad that little or none of the cost of operating it will make its way to renewable energy. So even in progressive France, noble goals like sustainable non-polluting energy generation continue to face artificial hurdles created by attempts at shortsighted political gain.