‘Emission free’ nuclear power is more greenwash | Greenpeace International

‘Emission free’ nuclear power is more greenwash | Greenpeace International

We've discussed before on Nuclear Reaction the nuclear industry’s attempts to greenwash nuclear power by rebranding it ‘clean’. It’s a description of this most contaminating of energy sources that nuclear boosters are pushing more and more in the debate about the future of nuclear power.

Another term we’re starting to see more and more of is ‘emission free’, as in ‘nuclear power is an emission free energy source'. Take a look at this infographic where the Nuclear Energy Institute (‘the policy organization for the nuclear technologies industry’) portrays nuclear power as such. Even institutions like the BBC have bought the industry spin.

Nuclear power is not ‘clean’ or ‘emission free’. Would you describe the open air nuclear waste dumps at Seversk in Russia as ‘clean’? Would you describe the production of nuclear fuel as ‘emission free’ as it produces its tonnes of greenhouse gases and toxic and radioactive byproducts? How about nuclear reactors that are permitted to emit radioactive gases like carbon-14?