Madam, - Both Henry Cooney and David Sowby (January 4th) are incorrect in their belief that nuclear power is the only way to secure this country's energy needs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable sources of energy are a much more attractive option for generating the power we need with much lower costs and fewer risks. A recent study by the Rocky Mountain Institute in the US, one of the world's most respected independent research organisations on sustainable development, has shown that nuclear power lags far behind renewable energy sources in terms of its cost effectiveness in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
A combination of wind, solar, and tidal power at locations across this country would be able to guarantee reliable electricity supply regardless of the season and weather. In 2004 alone Spain and Germany each added as much energy-generating capacity from wind power - 2 billion watts - as new nuclear energy generating capacity adds across the whole world each year. Other European countries are looking to renewable sources of energy to meet their needs in the future, and we should do likewise.
Most important of all, unlike nuclear power, renewable sources do not spread radioactive pollution, present a target for terrorists, or leave us with a dangerous legacy of waste that we do not know how to store safely. - Yours, etc,
Cllr MICHAEL O'DOWD, Balgathern, Drogheda. Co Louth.