[marki]

While I understand the importance of using nuclear reactors to generate isotopes for medical and industrial purposes I do not support the wide use of nuclear fuels to provide energy to the masses. The technology to go renewable is already available at a cost. 2 or three years ago I watched a catalyst program which showcased research carried out by either ANU or Monash (cannot remember which?) in developing cost efficient photovoltaic cells. These clever chaps had managed to develop a process in which the cells could be produced at about 10 - 20% the cost of current versions. How? They made a cutting device that could slice waffers at 1/10th the thickness of anyone else. We all know it is not the thickness of the panel but the surface area that counts so they could produce ten waffers form the same amount of material used to make one. If these solar panels were used in conjunction with hydrogen fuel cells it would be possible to deliver all our energy needs based on currently available technology. We have large areas of uninhabited arid land with excellent exposure to the year round sun and the nett pollution is zero if the hydrogen, oxygen and water are kept in a closed system. Sure my power bill would go up but it would be better then paying a stupid carbon tax designed to fleece the masses or paying for a technology to replace coal which would only last 30 odd years and leave us and our descendants with a great big mess to clean up. Obviously we would need to use other renewable sources like wind, geothermal, hydro and wave technology but it is time we stopped looking for temporary solutions and just go the whole hog. We know where we need to be so lets get on with it.

Mark