Myth of nuclear power - a guide

The recent earthquake damage to at least one reactor in Japan has again highlighted the potential hazards of nuclear power in a dramatic way. The description of nuclear power as reliable, secure, and a source of unbeatable energy has turned out to be a myth. The nuclear power industry has struggled to make a comeback for decades. Now a revival is more unlikely than ever before. The catastrophe in Japan puts new focus on the operation of existing plants.

To address the myths of nuclear power, the Heinrich Böll Foundation has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver reports that provide the public with an overview of current, facts rich, and nuclear-critical know-how.

GERD ROSENKRANZ
Myths of Nuclear Power - An Overview
The book, “Myths of Nuclear Power: How the Energy Lobbyists Duped Us" delivers the long-overdue, nuclear critical know-how for the debate, pointing to alternatives, and unmasks nuclear energy for what it is: an irresponsible and expensive high-risk technology.

• Download "Myth of Nuclear Energy - How the Energy Lobby is pulling the Wool over your Eyes" (pdf, 53 pages)
• Download "Myth of Nuclear Power - An Overview" (pdf, 36 pages, 192 KB)
• Download spanish version "Mitos de la Energía Nuclear" (pdf, 12 paginas, 192KB)
• Download hebrew version "כיצד שדולת האנרגיה זורה חול בעינינו מיתוסים על אנרגיה גרעינית" (pdf, 64 pages, 1,03 MB)

STEVE THOMAS
Myth: Nuclear Power Provides Lower Energy Prices
Steve Thomas, the author shows the true cost of nuclear power and makes it clear that nuclear energy in the free market economy without government support is not competitive.

• Download "The Economics of Nuclear Power: an Update" (pdf, 70 pages)
• Download "Myth: Nuclear Power Provides Lower Energy Prices" (pdf, 75 pages, 332 KB)

HENRY SOKOLSKI 
Myth: Civilian and Military Use of Nuclear Energy Can Be Separate
"Nuclear power plants are building blocks for nuclear bombs," says Henry Sokolski, the disarmament expert. Those striving for a world without nuclear weapons should not revive civilian nuclear energy. Climate change and nuclear non-proliferation should not be pitted against each other.

• Download "Myth: Civilian and Military Use of Nuclear Energy Can be Separate" (pdf, 23 pages, 676 KB)
• Download spanish version "Armas Nucleares - Proliferaci´n y Prevención: Los proximos 20 años" (pdf, 32 paginas, 832KB)

ANTONY FROGGAT / MYCLE SCHNEIDER
Systems for Change:Nuclear Power vs. EnergyEfficiency + Renewables?
A new myth of the nuclear lobby is the claim that nuclear power and renewable energies are complementary forms of energy. The authors Antony Froggat and Mycle Schneider prove the opposite: Those who build nuclear power plants hinder the expansion of renewable energies. 

• Download: "Systems for Change:Nuclear Power vs. EnergyEfficiency + Renewables?" (pdf, 48 pages, 1,21 MB)
• Download spanish version "Sistemas para el Cambio: ¿Energía Nuclear versus Eficiencia Energética + Energías Renovables? (pdf, 59 paginas, 824KB)

STUDY
A European Community for Renewable Energies (ERENE) 
The complete coverage of Europe's electricity needs is possible through renewable energy sources, but this requires new tools and strategies - the result of a study by Michaele Schreyer and Lutz Mez.

• Download "Study: A European Community for Renewable Energies" (pdf, 98 pages, 1,71 MB)