Lunchtime yesterday, as reported by the Herald Sun:

Nuclear Vision by Howard

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to nuclear power, saying that its introduction would contribute to the lowering of greenhouse emissions.

Addressing the Melbourne Press Club on the proposed carbon trading scheme, Mr Howard said it would be economic and environmental folly for Australia to ignore the nuclear option.

“Nuclear power production has no direct CO2 emissions and is already a significant part of the world’s energy system,” Mr Howard said.

“Improved economic competitiveness and safety of nuclear power, along with concern for energy security and climate change, are leading to a steady increase in worldwide nuclear power capacity.”

Monday morning as reported by Daily Grist:

Earthquake causes nuclear headaches in Japan

A strong earthquake hit northwestern Japan yesterday morning, and aftershocks continued into the night. The 6.8-magnitude quake killed at least nine people, injured more than 900 others, and flattened houses and highways. It also led to a fire, leak, and waste spills at a powerful nuclear plant. The Kashiwazaki Kariwa facility, which produces the most electricity of any nuclear plant in the world, shut down during the event, but not before a transformer caught on fire and a reactor ruptured, sending about 315 gallons of radioactive water into the sea. The trembling also toppled at least 100 barrels of nuclear waste stored on site. Company officials delayed, then downplayed news of the damage, saying there was little environmental risk. But others in the country, which is home to 55 nuclear reactors, were left feeling uneasy. Weakness in the face of quakes is, said Aileen Mioko Smith of the Japan-based eco-group Green Action, “the Achilles heel of nuclear power plants.”

Just saying.