“We are convinced that the new sustainable economy of the European Union requires notably decarbonising our electricity supply. Renewable energies should take a leading role in doing so. But nuclear power can complete the range of low-carbon energy options. To create the conditions of a safe, sustainable and optimal use of civil nuclear power, the issue of radioactive waste in particular should be tackled. It is one of the major concerns of public opinion. I can already announce that a legislative initiative on radioactive waste management will be put forward by the end of the year.” José Manuel Barroso, Commission President, at the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy in Paris on 8 March

 

“We have heard of revival in the nuclear energy industry for several years. But these words are taken in a special way today because they have past the test of the crisis, (…) Two years ago, when we only started talking of the renaissance of nuclear energy, one could often hear that it was brought about only by a sharp growth of oil prices. But now the situation is different. The price of oil is 70-80 U.S. dollars, not 200, per barrel, as was expected earlier. However leading politicians are talking about the revival of nuclear energy again. And, most importantly, nuclear energy development programmes have not been changed in any of the countries that have announced them.” Sergei Kiriyenko, Head of ROSATOM, at the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy in Paris on 8 March

“It will be impossible to ensure energy security for sustainable development in the world and at the same time its environmental security in the next several decades without developing nuclear energy, (…) This means that the number of nuclear power plants under construction and the number of countries making decisions on the development of nuclear energy will continue growing every day” Sergei Kiriyenko, Head of ROSATOM, at the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy in Paris on 8 March

“I do not understand why international financial institutions and development banks do not finance civil nuclear energy projects. The current situation means that countries are condemned to rely on more costly energy that causes greater pollution (…) Therefore, I propose that CO2 credits be used to finance all forms of decarbonised energy under a new global architecture after 2013 (…) The important task today is to send the world a message about our shared determination to make civil nuclear energy a tool for peace, cooperation and prosperity (…) The “quasi-theological opposition” between nuclear energy and renewable resources is out of date.We need both. Of course, nuclear energy cannot reverse climate change on its own, but it will be necessary.” Nicolas Sarkozy, French President , at the International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy in Paris on 8 March

“…to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.” Barak Obama on 28 January during his first State of the Union address to Congress