Howard eyes "energy superpower" status for Australia, backs nuclear - Yahoo! News

SYDNEY (AFP) - Prime Minister John Howard has outlined plans to make Australia an "energy superpower" and said nuclear energy was a vital part of his vision.
Howard told an economics forum that Australia's energy resources were a major asset, already generating 45 billion Australian dollars (34 billion US) a year in export earnings, and would become increasingly important as global demand grows.
"As an efficient, reliable supplier, Australia has a massive opportunity to increase its share of global energy trade -- with the right policies, we have the makings of an energy superpower," he said.
Howard said that by 2030 India and China were set to use the equivalent of three times the United States' current energy consumption, and that Australia's proximity to the Asian giants put it in prime position to supply them.
He pointed out that Australia already had a 25 billion Australian dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract with China and could become the world's second largest LNG exporter by 2015.
It was already the world's largest coal exporter, accounting for 30 percent of world trade, and had extensive potential in renewable energy resources such as hydro, wind and solar power, he added.
Howard said much of Australia's potential oil reserves remained unexplored and therefore untapped.
The premier also pointed out that Australia holds 40 percent of the world's uranium reserves, saying that made it a major player in the debate about nuclear energy.
"Australia cannot absent itself from global developments surrounding nuclear energy," he said. "For Australia to bury its head in the sand on nuclear energy is akin to Saudi Arabia turning its back on global oil developments."
Howard said even some environmentalists were now urging a reappraisal of nuclear power because they recognised it had a role to play in stabilising greenhouse gas emissions, which are blamed for global warming.
The conservative leader, who last month set up a taskforce to examine long-term nuclear power options for Australia, said he wanted a mature debate on the emotive issue.
"If Australia does not engage, if we sacrifice rational discussion on the altar of anti-nuclear theology and political opportunism, we will pay a price," he said.
"Maybe not today or tomorrow. But in 10, 15, 20 years time, Australia will assuredly pay a price."
Australia has only one nuclear reactor, which is used for medical purposes, and has no nuclear power plants.
Its uranium exports are strictly controlled and come from a limited number of mines, with a ban on new mines.
Howard has repeatedly called for the ban to be lifted and urged Australians not to reject nuclear energy.
"It is hypocritical because it says that while Australia will not use uranium, we are very happy to sell it to other countries and let them deal with the consequences," he said.