Nuclear Power Analysis

Nuclear power has become a real big topic in our country, Australia. The big debate is whether we should use nuclear power or we shouldn’t use nuclear power. The 3 articles being used to discuss this debate are, “Three strike and you’re out, Prime Minister” an opinion piece by Andrew McNamara, “Energy debate must include nuclear option” an opinion piece by John Howard and “Natural gas the future, not nuclear: AGL boss” an opinion piece by Angela Macdonald-Smith. Andrew McNamara’s contention is against John Howard opening the debate on nuclear power, saying that we do not need nuclear power in Australia. Furthermore, Angela Macdonald-Smith is also against nuclear power, saying Australia would not need nuclear power to meet greenhouse gas emissions. However, John Howard is saying that we should consider nuclear power as an option for energy. Throughout john Howard’s piece he uses a logical and convincing tone. Andrew McNamara uses a very critical tone to ridicule John Howard about his call for a debate on the use of nuclear power. Angela Macdonald-Smith uses a calm tone to argue that natural gas fired plants should be used to meet energy demands instead of nuclear power.

In the report “Natural gas the future, not nuclear: AGL boss” by Angela Macdonald-Smith, she says that we do not need nuclear power because we have other alternative sources for energy like natural gas-fired plants. Throughout the report she uses a lot of expert opinions by AGL’s Energy chief executive Paul Anthony. One of these expert opinions includes “while Australia has a huge abundance of uranium, I don’t believe it needs to embark on a nuclear-build program.” Having an expert opinion works well to the writers advantage because it is an opinion from someone in the industry of energy.

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