Nuclear Power Stations in a Warming World
Dungeness in Danger
by Dennis Leggett    

Summary

Two nuclear power stations sit remote on the tip of Dungeness Foreland. The ness, built of gravel, protrudes into the English Channel. If the gravel was stable this would not be a problem but the ness has a long history of migration. Essentially wind and waves act to move it up-Channel along the Kent coast, and away from the power stations. Only continuous rebuilding of sea defences prevent this.

In addition sea flooding threatens Its considerable hinterland of reclaimed marshes. If parts of the long defences of the adjacent coast failed, the Power Stations could be isolated by the sea.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel's forecasts of climate change make these facts worrying. Authorities make their predictions for future safety on the basis of past records. These increasingly are unrelated to future conditions

Early decommissioning of both power stations must be considered but, importantly, with careful and adequate provision to reduce the social dislocation for the workforce involved.
The risks and magnitude of future change dictate the decision to decommission. The following paragraphs outline the history of past change, the agencies involved and potential risks for the future, within the radioactive life of the nuclear reactors.

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