Citizens' campaign against the government’s sudden move for building nuclear power plants in Sinop and the rest of Turkey
The decision was a major setback for the international nuclear industry. Three companies - one American, one Canadian and one European – that had been involved in a long bidding process to win the contract returned home empty handed.
Today, the Erdogan government is taking a sudden turn in the government’s energy policies and plans without sharing them with Turkish public. They plan to meet Turkey’s increasing energy demand by building up to 3 to 5 nuclear plants built between 2006 and 2012. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry is running talks with potential contractors behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, a pro-nuclear campaign has been initiated for the last few months. No opportunity is missed to voice the anonymous argument that the need for energy can only be fulfilled through using nuclear energy. However unconvincing the quantitative data is, the “dirtiest” energy that humankind has found so far is presented as the “cleanest” energy. No government official ever takes part and responsibility in starting public debate on nuclear energy in the mainstream media. Apparently, the government will step forward for the final declaration after completing the necessary connections, so that the Turkish people will be obliged to accept nuclear energy in the face of a “fait accompli” situation.
At the same time, alternative energy potential is keenly dwarfed. Through the current policies and procedures of this government, numerous investors’ eager inclination towards utilizing rich renewable energy sources of the country is purposefully suppressed and curbed.
Against this government’s pro-nuclear campaign, which seems to have a hidden agenda, us, the ordinary citizens have started a counter campaign to openly inform the public of the risks and dangers involved with nuclear power.
We shall declare repeatedly how the so-called peaceful nuclear energy creates a death cycle starting from the moment uranium is mined. Every phase of the process with radioactive materials involves a high risk to the environment and public health. Unseen, unheard, and odorless, radioactivity can only be detected with sensitive instruments. Every year, tons of radioactive nuclear waste is transferred to almost forever deadly waste storage sites; nuclear energy cycle in every inch paves the way to unheard of human disasters.
We are starting this campaign in Sinop, virgin city located in the furthest north of Turkey by the Black Sea. We, the people of Sinop, shall never ever be part of such a deadly cycle. Unfortunately, Sinop is one of several places found “most suitable” for the establishment of a nuclear power plant.
Sinope in Greek Mythology was one of the daughters of Asopus and eponym of the city. The Argonautica relates that Sinope was abducted to the site by Zeus who in his passion swore to fulfill her dearest wish. Sinope declared she wished to remain a virgin all her life.
Our city carries the spirit of three-thousand year old Sinope of antiquity and is the only city on the Turkish Black Sea Coast overlooking the south and maintaining a southern life style. Sinop deserves to be known as touristy Sinop for its 270 km. coast line and virgin beaches, rather than home to nuclear power plants. Tourism in Sinop, which has developed modestly without any governmental support so far, has a bright future. Building a nuclear plant in the city will be harming beautiful Sinope’s untouched charm, leaving her to be doomed forever as “Radioactive Sinop”. Our current short term politicians should not determine the fate of a city forever: we outright say
The Department of Energy very well knows that it is possible to supply energy for the city using alternative energy sources. Moreover, it can even use Black Sea’s powerful breath to feed the national system. Wind energy, which can easily be obtained at Sinop’s windy coastline, offers a productive, renewable and green energy source throughout the year.
We reject the idea of bringing dangerous and outdated nuclear technologies into our country with excessive loans. To fulfill the Law for “Procedures to Generate Electrical Energy Using Renewable Energy Resources” that was passed on 10.05.2005, we demand the government to give priority to rich alternative energy sources, and make a serious start to build the necessary infrastructure for the production of renewable energy.
We are aware that
The aim of our campaign is to completely reject nuclear energy; to demand the investigation of cheaper, environment friendly and sustainable ways to eliminate the future energy shortage in our country through lasting governmental policies; and to put the public sensitivity, which will lead to exploring alternative energy implementations in the short term into the government’s agenda.
Campaign Contact People
Turkey: Oya Koca +90 537 664 51 94
Europe: Ziya Eroglu +47 98 62 88 41