DEBATES about nuclear energy are a bit like those surrounding football and the death penalty.

People are either for it or against it and consensus is never attainable.

Opinion will remain divided because none of us knows whether the claims by Greenpeace and other environmentalists that contaminated waste from nuclear power stations cannot be stored safely indefinitely are true.

None us can see into the future so we just don't know.

But the nuclear energy process does not issue anything like the carbon emissions of coal-powered stations and those who support the idea that Britain should opt for nuclear energy as an alternative to coal argue it is a much more environmentally friendly option as well as being a much more efficient option.

Of course there is the slight risk of accidents at such plants and there will be an environmental risk, but that is no different for every form of power generation.

It is as true of the proposed Severn Barrage as it is of wind farms.

It is a very very difficult situation but the truth is we have to look at an alternative source or sources of power.

We cannot continue as we are and we may have to accept that nuclear energy provides a way forward.

It would be useful if opponents could give an alternative workable solution which would reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and meet our entire needs.

It is a very emotive issue but one we have to decide on.