Wednesday, June 8, 2011
On June 8, 1987, under Prime Minister David Lange, the New Zealand Parliament passes the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act, officially making New Zealand nuclear-free. The Act prohibits the entry of any ship into New Zealand waters that is wholly or partially nuclear-powered, bans the dumping of radioactive waste, and prohibits anyone in New Zealand from in any way possessing a nuclear explosive device. Given the climate of the Cold War nuclear arms race, in a largely symbolic act, the U.S. Congress responds with the Broomfield Act, downgrading New Zealand’s status from “ally” to “friend.” Nuclear-powered warship traffic through New Zealand territory in the late 1970s and early 1980s had sparked anti-nuclear sentiment in New Zealand, propelling Lange and the Labor Party into power, thus paving the way for the passage of the nuclear-free act in 1987.
Late last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Germany’s exit plan from nuclear power by the end of 2022. Last Monday, the German cabinet agreed to the phase-out of all nuclear power facilities and also approved legislation to boost the buildup of renewable energy, accelerate the expansion of the electricity grid, and make buildings more energy-efficient. The nuclear exit bills now move to the lower house of parliament for debate before being voted on by end of June. The Bundesrat, Germany’s upper house representing the states, is slated to hold a vote on the legislation on July 8. Germany’s move away from nuclear power comes as a result of growing public concern in the wake Japan’s recent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima plant.
