Nuclear Power 'Must Be On Agenda'

By Princessa

Nuclear power is needed to help reduce carbon emissions and to ensure that the UK has secure energy supplies in the future, Tony Blair has told MPs.
He spoke as the government's Energy White Paper backed a rise in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

It also says the "preliminary view" is to for more nuclear plants, with a new consultation launched on its merits.

But critics called the consultation a "farce" and nuclear power would be a "dangerous, dirty white elephant".

Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told MPs a decision on nuclear power was needed by the end of the year because many nuclear and coal-fired power stations are due to close within the next 20 years.

Other key points include:

Free "real time" displays given on request to show homeowners how much electricity they are using.

Working with industry to "phase out" inefficient goods such as energy-consuming standby switches.

Tougher environmental standards for new build homes, and other products.

Consultation launched on possible sites for new nuclear plants - based on assumption environmental impact is not "significantly different" to other forms of energy generation.

Triple the amount of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and wave by 2015.

Set up the world's first carbon trading scheme for large organisations such as banks and government departments.

Encourage mining of UK coal where it is economically and environmentally appropriate to reduce reliance on exports.

Mr Darling said the measures outlined could save between 22 million and 33 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020.

He said he wanted British industry to be at the forefront of new, green technologies, but added: "We can't become a low carbon economy in a single step."

The government had reached a preliminary view that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies to invest in nuclear power, he said.

But, although the planning system for nuclear power stations is being streamlined, and work done to identify possible site, he said no final decision would be made until the consultation ends in October.

However Lib Dem trade and industry spokeswoman Susan Kramer said: "This consultation is a total farce. Ministers have clearly already decided to back nuclear."

Delayed

Immediately before the statement was published Mr Blair told MPs at the prime minister's questions: "If we want to have secure energy supplies and reduce CO2 emissions, we have got to put the issue of nuclear power on the agenda."

Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell had accused him of appearing to "disregard the issue of risk and cost and toxic waste" and asked for more investment in renewable energy and "clean coal technology".

But Mr Blair replied: "We are not going to be able to make up through wind farms all the deficit on nuclear power. We are just not going to be able to do it."

The planning process for power stations is set to be streamlined by changes outlined on Monday.

And Chancellor Gordon Brown - who will take over as prime minister in June - is also thought to back building more nuclear power stations.

The White Paper was originally due to be published in March, but the government was told to consult again after a legal challenge by environmental campaign group Greenpeace.

'Total honesty'

The Lib Dems, and some environmental groups, said that allowing new nuclear power stations to be built would draw investment away from renewable energy and other "green technologies" - like carbon capture.

Friends of the Earth's Roger Higman told the BBC: "The fear we have is that by investing in nuclear, we will invest in a dangerous, dirty white elephant."

For the Green Party, Caroline Lucas said: "By prioritising the construction of new nuclear power stations over reducing demand for energy ... the government is not only missing a trick, it is undermining efforts to tackle climate change."

Shadow trade and industry secretary Alan Duncan said: "Whatever the rhetoric, there is nothing in this White Paper that will guarantee that a single nuclear power station will be built."

"Business will only invest in nuclear power if it knows its costs - it needs certainty about carbon, decommissioning, and waste."

He added that the government's failure to agree a pilot "carbon capture" project, meant any chance of it happening had been seriously delayed.

The Tories are in favour of nuclear power as a alast resort but oppose subsidies or price guarantees for nuclear firms.

But in Scotland the SNP minority government reiterated its opposition to any new nuclear power stations.

Trade and industry spokesman Mike Weir said there was much the party could support in the White Paper - especially on renewables and energy efficiency.

He added: "There is, however, a massive white elephant in the room in the shape of nuclear power.

"The Scottish people are against new nuclear power stations and the government of Scotland will not allow the construction of new nuclear power stations in our country."

BBC Scotland Political Editor Brian Taylor said there was unlikely to be a "big clash" between the two parliaments, as there was already "something approaching a deal" to allow Scotland's energy requirements to be met by a huge increase in renewable energy.