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Energy plan set to back nuclear | Energy plan set to back nuclear |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Tony Blair has reiterated his backing for nuclear power as the government prepares to unveil its energy strategy. | Tony Blair has reiterated his backing for nuclear power as the government prepares to unveil its energy strategy. |
Plans to build more nuclear power stations are expected to be among the proposals in the Energy White Paper. | Plans to build more nuclear power stations are expected to be among the proposals in the Energy White Paper. |
An expansion of energy efficiency and renewable sources such as tide and wind power will also be detailed. | An expansion of energy efficiency and renewable sources such as tide and wind power will also be detailed. |
The PM says nuclear power can "underpin the security of our energy supply" but opponents say it is dangerous and will reduce investment in renewable sources. | The PM says nuclear power can "underpin the security of our energy supply" but opponents say it is dangerous and will reduce investment in renewable sources. |
Writing in the Times, Mr Blair said there was a need for more renewable energy, as well as nuclear, in order to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. | Writing in the Times, Mr Blair said there was a need for more renewable energy, as well as nuclear, in order to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. |
Low carbon | |
"It is right that we consider how nuclear power can help to underpin the security of our energy supply without increasing our reliance on fossil fuels," he said. | "It is right that we consider how nuclear power can help to underpin the security of our energy supply without increasing our reliance on fossil fuels," he said. |
"We can meet our carbon dioxide emissions targets, but only if we are willing to think ahead and take tough decisions over new wind farms - and give serious consideration to nuclear power." | "We can meet our carbon dioxide emissions targets, but only if we are willing to think ahead and take tough decisions over new wind farms - and give serious consideration to nuclear power." |
His indication is, however, expected to lead to questions about where new power stations should be sited. | His indication is, however, expected to lead to questions about where new power stations should be sited. |
class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456932/html/nn1page1.stm">A guide to nuclear power | |
Reports suggest ministers are planning to build eight new nuclear power plants over the next 15 years. | |
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told the BBC's Today programme that he had been sceptical about nuclear power when he first came into his job. | |
But he had become convinced that it was essential both to reduce carbon emissions and ensure the UK was not dependent on unstable regimes for its energy supplies. | |
He said: "Whether you like it or not, nuclear power is a low carbon-emitting source. | |
"To exclude nuclear would be a big mistake." | |
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. That consultation continues. | |
Mr Blair told MPs in January: "It is extremely important that we as a country make sure our energy supply is secure for the long term - that, in my view, needs a diverse supply of energy". | Mr Blair told MPs in January: "It is extremely important that we as a country make sure our energy supply is secure for the long term - that, in my view, needs a diverse supply of energy". |
Chancellor Gordon Brown - who will take over as prime minister in June - is also thought to back building more nuclear power stations. | Chancellor Gordon Brown - who will take over as prime minister in June - is also thought to back building more nuclear power stations. |
Planning process | Planning process |
Caroline Lucas, a Green Party Member of the European Parliament, said: "We should concentrate on reducing energy demand through conservation and energy-efficiency measures, and financially supporting the development of alternative renewable energy generation capacity." | Caroline Lucas, a Green Party Member of the European Parliament, said: "We should concentrate on reducing energy demand through conservation and energy-efficiency measures, and financially supporting the development of alternative renewable energy generation capacity." |
Planning for power stations got a boost on Monday when the Planning White Paper proposed establishing a separate - and quicker - planning system for major infrastructure projects. | Planning for power stations got a boost on Monday when the Planning White Paper proposed establishing a separate - and quicker - planning system for major infrastructure projects. |
An independent planning commission will be told by the government what the UK needs in terms of power stations and will then oversee the planning applications for them in specific locations. | |
The Conservatives say this will "dump developments on local communities". | The Conservatives say this will "dump developments on local communities". |
Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokeswoman, said building more nuclear power stations would be an "expensive mistake". | |
But the government insists the commission will take into account the impact of projects on the surrounding environment. | But the government insists the commission will take into account the impact of projects on the surrounding environment. |