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Nuclear power 'must be on agenda' Nuclear power 'must be on agenda'
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 set out plans to meet future UK energy needs. He spoke as the government's Energy White Paper backed a rise in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
The Energy White Paper backs a big rise in renewable energy and new measures to help people to use less electricity. It also says the "preliminary view" is to for more nuclear plants, with a new consultation launched on its merits.
It also says the "preliminary view" is to build new nuclear power plants, but a final decision will not be taken until a consultation ends in October. 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. 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.
Key measures include:
  • Free visual "real time" displays on request, to show homeowners how much electricity they use.
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 and energy-consuming standby switches.
  • Working with industry to "phase out" inefficient goods such as energy-consuming standby switches.
  • Tougher environmental standards for new build homes, and other products.
  • Tougher environmental standards for new build homes, and other products.
  • Start     searching for suitable sites for new nuclear plants - based on assumption environmental impact is not "significantly different" to other forms of energy generation.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Set up the world's first carbon trading scheme for large organisations such as banks and government departments.
  • Encourage more research into green transport, carbon capture and tidal energy.
  • Encourage mining of UK coal where it is economically and environmentally appropriate to reduce reliance on exports.
  • 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.Mr Darling said the measures outlined could save between 22 million and 33 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020.
    NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UK nuclear energy optionsNUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UK nuclear energy options
    By 2015, he expected 15% of energy supplies to come from renewable sources - triple the amount it provides today and he wanted British industry to be at the forefront of new, green technologies. 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."
    But he 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.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."
    DelayedDelayed
    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."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".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".
    UK'S ENERGY PRESSURES Supplies of cheap domestic gas are running lowOil and gas prices have risen dramaticallyGovernment aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 1990 levels by 2010Nuclear generates 20% of the UK's electricityAll but one of UK's nuclear power stations are set to close by 2023 and no more are planned Key points: Energy statementUK'S ENERGY PRESSURES Supplies of cheap domestic gas are running lowOil and gas prices have risen dramaticallyGovernment aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 1990 levels by 2010Nuclear generates 20% of the UK's electricityAll but one of UK's nuclear power stations are set to close by 2023 and no more are planned Key points: Energy statement
    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."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.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.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''Total honesty'
    Chancellor Gordon Brown - who will take over as prime minister in June - is also thought to back building more nuclear power stations. 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.
    But 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." 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."
    READ THE REPORT Energy White Paper [6.6MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE REPORT Energy White Paper [6.6MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
    "Business will only invest in nuclear power if it knows its costs - it needs certainty about carbon, decommissioning, and waste.""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.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 but oppose subsidies or price guarantees for nuclear firms. The Tories are in favour of nuclear power as a alast resort but oppose subsidies or price guarantees for nuclear firms.
    But Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokeswoman Susan Kramer said nuclear was a "diversion" which could not be used to heat people's homes - as heating systems ran on gas. But in Scotland the SNP minority government reiterated its opposition to any new nuclear power stations.
    'No chance'
    She said it would only supply about 3.8% of the energy needed, adding: "It's very much at the margins, so it doesn't deal with the security problem." She added: "The long term goal is to get to a completely renewable energy society. We can do it by 2050, if we don't go and divert ourselves off by putting our investment into nuclear."
    The Green Party's Caroline Lucas said Britain should concentrate on being more energy efficient and funding alternative renewable energy sources.
    She said: "The reality is that nuclear power is dirty, unsafe, unpopular ¿ and expensive."
    And there is strong opposition in Scotland, where First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "absolutely no chance" of new nuclear power stations being built.
    HAVE YOUR SAY Anti-nuclear protesters don't understand that at this time there's no alternative Andy, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Anti-nuclear protesters don't understand that at this time there's no alternative Andy, UK Send us your comments
    But 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. Trade and industry spokesman Mike Weir said there was much the party could support in the White Paper - especially on renewables and energy efficiency.
    And while Westminster has control over Britain's energy policy, the Scottish Parliament has control over its planning, and also has to give consent for new power stations over a certain size under the Electricity Act. 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.