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Minister unveiling energy plans Nuclear power 'must be on agenda'
(29 minutes later)
The government is unveiling its strategy for future energy supplies, expected to back nuclear power. Nuclear power is needed to help reduce carbon emissions and to ensure secure energy supplies, Tony Blair has said.
Plans to build more nuclear power stations are expected to be among the proposals in the Energy White Paper. He spoke ahead of the publication of the Energy White Paper which proposes a large increase in renewable energy.
An expansion of energy efficiency and renewable sources such as tide and wind power will also be detailed. The White Paper says there should be a mix of energy - and Mr Blair said that nuclear power must be "on the agenda".
Ahead of publication Tony Blair told MPs "we have to put nuclear power on the agenda" to ensure there were secure energy supplies and lower emissions. Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told MPs a decision on nuclear power was needed by the end of the year. A consultation will run until October.
But opponents say it is dangerous and will reduce investment in renewable sources. Mr Darling also said there would be an expansion of energy efficiency measures - saying it was his "first priority".
Low carbonLow carbon
In an article earlier 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. In an article earlier Mr Blair 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.
"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."
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UK nuclear energy optionsNUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UK nuclear energy options
He said the government would encourage the design of more energy efficient homes, more use of biofuels and hybrid cars, and new technology in coal and gas-fired power stations to cut emissions.He said the government would encourage the design of more energy efficient homes, more use of biofuels and hybrid cars, and new technology in coal and gas-fired power stations to cut emissions.
But the most controversial element is expected to be plans to build as many as eight new nuclear power plants over the next 15 years.
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.
'Big mistake''Big mistake'
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. Ahead of the White Paper's publication Mr 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.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.He said: "Whether you like it or not, nuclear power is a low carbon-emitting source.
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 plannedUK'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
"To exclude nuclear would be a big mistake.""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.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.
A new consultation paper on nuclear power is being launched, in addition to the White Paper, on Wednesday.
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.
'Total honesty''Total honesty'
Shadow trade and industry secretary, Alan Duncan, for the Conservatives, said the nuclear industry needed "total honesty" from the government so it could get a clear idea of costs to encourage investment.Shadow trade and industry secretary, Alan Duncan, for the Conservatives, said the nuclear industry needed "total honesty" from the government so it could get a clear idea of costs to encourage investment.
He said there remained "enormous doubt" over issues such as how waste would be dealt with and the likely costs of new plants to the industry.He said there remained "enormous doubt" over issues such as how waste would be dealt with and the likely costs of new plants to the industry.
He also urged the government needed to "pick up the pace" on renewables.He also urged the government needed to "pick up the pace" on renewables.
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 but oppose subsidies or price guarantees for nuclear firms.
NUCLEAR WASTE MAPWhere waste is produced and stored around the UKEnlarge MapNUCLEAR WASTE MAPWhere waste is produced and stored around the UKEnlarge Map
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 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.
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."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.The Green Party's Caroline Lucas said Britain should concentrate on being more energy efficient and funding alternative renewable energy sources.
'No chance''No chance'
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.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.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.
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.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.