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Nuclear power 'must be on agenda' Nuclear power 'must be on agenda'
(about 1 hour later)
Nuclear power is needed to help reduce carbon emissions and to ensure secure energy supplies, Tony Blair has said. 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 Energy White Paper was published, proposing a large increase in renewable energy. He spoke as the government set out plans to meet future UK energy needs.
The White Paper says there should be a mix of energy - and Mr Blair said that nuclear power must be "on the agenda". The Energy White Paper backs a big rise in renewable energy and new measures to help people to use less electricity.
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. 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.
Mr Darling also said there would be an expansion of energy efficiency measures - saying it was his "first priority". Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told MPs a decision on nuclear power was needed by the end of the year.
Standby waste Key measures include:
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  • Free     visual "real time" displays on request, to show homeowners how much electricity they use.
He said proposals included plans for a free visual "real time" display to show homeowners how much electricity they were using.
  • Working     with industry to "phase out" inefficient goods and energy-consuming standby switches.
    And he said they would work with industry to "phase out" inefficient goods and energy-consuming standby switches.
  • Encouraging     energy firms to double efforts to provide customers with energy-saving measures.
    He also said energy firms would be encouraged to work with their customers to improve efficiency.
  • Tougher     environmental standards for new build homes, and other products.
  • Removing barriers and simplifying licensing for people who want to invest in measures like solar panels and wind turbines.
    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
    And it would also be made easier for homeowners to generate their own energy, through solar panels and wind turbines, by removing barriers and making licensing easier. 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 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. But he 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".
    Toxic waste
    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.
    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."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.
    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.Chancellor Gordon Brown - who will take over as prime minister in June - is also thought to back building more nuclear power stations.
    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. 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."
    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. READ THE REPORT class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/23_05_07_energy.pdf">Energy White Paper [6.6MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
    NUCLEAR WASTE MAPWhere waste is produced and stored around the UK href="javascript: void window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/uk_enl_1137682880/html/1.stm', '1137682940', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=351,height=568,left=312,top=100');" >Enlarge Map "Business will only invest in nuclear power if it knows its costs - it needs certainty about carbon, decommissioning, and waste."
    He also urged the government needed to "pick up the pace" on renewables. 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 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 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.
    'No chance''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 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 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.
    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.