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New nuclear plants get go-ahead New nuclear plants get go-ahead
(30 minutes later)
A new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK has been given formal backing by the government.A new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK has been given formal backing by the government.
Business Secretary John Hutton told MPs they would give a "safe and affordable" way of securing the UK's future energy supplies while fighting climate change.Business Secretary John Hutton told MPs they would give a "safe and affordable" way of securing the UK's future energy supplies while fighting climate change.
He said any plants would be built at or near existing reactors by private firms and said he hoped the first one would be completed "well before 2020".He said any plants would be built at or near existing reactors by private firms and said he hoped the first one would be completed "well before 2020".
Critics say new reactors will be expensive, dirty and dangerous.Critics say new reactors will be expensive, dirty and dangerous.
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 Guide to nuclear powerQ&A: Nuclear power plans
The government will not be building any reactors itself - but it says it will take steps, such as streamlining the planning process, to encourage private operators to build new plants.The government will not be building any reactors itself - but it says it will take steps, such as streamlining the planning process, to encourage private operators to build new plants.
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 UK nuclear energy optionsQ&A: Nuclear power plans
Mr Hutton said the government had concluded nuclear power was a "tried and tested", and safe, technology which had a role to play "in this country's future energy mix alongside other low-carbon sources".Mr Hutton said the government had concluded nuclear power was a "tried and tested", and safe, technology which had a role to play "in this country's future energy mix alongside other low-carbon sources".
Analysis of future gas and carbon prices showed nuclear was "affordable and provides one of the cheapest electricity options available to reduce our carbon emissions".Analysis of future gas and carbon prices showed nuclear was "affordable and provides one of the cheapest electricity options available to reduce our carbon emissions".
No "artificial cap" would be put on the proportion of electricity to be generated from nuclear power or any other source of "low carbon energy".
Waste storageWaste storage
An independent commission will look at the potential costs - including any impact on electricity bills - and a review of potential sites for new reactors would report next year.An independent commission will look at the potential costs - including any impact on electricity bills - and a review of potential sites for new reactors would report next year.
Mr Hutton rejected the argument that a permanent solution to the disposal of nuclear waste should be found before new plants were given the go-ahead. Mr Hutton assured MPs that private operators would be expected to meet the full cost of building, decommissioning and disposing of waste.
But he said no "artificial cap" would be put on the proportion of electricity to be generated from nuclear power or any other source of "low carbon energy". Existing nuclear power stations produce about 20% of the UK's electricity.
Mr Hutton also rejected the argument that a permanent solution to the disposal of nuclear waste should be found before new plants were given the go-ahead.
Existing "interim" storage facilities were adequate until a permanent underground site for the disposal of new and existing waste could be identified, he said.Existing "interim" storage facilities were adequate until a permanent underground site for the disposal of new and existing waste could be identified, he said.
Existing nuclear power stations produce about 20% of the UK's electricity. Conservative spokesman Alan Duncan welcomed the Government's commitment to nuclear power.
'Too little too late' He added: "On no account should there be any kind of subsidy for nuclear power."
Ministers say a decision is necessary now, as many nuclear and coal-fired power stations are due to close within 20 years. 'Red herring'
The government's former chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nuclear is no longer expensive, given the price of oil and gas... Steve Webb, for the Liberal Democrats, attacked the decision, warning the country faced being locked into a technology "for the best part of a century, when other technologies like carbon capture and storage, like renewables, are evolving practically every day".
"Obviously [safety] is a question that has to be dealt with very, very carefully." He added: "I can't decide whether new nuclear is a white elephant or a red herring. But very clearly what it isn't is the answer to the energy problems we face today."
He added that France had the "lowest carbon footprint in Europe" because of its use of nuclear power. HAVE YOUR SAY If we are serious about reducing CO2 and we don't want to live in the dark, what other choice do we realistically have? Nick Davy, UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4033&edition=1">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/england/suffolk/7180595.stm">Living near Sizewell
But Green Party principal speaker Caroline Lucas said: "What we are being offered by the government is far too little too late, at far too high a price. Mr Webb's objections were given short shrift by Mr Hutton, who told him: "I'm all in favour of reducing emissions. I think we can start with what comes out of your mouth."
"We should be putting energy efficiency at the heart of our strategy." Ministers say a decision on nuclear power is necessary now, as many nuclear and coal-fired power stations are due to close within 20 years.
The government's 2006 Energy Review said the private sector should "initiate, fund, construct and operate new nuclear plants". The nuclear industry believes it can get the first new plant on-stream by 2017.
It said ministers should help by "addressing potential barriers", such as changing planning laws.
The government is also publishing an Energy Bill designed to reduce carbon emissions and secure the UK's power supplies.The government is also publishing an Energy Bill designed to reduce carbon emissions and secure the UK's power supplies.
Mr Brown said on Wednesday that ministers were also looking at how to use more renewable sources, such as wind and wave power. Legal challenge
In 2006, the then prime minister Tony Blair said new nuclear stations should be built to reduce carbon emissions and Britain's reliance on oil and gas imports. But its nuclear plans could be still be subject to a legal challenge from Greenpeace.
Deflect attention The campaign group successfully challenged an earlier government review backing nuclear power in the High Court, when a judge ruled it "seriously flawed" and "misleading".
But that decision was put on hold after a High Court judge ruled the consultation part of the initial energy review was "seriously flawed", following a challenge by Greenpeace.
A second consultation finished in October but that has also been criticised. Greenpeace says its lawyers will be examining the government's statement.A second consultation finished in October but that has also been criticised. Greenpeace says its lawyers will be examining the government's statement.
The campaign group claims research shows that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025.The campaign group claims research shows that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025.
HAVE YOUR SAY If we are serious about reducing CO2 and we don't want to live in the dark, what other choice do we realistically have? Nick Davy, UK Send us your commentsLiving near Sizewell
Environmental campaigners are also concerned that a concentration on nuclear power will deflect attention and funding from development of renewable energy and "carbon capture" projects.
The Conservative Party backs nuclear power but says it should go ahead without subsidy.
The Liberal Democrats reject its use because of the risk of accidents and what they describe as "the long-term legacy of waste".
Party leader Nick Clegg said: "The government must be honest about how much it will cost to build and run new nuclear power stations and who is going to pick up the bill."
But Dougie Rooney of the Unite union, which represents workers in the nuclear industry, called for "a bold vision with clear deadlines to enable companies to plan for new nuclear reactors".
Although energy policy is not devolved, Scottish ministers have control of the planning system and also have to give consent under the Electricity Act to the construction of new power stations above a certain size.Although energy policy is not devolved, Scottish ministers have control of the planning system and also have to give consent under the Electricity Act to the construction of new power stations above a certain size.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.