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New nuclear plants get go-ahead New nuclear plants get go-ahead
(10 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.
GOVERNMENT PLANS Speed up planning process to make it easier to build plantsNo public subsidies for nuclear except in emergenciesNo limit to amount of electricity generated by nuclear powerNew independent body to monitor decommissioning costsTrebling of investment in wind and wave powerStore nuclear waste at 'interim' facility until suitable underground site found Guide to nuclear powerQ&A: Nuclear power plansGOVERNMENT PLANS Speed up planning process to make it easier to build plantsNo public subsidies for nuclear except in emergenciesNo limit to amount of electricity generated by nuclear powerNew independent body to monitor decommissioning costsTrebling of investment in wind and wave powerStore nuclear waste at 'interim' facility until suitable underground site found 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 and indentifying likely sites, to encourage private operators to build new plants.
Mr Hutton conceded that no nuclear plant had been built anywhere in the world without public money - but he insisted there would be no subsidies from the UK government.Mr Hutton conceded that no nuclear plant had been built anywhere in the world without public money - but he insisted there would be no subsidies from the UK government.
"It is a matter for the power companies to bring forward proposals on the basis that there will be no public subsidies," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One."It is a matter for the power companies to bring forward proposals on the basis that there will be no public subsidies," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One.
Public funds would only be provided in the "very unlikely circumstances of an emergency at a nuclear plant," added Mr Hutton.Public funds would only be provided in the "very unlikely circumstances of an emergency at a nuclear plant," added Mr Hutton.
'Tried and tested''Tried and tested'
French energy giant EDF has already said it plans to build four nuclear plants in the UK by 2017, without subsidies, following the government's announcement.French energy giant EDF has already said it plans to build four nuclear plants in the UK by 2017, without subsidies, following the government's announcement.
Chief executive Vincent De Rivaz said: "We have made it clear that once the right frameworks are in place, we will be in a position to move fast, move first and move safe."Chief executive Vincent De Rivaz said: "We have made it clear that once the right frameworks are in place, we will be in a position to move fast, move first and move safe."
I can't decide whether new nuclear is a white elephant or a red herring Steve WebbLiberal Democrats Nuclear no answer - Lib DemsNo nuclear subsidies - ToriesI can't decide whether new nuclear is a white elephant or a red herring Steve WebbLiberal Democrats Nuclear no answer - Lib DemsNo nuclear subsidies - Tories
Speaking earlier in the Commons, 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".Speaking earlier in the Commons, 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".
Waste storageWaste storage
An independent body, the Nuclear Liabilities Financing Assurances Board, will look at the potential clean-up costs - including any impact on electricity bills - and a review of potential sites for new reactors would report next year.An independent body, the Nuclear Liabilities Financing Assurances Board, will look at the potential clean-up costs - including any impact on electricity bills - and a review of potential sites for new reactors would report next year.
Mr Hutton assured MPs that private operators would be expected to meet the full cost of building, decommissioning and disposing of waste.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.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.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.
Conservative spokesman Alan Duncan welcomed the Government's commitment to nuclear power.Conservative spokesman Alan Duncan welcomed the Government's commitment to nuclear power.
But he warned: "On no account should there be any kind of subsidy for nuclear power."But he warned: "On no account should there be any kind of subsidy for nuclear power."
'Red herring''Red herring'
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".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".
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: "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."
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 SizewellHAVE 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
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."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."
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.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 nuclear industry believes it can get the first new plant on-stream by 2017.The nuclear industry believes it can get the first new plant on-stream by 2017.
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.
Legal challengeLegal challenge
But its nuclear plans could be still be subject to a legal challenge from Greenpeace.But its nuclear plans could be still be subject to a legal challenge from Greenpeace.
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".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".
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.
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.