Energy News

Cabinet nuclear decision tomorrow

Wednesday 9 January, 2008

Business Secretary, John Hutton, is set to confirm the governments’ stance on new nuclear power stations in a statement to MPs tomorrow.

Speculation, fuelled by Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s 2008 forecast speech, has been rife that the government have agreed, in principle, to approve a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Brown has stated that the decision on nuclear power is a “fundamental precondition of preparing Britain for the new world”, but refused to be drawn on the matter when it was raised at his monthly Downing Street news conference. It is believed that Brown’s cabinet back his nuclear vision unanimously, agreeing to the proposals without the need for a vote.

Environmental campaigners argue that such a move will be expensive, dangerous and myopic, with Greenpeace especially adamant that atomic power will not meet the projected energy shortfall.

A decision by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair to commission new nuclear stations was nixed in 2006 when, upon challenge by Greenpeace, the consultation element of the initial nuclear review was deemed “seriously flawed and misleading” by a High Court judge.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at EnergyChoices.co.uk, sees British produced energy as a positive move, but is wary of the dangers involved in the disposal of nuclear waste:

"Producing energy in Britain is a cost-efficient move, and other countries that have embraced nuclear power currently enjoy low energy costs. Provided that the nuclear waste generated by these new stations is disposed of carefully and safely, these developments are good news for consumers worried by escalating energy bills."

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