The government may be forced to ditch its energy review, which backed a new generation of nuclear power plants.
The review is to be scrutinised in the High Court, after Greenpeace claimed that it was 'legally flawed'. The Royal Courts of Justice today granted permission for Greenpeace's case to be heard in full.
The legal battle started in October, when Greenpeace lodged legal papers arguing that the government did not carry out the 'full public consultation' it had committed itself to before making a decision to back new nuclear power stations.
Should Greenpeace win the case, the government may have to abandon the conclusions of the energy review and instead carry out a much fuller consultation and provide comprehensive information on the full range of issues relating to building new nuclear reactors in the UK.
The energy review, according to Greenpeace, failed as a 'full public consultation' because it did not resolve key issues surrounding a new generation of nuclear power stations, such as dealing with radioactive waste, financial costs and the design of the reactors.
Sarah North, head of Greenpeace's nuclear campaign, said: "It looks like the Government forgot to tie their shoelaces before starting their farcical dash to dump new nuclear power stations around the country.
"They're beginning to trip up now, and today's decision throws a huge amount of doubt over their dubious plans to force a highly dangerous nuclear future on the UK.
"The government should now go back to the drawing board, reconsider its nuclear policy and launch a proper debate on the UK's future energy needs.
"It's stunningly obvious that there are more efficient, effective, safer and cheaper ways than nuclear power to meet energy demands and cut climate change emissions. A legitimate energy review would have delivered very different conclusions from the one that backed nuclear power."
The case is scheduled to be heard between 7th February and 9th February.
ENDS
For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.
