Posted by bex — 10 January 2008 at 5:44pm
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Our political unit has been trawling through the fine print of this morning's nuclear White Paper. Here's their initial analysis, outlining some of the more subtle ways the government has understated the real risks to the taxpayer and the lack of clarity on economics:
The
White Paper shows how nuclear companies will be able to cap their liabilities, leaving
the tax payer exposed if estimates for dealing with waste change.
It
openly admits the government will have to provide extra money if cost estimates
are wrong.
It
uses questionable financial estimates to build the nuclear economic case.
Buried in the nuclear white paper published today is a commitment by the government to bail out nuclear power if something goes wrong.
Reacting, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:
"After all the promises from ministers that the private sector would pay the full costs of new nuclear power stations, we find it wasn't true. Buried in the small print of their announcement is the revelation that tax payers will foot the bill if something goes wrong. Much about the government's nuclear spin has been fundamentally dishonest."
Reacting to the announcement this morning by John Hutton that the government intends to encourage the construction of new nuclear power stations, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:
Posted by bex — 9 January 2008 at 5:17pm
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New coal, new nuclear - the government here seems to be doing everything in its power to avoid facing up to the reality that our energy system is archaic, our energy policy is a disaster, and the new large-scale, centralised coal and nuclear power plants they want won't stop climate change or ensure energy security.
But at least we can glean hope from a more forward thinking European neighbour. Scientists have proved that Germany - which is already way ahead of us on renewables (14 per cent in 2007) - can power itself entirely by renewable energy sources. Completely. 100 per cent.
Find out why nuclear new build can't keep the lights on and actually threatens our ability to reduce our carbon emissions - and what the real solutions to climate change and energy security are.
Breaking news: Ministers have unanimously backed the principle of Brown's plans for new nuclear power without a vote at today's cabinet meeting.
According to the BBC, Brown's cabinet has "agreed in principle to approve a new generation of nuclear power stations". Reuters meanwhile quotes Brown's spokeswoman as saying there was a "very
good discussion with many interventions from members of the
cabinet".
Reacting to
suggestions that the government will announce support for new nuclear power
stations this week, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven
said:
