WEIR COMMENTS ON UK GOVERNMENT NUCLEAR ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Speaking, following the UK Government statement today (Thursday) on energy policy, which confirms the UK Governments intention to press ahead with new nuclear power stations, SNP Westminster Energy Spokesperson, Mike Weir MP said:

 

“The Labour government are obsessed with nuclear stations. It is fortunate that Scotland has an SNP government that is determined not to allow new nuclear stations on our soil.

 

“Nuclear power is a hugely expensive blind alley that will not tackle the fundamental problems of climate change. All they will do is create another massive environmental problem with containment of nuclear waste.

 

“The UK government says there will be no public subsidy for new nuclear power stations but they have to answer clearly how they intend to finance the costs of the containment of waste for many thousands of years. This noxious material will have to be contained and guarded for a period longer than current recorded human history.

 

“The government say they will set up an independent advisory body on the cost of dealing with waste, but this simply an attempt to distance themselves from the huge problems associated with waste.

 

“The costs of creating a depository and dealing with current waste are enormous. The costs of future disposal are incalculable. How are the government to ensure that the full costs will be met by the industry? Are they going to insist that those generators wishing to build new nuclear stations provide surety for the massive costs at the outset? If not, how are they to be secured so far into the future?

 

“Nuclear power is hugely expensive, potentially dangerous and will do little to address our energy problems or climate change. The effort and money would be much better spent on promoting renewables, clean coal technology and carbon capture and storage.”     

 

ENDS