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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK push for big nuclear expansion | UK push for big nuclear expansion |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Business secretary John Hutton has called for a "significant expansion" in Britain's nuclear power industry. | |
| In a speech to the Unite trade union, he argued the industry should go beyond replacing its 23 ageing reactors, which provide 20% of the UK's electricity. | |
| He called for the creation of a £20bn industry with 100,000 new jobs - making the UK "the gateway to a new nuclear renaissance across Europe". | |
| It comes as the President of France - a world nuclear leader - visits the UK. | It comes as the President of France - a world nuclear leader - visits the UK. |
| Mr Sarkozy is due to discuss nuclear cooperation when he meets Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Nuclear energy provides about 79% of France's energy. | Mr Sarkozy is due to discuss nuclear cooperation when he meets Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Nuclear energy provides about 79% of France's energy. |
| French energy giant EDF is among the private firms poised to build a new generation of reactors in the UK after the government came out in favour of nuclear energy in January. | French energy giant EDF is among the private firms poised to build a new generation of reactors in the UK after the government came out in favour of nuclear energy in January. |
| Ministers have streamlined the planning process and approved a new generation of reactor designs in a bid to boost private investment. | Ministers have streamlined the planning process and approved a new generation of reactor designs in a bid to boost private investment. |
| 'Energy independent' | 'Energy independent' |
| Mr Hutton has refused to put a figure on the amount of energy he wants to see generated by nuclear plants in the future - but he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it should be "significantly more" than the current level. | Mr Hutton has refused to put a figure on the amount of energy he wants to see generated by nuclear plants in the future - but he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it should be "significantly more" than the current level. |
| I want Britain to be leading the world in the development and application of this new generation of low carbon power technology John HuttonBusiness secretary | I want Britain to be leading the world in the development and application of this new generation of low carbon power technology John HuttonBusiness secretary |
| "I think if we are really serious about our climate change responsibilities, if we want Britain to be as energy-independent as possible - then I think we should be talking about a significant expansion over and above the current contribution that nuclear power makes. | "I think if we are really serious about our climate change responsibilities, if we want Britain to be as energy-independent as possible - then I think we should be talking about a significant expansion over and above the current contribution that nuclear power makes. |
| "It's now about 20%. I think it should be significantly more than that, if we are really going to reap the dividend of switching quickly to a proven low-carbon technology like nuclear power." | "It's now about 20%. I think it should be significantly more than that, if we are really going to reap the dividend of switching quickly to a proven low-carbon technology like nuclear power." |
| Reactors have been proved safe and delaying using them more widely could be disastrous for the environment, according to Mr Hutton. | Reactors have been proved safe and delaying using them more widely could be disastrous for the environment, according to Mr Hutton. |
| He added: "I think the technology is proven, not just in terms of producing electricity but in terms of safety as well. | He added: "I think the technology is proven, not just in terms of producing electricity but in terms of safety as well. |
| "In terms of waste disposal, I don't think there is an argument about how it should be done - there is an argument about where it should be done." | "In terms of waste disposal, I don't think there is an argument about how it should be done - there is an argument about where it should be done." |
| The government has put its faith in nuclear power to prevent over-reliance on foreign energy supplies, such as gas from Russia, as North Sea oil runs out. | The government has put its faith in nuclear power to prevent over-reliance on foreign energy supplies, such as gas from Russia, as North Sea oil runs out. |
| 'Fantastic opportunity' | 'Fantastic opportunity' |
| It also claims nuclear power will help the UK meet its carbon emission targets - although environmental groups say its likely impact has been overstated. | It also claims nuclear power will help the UK meet its carbon emission targets - although environmental groups say its likely impact has been overstated. |
| The UK government are becoming increasingly obsessed with the illusion that nuclear power is the "silver bullet" to tackle climate change Mike WeirSNP energy spokesman | The UK government are becoming increasingly obsessed with the illusion that nuclear power is the "silver bullet" to tackle climate change Mike WeirSNP energy spokesman |
| They have called for the money to be spent on renewables such as wind and wave power instead. | They have called for the money to be spent on renewables such as wind and wave power instead. |
| In his speech, Mr Hutton said: "There has never been a greater global demand for finance, equipment and skills to build and operate nuclear power stations. | |
| "I want Britain to be leading the world in the development and application of this new generation of low carbon power technology." | "I want Britain to be leading the world in the development and application of this new generation of low carbon power technology." |
| The nuclear industry currently employs around 40,000 workers and supports another 40,000 jobs indirectly. | The nuclear industry currently employs around 40,000 workers and supports another 40,000 jobs indirectly. |
| No new nuclear power plants have been built in the UK since Sizewell B, which opened in 1994. | No new nuclear power plants have been built in the UK since Sizewell B, which opened in 1994. |
| 'Completely crazy' | 'Completely crazy' |
| Dougie Rooney, from Unite, supported Mr Hutton's idea. | |
| "It's a fantastic opportunity. First of all we're talking here about jobs and security of supply in the long term, and the quality of life of people. | "It's a fantastic opportunity. First of all we're talking here about jobs and security of supply in the long term, and the quality of life of people. |
| "We're talking about a fantastic opportunity for the manufacturing industry, we could kick-start our foundry industry, we could kick-start our fabrication industry." | "We're talking about a fantastic opportunity for the manufacturing industry, we could kick-start our foundry industry, we could kick-start our fabrication industry." |
| But the SNP - which has said it would block any plans for new reactors in Scotland - said Mr Hutton had succumbed to a "severe bout of March madness". | But the SNP - which has said it would block any plans for new reactors in Scotland - said Mr Hutton had succumbed to a "severe bout of March madness". |
| The party's Westminster energy spokesman, Mike Weir, said: "The UK government are becoming increasingly obsessed with the illusion that nuclear power is the "silver bullet" to tackle climate change. | |
| "This is completely crazy given that there is no solution to the huge problems associated with nuclear power, particularly the disposal of nuclear waste." | "This is completely crazy given that there is no solution to the huge problems associated with nuclear power, particularly the disposal of nuclear waste." |