5 Jul (NucNet): The UK's new prime minister, Gordon Brown, has told parliament that the security of the country's energy supply is best safeguarded by building a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Answering questions from members of parliament for the first time as
prime minister on 4 July 2007, Mr Brown was asked by Liberal Democrat
party leader Sir Menzies Campbell if the government will now "abandon
their headlong rush" towards a new generation of nuclear power stations.
Mr Brown responded: "Surely the events of the past year (when Russia
cut off gas supplies to Ukraine) should make it clear to everyone that
we cannot rely on an energy policy that makes us wholly dependent on
one or two countries or regions across the world.
"That is why we have made the decision to continue with nuclear power,
and why the security of our energy supply is best safeguarded by
building a new generation of nuclear power stations."
In May 2007, before Mr Brown took over as prime minister from Tony
Blair, the British government published an energy policy paper and
consultation document on nuclear energy.
The government said in those documents it had reached "a preliminary
view" that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies
to invest in nuclear power.
But the government said it would consult further, in a process which will run until October, before making the final decision.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
UK Energy Review Confirms Need For New N-Plants As Part Of Future Power Mix (News No. 152, 12 July 2006)
UK Confirms Support For New Nuclear Build (News No. 126, 23 May 2007)
Energy Giants Prepare For UK New Build (News No. 127, 23 May 2007)
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