Nuclear would face tough tests – Wicks
Monday 13 March 2006
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has claimed that
nuclear power will come under intense scrutiny over its safety and security
if it is to play a part in the UK’s future energy policy. The Minister’s
comments come after last week’s report from the Sustainable Development
Commission that identified a range of issues as to why the benefits of a
large-scale nuclear programme could be outweighed by environmental and
economic problems.
Key issues for opponents of nuclear are primarily the disposal of
radioactive waste and the potential security threat.
"The Energy Review is not about resurrecting the demons and prejudices of
the past. Nor is it about a headlong rush into building new nuclear plants.
It is about hard evidence, not just on the potential of nuclear, but also of
renewables, fossil fuels and greater energy efficiency,” commented Mr. Wicks
during a visit to Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute.
"The challenges are big and there'll be no easy or single solution. But I am
certain of one thing - robust scrutiny of safety, security and environmental
impact would be the prerequisite of going down the road of building new
nuclear power stations."
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