New nuclear power plants could "potentially" have a place in the UK,
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a speech to business organization the CBI
Monday morning.

According to the text of his speech on the PM's website, Brown said: "We
have said that new nuclear power stations potentially have a role to play in
tackling climate change and improving energy security. And having concluded
the full public consultation, we will announce our final decision early in the
New Year."

Brown is wary of announcing support for nuclear without including the
word "potentially," because the government has not yet reported the results of
its consultation. If Brown is seen to pre-judge the results of the nuclear
consultation he could face another legal challenge from Greenpeace for not
consulting properly on new nuclear.

Brown also said he was "working to expand the EU Emission Trading Scheme"
and that "to meet that and our share of the European Union renewables
commitments--and to create a new global carbon market in London--is not just a
challenge but an opportunity for British business to lead the world in
environmental technologies and finance."