| Nuclear industry welcomes key step forward | | Print | |
| Monday, 09 November 2009 | |
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THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (NIA) has today welcomed the issue of draft National Policy Statements (NPS) for the energy sector as a key step towards delivering a balanced, low-carbon future for the UK. Warmly welcoming the release of these crucial planning documents, including a new policy statement on nuclear, NIA chief executive Keith Parker said: “This is a key step forward in the drive to de-carbonise our economy. A streamlined planning process will help the development of an array of low-carbon technologies – including nuclear - which in turn can do so much to combat climate change”. Mr Parker continued: “Too often in the past, cumbersome and inefficient planning processes have delayed developments which the UK so desperately needs. The NPS on nuclear will ensure that major infrastructure projects can progress effectively, without any detriment to local planning inquiries”. The planning inquiry for the last nuclear power station commissioned in Britain (Sizewell B in Suffolk) lasted over 300 days, with less than 30 days dedicated to local issues. Addressing this point, Mr Parker said: “Local communities will have a strong say on local planning issues, but these inquiries will no longer be a forum to re-visit old discussions on the merits of nuclear power”. The National Policy Statement is a concept which was introduced under the Planning Act 2008, covering major infrastructure projects which are affected by significant national need. The NIA also welcomed publication of the government’s draft decision on Regulatory Justification. The NIA, supported by the major utilities led the application which sets-out in a high-level assessment how the benefits of candidate new nuclear reactor technology such as the AP1000, or EPR outweigh any potential radiological health detriments. In the application the NIA concluded that the security of supply and carbon reduction benefits of a programme of new nuclear power would far outweigh the limited potential for detriment. Justification is part of the regulatory and legal process following the government’s 2008 announcement that nuclear was in the public interest and that new nuclear power stations should be developed. Keith Parker said: “We welcome the draft decision from government. On behalf of the nuclear industry in the UK we feel we made a particularly strong case illustrating that the benefits of a new fleet of reactors in the UK far outweighs any possible detriment.” Comments (0)
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