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UK tax-payer might have to fund new nuclear power

there was no guarantee that government will not have to step in at some point to help pay for the construction and decommissioning costs……..

UK new nuclear build will not get government subsidies The Energy Collective 22 jan 2010 Taxpayers off the hook for cost of new plants The British government will not use taxpayers’ money to subsidize the construction of new nuclear power plants, Philip Hunt, (right) minister of state at the Department of Energy and Climate Change said Jan 21.

In an online question and answer session with ‘The Guardian’ newspaper, Lord Hunt said the government had made it “absolutely clear” that the cost of new nuclear power plants must be met in full by the commercial companies themselves, including the cost of decommissioning and waste management.

He said that before the go-ahead is given for new nuclear power plants the government will have to be satisfied that effective arrangements exist to manage and dispose of the waste.

“I can assure you that included in that will be safe, and secure interim storage of radioactive waste on site, followed by disposal in a geological facility,” Lord Hunt said………………………

Lord Hunt said the UK has been “keeping a very close eye on what has been happening in Finland” with construction of the Olkiluoto-3 Areva European pressurised water reactor. That’s why the UK plans to ensure the reactor “is licensed before we start building it, rather than trying to license as it is being built.”………..

The government watchdog’s report points out that there was no condition on the sale that would ensure the new owners will build the next generation of nuclear plants. Also, if EDF cannot pay for all the clean up costs, the government is still liable.

Amyas Morse,  head of the NAO, said the sale of British Energy was designed  to put the responsibility for a new generation of nuclear plants in private hands.

But he said there was no guarantee that government will not have to step in at some point to help pay for the construction and decommissioning costs……..

The full report is on the NAO website

UK new nuclear build will not get government subsidies

January 24, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, reactors