nuclear-news

UK government’s hidden subsidies to nuclear industry

Government’s ‘hidden’ nuclear subsidies blasted, North West Evening Mail, 20 May 2011 MPs have accused the government of planning to subsidise nuclear power despite pledging no public financial support for the industry.The coalition government says it is committed to new nuclear build but has insisted it would not be taxpayer funded.But a report by the Commons Energy and Climate Change committee said hidden subsidies for nuclear will be awarded through government-supported long-term contracts to supply energy, and a minimum price for carbon emissions.It condemned the attempts to hide the subsidies as “deeply irresponsible” and said it put the government’s green credentials in jeopardy….
it would be deeply irresponsible to skew the whole process of electricity market reform simply to save face.”

Nuclear companies could also receive government assurances that the taxpayer could meet the cost of any increases to the estimated bill for storing radioactive waste from new reactors.

Mr Yeo said: “The government must be upfront about the support it is giving to nuclear and not hide subsidies.”….

May 21, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general