European Greens Condemn UK Government’s Plans for New Generation of Nuclear Facilities.: Even 10 new reactors would only deliver a 4% cut in Carbon emissions!
The Spokespersons of the European Green Party have criticised the decision announced by the UK government on 10th January to allow the construction of a new generation of nuclear power stations as irresponsible, dangerous and based on a series of false arguments.
EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe Lamberts said: "The UK government claim that their decision to back a new generation of nuclear facilities is part of their strategy to combat climate change and that nuclear energy is safe and affordable. The reality is that nuclear energy is neither safe, clean, carbon free or cost effective. Gordon Brown's government argues that new nuclear power plants are a necessary part of the UK's strategy to combat climate change. This is far from being the case as even if the UK built ten new reactors, nuclear power can only deliver a 4 per cent cut in carbon emissions some time after 2025 which is far too late and at far too high a price, both in financial and environmental terms. One of the biggest problems with nuclear energy is that there is no safe way of disposing nuclear waste. That is why building new nuclear plants is extremely irresponsible as it will cause extremely serious health and environmental problems for future generations."
EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike Lunacek continued: "Rather than wasting a huge amount of time and money on a discredited and dangerous energy source, the UK government should be investing in renewable sources of energy and greater energy efficiency. Otherwise, the UK government's so-called commitment to tackling climate change will only consist of noble sounding words which are contradicted by short-sighted and potentially dangerous policy decisions like the one they have just announced on nuclear energy. European Greens will support the Green Party of England and Wales in their campaign against nuclear power and Greens throughout Europe and the world will continue to counter the lies and fallacies of the nuclear lobby."
