(UK) MPs attack government's covert subsidies for nuclear industry

[kristopher]

The government is planning to award covert subsidies of hundreds of millions of pounds to nuclear power, betraying the coalition promise that the taxpayer would not foot the bill for a new generation of reactors, according to an influential committee of MPs.

The MPs criticised attempts to hide the subsidies as "deeply irresponsible" and said they put the government's green credentials in jeopardy.

...Nuclear power is a potential flashpoint for the coalition, because the Liberal Democrats oppose new reactors but the Conservatives want to encourage them. The coalition compromised on allowing new reactors but without public subsidies. According to the report, hidden subsidies will be awarded through government-supported long-term contracts to supply energy, and a minimum price for carbon emissions.

...Simon Bullock, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "This report shows the government's plans are stacked in favour of nuclear power over renewables and so vague they risk locking the UK into a new generation of polluting fossil fuels. We don't need to gamble on new nuclear power - by boosting green energy alternatives and slashing energy waste we can tackle climate change and create new jobs."...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/16/nuclear-energy-industry-select-committee

[Nihil]

1. That bit is a joke though ...

> ... and said they put the government's green credentials in jeopardy.

This government has no green credentials to jeopardise as it is 95% Tory
and 5% jellyfish.

Those guys have already taken "betraying the coalition promises" to new
levels.

:argh: