It warns that new power stations "would add to the UK's existing nuclear waste inventory" and says it is important that Britain does not rely on nuclear power to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. The submission will prove an embarrassing setback to the Prime Minister, who last week gave the green light for a new generation of nuclear power stations and said the issue was "back on the agenda with a vengeance".
But the Environment Agency, a neutral body, has warned against rushing to build a new generation of nuclear power stations until a number of serious issues, including flooding of nuclear sites, are resolved.
The report also says a dedicated subsidy for nuclear new build "could drain resources from investment innovation and development of a whole range of promising low-carbon emissions. These include energy efficiency, renewable energy and potentially carbon capture and storage."
The submission was made available to Mr Blair before he gave his approval to new nuclear power stations. It said nuclear power needed to be compared, on cost, safety and security grounds, with other ways of reducing carbon emissions.
Clive Bates, head of environmental policy at the Environment Agency, said: "We think it is wrong to be either for or against nuclear in principle. They have to show they can deal with waste and safety, and that security and proliferation risks are acceptable."
Subscribe
Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.
Posted on 29th May 2006
Latest Posts
-
IEMA appoints two new Board Directors
- 28th March 2024 -
Impact Assessment Network Volunteers receive International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA) Regional Award
- 20th March 2024 -
IEMA launches digital campaign to share knowledge and inspire action in sustainability
- 6th March 2024 -
IEMA comments on 2023 being hottest year on record
- 9th January 2024 -
IEMA reacts to COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels
- 13th December 2023 -
New IEMA social sustainability steering group – express your interest in joining
- 24th November 2023