Energy supply consultation is a “waste of time”

Release/Rhyddhau: Monday, 23rd January 2006

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk

Welsh Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, Mick Bates, has today slammed the Westminster government’s public consultation on the UK energy supply, describing it as a “Waste of time”.

Commenting at the start of the consultation Mick, who chairs the National Assembly Sustainable Energy group (NASEG) said:
 
“This is an energy review without a purpose.  The Government published a credible white paper on the issue only a few years ago.  They should be implementing that rather than beginning another review.

“My primary concern is that this review has been launched to justify the Prime Minister’s wish to build a new generation of nuclear power stations.  This is something the earlier white paper did not recommend.

“Nuclear power is expensive and unpopular.  To close a nuclear power station can take up to four years at a cost of £1 billion. There are also unanswered questions over the disposal of waste.

“Here in Wales the biggest fear is that we will be forced to open Nuclear power stations despite of concerns.  The Westminster government needs to devolve the decision to Wales.  We need to have the power to decide what energy supplies work best for our nation.”