11 seconds ago 2009-12-04T06:50:03-08:00
LONDON (AFP) – The government named 10 sites where new nuclear power stations could be built Monday, while unveiling changes to planning rules aimed at speeding up approval for energy projects.
Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said the move would help secure a new generation of low carbon energy for British homes in coming decades, as part of the fight against climate change.
The 10 nuclear sites -- many of which are near existing nuclear facilities -- include three in Cumbria near the Sellafield reprocessing plant.
A potential site in Dungeness, was ruled out because of the possible impact on the local ecosystem, which is noted for its birdlife and bleak beauty.
The new planning rules, which cover nuclear plants as well as renewable energy and fossil fuels, have raised fears that they could stifle the voice of local protestors opposed to new developments.
But Miliband played down this concern, saying the current system was a "barrier" to progress.
"The threat of climate change means we need to make a transition from a system that relies heavily on high carbon fossil fuels to a radically different system that includes nuclear, renewable and clean coal power," he said.
"The current planning system is a barrier to this shift... that is why we are undertaking fundamental reform of the planning system which will result in a more efficient, transparent and accessible process."
Miliband also said no new coal fuelled power stations would be allowed to be built without carbon capture and storage.
Last year, the government decided to go ahead with a new generation of nuclear plants to replace Britain's ageing nuclear infrastructure, most of which will be decommissioned by 2023.
Ministers hope the first of a new generation of stations can come on stream as early as 2017.
In response to the announcement, Conservative energy spokesman Greg Clark accused the government of a "last minute scramble" to act after 12 years of procrastination in the face of looming energy shortages.
