Blair says nuclear power back on agenda

Tony Blair

LONDON - Prime Minister Tony Blair provoked outrage today by saying the replacement of ageing nuclear power plants was back on the agenda due to global warming and rising reliance on imported energy.

Environmentalists said the remarks in a speech to business chiefs showed Blair had decided to back nuclear power even before the government's own energy review had been completed.

"These facts put the replacement of nuclear power stations, a big push on renewables and a step change on energy efficiency, engaging both business and consumers, back on the agenda with a vengeance," Blair told the Confederation of British Industry.

His remarks, in the middle of a wide-ranging speech covering globalisation, education, pensions and public sector reform, followed a private briefing by the energy minister on the progress of the review which is due to be concluded by July.

Nuclear power stations supply one-fifth of the nation's electricity.

However, all but one are scheduled to close by 2025 as are a number of old, coal-fired power plants. Altogether, the plants set for closure account for one-third of generating capacity.

Environmentalists have long complained that the energy review is a shroud to cover a decision they say Blair has already taken in secret to back building new nuclear plants.

"Increasingly it looks like the energy consultation has been a complete sham. It's clear that Tony Blair is fixated with nuclear power and is determined to oversee a new generation of nuclear reactors," Friends of the Earth chief Tony Juniper said.

Not only do Blair's remarks appear to pre-empt the energy review, they also come before a final decision has been taken on how to deal with existing nuclear waste and months ahead of a key Treasury report into the economic costs of climate change.

It is not just the energy gap that is facing the government.

It admitted in March that it is set to miss its own pledge to cut emissions of carbon dioxide -- the main global warming culprit -- by 20 per cent by 2010. It has also seen energy prices surge as dwindling domestic supplies force reliance on imports.

"We will become heavily dependent on gas and at the same time move from being 80-90 per cent self-reliant to being 80-90 per cent dependent on foreign imports of gas, mostly from the Middle East, Africa and Russia," Blair said.

Blair, whose popularity has slumped and who is under pressure from parts of Labour to step down, is aware of deep-rooted opposition within the party to more nuclear power.

But he was adamant: "If we do not take these long-term decisions now, I believe we will be committing a serious dereliction of our duty to the future of this country."

Most scientists say global warming is due mainly to carbon gases from burning fossil fuels for power and transport, and that it will cause floods, famines and epidemics.

Advocates of nuclear power, who have seen interest in new plants surge in the global search for clean power, say it is a carbon-free source of power and therefore the key to the future.

Environmentalists, however, say it is dirty, expensive and dangerous and the real answer lies in renewables like wind, solar and waves as well as in greater energy efficiency.

"Nuclear power presents a real terrorist threat, costs a stupid amount of money, doesn't help in the fight against climate change and certainly won't plug the energy gap," said Stephen Tindale of Greenpeace. "To put this hazard back on the agenda is recklessly incompetent."

- REUTERS