WALES: Bates applauds nuclear authority ambitions

5.02.47pm GMT Wed 3rd Dec 2003

Mick Bates AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, today applauded the Government for bringing forward legislation in the Queen's Speech to create a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which will be charged with managing public sector civil nuclear waste.

He said: "I am hopeful that the NDA will ensure the clean-up and decommissioning of Wales' civil nuclear sites; other parts of the Energy Bill are necessary to firm up the governments commitment to renewable energy through wind power and I look forward to seeing this legal framework for offshore facilities put in place".

Welsh Liberal Democrat policy is to decommission all nuclear reactors as they reach the end of their working life's, while boosting renewable energy resources in parallel.

Key aspects of the Bill include creating a single wholesale electricity market for Britain (BETTA) and the establishment of a new Civil Nuclear Police Authority to oversee a reconstituted nuclear constabulary (the present UKAEA constabulary), directly accountable to the Secretary of State.

Reducing the UK's dependence on nuclear power and fossil fuels will also allow us to meet our lower greenhouse gas emissions commitment from the Kyoto Treaty.

"Its not all rosy for renewable energy however", said Mr. Bates, " At each new stage of implementation the UK's response has regressed; the Labour Assembly Government in Cardiff has mirrored this regression, starting with such high ideals but ultimately lagging behind".

Notes:

• Under the government's present plans, by 2020 all but one of the present generation of nuclear plants will have been decommissioned; if these are not replaced, and renewables targets are met, Britain will effectively stand still in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.