Academics warn of n-power risks
A GROUP of academics has condemned “undemocratic” Government plans to force through a new generation of nuclear power stations, it was reported today.
The group, which includes scientists, energy economists and several Government advisers on nuclear waste, warned that questions over disposal of waste material and vulnerability to terrorist attack at possible sites, including one in Hartlepool, had not been properly answered.
As reported in the Evening Gazette, the prospect of a new nuclear power station for Hartlepool had moved a step closer, as British Energy commissioned a range of studies at the site.
The company was pressing ahead with environmental and technical reports in advance of the Government's anticipated backing for a new generation of generators this year.
But the group of academics has now criticised the way the Government gathered public and expert opinion on the issue.
Dr Paul Dorfman, a spokesman for the independent group, told The Guardian: “We are profoundly concerned that the Government’s approach was designed to provide particular and limiting answers.
“Those answers risk locking in UK energy to an inflexible and vulnerable pathway that will prove unsustainable.”
An 87-page report by the group concluded significant issues were not consulted on in any meaningful way or resolved in practice.
“It has left the Government vulnerable to legal challenge and may lead to hostility and mistrust of any future energy decision,” it said.
The report comes as the Government gets ready to allow a major expansion of nuclear power.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said: “We gave people five months to respond to the consultation on the range of issues relating to nuclear power, which is longer than the average three to four month consultation period.
“We’ve received 2,700 responses from the extensive consultation.
“Time is pressing - we need to make a decision on whether we should continue to get some of our electricity from nuclear, which is a low carbon form of making energy. We will be making an announcement about this shortly.”
The first British Energy report on protecting its eight nuclear sites from the long term impact of climate change has already recommended that existing coastal protection and flood defences at Hartlepool should be strengthened before any new build begins.
It will now look at the environmental impact of developing the site and technical issues.
The company said it would involve local groups at all stages of the process.
About 1,000 Hartlepool families rely on the British Energy plant for skilled jobs, but environmental campaigners, including Greenpeace, have been vocal in their opposition to extending the plant.
