| A fresh legal challenge to a new generation of | | | | Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said, |
| nuclear power stations is looming after pressure | | | | "For such senior insiders to be so critical of the |
| group Greenpeace said it was considering dragging | | | | consultation process is a deeply troubling |
| the Government back to court. Business | | | | commentary on the Government's approach to |
| Secretary John Hutton is due to announce a | | | | this issue, and as the report reveals, nuclear |
| decision on an expansion of nuclear energy | | | | power could only reduce the UK's CO2 emissions |
| tomorrow, but a legal dispute could set the | | | | by 4% by 2025 - too little, too late. |
| timetable back. | | | | "Our lawyers are looking at this report and will |
| Greenpeace has already successfully challenged | | | | also examine the Government's decision on new |
| the decision- making process once, with the High | | | | nuclear build with great interest. We won't be |
| Court forcing Ministers to re- run their public | | | | rushed into a decision, but nothing has been ruled |
| consultation exercise, describing the original as | | | | out at this stage." The Assembly Government is |
| "seriously flawed". Although Ministers are likely to | | | | also sceptical about the need for new nuclear |
| argue that new nuclear sites will give Britain a | | | | power stations - but with major energy decisions |
| secure energy supply for decades to come, the | | | | reserved to Westminster, it is powerless to block |
| policy is likely to be opposed by several Labour | | | | them. Ministers in Cardiff Bay nevertheless |
| MPs, and there was further criticism last week | | | | "strongly support" an extension to the life of the |
| from scientists and academics. | | | | Wylfa site on Anglesey, due to be |
| Mr Hutton is expected to respond formally to the | | | | decommissioned in 2010. |
| public consultation with a statement to MPs | | | | The site in the constituency of Deputy First |
| tomorrow, with an Energy Bill published within | | | | Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is of "economic |
| days.Experts from the nuclear consultation group, | | | | importance", the WAG said. Lib Dem MP for |
| which includes academics from Oxford, Sussex | | | | Cardiff Central Jenny Willott said the latest |
| and Lancaster universities, produced an 87-page | | | | academic report showed the Government's policy |
| report into the decision-making process. It | | | | was in "complete meltdown". She said, "The |
| suggested questions on radiation, nuclear waste | | | | Government has now failed twice to consult |
| and vulnerability to terrorist attack remained | | | | properly on nuclear power and to explore all our |
| unanswered. | | | | energy options. This is inexcusable." Opposition to |
| They said the five-month consultation was | | | | new nuclear stations runs high amongst Welsh |
| "rushed, undemocratic and failed to properly | | | | MPs - four Labour backbenchers signed a motion |
| represent the complexities of the issues involved". | | | | last year opposing expansion. |