Tory leader in nod to nuclear power
Sizewell nuclear plant
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Thursday, 06, Jul 2006 03:31
The Conservative party has today given lukewarm backing to nuclear energy but only as a last resort.
David Cameron's party published the interim findings of its own energy review and said it will support the nuclear option if needs must but will warn of its perils.
There must be "no subsidies or special favours" for the industry, the report concludes.
The interim report comes ahead of the publication of the government's own energy review later this month, when it is expected to back a "mix" of energy sources, including renewables and nuclear.
Mr Cameron claims green sources of energy such as solar power and wind power should be given a "level playing field" to prove their use against their more established power sources.
He also demanded a new framework to manage carbon emissions.
In a speech to the Local Government Association's annual conference in Bournemouth, Mr Cameron said local councils can make an "enormous contribution" to cutting carbon emissions and ensuring a low carbon future.
He added: "I want Britain to be at the forefront of the green energy opportunity and I want local government to be in the forefront of Britain's environmental progress."
The Tory leader also said it is a myth that energy security can only be provided "from remote and inefficient power stations".
Most of Britain's ageing nuclear power stations are due for decommissioning by 2015.