Alternatives to a Nuclear Power Station at Hinkley Point (Somerset)
The Petition of supporters of the Stop Hinkley campaign,
Declares that the Petitioners strongly oppose the plan by EdF (Electricite de France) to construct a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset and declares that as an alternative, the Petitioners believe that a Government-backed programme of energy saving and clean renewable energy would combat climate change and avoid the risks of catastrophic accidents and dangers to health resulting from the storage of highly radioactive waste at Hinkley for 160 years.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to commit to an energy policy based on energy saving and clean renewable energy, in which new nuclear power stations play no part.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tessa Munt, Official Report, 14 December 2011; Vol. 537, c. 892.]
[P000991]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, received 5 January 2012:
Hinkley is one of the eight sites listed on the Nuclear National Policy Statement as potentially suitable for the building of new nuclear power stations before the end of 2025. The Nuclear NPS was approved by the House in July 2011 The NPS reflects the Government’s view that there is an urgent need for new energy infrastructure, including nuclear but also renewables, as well as for increased energy efficiency, as part of a secure low-carbon energy mix.
EDF submitted an application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission for development consent for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in October 2011. The IPC are now considering the application. When they have completed their examination they will make a recommendation to me as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and I will make the final decision. But it is the IPC’s role to consider the application and Stop Hinkley, or anyone else wanting to make representations about the application, should register with the IPC their wish to do so.