Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of pending (a) oil and (b) gas licence applications delayed due to the judgement in UKSC 2022/0064.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government does not expect the Finch judgement to delay licence applications because it relates to Environmental Impact Assessments associated with applications for development consent for offshore oil and gas projects that have already secured a licence.
The Government will consult later this year on the implementation of our manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields.
The North Sea Transition Authority has paused considering any further licences from the 33rd round pending the finalisation of the Government’s consultation process into the future of licensing.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when his Department expects the North Sea Transition Authority to publish decisions on the remaining (a) oil and (b) gas licence applications made under the 33rd licensing round.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has paused considering any further licences from the 33rd round pending the finalisation of the Governments consultation process into the future of licensing.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many (a) oil and (b) gas licence applications made under the 33rd licensing round are yet to be determined.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has paused considering any further licences from the 33rd round pending the finalisation of the Governments consultation process into the future of licensing.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the judgement in UKSC 2022/0064 on the remaining (a) oil and (b) gas licence applications made under the 33rd licensing round.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Supreme Court's Finch judgment relates to Environmental Impact Assessments associated with applications for development consent for offshore oil and gas projects that have already secured a licence. On October 30th the Government launched a consultation on guidance that will help developers understand how to account for the Court judgment when undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments associated with those consent applications. The consultation will close on January 8th and the Government aims to have the finalised guidance in place in the Spring.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has paused considering any further licences from the 33rd round pending the finalisation of the Government’s consultation process into the future of licensing.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to incorporate the judgement in UKSC 2022/0064 into the decision-making process for oil and gas licences.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Supreme Court's Finch judgment relates to Environmental Impact Assessments associated with applications for development consent for offshore oil and gas projects that have already secured a licence. On 30 October the Government launched a consultation on guidance that will help developers understand how to account for the Court judgment when undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments associated with those consent applications. The consultation will close on 8 January and the Government aims to have the finalised guidance in place in the Spring.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) advanced reactors, (b) nuclear fusion and (c) other innovation in nuclear technology.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels through the Advanced Nuclear Fund. The current programme is also providing funding to the UK’s nuclear regulators to ensure they can develop capabilities to regulate novel reactor types.
The STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship fusion programme, which aims to deliver a commercially viable fusion power plant prototype by the 2040s.
The commercial process for the STEP powerplant is underway, we are investing in cutting-edge fusion research programmes and facilities and are implementing the UK’s proportionate regulatory framework to encourage investment.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds information on the potential impact of electromagnetic fields from high-voltage electricity pylons on public health.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The National Policy Statement for electricity networks notes that all overhead power lines produce electromagnetic fields (EMF), and that Government policy is that exposure of the public to EMF from 275kV and 400kV lines should be limited to low levels in compliance with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines (1998). Potential health effects associated with long-term low-level exposure to EMF have been extensively studied over recent decades and detrimental effects have not been found.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) international climate commitments and (b) other global nuclear energy initiatives.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to restoring the UK’s global climate leadership, building on its mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. We will work with countries to deliver on the Global Stocktake agreed at COP28. We intend to announce our own ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035 at COP29, accelerate action through initiatives such as the Global Clean Power Alliance and push for an ambitious new global climate finance goal at COP29. The UK actively supports the safe and secure use of nuclear energy through our work at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and International Energy Agency.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to streamline regulatory approval processes for new nuclear projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has an enabling, robust and rigorous energy regulatory regime. The Government is taking steps towards speeding up and streamlining the planning process and will continue to work with the regulators to understand the potential for additional streamlining or removing of duplication from the regulation of energy projects including new nuclear projects. Evidence received from the Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation will allow us to further explore how the existing nuclear regulatory framework can accommodate new technologies and new use-cases.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK has the (a) skills and (b) workforce to support the expansion of nuclear energy as part of the net-zero transition.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK nuclear industry has the necessary skills needed to deliver our nuclear ambitions.
Recognising the need for urgent action, the nuclear sector across civil and defence are responding collaboratively to deliver sustained long-term action that will develop a robust nuclear skills base, including through the delivery of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills.