Archived press release

Blair must publish nuclear briefing

17 May 2006

Tony Blair must publish details of the information he received from the DTI on the Energy Review, Friends of the Earth said today. The environmental campaign group is filing a Freedom of Information request asking to see the "first cut" of the energy review which led the Prime Minister to declare that nuclear power is back on the agenda "with a vengeance".

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said:

"Tony Blair has completely undermined the Government's Energy Review by endorsing a new generation of nuclear power stations. He must publish details of the briefing he received from the DTI, which he has now made so public, so that we can have a transparent and open debate on this issue.

"Clean and safe technologies for tackling climate change and meeting our energy needs already exist. The UK should be leading the way in developing a sustainable energy strategy for the 21^st century, rather than championing dirty, dangerous and expensive nuclear power."

Increasingly it seems that the Energy Review has been a sham from the outset with Tony Blair determined to ensure that a new generation of nuclear power plants are built. A series of pro-nuclear nods and winks have been given by the Government for a number of months, and opponents of nuclear power were removed from key ministerial posts a few weeks ago.

But the UK can meet its energy needs and combat climate change through clean and safe alternatives that already exist. Friends of the Earth research, part of The Big Ask climate campaign, that was submitted to the Energy Review (along with similar submissions) shows how the UK can meet its electricity needs, reduce the need for imported natural gas, and tackle climate change without a new nuclear power programme. The report, A Bright Energy Future, which was reviewed by academics and industry representatives, showed that:

• The UK can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from generating electricity by between 48 and 71 percent by 2020 without resorting to nuclear;

• Natural gas use for the power sector can be at least stabilised and in many cases reduced - meaning less of a reliance on imports.

More details:

New research shows a bright energy future is possible

The Big Ask

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust