25/03/2010

Progress On UK Nuclear Plans

The Government today made further progress towards facilitating new nuclear power in the UK.

Draft legislation - providing for the creation of a new body to improve the regulation of civil nuclear energy - has now been published.

Lord Hunt, Minister of State for Energy, said he welcomed the publication, which brings the Government a step closer to the proposed creation of an independent Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

He said: "We've made a decision that nuclear power should be part of our future energy mix but issues around safety and security will be of paramount importance.

"That's why we're laying the groundwork for a new independent body that is focused on and dedicated to ensuring the safe operation of new nuclear in the UK."

The Government also announced the launch of consultations covering the method for determining how a fixed unit price for disposal of nuclear waste will be set; and regulations clarifying requirements set out in the Energy Act 2008 in relation to Funded Decommissioning Programmes.

(PR/GK)

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