The Government has been accused of planning a U-turn on energy policy by writing “blank cheques” for new nuclear power stations after promising it would offer no subsidies to the industry. The Government has previously promised not to subsidise the nuclear energy industry but a group of leading academics have accused it of planning a U-turn. It is said to be considering “underwriting” the cost of budget over-runs or delays in the construction of new power stations in the UK.
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/9624964/Government-considers-blank-cheque-nuclear-subsidies.html.
See also: Who pays the nuclear power bill? http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/letters-who-pays-the-nuclear-power-bill-8219862.html Government to rip up rulebook and subsidise new nuclear plants http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-to-rip-up-rulebook-and-subsidise-new-nuclear-plants-8219870.html Tough choices on nuclear power http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/editorial-tough-choices-on-nuclear-power-8219860.html Response from Greenpeace’s Richard George http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/analysis/viewpoint-four-ways-go-beyond-nuclear Business Green 22nd Oct 2012 http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2218751/fresh-questions-raised-over-blank-cheque-for-new-nuclear