An artist's impression of the new nuclear power station planned at Hinckley Point in Somerset. Sizewell is earmarked as the site for a similar plant Image courtesy of EDF Energy

Sizewell: MP’s ‘misled’ over need for new generation of nuclear plants, claims report

By Craig Robinson Wednesday, February 8, 2012
1:51 PM

OFFICIALS distorted evidence and misled MPs over the need to build a new fleet of nuclear power stations, according to a report written by a Suffolk town councillor.

Ron Bailey, who sits on Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council, recently presented his findings at the House of Commons. Together with other experts and a group of MPs he told ministers that the information used to justify the need for new nuclear build in the UK was wrong. His report, which was written with the help of the Association for the Conservation of Energy and Unlock Democracy, uses the Government’s own research to show that new nuclear power stations are not needed.

Both the previous Labour Government and the current coalition overstated evidence, the report claims. It suggests assertions that electricity demand is likely to double are based on taking some of the highest estimates rather than the average, while Mr Bailey also claims key findings that showed ways in which the UK could do without new nuclear power were ignored.

He said: “We found that the information given to ministers was incorrect. It was a distortion of evidence. Let me be clear – we are not blaming ministers. They can only make the decisions based on the information they have. But the information was wrong. Often the justification for nuclear power is that it is the only way to ‘keep the lights switched on’ – but that’s not true.”

The report, called A Corruption of Governance?, has been endorsed by a cross-party group of MPs. Its findings were last night welcomed by the Shut Down Sizewell Campaign and Communities Against Nuclear Expansion (CANE).

A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said: “We need a range of new energy infrastructure to keep the lights on and reduce our carbon emissions.

“The UK has everything to gain from becoming a leading destination to invest in new nuclear. This will come alongside investment in other technologies like renewables, clean coal and gas and improved energy efficiency.”

He said they were confident that the Energy National Policy Statements, which will inform decisions on building new infrastructure, take account of relevant factors.

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5 comments

RonB I did not say, or imply, that this report was anti-nuclear or anti anything else - That was your inference. What I said was the article did not give me enough details to judge one way or the other. That does not alter the fact that over the 30 years I have lived here there has always been much more in the local press against nuclear power than for it and rarely any truly balanced reporting. (This lack of balance does not just apply to the nuclear issue) A big THANK YOU to all who have given me the URL to find the document - Now I can go and bend my mighty brain to make my own mind up. I wholeheartedly agree with mcSCgreen - independant assessment of anything in this country is hard to come by. Can I ask the EADT to put a small notice on the front page giving the URL for this document ? For the information of all those others like me who would like to know more but are not 'in the know' of where to look? Thanks

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happypam

Friday, February 10, 2012
The report is available on the ACE website: http:www.ukace.org

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plunk

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hi happypam, the Report is NOT anti nuclear - it is about how Ministers and Parliament were fed false information on which to base their decisions on this issue. That is a corruption of governance. It is obtainable from www.ukace.org Ron (co-author)

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RonB

Thursday, February 9, 2012
You can get a copy from the following sources: http:www.ukace.org http:www.noneedfornuclear.org.uk I think it is very important that this information is available to all and that we urge the Government to look at the full facts and ask for a fresh debate. The nuclear question was used as an example and it is more to do with how current policy is made. It is very scary if decisions surrounding the NHS, or penisons or future transport needs were made in the same way. Lobbyists and the Whitehall machine have their claws in and this needs proper independent regulation and investigation.

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mcSCgreen

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Can we have more details on this please? The press in this area are always very eager to report on anti-nuclear things, but always very reluctant to put a balanced view. This is a very important report from the point of view of everyone in this area and the bare bones are just not enough for anyone to form a reasoned opinion. I have an open mind about new reactors and I get really fed up by the lack of balance. How can I get hold of a copy of this report? Will you publish it for us to read?

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happypam

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Sizewell: MP’s ‘misled’ over need for new generation of nuclear plants, claims report

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