WEIR WARNS OVER ‘DUBIOUS’ CARBON FIXING PLAN

WEIR WARNS OVER ‘DUBIOUS’ CARBON FIXING PLAN

SNP Energy and Climate Change spokesperson Mike Weir MP has warned UK
government plans to fix carbon prices amount to a hidden subsidy for
new nuclear power stations – despite an explicit assurance by the
coalition government that no public subsidy would be used.

After an exchange at energy questions in the Commons today (Thursday)
Mr Weir said:

“Fixing the carbon price would amount to a hidden subsidy for new
nuclear stations and blows wide open the bogus coalition claim that
there will be no public subsidy for nuclear power.

“There are already problems within the EU emission trading scheme over
free permits and it is ludicrous to pretend the EU will agree to a
carbon floor price. This leaves the UK Government in the ridiculous
position of attempting to impose a carbon floor price in the UK alone.
This is simply unsustainable and legally dubious.

“The fact is that no country has developed and maintained nuclear
stations without state support, nor ever will. The costs associated
with developing new nuclear stations are mammoth, and the expense and
risks associated with disposal are incalculable.

“The reality is that the UK Government is bogged down in nuclear
planning issues and making no progress and creating no jobs while, in
contrast, the Scottish Government is getting on with the job of
investing in the technologies of the future, and supporting thousands
of green energy jobs.”