Press Release

20 May 2007

NUCLEAR POWER: Survey finds majority of MSPs opposed
Chapelcross demolition day should "mark an end" to new nuclear power plans

Today (Sunday 20 May) should mark the beginning of the end for nuclear power in Scotland said Friends of the Earth Scotland. The environmental group's comments follow the demolition today of the landmark cooling towers at Chapelcross nuclear power station in Dumfries and Galloway. [1]

The group also said that a survey by it of MSPs elected to Holyrood reveals a clear majority opposed to more reactors in Scotland. The survey found that MSPs who say they are against nuclear power outnumber those who said they are in favour by three to one. [2]

This week the UK government is expected to signal its support for the building of a new generation on nuclear power stations.

Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"The reactors may have been shut and the towers demolished, but like every other nuclear power station Chapelcross leaves behind a dangerous legacy of highly radioactive waste.

"We believe that today should mark the beginning of the end for nuclear power in Scotland. The closure and clean-up of Chapelcross should intensify our drive for increased energy efficiency and clean renewables, not a return to polluting and expensive nuclear.

"This week's energy white paper looks like putting Westminster on a collision course with the Scottish Parliament. Should Gordon Brown attempt to implement Blair's radioactive legacy - by imposing nuclear power stations on Scotland - he can now be sure it will be met with stiff opposition.

"The results of our survey couldn't be clearer - new nuclear power stations are not welcome in Scotland. Like the public, the majority of MSPs realise that nuclear power is nothing other than a white elephant.

"Any attempt to foist new nuclear power on Scotland would be an expensive,
ineffective and risky distraction from sensible measures to address climate change. Continued investment in energy efficiency and clean renewables are the only sure fire ways to reduce Scotland's climate change emissions." [3]

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Nuclear cooling towers demolished
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6673817.stm

http://www.britishnucleargroup.com/content.php?pageID=264

[2] SURVEY: WHERE THE NEW MSPS STAND ON NUCLEAR POWER

Opposed to building new nuclear power stations in Scotland: 72 (56%)
Support building new nuclear power stations in Scotland: 24 (19%)
Undecided: 3 (2%)
No response: 30 (23%)
Total: 129 (100%)

See: http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/nuclear_views.php

See also - Holyrood set to clash with Brown on nuclear plans:

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1411802.0.holyrood_s
et_to_clash_with_brown_on_nuclear_plans.php

[3] Nuclear power is not needed to tackle climate change:

1. The 'The Power of Scotland' - a joint report by RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FoE Scotland - sets out how Scotland could tackle climate change without the need for nuclear power.

Read the report: http://foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/Power_of_Scotland.pdf

2. The government's own advisers, the Sustainable Development Commission, say that nuclear nuclear power is not the answer to tackling climate change or security of supply.

Read their report: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/scot_nuclear.html

Isn't it time you joined Friends of the Earth >>

< HOME | JOIN | NATIONAL | LOCAL | INTERNATIONAL | PUBLICATIONS | MERCHANDISE | EVENTS | PRESS | ABOUT FoE | JOBS | LINKS | CONTACT US >