Wow! UK Government Announces Public Consultation On Energy Policy!

[hatrack]

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government launched an urgent public consultation on future energy policy on Monday but was accused of using it as a smokescreen to cover a decision already taken in secret to build new nuclear power plants.

Highlighting Britain's dwindling oil and gas supplies from the North Sea and the urgent need to cut carbon emissions in the face of global warming from burning fossil fuels, trade minister Alan Johnson said crucial decisions had to be taken quickly. "One-third of our electricity generating capacity could go off-line over the next 10 years ... so doing nothing is not an option," he told a news conference to announce the three-month public consultation process that will report by mid-year.

Johnson highlighted the disruption to gas supplies over the turn of the year when Russia turned off its pipeline that runs to Europe through Ukraine and said that by 2020 Britain could be importing 80 percent of its gas.

EDIT

The review comes barely two years after a government report in 2003 said there was no need to replace Britain's aging nuclear power plants with a new generation.

EDIT

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-01-23T133322Z_01_L23786426_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-BRITAIN-ENERGY-DC.XML

[Erika]

1. Fossil fuels are running out

While Asia's demand is exploding. Any ANWR oil will be a drop in the bucket compared to our needs.

Looks like W was (s)elected and re-elected by Diebold just to make sure the oil/energy got enough $ for all time before it ran out and the reality of global warming set in.

[wordpix2]

2. hopefully the public will let Tony know what they think---NO NUKES!

Both Tony and BushCo need to solve the transportation, longevity of toxic waste and plant security issues before doing this stupid stuff. they both think nukes are the answer---McCain, too. What a crock