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UKIP's energy policy backs nuclear

Monday, 7th January 2008

The UK Independence Party says more use should be made of nuclear power and clean coal to provide secure and affordable energy supplies and safeguard the British economy. The policy was unveiled in a detailed document released to coincide with the government's statement on energy.

To read the complete policy
statement, please click HERE

UKIP proposes an increase in nuclear power generation to provide 50% or more of our growing electricity needs within 10-15 years. UKIP would allow acceleration of the planning process by Acts of Parliament where new reactors replaced old reactors on the same sites.

The party also supports the efficient extraction and use of indigenous coal using new technology such as the clean coal power generation plant.

On the environment, UKIP's paper says the party has a common-sense stance:

"UK Independence believes that global warming is a recognisable phenomenon, but that there is insufficient proof that this is generated by carbon emissions. The over-reaction by other parties to global warming borders on the hysterical and risks damaging Britain’s economy and its people’s way of life.

"A healthy and competitive economy on which our welfare depends is needed to finance the adaptation costs which warming may entail.  We think that environmental protection and enhancement, and the conservation of finite resources, can be achieved without putting our economy at risk.

"By inappropriate taxation, ill-judged Government intervention and misguided diversion of funding, ‘gesture environmentalism’ will harm Britain’s ability to respond effectively to environmental challenges both in the present and the future."

The paper is strongly opposed to "green taxes" masquerading as beneficial to the environment when the primary aim is to raise revenues for the Exchequer. Many green claims are myths, it says.

However, UKIP is clear about the need to reduce pollution in general and to conserve and enhance the natural environment.
 
Other key points from the Energy and Environment paper:

• Reduce the use of gas for electricity generation and use gas primarily for heating only.

• Require any further schemes of large-scale wind generation to be funded by the market and limit large-scale wind farms to offshore only and where not in conflict with important fishing grounds. UKIP will work on the basis that renewables will not supply more than minor energy needs in future.

• Facilitate the design and implementation of an efficient nationwide water supply grid based on existing canals and new water pipelines between the north and south of Britain.

• Encourage the reduction of waste, the reuse of materials and proven methods of recycling and introduce a "litter deposit" on recycleable goods to reduce litter. Examine a German-style "green dot" system under which manufacturers have to take back goods after use for recycling or appropriate disposal.

• Support technologies and practice to improve energy conservation and efficiency.

• Encourage the development and use of renewable energy sources other than wind generators, such as wave power.

• Reduce bureaucracy and EU-driven heavy fines in environmental and related areas to the minimum consistent with good practice and international standards.

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