Pressure mounts to cut nuclear subsidies

Pressure mounting to cut nuclear subsidies


Saturday, 03 July 2010

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron (pictured) has signed an early day motion calling for the withdrawal of all subsidies for the nuclear industry.

He has also written to the Secretary of State to argue the case for investment in the manufacture of turbines in West Cumbria.

His actions have won support from campaign group Radiation Free Lakeland.

Spokeswoman Marianne Birkby said: “As a group we are relieved that our MP continues to oppose new build and the outrageous and ever increasing subsidies for nuclear.

“Subsidies include hidden ones such as Sellafield's essential use of our precious freshwater - over 4 million gallons a day abstracted from Wastwater and other Lakeland freshwater sources for which the industry pays precisely....nothing!

“If there was to be a stoppage for just one day of this natural resource which the nuclear industry gets for free – Cumbria would be wiped off the map and known as the 'Cumbrian Catastrophe'

“The industry would not be liable as the high hazard and scale of projected devastation make it impossible to secure commercial insurance.

"This is an industry which describes itself as "mature and proven.

“Taxpayer subsidies are traditionally given to support research and development of fledgling industries until they can support themselves from their own profits. The much vaunted Nuclear Academy of Cumbria is essentially the taxpayer funded research and development arm for a supposedly "mature and proven" industry.

“We are also delighted that Tim Farron has also "written to the Secretary of State to argue the case for investment in the manufacture of turbines in West Cumbria".

Radiation Free Lakeland would like to know "Where is the Renewable Energy Academy of the so called Energy Coast"?