Archived press release

Taxpayers to Foot Nuclear Waste Bill

28 November 2001

Friends of the Earth said today's announcement by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, showed that BNFL is effectively bankrupt and needs billions of pounds of taxpayers money to bail them out. FOE said that this demonstrates that nuclear power is an expensive and highly dangerous liability, and that no new nuclear power plants should be built.

FOE is concerned that the Government has failed to learn the lessons of the past and that the separation of BNFL from its past liabilities could still be a precursor to its partial privatisation. Today's announcement could be a 'sweetener' towards that end. Taxpayers will end up paying the price of Britain's failed nuclear experiment.

Roger Higman, Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“The Government has created a bizarre fantasy world where environmental and economic reality disappears whenever it looks at the future of the British nuclear industry. Perhaps other industries should ask for the same treatment. Put your profits in the bank, and send the bill for your losses and liabilities to the Treasury. A nice deal if you can get it.

"Today's announcement highlights the madness of building more nuclear power stations. This would create more nuclear waste that will remain dangerous for many thousands of years. We don't even know how to deal with the mess the nuclear industry has already made.”

Friends of the Earth is also concerned that assessments of liabilities created by the nuclear industry could underestimate the eventual bill to the taxpayer, as many experts believe.

If you are a journalist seeking press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Taxpayers to Foot Nuclear Waste Bill

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