The British government has approved 10 new sites for nuclear power stations in England and Wales, calling nuclear power a “proven and reliable” energy source that will help the UK reduce its carbon emissions and become more energy-independent.

Just a year after the government lifted a moratorium on new nuclear power generation, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called nuclear — along with renewables and clean coal — one of the “trinity” of future fuel options.

“We need all of them in the long term because of the challenge of the low-carbon future is so significant,” he said.

The government sees the new stations as an essential replacement for what is an aging nuclear infrastructure; some existing stations will have to be decommissioned as early as 2030, creating concerns that the nation could confront energy shortages.

Government ministers hope some of the new stations, most of which would be built at the locations of existing plants, could be running as soon as 2018. A planning commission will make a final decision within a year. One proposed site, located in Kent, was rejected because of concerns that construction could produce coastal erosion and flooding.

Article appearing courtesy of Yale Environment 360

[photo credit: Pepeketua]

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The British Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July unveiled a plan to cut the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

In par with the 2007 IPCC recommendations and far beyond the United States’ and Europe’s goals on climate change mitigation, the United Kingdom is willing to act as leader in the fight on global warming ahead of the Copenhagen discussions in December.

This occurs as China is urging developed nations to cut their emissions by 40 percent by 2020 and as the 49 least developed countries (and many others) are demanding even more drastic cuts.

Reaching these most ambitious targets will need a comprehensive plan and Ed Miliband, the British Secretary of State of Energy and Climate Change, is willing to use all means to succeed — from energy efficiency and conservation to renewables and nuclear.

Due to create more than a million jobs and significantly cut the country’s natural gas imports, the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan is an example to be followed quickly.

The plan foresees that by 2020 around 40 percent of the nation’s electricity needs will be answered by low carbon sources such as renewable energies and nuclear. Renewables alone will account for 30 percent of the electricity mix.

Energy efficiency is also an important part of the plan. No less than seven million homes are expected to haven been benefitted from retrofitting and weatherizing support by 2020. Additionally, smart meters are to be installed in each house or apartment to help people cut their energy consumption.

According to the plan, cars will have to emit 40 percent less carbon dioxide than current models, emitting as little as 95 grams of CO2 per km on average. The plan will also invest in cycling as an alternative to driving.

As if  this fantastic plan wasn’t already enough, the United Kingdom might soon launch a new high speed rail network, which would link London to Glasgow and Edinburgh in approximately two hours, compared to more than four hours today.

Requiring no less than £34 billion ($55 billion) up to 2020, this plan would build 1,500 miles (around 2,400 km) of new tracks and link almost all major cities. It would also replace the equivalent of 900 flights per day.

There are many other ideas entailed in the plan — for example, the UK will also be investing in a bigger, smarter electricity grid, clean coal and electric cars.

Three months before discussions about the future of the Kyoto Protocol will resume in Copenhagen, her Majesty’s Government seems to be committed to spurring competition on climate change mitigation and cleantech.

Let’s hope the UK’s call will be heard. If replicated on a global scale, this would create millions of jobs for CleanTechies around the world!

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