Lib Dems oppose nuclear expansion in the East of England

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Sep 2006

At yesterday's meeting of the Executive of the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), the Liberal Democrats proposed that EERA take a stand against the building of new nuclear reactors in the East of England, such as expansion of the Sizewell site in Suffolk.

The Conservative and Labour groups united to defeat this proposal, eliminating this chance to resist expansion of expensive, dangerous and wasteful nuclear power.

Cllr Penny Otton, Lib Dem Leader in Mid-Suffolk, said ' Nuclear power is expensive and risky, as well as presenting a tempting terrorist target.

There are much better alternatives available, involving renewables and greater energy efficiency'.

Cllr Chris White, Lib Dem regional group leader said 'Who will pay for decommissioning of nuclear power plants? Who will pay to look after the waste? Where will it be stored? We should have learned the lesson by being dependent on oil from unstable countries, and should not now start to rely on uranium from unstable countries'

ENDS