Extract from Lords statement on UK Net Zero Emissions Target - Jun 12
Thursday, 13 June 2019 08:28
Lord Grantchester (Lab):...Thirdly, what is the Government’s policy
on nuclear energy? What is the appropriate response on size of
schemes between the Hinkley Point development and small
modular reactors? We need urgent answers. Fourthly, what are the
immediate plans of action for transport? Last month’s electric
vehicle registration figures show that new registrations are down
almost 5% on last year and the use of buses is in freefall. Is the
Department for Transport signed up to...Request free trial
(Lab):...Thirdly, what is the Government’s policy on
nuclear energy? What is the appropriate response on size of schemes
between the Hinkley Point development and small modular reactors? We need urgent answers.
Fourthly, what are the immediate plans of action for transport?
Last month’s electric vehicle registration figures show that new
registrations are down almost 5% on last year and the use of buses
is in freefall. Is the Department for Transport signed up to this
target? Does the department realise that it needs to develop new
policies? Can the Minister confirm what steps the Government will
now take to increase the uptake of environmentally friendly forms
of transport? How will they ensure that clean transport becomes
affordable to working families so that they can feel engaged and
contributing, not remaining chained to expensive polluting
fuels?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Lord
Henley) (Con):...The noble Lord, , then posed a number
of specific questions about various forms of renewable energy, such
as why we could not do more onshore. I point him to the success of
offshore wind: we have seen a dramatic decrease in the costs of
offshore energy, are now the world leaders in offshore wind energy
and are making great strides forward. He asked what we are doing
about nuclear. As I have made clear in a number of recent debates
in this House, we are still committed to nuclear, which can provide
carbon-free energy and the baseload we need at this stage. We will
continue to pursue the possibilities of nuclear, but not at any
cost—as my right honourable friend made clear when he made the
announcements about Moorside and Wylfa. Again, we will continue to
look at possibilities for expansion regarding small
modular reactors, advanced modular reactors and so
on...
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