UK families living close to nuclear power stations could get free electricity
LONDON -
UK Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has endorsed a French-style system that sees people living near nuclear power stations receive free electricity.
Speaking at an event organised by Policy Exchange think tank, Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “Nuclear power is just fundamental. There’s no way we can get to net zero, or even have an intelligent electricity strategy, without nuclear.”
Highlighting that this was his view and not a government policy announcement, he said: “We should copy the French. As I understand, if you live near a nuclear power station in France, you get free electricity and that’s great because then, I’ll have two in my garden if I get free electricity for my children as well.
“I think you want to recognise that things you do that are in the national interest must benefit those who make the sacrifice for the national interest.”
Earlier Mr Rees-Mogg stressed that he would like to see a simpler development consent process for new nuclear power plants.
He said: “That’s a lot of regulation around that. Did you know that Sizewell C will require 140 individual approvals from arms of the state, each one of which is potentially subject to judicial review.”
Related News
Tucson Electric Power plans to end use of coal-generated electricity by 2032
TUCSON - In a dramatic policy shift, Tucson Electric Power says it will stop using coal to generate electricity by 2032 and will increase renewable energy's share of its energy load to more than 70% by 2035.
As part of that change, the utility will stop buying electricity from its two units at its coal-fired Springerville Generating Station by 2032. The plant, TEP's biggest power source, provides about 35% of its energy.
The utility already had planned to start up two New Mexico wind farms and a solar storage plant in the Tucson area by next year. The new plan calls for…
