Stephen's view on Nuclear Power

Energy policy is obviously of increasing importance because the burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - is a major contributor to climate change, and a significant cause of acid rain and local air pollution. I believe that the top priorities need to be to reduce energy consumption overall by improving the efficiency with which it is used, and to switch from polluting forms to a range of clean energy sources.

As you may be aware, the government's energy review included a discussion about replacing existing nuclear power stations as they come to the end of their safe and economic operating lives.

Clearly energy from renewable sources should be a key element to our future energy mix. The government needs to invest sufficiently in new technology so we are able to properly harness the potential of wind, wave and other clean energy sources. We will have to look carefully at what different energy resources are available to us in our crucial efforts to reduce damaging carbon emissions. The Liberal Democrats are unlikely to support an expansion in civil nuclear power or replacement of existing stations as they come to the end of their useful life over the next two decades.

On a local level, I'm delighted that Liberal Democrat led Bristol City Council is promoting the construction of a wind turbine at Avonmouth. It is estimated that the energy generated will be sufficient to power half of the city's street lights. Bristol is also a world centre of excellence for wind energy consultancy. Bristol based firms advise on wind turbine construction all over Europe and as far afield as Australia. It is ironic that the country where they don't get much work is the UK.

Similarly, my local colleague Councillor Mark Wright has been pushing for a re-examination of the Severn Tidal Barrage Project in light of the current energy review. Bristol City Council has now passed a motion in support of the barrage. The Welsh Assembly has also backed a study into the scheme. The building of this barrage would allow us to be less dependent on nuclear power, coal or foreign oil and it has my support. There is strong support on both sides of the Severn estuary; and it is gratifying that the government has finally decided to do a feasibility study into the concept of a barrage. On 22nd March 2006 I tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 1876) in support of a barrage and my Lib Dem colleague Jenny Willot, the MP for Cardiff Central, has tabled a similar motion.

I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues will continue to press the government on this issue and are determined to drive forward the switch to renewable energy.