NUCLEAR CRACKS REVEAL MINISTERS' WEAK POSITION: JOHNSTONE
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy and energy committee, is expressing disappointment at Scottish ministers for failing to take a tougher approach to nuclear power.
During Topical Questions in the parliament today (7 Oct) Ms Johnstone raised the issue of safety in light of the discovery of cracks within the reactors at EDF's Hunterston plant.
Ms Johnstone asked Energy Minister Fergus Ewing if the Scottish Government would support the case for having full environmental impact assessments when licence extensions for plants such as Hunterston and Torness are considered.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
"In light of the Hunterston cracks it is important we challenge the fact that the public has no say in the Periodic Safety Reviews and lifetime extensions granted to our nuclear plants.
"International law says extensions require public consultation and must compare the potential impact of extending an old reactor with supplying energy from alternative sources such as renewable energy. I am disappointed that the minister did not address this point.
"Meantime we should re-double our commitment to forge ahead with the different renewable technologies which will serve Scotland far better in the long-term."