19 January 2010
Immediate release
 
SNP MUST STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH NUCLEAR WASTE
 
Elaine Murray MSP has called on the SNP Government to stop “opposing for oppositions sake” and “get on board with UK Government’s energy strategy”.

Her call comes as the SNP Government announces a consultation exercise on where nuclear waste should be stored in Scotland. They want to store waste ‘near surface, near site’ which means waste could be permanently stored near Chapelcross. This is at odds with the UK Government’s strategy, which was formulated in consultation with an expert inquiry.

Elaine Murray MSP said: “This looks like the SNP going down a different route just so they can do something different to the UK Government. It's very silly to try and play politics with nuclear waste.

“The UK Government has already spent money on an expert inquiry which concluded that nuclear waste is best stored deep underground.

“Ignoring this advice the SNP want to store the waste near the surface close to each nuclear site.

“Rather than signing up to the UK’s long term disposal strategy of keeping the waste in a secure repository buried deep underground, the SNP want to scatter it across the country near the surface. This means we could have nuclear waste stored permanently near the surface at Chapelcross.”

Elaine Murray highlights that the SNP’s indecision about how to deal with nuclear waste is symptomatic of their ill considered energy policy.

She added: “The UK Government is investing in a secure and diverse energy strategy for the country. Nuclear power is not without it’s complications, but it is a proven way of producing electricity safely that does not emit greenhouse gases. The SNP are being reckless by playing fast and loose with our energy supply by hedging their bets on technologies that are not yet proven.

“I am a big supporter of renewable energy but we need to be pragmatic. We need to keep the lights on and in the short to medium term that means including nuclear power in the mix.

“It’s time the SNP got on board with the UK Government’s energy strategy and stop opposing for opposition sake.”
 
ENDS
 
CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
 
Details of the SNP Scottish Government's consultation on Higher Activity Radioactive waste can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/14151207/0