Legislation to control nuclear
power advocated
PRESS RELEASE
From the Institute of Welsh Affairs
For publication after 0010 Tuesday November 28th 2006
Following May 2007 the new Assembly Government should push through
legislation giving itself authority over whether nuclear power is
developed in Wales. This is one major recommendation of a study group
of environment, energy and transport experts in Time to Deliver, a
report on policy options for the National Assembly’s Third Term
to be published today (Monday November 27th) by the Institute of Welsh
Affairs. The legislation would devolve powers relating to power station
consents over 50Mw to the Assembly Government as well as the setting
of building regulations.
The Study group also recommend that legislation should be introduced
to provide statutory powers to direct Network Rail, to enable Welsh
priorities to be reflected in the rail infrastructure (for track,
signalling, and stations) in Wales. The change would enable a light
rail (tram) network for south east Wales to be developed covering
current rail operations from Taffs Well, Coryton and Rhymney to Barry,
Penarth, Cardiff International Airport /Bridgend, and a new line via
Cardiff Bay, Greyfriars Road and St Mary Street, Cadaxton, Wenvoe
and St Fagans. It would also enable rail upgrades to increase line
speeds to 100 mph on the north Wales main line, the Marcher Line and
the south Wales main line would reduce the journey time between Bangor
and Cardiff to 3 hours and improve north-south connectivity.
The Study Group observe that the Marine Act will be the first to cross
the Minister's desk with new powers available under the 2006 Government
of Wales Act. It recommends that legislation should be introduced
to rationalise the many disparate and illogical anomalies that exist
in the powers the Assembly Government has over the seas within its
territorial waters, and to introduce a system of marine spatial planning.
The study group identify a wider range of dilemmas and conflicts in
the Transport, energy, and environment policy fields. They say that
tackling climate change should be the overriding priority: “We
are forced to consider whether we should retain our current unsustainable
economic model, or whether we should reduce our CO2 emissions substantially,
even if growth is compromised. Should we do what is ‘politically
acceptable’ within the four to five year electoral cycle, or
attempt to gain consensus for radical changes based around 50-year
projections?”
The report, the work of eight Policy Groups made up of 103 experts,
will be discussed at a special conference to be held in Cardiff on
Monday November 27th. For further details on how to obtain copies
of Time to Deliver (price £30 plus £2 p&p), please
call 029 2066 6606 or e-mail wales@iwa.org.uk
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