Blair reignites nuclear debate, American lobbying adds to pressure ...

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4965160-103690,00.html

Blair reignites nuclear debate
American lobbying adds to pressure as PM battles to keep controversial energy option on climate change agenda

Patrick Wintour and Paul Brown
Wednesday July 7, 2004

The Guardian

Tony Blair yesterday signalled that Britain may have to build a new generation of nuclear power stations to meet the challenge of climate change.
Appearing before a committee of senior MPs, he disclosed that America was pressing Britain to look again at the nuclear option, including a new generation of stations that some claim will be safer and cheaper. Britain would have to take "some very difficult decisions", the prime minister said.

Mr Blair also revealed that the door to a fresh round of nuclear stations had been kept open in last year's energy white paper at his personal insistence. "I have fought long and hard, both within my party and outside, to make sure that the nuclear option is not closed off," he told the Westminster session.

Even though Mr Blair insisted big political and economic hurdles remained in the way of further nuclear stations, his remarks were hailed by pro-nuclear MPs, but caused consternation among environmentalists.

Mr Blair said the evidence was now overwhelming that climate change was the single biggest long-term problem facing the country, and conceded the world was nowhere near finding a mechanism to cut carbon dioxide emissions by the government's target of 60% by 2050.

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[DODI]

1. I am sure the British Gov't is pushing for this too

BNFL (British Nuclear Fuel Limited) owns the "American" company Westinghouse Electric -- a nuclear power plant company.