Torness life extension reaction

Reacting to the news of a life extension for Torness nuclear power station, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“Nuclear power is the ultimate unsustainable form of energy, creating waste which needs to be looked after for 25,000 years. While disappointing, this announcement is hardly a surprise, everyone who knows anything about energy has been expecting this announcement for a decade. EDF have announced the life extension for Torness today because they are trying to distract attention from their terrible financial performance and their repeated failure to make a final decision on whether to build the Hinkley Point reactors in Somerset.

“Nuclear power is on its last legs in Europe and Hinkley will probably never get built. The UK Government needs to refocus on energy efficiency and renewables instead of continuing to chase the nuclear dream.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Friends of the Earth Scotland is:

* Scotland's leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 75 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk