[Imc-uk-reports] Greenpeace to challenge British Energy Bail out in Europe

[Lou Clifton]

Greenpeace to challenge British Energy Bail out in Europe

Greenpeace and Ecotricity have received legal advice on European =
competition law which is that the proposed restructuring of British =
Energy will be illegal if it does not include 'adequate compensatory =
measures' to alleviate the effects of the state aid on British Energy's =
competitors. In situations such as this, adequate compensation would be =
in the form of closing some of British Energy's reactors to relieve =
chronic overcapacity and depressed wholesale power prices. Because this =
was not in the proposal the European Commissionn would not approve any =
package agreed between the Government, British Energy and creditors.=20


Matthew Spencer, head of Greenpeace's energy campaign said:
"The proposals for restructuring British Energy are legally flakey and =
environmentally irresponsible. The Government should use the British =
Energy crisis to negotiate the rapid closure of its reactors and =
redouble its effort in the energy efficiency and renewables fields. =
British Energy's ceditors should not take this offer at face value - the =
whole thing will unravel in the courts over the next two years if none =
of British Energy's reactors are closed down."

Dale Vince, Managing Director of Ecotricity said:
"We don't need nuclear power.  We already have 25% over capacity in the =
market place, and with nuclear only providing 20% of our requirements =
there is now ample opportunity to pull the plug.  Only last week, =
Belgium announced it will phase out its nuclear energy programme between =
2015 and 2025 even though it accounts for 60% of its total energy =
supply. It is therefore incredible that the government continues to prop =
up a company which simply isn't needed."