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Proceeding contribution from Malcolm Wicks (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 30 April 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on Energy Bill.


Energy Bill

That is also my understanding. Some in Scotland are saying no to nuclear, so the Bill's provisions in respect of these issues do not, sadly, apply to Scotland. Let me make some progress. The Government will set new-build operators a fixed unit price for the disposal of their intermediate level waste and spent fuel. That figure will contain a significant risk premium over and above the expected costs of disposing of intermediate level waste and spent fuel. The fixed unit price will be set by the Government on a case-by-case basis when a new-build operator comes forward to construct a new power station. The risk premium added to the fixed unit price will reflect the level of uncertainty in terms of the cost estimates of waste disposal at the time the agreement is entered into. For example, the fixed unit price for waste disposal for a power station being constructed in five years' time might well be different from the fixed unit price agreed for a power station being constructed in 10 years' time. The difference arises because, over time, it is likely that understanding of the expected costs of the geological disposal facility and associated activities will increase. Therefore, at the time the agreement is entered into, the Government could be more comfortable attaching a different risk premium to the fixed unit price.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
475 c315-6 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Decommissioning Climate change Billing Licensing Inspections Environment protection Health hazards Energy Electricity Hazardous substances Natural gas Nuclear power Pollution control Meters Microgeneration Offshore industry Renewable energy Waste disposal Hydroelectric power
Legislation
Energy Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk