A DELEGATION of Cumbrian politicians have met with the Energy Secretary to 'fight for Cumbria's nuclear future' and lobby the government to support them in bringing new nuclear to the county.
The delegation, led by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, included MPs Markus Campbell-Savours, Michelle Scrogham and Julie Minns, as well as Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer.
The Cumbrian politicians met with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband last week to seek what they see as 'help overcoming roadblocks getting in the way of delivering new nuclear in West Cumbria'.
In October, Mr MacAlister addressed government ministers in the House of Commons, calling for urgent action to resolve land issues at Moorside so that new nuclear power stations can be built.
The NDA, Mr MacAlister says, want to use the land for off site construction facilities for potential future building projects on the Sellafield site, despite its designation as a site for new nuclear development.
The MP says that unless the issues with land use and future projects are resolved, Moorside is unlikely to be chosen as a location for new Small Modular Reactors in the selection process being run by Great British Nuclear.
Speaking after the meeting, Josh said: “We welcome the Secretary of State’s involvement in this issue. Tough questions are finally being asked and ministers are getting into the detail, which is really welcome after 14 years of drift.
"It is a shame Cumbria’s former Conservative MPs didn’t raise the alarm and resolve these problems earlier in the process.
“This is the latest in a series of conversations with ministers as we fight for Cumbria’s nuclear future and we look forward to more discussions in the months ahead.”
The government has said that although Moorside is one of several sites 'with potential' to host new nuclear in the future, 'no decisions' have yet been made.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “New nuclear power stations will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while creating thousands of skilled jobs.
“Moorside is one of several sites that have the potential to host future civil nuclear projects, though no decisions have yet been made.
“We will continue to support Sellafield and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in its important mission to manage our nuclear legacy and clean-up sites safely."
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