Speaking on publication of the Energy White Paper, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
“The STUC cautiously welcomes this important white paper. It properly identifies energy efficiency as the most effective way of tackling climate change and is helpful in setting out the Government’s commitment to both increasing supplies from renewable resources and developing a CCS demonstration project.
“However, the STUC would have preferred to see a far stronger commitment to exploiting indigenously produced coal for use in new clean coal fired power stations utilising CCS technology.
“Scotland must develop its renewable resources and ensure that the economic and employment benefits are maximised. However, we must be realistic about what renewables can deliver in the timescales required. The STUC believes that there is no medium term alternative to nuclear if Scotland is to meet its climate change obligations”.
“Scotland desperately requires a mature, evidence driven debate about our energy future. The complacency demonstrated by those politicians who appear content for Scotland to lose the high quality jobs sustained by generating a surplus to export is staggering.
“The STUC looks forward to discussing these crucial issues with DTI and Scottish Ministers in due course”.
ENDS
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