11 September 2007
People are to be asked for their opinions on a new nuclear reactor planned for the UK.
EDF Energy and AREVA have announced the public consultation after submitting an application to construct the reactor to the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.
It is hoped that that a website set up publishing details of the nuclear reactor will help to address any concerns people may have about nuclear energy.
Chief Executive of EDF Energy Vincent de Rivaz said: "The company has played a leading role in the debate on how to meet future energy needs and public involvement is important to achieve agreement on the way forward."
Four companies, including EDF hope to build new nuclear power plants in Britain, including GE-Hitachi, Toshiba-Westinghouse and the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
EDF Energy and AREVA claims that replacing existing ageing nuclear plants with gas fired power stations would increase the UK's carbon emissions by 4% or 29 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.