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The Government today made further progress towards facilitating new nuclear power in the UK.

Draft legislation - providing for the creation of a new body to improve the regulation of civil nuclear energy - was published today.

Lord Hunt, Minister of State for Energy, welcomed the publication, which brings the Government a step closer to the proposed creation of an independent Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). He said:

"We've made a decision that nuclear power should be part of our future energy mix but issues around safety and security will be of paramount importance.

"That's why we're laying the groundwork for a new independent body that is focused on and dedicated to ensuring the safe operation of new nuclear in the UK."

The Government also announced the launch of consultations covering:

* The methodology for determining how a fixed unit price for disposal of nuclear waste will be set; and
* Regulations clarifying requirements set out in the Energy Act 2008 in relation to Funded Decommissioning Programmes.


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The draft Legislative Reform Order (LRO) and draft Explanatory Document, including the Government's response to the consultation (Restructuring of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate) are available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/nuclear/new/reg_reform/reg_reform.aspx

2. The fixed unit price consultation is available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/nuc_waste_cost/nuc_waste_cost.aspx

3. The funded decommissioning programme consultation is available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/nuc_dec_fin/nuc_dec_fin.aspx

4. The fifth meeting of the Nuclear Development Forum takes place today. The Forum brings together Government and key industry stakeholders to ensure regular and high-level contact between all parties on the issues that matter the most to potential investors and operators. More information on the Forum is available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/nuclear/new/develop_forum/develop_forum.aspx

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