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Kracatoan
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Taken from the BBC website - good news though :)
Go-ahead for UK nuclear programme
The Fukushima disaster provides no reason to restrict UK nuclear reactors or stop building new ones, the official nuclear regulator has concluded.
Dr Mike Weightman, the UK's chief nuclear inspector, found no fundamental weaknesses in the current licensing regime or safety principles.
But "continuous improvement" should be sought, he said in his report.
The government commissioned the report after the March tsunami damaged Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Dr Weightman released a set of preliminary conclusions in May, including recommendations that plant operators should review issues such as ventilation, electrical backup systems, storage of spent fuel rods, and flood protection.
His final report expands on those recommendations, but finds no reason to curtail the new build programme that the government wants to fulfil energy and climate change targets.
"I remain confident that our UK nuclear facilities have no fundamental safety weaknesses," he said.
"But we are not complacent. No matter how high our standards, the quest for improvement must never stop.
"Action has already been taken in many cases, with work under way to further enhance safety at UK sites."
Earlier this year, Dr Weightman led a fact-finding mission to Japan under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and said that his findings on this trip had fed into the new report.
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, thanked the chief inspector for his work.
"The report makes clear that the UK has one of the best nuclear safety regimes in the world, and that nuclear power can go on powering homes and businesses across the UK, as well as supporting jobs," he said.
"We must however continue to improve where we can, not just with operating power stations and new sites, but by dealing with our nuclear legacy in a robust and effective manner too."
The UK nuclear programme refers to the government's plan to invest in and develop nuclear energy as a source of electricity for the country.
The green light for the UK nuclear programme means that the government has approved the development of nuclear energy. This is important because nuclear energy is a low-carbon source of electricity, which can help reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.
The potential benefits of the UK nuclear programme include a more reliable and stable source of electricity, reduced carbon emissions, and potential job creation and economic growth in the nuclear industry.
As with any form of energy production, there are risks associated with the UK nuclear programme. These include the potential for accidents or incidents at nuclear power plants, the management and disposal of nuclear waste, and the potential for nuclear weapons proliferation.
The UK has strict regulations and safety protocols in place for the nuclear industry, overseen by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The government also has plans for the safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste, and has committed to non-proliferation through international agreements and inspections.