Commenting onnews that a nuclear reactor, at Hunterston in Ayrshire, has been shutdown after problems with its temperature controls, Friends of the EarthScotland's Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"Onceagain the nuclear industry has shown itself to be an unreliable sourceof energy. This particular plant, having only just been givenpermission to restart after a prolonged closure, would appear to benear the end of its useful life. British Energy should not be seekingany life-extension for such a facility.

"Thankfully,as has been the case for many years, Scotland is well supplied withalternative energy sources. Once again, those who say the lights willgo out without nuclear power have been shown to be wrong.

"Nuclearpower is nothing other than a white elephant. Scotland and the UK canmeet their targets for tackling climate change while maintaining fuelsecurity by using clean, safe alternatives that are already available."

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