Members' Business — S6M-02776 Craig Hoy: Decommissioning of Torness Nuclear Power Station

That the Parliament notes that the decision has been taken to bring forward the decommissioning date of Torness Nuclear Power Station from 2030 to 2028; further notes EDF Energy's assessment that the station is one of the most productive in its fleet of nuclear power stations; recognises that, since the station first started generating electricity in 1988, EDF Energy reports that the plant has produced nearly 280 TWh of zero-carbon electricity, which is understood to be sufficient to power every home in Scotland for 28 years; understands that Torness employs around 500 staff and 250 contractors, with a salary bill of around £40 million annually, which, it considers, boosts the Dunbar and East Lothian economy; notes that Hunterston B power station, in North Ayrshire, has recently shut down for the last time, after what it considers to have been 46 years of reliable energy generation and job creation, and further notes calls urging the Scottish Government to review its decision to use the Scottish planning system to block the development of any future civilian nuclear energy projects in order that nuclear power continues to play a central part in the provision of zero-carbon electricity in Scotland.