A judge in the UK has dismissed a lawsuit by an Irish group seeking to block construction of new reactors at Hinkley Point C.
The National Trust for Ireland challenged a decision by the UK's energy and climate secretary to allow construction of two Areva EPR units at the site on the British coast about 150 miles across the water from Ireland. The group argued that European Commission environmental regulations required consultation with Ireland beforehand, the Irish Examiner reported Friday.
A judge in London dismissed the case, writing that the UK government had taken a comprehensive assessment of relevant accident scenarios and that the risks involved did not necessitate the cross-border consultation outlined in EU rules.
In October, the government struck a power price deal with EDF, Chinese investors and Areva for the $26 billion, 3,200 megawatt project. The first unit is scheduled to come online in 2023.