Appointment of a senior advisor for new nuclear decommissioning and waste management cost allocation

This follows the commitment set out in the Energy Review Report that a senior advisor would be appointed to lead discussions with industry on the costs associated with new build decommissioning and waste management and make proposals, based on the principles set out in the report.

Announcing the appointment, the Secretary of State said:

"With his extensive background in investment and corporate banking, Tim Stone will put in place the right arrangements for any new nuclear build that might come forward. This will ensure the private sector meets the full decommissioning costs and their share of long-term waste management costs.'

Dr. Stone is the chairman of KPMG's Global Infrastructure and Projects Group. The Group specialises in advising asset owners, government bodies, contractors and infrastructure funds on the financing of major projects worldwide across a wide range of sectors.

In addition to his role as an expert non-executive director of the European Investment Bank, he is a member of:

* The advisory board of the Department of Health's Commercial Directorate,

* The council of London University's Institute for Education and;

* is a founder member of the Confederation of British Industry's Public Services Strategy Board.

He was a member of the DEFRA/HMT Sustainable Procurement Taskforce that sat between Summer 2005 & 2006; and chaired the working group on accountability. He was also a member of the Schools Minister's advisory panel on the Building Schools for the Future program.

Dr. Stone will make proposals to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chief Secretary of the Treasury.

Further details on the work programme and timetable to take forward this work will be set out in the Energy White Paper.