UK To Build First Nuclear Power Plant in 18 Years

Deal struck with French company and Chinese investors

LONDON (AP) — Britain has signed a dealt with a French energy company and Chinese investors to build the country's first nuclear power plant in 18 years, ignoring concerns raised by the Fukushima meltdown in Japan as the U.K. seeks to secure its future energy needs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The government struck a deal with Electricite de France and a group of Chinese investors Monday to build the country's first nuclear power plant since 1995 — a massive project that will generate $25.9 billion of investment to keep the lights on amid declining supplies of North Sea gas and rapidly escalating fuel costs.