The Government are duty bound apparently to look at other projects. Im not really to sure why the government well Mr Darling has decided to not back this project, seems like they are doing everything to justify building more nuclear power stations.
The Government in the UK as you say Bob have done a u turn, the energy review only in July 2006 has one of its prime targets of reducing Carbon Dioxide by 60% by 2050 and they have just dropped support for the only project in the country. No private investor is going to invest in carbon capture if the likes of BP can't even make it.
The Severn barrage scheme has been looked at and suggested again and that would take 11 years to build, nut supply 5% of the UK's energy. But ecologist are moaning about birds and fish and bugs again, why they don't see that if we have power cuts venerable people will die.
Whish they would make up there mind and stick with it, two reviews in under a year and the stern report and they all promote different technologies.
Im watching this space.