"BRUSSELS — The European Union has approved Britain's bid to heavily subsidize the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant, overriding opposition from environmentalists and questions over the project's 24.5 billion pound ($39 billion) price tag.

The EU's executive Commission said Wednesday it found the subsidies for construction and operation of the Hinkley Point plant won't distort fair competition.

'After the Commission's intervention, the UK measures in favour of Hinkley Point nuclear power station have been significantly modified, limiting any distortions of competition in the Single Market,' Commission Vice-President Joaquín Almunia said in a statement. 'These modifications will also achieve significant savings for UK taxpayers. On this basis and after a thorough investigation, the Commission can now conclude that the support is compatible with EU state aid rules.'"

The Christian Science Monitor had the story October 8, 2014. [2]