Part 2 of the PA 2008 empowers the Secretary of State to publish NPS, fol­lowing Parliamentary scrutiny, in relation to specified descriptions of devel­opment. The introduction of NPS is part of the strategy to expedite planning timeframes. By formalising government policy in advance in an overarching document, NPS are meant to avoid policy disputes being raised further down the line in respect of specific project applications. In November 2009, the UK government published a draft overarching NPS for energy (EN-1) and a draft NPS specific to nuclear power generation (EN-6) which, at the time of publication, are still in draft form. The consideration of environ­mental impacts figures prominently in both draft NPS and certain core areas have been specifically highlighted in the context of nuclear develop­ment such as flood risk, water quality and resources, coastal change and biodiversity and geological conservation (EN-6, p. 27). These impacts will need to be addressed by applicants in their environmental assessments and the IPC is obliged to ensure that they have been adequately factored into their decision-making. Another way in which environmental impacts have been taken into account in the draft nuclear NPS is in the siting of new power stations. Part 5 of the NPS identifies 10 potentially suitable sites for new development. The assessment criteria included a consideration of certain environmental impacts, and the sites were chosen following consul­tation with the UK environment agencies.