British Energy
Plans by gas and electricity supplier Centrica to acquire a minority stake in nuclear utility British Energy (BE) from Electricit de France (EdF) have been approved by the UK’s consumer and competition authority, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
World Nuclear News 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Oldbury
Some 13 residents of Shepperdine, living near the possible site of a new nuclear power station at Oldbury staged a five-hour protest to prevent contractors getting on to the land. Well done to them! They blocked the access road to a field near the existing Oldbury atomic plant until they were finally asked to move by police.
Ruscombe Green 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Bradwell
MEMBERS of a campaign group took to the water in a flotilla to protest about plans to build a nuclear power station on the Essex coast. The Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group, known as BANNG, organised the event to raise the profile of its campaign against plans to build a new power station close to the site of the old Bradwell reactor, which is currently being decommissioned. Andy Blowers, BANNG’s chairman, said the two-hour sailing “vigil” had been a big success, with 16 boats joining the fleet and dozens of people signing the group’s petition.
East Anglian Daily Times 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Nagasaki
The mayor of Nagasaki has called for a global ban on nuclear arms at a ceremony yesterday marking the 64th anniversary of the devastating US atomic attack on the city.
Morning Star 10th Aug 2009 more >>
The members of the Mayors for Peace conference called for intensified multilateral efforts to help eradicate nuclear weapons as the quadrennial gathering drew to a close Monday. Representatives from 134 cities in 18 countries adopted an appeal calling for debates in international arenas, including the U.N. General Assembly and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, with the goal of abolishing nuclear weapons by 2020.
Japan Today 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Japan
Japan’s Chubu Electric Power Co halted operations at its sole Hamaoka nuclear plant in Shizuoka prefecture after a strong quake, the trade ministry said on Tuesday.
Reuters 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Interactive Investor 11th Aug 2009 more >>
US
The US Department of Energy has awarded $377m of grants for energy-related basic research to US university laboratories, national laboratories and other institutions. Most of the grants relate to current government priorities of renewables, energy efficency and energy storage. Less than 20% – $67 million – relates to nuclear power. The projects were selected from a long list of 260 applicants responding to a 2008 solicitation.
Nuclear Engineering International 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Turkey
Russia has signed an agreement with Turkey in nuclear cooperation and Russian firms’ participation in the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, RIA Novosti reported. Vladimir Putin, Russian prime minister, said Russia will soon coordinate construction details with the Turkish authorities and will begin implementing the project. Putin also said that the Russian price to construct the Turkish nuclear plant was 50% lower than the US price.
Energy Business Review 6th Aug 2009 more >>
China
China’s southern Guangdong province plans a sixfold increase in its nuclear power generating capacity to 24 Gigawatts (GW) by 2020, the official Xinhua News Agency quoted a local government official as saying.
Yahoo 10th Aug 2009 more >>
North Korea
Indian scientists and police searching a North Korean ship detained in the Andaman islands have so far not found any nuclear materials, officials say. The MV Mu San dropped anchor off Hut Bay island without permission on Wednesday, India said. It attempted to flee and the Indian coastguard detained it after a chase. The search is in line with a UN resolution allowing for the inspection of air, ship and land cargoes in and out of North Korea.
BBC 10th Aug 2009 more >>
Renewables
Protesters campaigning against the closure of the controversial Vestas wind turbine factory chained themselves to Lord Mandelson’s London home just hours before he was due back from holiday in Corfu.
Telegraph 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Independent 11th Aug 2009 more >>
Coal
ACTIVISTS at Scotland’s first climate-change camp have continued what they threaten will be a series of acts of industrial sabotage by dumping coal outside the headquarters of South Lanarkshire Council in Hamilton. The demonstration was part of a campaign against plans for an open-cast mine at Mainshill Wood near Douglas. Protesters said they wanted to highlight the environmental and health impacts of open-cast mining.
Scotsman 11th Aug 2009 more >>
