New nukes
Why has John Hutton, the Business Secretary, just conceded that Britain needs to go back to coal power? Because, despite all the hot air about renewables, the economy cannot run on wind alone. And because the Government’s impotent failure to push nuclear power has made a fuel rod for its own back.
Times 11th March 2008 more >>
France
France, the world’s second largest producer of atomic energy, must act fast to avoid a shortage of skilled staff to run its reactors and win a role at the heart of a global nuclear revival. An ageing workforce, a lack of courses and low enthusiasm among young engineers, for a field that is often seen as secretive or unsafe, all threaten France’s ambitions for nuclear power.
Guardian website 10th March 2008 more >>
Oldbury
THE largest flying bird in the world has moved into the grounds of a nuclear power station. A female great bustard, a species once extinct in Britain, was spotted yesterday at Oldbury Power Station, South Gloucs.
The Sun 11th March 2008 more >>
Yucca
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission review board seeks information from members of the public interested in setting the direction of a hearing on Yucca Mountain, the long-delayed, high-level nuclear waste repository in Nevada. The battle over licensing and construction of a long-term geologic waste repository at Yucca Mountain is one challenge to a revival of nuclear-plant construction in the United States. A board created last month will use information from interested parties to make recommendations on the hearing process to the nuclear agency.
Reuters 10th March 2008 more >>
Heysham
NEW nuclear build at Heysham is to be the focus of a special meeting called by British Energy this week. It aims to allow local people to discuss the processes for site selection and reactor designs. And it will also hear more about the Government’s response to a public consultation held last year.
Westmorland Gazette 10th March 2008 more >>
Coal
The government has been criticised for its “confusing” climate change policy after ministers signalled support for a new coal-fired power station as a committee was launched to ensure that by 2050 the UK reduces carbon emissions by 60%. Business secretary John Hutton said power generation from fossil fuels would continue to play a key role despite the planned expansion of nuclear and renewable power. He said ministers had yet to decide whether to let German energy giant E.ON go ahead with a giant power plant at Kingsnorth, Kent, and whether the company would be required to commit itself to the use of carbon capture storage (CCS) technology as a condition of the licence.
Guardian 11th March 2008 more >>
A Labour MP has demanded a public inquiry into the “very, very close co-operation” between the Government and the company planning to build Britain’s first coal-fired power station for more than 20 years. Environmental groups reacted furiously when John Hutton, the Business Secretary, signalled his likely support for a new generation of plants burning fossil fuels, starting with a power station at Kings-north, north Kent. The area’s MP, Robert Marshall-Andrews, denounced Mr Hutton’s stance and claimed there had been collusion between his department and E.ON UK, the energy giant that wants to develop the Kingsnorth site.
Independent 11th March 2008 more >>
The Government gave its backing to coal-fired power generation yesterday, in what green campaigning groups interpret as a signal that it is set to approve Britain’s first new coal power plant in 20 years.
Times 11th March 2008 more >>
Fuel Poverty
Alistair Darling is to curb energy companies’ profiteering from the poor and elderly through pre-payment meters. The Chancellor plans to use reserve powers to cap tariffs on meters which have allowed utilities to make profits of up to £400 million a year from their poorest customers.
Telegraph 11th March 2008 more >>
