Sizewell
Sizewell C could have a major impact on wildlife at Minsmere says RSPB. The twin-reactor project will bring the development right up to the boundary of RSPB Minsmere, home of BBC TV’s Springwatch programme. While the work will not encroach on Minsmere the RSPB is concerned that there could be a “major impact” and “potential for direct damage to wetland and fen habitat” bordering the reserve. However, water level changes could affect Minsmere, and birds could be affected by noise, extra shipping offshore, and light pollution.
Ipswich Star 10th July 2015 read more »
Nuclear Police
“The [nuclear industry funded] force is authorised to send informers to infiltrate organisations and to conduct undercover surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). It is also permitted to obtain communications data such as phone numbers and email addresses.” ~ The Guardian Although this was first published in 2009, it would be extremely naive to think that the situation has changed since then. Just bear it in mind.
Cumbria Trust 12th July 2015 read more »
Terror
Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the ISIS group in Afghanistan and Pakistan, was killed in a strike in Achin in Aghanistan’s eastern Nangarhah province on Friday night, the Afghan intelligence agency said. His murder will be a setback to ISIS which is preparing a new push to seize territory in the province of Balochistan, the centre of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons testing. The takeover raised fears ISIS was planning to get its hands on a ‘dirty bomb’.
Express 11th July 2015 read more »
Iran
Iran, the United States and other major powers struggled yesterday to break a deadlock in nuclear talks that has held up a historic deal that would bring sanctions relief for Tehran in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme. Tehran and the six powers have given themselves until tomorrow to reach a nuclear agreement, their third extension in two weeks, as the Iranian delegation accused the West of throwing up new stumbling blocks to a deal. Among the biggest sticking points at the moment is Iran’s insistence that a United Nations Security Council arms embargo and ban on its ballistic missile programme dating from 2006 be lifted immediately if an agreement is reached.
Herald 12th July 2015 read more »
As nuclear talks between Iran and major world powers continued in Vienna, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday Iran had “managed to charm the world” with its nuclear talks with major powers. In contrast, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying the US was “an excellent example of global arrogance”.
Guardian 11th July 2015 read more »
Renewables
THE renewables sector has been forced to “pause” in the wake of a string of UK government subsidy cuts, according to a consultancy that has worked on a raft of projects in Scotland. Suffolk-based Engena had hoped to open an Edinburgh office to support activities north of the Border, but co-founder John Fairlie said those plans are on ice after UK ministers said the renewable obligations scheme for onshore wind will close from April 2016.
Scotsman 12th July 2015 read more »
Influential Scottish economist Tony Mackay has claimed that the subsidies paid to onshore wind farms in Scotland are “unnecessarily high” and have led to “supernormal” profits for businesses and landowners. In his July report on the state of the Scottish economy the Inverness-based economist said that the subsidies received by wind farms has on average been “between 2.5 and 3 times what was required to expand wind farm capacity to meet Scottish Government [emissions] targets”.
Herald 12th July 2015 read more »
A leading Highland anti windfarm campaigner has branded a Scottish Government emergency summit about onshore windfarms “a wake”, to mourn the end of massive public subsidies. More than 150 organisations were represented at Energy Minister Fergus Ewing’s Glasgow gathering on Thursday, largely companies who have been beneficiaries of the multimillion-pound incentives charged to customers’ electricity bills.
Press and Journal 11th July 2015 read more »
Fossil Fuels
In the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, the latest battle in the fracking war is well and truly under way. The gas company Third Energy wants to test the viability of using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to extract gas from its existing well in the village of Kirby Misperton. Residents are mobilising, protests have been held, politicians lobbied and debates held in Westminster.
Independent 11th July 2015 read more »
National parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty risk becoming surrounded by fracking rigs under Government plans to let energy companies extract shale gas from beneath them, campaigners have warned.
Telegraph 11th July 2015 read more »
