New Nukes
A public consultation on new nuclear power stations which was run by a company linked to the Prime Minister’s personal pollster has been criticised for breaching industry guidelines. Environmentalists and opposition MPs denounced the exercise as “fixed” after the Market Research Standards Board said some material given to focus groups was “inaccurately or misleadingly presented”.
Independent 18th Oct 2008 more >>
FT 18th Oct 2008 more >>
Evening Standard 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Greenpeace Press Release 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Asked about the Marketing Research Society (MRS) report on the Government s second public consultation on nuclear power, the PMS said that the particular complaint related to the role of Opinion Leader Research (OLS), which the company itself disputed, and formed only one component of the wider consultation. The outcome of the consultation would stand, whatever the view of the MRS. Asked if there was a conflict of interest regarding Deborah Mattinson, the PMS said that it was best to check with OLS, but that his understanding was that Deborah Mattinson did not have any particular role in relation to this consultation.
Downing Street 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Research 17th Oct 2008 more >>
French integrated energy operator Electricite de France has announced that it is beginning its community consultation on initial plans for a new nuclear power station on its site at Hinkley Point in the UK. The program includes a series of exhibitions, newsletters, briefing meetings and a website allowing members of the public to submit their views on the proposals.
Datamonitor 18th Oct 2008 more >>
Energy Business Review 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Letter: Architects should decline to get involved in building nuclear reactors on ethical grounds. Nor should they try to dress a nuclear reactor up like a church. It is not a thing of beauty. Nuclear energy is not safe. Given the planned use of “high-burn” nuclear fuel at Hinkley Point, its long-term storage at the plant and uncertainties over its capability of encapsulation is a particular concern.
Guardian 18th Oct 2008 more >>
Finland
The completion of Europe’s first pressurized nuclear reactor will be delayed by another three years and is not expected to be online until 2012, Finnish energy officials said Friday. The postponement was announced by French-German supplier Areva-Siemens, which did not give a reason except to say that “civil construction works will take several months longer than earlier estimated,” the Finnish utility TVO said.
Business Week 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Forbes 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Money AM 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Guardian 18th Oct 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
DEFENCE Secretary John Hutton has pledged his commitment to keeping nuclear weapons in Scotland. He was speaking as he joined service personnel on a nuclear submarine during a visit to the Faslane naval base on the Clyde. Mr Hutton said Faslane was a “vital part of our country’s defence” as home to Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
Glasgow Evening Times 17th Oct 2008 more >>
Daily Record 17th Oct 2008 more >>
