Spending Cuts
A report by Brighton Pavilion’s Caroline Lucas MP has identified over £100 billion of potential savings through the scrapping of the Trident renewal and axing plans for new nuclear power stations. The Green Party leader states that cancelling the controversial Trident renewal proposal will save over £100 billion, while her report states that axing the plan to develop eight new nuclear power stations will save the UK taxpayer around £8 billion in nuclear waste costs.
Green Party Press Release 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Matthew Spencer (Green Alliance) George Osborne must increase spending to environment departments and fight the short-termism of the Treasury if he is to prove a true green ally.
Guardian 20th Oct 2010 more >>
New Nukes
The British government has approved eight sites in England and Wales as potentially suitable for new nuclear power stations and ruled out further three sites.
New Statesman 19th Oct 2010 more >>
On the very day that climate change secretary Chris Huhne announced the locations envisaged for the new generation of nuclear plants, this was Simon Hughes on that landmark policy. “We must continue as a party to oppose a new generation of nuclear power stations … Until somebody has found a safe way not just of storing but of disposing of waste in a world [with] increasing numbers of mad groups who go around trying to blow up other people, we really ought to be doing something that doesn’t have all the risks of nuclear power.” And he is equally scathing about the Con-Dem housing policies. Do you think the deputy leader is comfortable with this coalition thing?
Guardian 20th Oct 2010 more >>
Mr Huhne’s nuclear U-turn is also welcome. By agreeing to accept a fixed price for the handling of nuclear waste and guaranteeing an upper limit on operator liabilities in the event of an accident, Mr Huhne has gone a long way to shoring up confidence in an industry where there is a much better prospect of attracting serious investment. Better, but not assured. Although Mr Huhne may be a reluctant convert to nuclear energy, he realises there is no practical alternative if Britain is to meet its international obligations on cutting carbon. But he may have to offer a few more concessions before we see the first concrete being poured.
Times 19th Oct 2010 more >>
The UK government plans to establish eight new nuclear plants as part of a “surge of investment” in new energy sources needed to ensure UK energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In its Energy Review, the government said it also expects over half the new energy generating capacity built in the UK by 2025 to come from renewable sources. Much of the remainder is to come from low carbon sources such as nuclear and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage.
The Engineer 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Hartlepool
A GOVERNMENT unveiling of eight potential nuclear power station sites – including Hartlepool – will “breed confidence” for Teesside’s growing supply chain, industry chiefs have claimed.
Evening Gazette 19th Oct 2010 more >>
HOPES of a jobs-boosting new nuclear power station today moved closer for Hartlepool. A list of eight sites where new power stations could be built has been revealed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change – shortened from 11 sites which were originally under consideration. The shortlist includes Hartlepool and today, the head of EDF, the owners of the existing town nuclear plant, described the news as “vital for us to move ahead”. The Mail understands that any new build for Hartlepool would not happen until at least 2020. Two EDF power stations in the south of England – at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, and Sizewell, in Suffolk – would be in the first stage of development with two reactors planned at each of those sites from 2018. Other sites may follow for development after that. In the meantime, power station bosses want to extend the life of the existing Hartlepool plant for now. Its current lifespan will take it to 2014 but an extension would take that to 2018.
Hartlepool Mail 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Sellafield
An investigation has begun after a USB stick containing sensitive information about Sellafield was found in a hotel room. The data breach threat posed by USB sticks has once again been exposed after nuclear processing company Sellafield began an investigation into the loss of a USB device, said to contain information about its business operations.
eWeek 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Whitehaven News 18th Oct 2010 more >>
About 9,000 jobs will be created in the construction phase of a new reactor. It is hoped Sellafield could host two, which may eventually create up to 1,000 permanent posts. Work could start as early as 2015. Spanish-led consortium Iberdrola has already bought 470 acres of land at the earmarked site. Brian Wilson, chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast, the regeneration agency set up to revive the west Cumbrian economy, said: “The inclusion of the site next to Sellafield in this latest list is great news for the Energy Coast initiative. We are now hopeful decisions remain within set timescales allowing construction to start as soon as possible so a new power station to be generating energy by 2025.”
Cumberland News 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Hinkley
Two new nuclear power stations will be built in the West – but the massive Severn Barrage project has been shelved, Chris Huhne confirmed yesterday. The Energy Secretary has dropped plans for new reactors at three current plants but paved the way for development at another eight around the country. They include Hinkley Point in Somerset and Oldbury in South Gloucestershire, and anti-nuclear campaigners voiced their anger and pledged to step up their battle.
This is Somerset 19th Oct 2010 more >>
BBC Points West 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Western Daily Press 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Bradwell
BRADWELL has been confirmed as one of eight sites for new nuclear power stations.
Chelmsford Weekly News 18th Oct 2010 more >>
Wylfa
Magnox North Limited, the licensee of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, requested that HSE Nuclear Directorate confirm it has no objection to operation of the reactors at Wylfa Nuclear Power Station beyond December 2010 – the date previously scheduled for the cessation of generation. This request was supported by a significant work programme to revalidate the 10-year periodic safety review, previously submitted in 2004.
HSE 19th Oct 2010 more >>
The Celtic League has urged the Irish government to press the United Kingdom to publish the `safety case’ for the extension of the Wylfa nuclear power plant. Wylfa nuclear plant has had a chequered safety record over the years and the decision to extend its operations poses a threat to Irish sea communities. The operating extension is not only questionable on safety grounds. Four years ago the United Kingdom Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) said it was “simply totally uneconomic” to extend the plant’s life for a further two or four years (beyond 2010), as was being proposed at that time.
Celtic League 13th Oct 2010 more >>
Indonesia
Russia has offered Indonesia to cooperate in the nuclear field. The offer stipulates the construction of the first nuclear-powered electric power plant in the country. Russian experts believe that Indonesia, being the country of many islands, may show interest in Russia’s state-of-the-art technology of building floating nuclear power plants.
Market Oracle 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Pakistan
A senior White House adviser yesterday gave a sobering assessment of the nuclear nonproliferation challenges that face the Obama administration as it works toward a world free of atomic weapons. “The thing that keeps me up at night? Pakistan,” White House Coordinator for WMD Counterterrorism and Arms Control Gary Samore. “This is a country that is facing very serious internal and external security threats, has a dysfunctional political system [and] is seeking to expand its nuclear weapons program.”
Global Security Newswire 19th Oct 2010 more >>
US/EPR
The romance is over for lectricit de France and the Constellation Energy Group, partners in a nuclear power joint venture. Their very public squabble was ostensibly set off by Constellation’s withdrawal of its application to the Energy Department for a loan guarantee for the Calvert Cliffs 3 nuclear project in Maryland. E.D.F. publicly responded with a letter scolding Constellation and asserting its willingness both to proceed with the Calvert Cliffs project and buy out Constellation’s 50 percent interest in their UniStar joint venture, the corporation formed to develop Calvert Cliffs.
New York Times Blog 19th Oct 2010 more >>
It was supposed to be the showcase for 40 years of French nuclear expertise in one of the worlds biggest energy markets. The site had been chosen, the partner secured and the politicians won over. But when Constellation Energy of the US pulled out of the project to build a French-designed new-generation reactor on a site in Maryland, the countrys industry was left in shock. We dont know what is happening, said one executive from EDF, the state-owned utility that has spent three years and billions of euros planning and protecting its partnership with the US group. They did not tell us they were going to do this. The move has revived doubts over the future of the new-generation reactor Mr Sarkozy believed could be the springboard for French influence and exports abroad. The EPR has suffered a series of devastating blows, and even the government today questions whether it has wasted years of research and billions of euros on a highly complex white elephant. EPR projects in Finland where the worlds first new-generation reactor is under construction and in France are running years behind schedule and billions over budget. Last December, France suffered a humiliating blow when its model lost out to a smaller, cheaper offer from South Korea in the $20bn tender to build reactors in Abu Dhabi. Finally, last month, GDF Suez, the utility 35 per cent owned by the French government, pulled out of the project to build a second EPR on the Normandy coast after Mr Sarkozy gave in to pressure from EDF to relegate its arch-rival to a financial role.The sheer size and complexity of the EPR makes it difficult to sell to many of the develop ing countries that now have nuclear ambitions. Their power grids may not be resilient enough and, besides the fact that they will be phenomenal, final construction costs remain uncertain.
FT 20th Oct 2010 more >>
UAE
Critical to Kepco’s success in wiining the contract to oversee UAE’s nuclear programme was a commitment to technology transfer and to train and employ a high proportion of UAE nationals in the massive plants to be built. But that commitment may be difficult to meet, say industry watchers and participants, because of a dearth of qualified engineers locally and because of high international demand for skills. Today, some 60 nuclear plants are being built worldwide.
FT Blog 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Colombia
Colombian police have created the first counter-nuclear arms unit in the region dealing with leftist rebels. The new Centre for Nuclear Security will try to prevent members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) from obtaining nuclear material to make a “dirty bomb”. Intelligence officials say computers belonging to the Farc proved they had been trying to obtain nuclear material.
BBC 20th Oct 2010 more >>
Venezuela
President Barack Obama has said Venezuela has the right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme, but must “act responsibly”. Mr Obama was reacting to news Russia is to build a nuclear power plant there as part of a series of energy deals.
BBC 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Trident
Peace campaigners welcomed David Cameron’s decision to delay replacing Trident on Tuesday, saying it would give “time for politicians to catch up with majority public opinion.” Prime Minister Cameron dithered in the face of public unease over replacing Britain’s nuclear arsenal, postponing any decision on its future until after the next general election in 2015.
Morning Star 20th Oct 2010 more >>
Reuters 19th Oct 2010 more >>
Ahead of the Strategic Defence and Security Review being released later today, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament welcomed the delay to the ‘main gate’ decision on Trident replacement, saying it will give time for politicians to catch up with majority public opinion in rejecting the need for new nuclear weapons. CND cautioned that despite a reported ‘saving’ of £750m much larger sums are due to be spent every year on maintaining the current system and upgrading the warhead factory at Aldermaston.
CND Press Release 19th Oct 2010 more >>
PRIME Minister David Cameron has been accused of putting Britain’s nuclear deterrent at risk as “a sop” to his Liberal Democrat coalition allies.
Scotsman 20th Oct 2010 more >>
David Cameron has insisted there will be “no reduction” in Britain’s round-the-clock nuclear deterrent, despite identifying up to £3bn of potential savings from delaying the Trident replacement. The prime minister announced a delay of about four years in replacing the Vanguard-class submarines, triggering accusations that he was taking unacceptable risks that would eventually increase the cost of the entire £20bn programme.
FT 20th Oct 2010 more >>
CNN 19th Oct 2010 more >>
