New nukes
No nuclear power plants are likely to be built in Britain before 2020, if they are built at all, which will be too late to fill the country’s looming power generation gap, according to a report published on Monday. The report by Poyry Energy Consulting says the commercial case for building new nuclear plants is shaky and that none will be built without a higher long-term carbon price than that set by the current European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Scotsman 20th August 2007 more >>
Reuters 20th August 2007 more >>
The government is trying to work out how the country will cope if no nuclear power plants are built over the next decade, it said on Monday. The government said last year that more nuclear power plants must be built to help maintain electricity supplies as most of Britain’s ageing reactors are closed over the next 10-15 years. After challenges from environmentalists concerned about nuclear safety, the government has launched a nationwide public consultation on atomic energy, while trying to come up with an alternative “plan B” if it changes its mind.
Reuters 20th August 2007 more >>
The private sector would foot the entire bill for decommissioning and disposing of waste from any new nuclear power stations in the UK, according to a report. A forthcoming energy bill will set out how industry would be required to pour hundreds of millions of pounds into a funding pot for disposing of radioactive waste from the new plants, energy minister Malcolm Wickes said in an interview with the Financial Times.
Interactive Investor 20th August 2007 more >>
India
India’s Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is committed to the development of nuclear energy to meet the long term goal of energy security.
Mathaba 21st August 2007 more >>
India’s prime minister stepped up pressure on opponents of a nuclear energy deal with the United States on Monday, as his government faced its worst crisis since taking power three years ago.
Guardian website 20th August 2007 more >>
India’s communists stepped up their opposition to a controversial nuclear deal with the United States on Monday, with one senior leader threatening to cut off vital support to the government if it pursued the pact.
Christian Today 20th August 2007 more >>
Philippines
The Department of Energy in the Philippines is to set up a special body to study nuclear power.
World Nuclear News 20th August 2007 more >>
Pakistan
Pakistan warned that it will review its moratorium on nuclear testing if India carries out a test.
Mathaba 20th August 2007 more >>
US
A three-year veil of secrecy in the name of national security was used to keep the public in the dark about the handling of highly enriched uranium at a nuclear fuel processing plant – including a leak that could have caused a deadly, uncontrolled nuclear reaction. The leak turned out to be one of nine violations or test failures since 2005 at privately owned Nuclear Fuel Services Inc., a longtime supplier of fuel to the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet. The public was never told about the problems when they happened. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission revealed them for the first time last month when it released an order demanding improvements at the company, but no fine.
Guardian website 20th August 2007 more >>
Sizewell
Climate protesters expanded their Heathrow airport action on Monday, with small groups demonstrating outside Sizewell nuclear power plant and BP’s London headquarters. The Camp for Climate Action spread their protest to Sizewell “A” and “B” on the last day of the week-long Heathrow environmental demonstration held against plans to build a third runway. About six members chained themselves together across the road to the Suffolk plant in an attempt to prevent traffic going into the main entrances. “We oppose the myth that nuclear power is carbon-neutral and a solution to climate change,” said Paul Bruce, a spokesman for the camp. The action was organised in protest at government proposals to build new nuclear power stations and to draw attention to the problem of dealing with nuclear waste, the group added.
Christian Today 20th August 2007 more >>
Mirror 20th August 2007 more >>
Bloomberg 20th August 2007 more >>
FT 21st August 2007 more >>
Guardian 21st August 2007 more >>
Independent 21st August 2007 more >>
Times 21st August 2007 more >>
British Energy
Shares in British Energy enjoyed a good boost as two bullish brokers helped secure the nuclear power generator a spot at the top of the blue-chip leaderboard.
Telegraph 21st August 2007 more >>
Energy Efficiency
Andrew Warren, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, applauds the Government-backed campaign to introduce energy-efficient boilers as the industry standard.
Telegraph 21st August 2007 more >>