Europe
While the European Union attempts to form a common energy policy, one subject continues to divide: nuclear power. Praised by some for creating almost no environmentally harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but loathed by others because of its radioactive waste, nuclear has long been controversial among citizens, politicians, industry and environmentalists in Europe.
Reuters 21st May 2006
Iran
Germany and China agree that Iran should not be allowed to posses the capability to build nuclear weapons, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Interactive Investor 22nd May 2006
Decommissioning
At 152m (500ft) (499ft) cooling tower at the Trojan nuclear power plant was demolished at Rainier, Oregon. Portland General Electric’s facility, located 65km north of Portland on the Columbia River, is the first large-scale commercial nuclear plant to be decommissioned in the US.
Times 22nd May 2006
New nukes
Various letters, including one from Terry Wynn MEP which says: the problem of global warming will not be solved without nuclear being in the equation. Those who ignore this are condeming future generations to an uncertain future of power shortages.
Times 22nd May 2006
Various letters, including one from Tony Juniper.
Daily Mirror 22nd May 2006
Speculation has inevitably mounted that Wales’ two existing nuclear sites – Wylfa on Anglesey and Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd – would be prime sites for new reactors.
Wales on Sunday 21st May 2006
When Tony Blair, a prime minister not renowned for his grasp of economics, decides it is time for Britain to replace its ageing nuclear reactors to address climate change and avoid dependence on gas imports, I become nervous. After the Suez crisis in 1956 Harold Macmillan tripled the programme to build Magnox reactors because of worries about energy security and future oil shortages. Oil and coal prices promptly fell and these nuclear power stations proved disastrously uneconomic, imposing high social costs on the British economy.
FT 22nd May 2006
