Nuclear Safety
Operators of Britain’s nuclear power stations reported 1,343 incidents to the Health and Safety Executive since 2001. The authority’s inspectors classified 773 of them as posing no threat, while 563 were safety anomalies. But seven incidents, five of which were related to power plants operated by British Energy, have been listed as harmful. The most recent occurred last year at Dungeness B, after British Energy had been taken over by French nuclear giant EDF, when there was found to be “non-compliance or inadequacy” in its safety arrangements. The most serious incident was a leak at Sellafield in 2005 which went undetected for months. No one was injured when around 80,000 tonnes of acid containing 20 tonnes of uranium and 160kg of plutonium leaked from a broken pipe into a sealed concrete holding.
Telegraph 26th Jan 2010 more >>
NPS Consultation
Energy campaigners have slammed the nuclear national policy statement (NPS), labelling the consultation process a farce that gives locals no say. Speaking after giving evidence at last week’s Commons energy and climate change committee, concerns were also raised that the nuclear NPS gave no consideration to the issue of spent fuel.
Planning Resource 22nd Jan 2010 more >>
Hinkley
BURNHAM’S MP has called for a study into the financial impact a corridor of pylons could have on health and the environment. David Heathcoat-Amory took part in a debate in the House of Commons last week, led by fellow Tory Liam Fox, on National Grid’s plans to power Hinkley Point C with the electricity transmission system at Avonmouth using 37 miles of 46m-tall pylons.
This is the West Country 25th Jan 2010 more >>
At a meeting of West Somerset Council on Wednesday, January 20, Members were asked to consider the Council’s responses on three consultation documents related to Hinkley C
eGov Monitor 25th Jan 2010 more >>
With mouths symbolically gagged with tape, demonstrators opposing a new fast track planning process for the proposed new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point showed how they believe that public involvement will be stifled.
Stop Oldbury 24th Jan 2010 more >>
Kirksanton
GOVERNMENT officials were grilled by 350 members of the public over plans to build a nuclear power plant in Kirksanton. Angry residents made their voices heard with calls for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to pull the plug on the project. The meeting, held on Saturday at Millom School, followed a three-day exhibition in Millom Network Centre.
NW Evening Mail 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Radioactive Waste
ENVIRONMENT Agency chiefs have concluded a wind farm planned for Oswaldtwistle Moor would have no affect on nuclear waste buried nearby. Hyndburn Borough Council invited the agency to comment on the planning application after residents raised concerns that disturbing a mine formerly used as a dumping site would release radioactivity.
Lancashire Telegraph 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Nuclear Terror
The last time the US had a congressionally mandated review of its nuclear status was in 2002. In that Nuclear Posture Review, declassified portions contained no mention of “preventing nuclear terrorism.” The latest review, slated to be finished in March, appears to indicate that America’s nuclear arsenal and the threat of nuclear terrorism are interconnected issues. That means that how the US handles its nuclear weapons will have to change.
Christian Science Monitor 25th Jan 2010 more >>
France
The French nuclear industry seems to think it’s fair to ship nuclear waste to Russia and then forget about it. They think that keeping the waste away from the French public will protect their glossy image. Not as long as Greenpeace is around.
Greenpeace International 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Russia
A major uprate program is planned for the Leningrad power plant that should result in an extra 200 MWe of nuclear generating capacity. Three reactors at the power plant could benefit from a change to use uranium fuel at a higher level of enrichment. This will boost thermal power output, officials said, while and increasing safety and using less uranium.
Worlds Nuclear News 25th Jan 2010 more >>
