Hinkley
HINKLEY Point A nuclear power station near Bridgwater has achieved a major milestone in its decommissioning programme – by using technology similar to an industrial car wash. The site has decontaminated the last of its huge inventory of nearly 1800 ‘skips’ that were used during generation to store spent fuel elements prior to their despatch to Sellafield.
This is the West Country 26th June 2010 more >>
Trident
Terry Jones: George Osborne also didn’t mention Trident. Some people say: “What’s the point of lugging nuclear bombs all over the Atlantic that no one will never be able to use? Bombs that, if they ever were used, would kill so many innocent civilians and pollute so much of the planet, it would count as a war crime.”
Guardian 26th June 2010 more >>
Energy Supplies
A five-year gas glut could speed the end of coal-fired power in Britain and aid the economic recovery by keeping down household energy bills. Last year was the first time since the 1960s that gas demand fell in Europe, Asia and North America simultaneously, according to research from Booz & Company, the consultancy. Any rise in demand would be easily matched by a spate of discoveries, mainly in America where new technologies have unlocked vast reserves in shale rock layers, creating a global oversupply. That means there will be minimal pressure on prices. US reserves have doubled in the past five years and shale exploration has begun in Europe and China.
Sunday Times 27th June 2010 more >>
Energy Efficiency
A scheme designed to boost home insulation and cut climate pollution has reached fewer than 1% of households in Scotland, prompting condemnation and calls for action from critics. A new report from Consumer Focus Scotland reveals that the Scottish government’s home insulation scheme has been taken up by only one in 10 of those targeted. And it only targeted fewer than 5% of Scottish households. The performance of the scheme has been damned as “embarrassingly poor” by the Scottish Greens and energy campaigners. But ministers promise that they will do better in the future. Consumer Focus Scotland, which replaced the Scottish Consumer Council and other consumer groups two years ago, has investigated the effectiveness of 10 area-based energy efficiency projects across the country.
Sunday Herald 27th June 2010 more >>
Renewables
A flagship environmental business quango will be lined up for the chop this week to fund coalition plans for a £2 billion green investment bank. The Carbon Trust, which helps businesses cut energy use, is one of dozens of government-backed organisations likely to be scrapped.
Sunday Times 27th June 2010 more >>
