Terror
Police are trying to determine whether five Americans detained in Pakistan had planned to attack a complex that houses nuclear power facilities. The young Muslim men, who are from the Washington DC area, were arrested in Pakistan earlier this month. Pakistani police and government officials have made a series of escalating and, at times, seemingly contradictory claims about the men’s intentions. US officials have been far more cautious, but they, too, are looking at charging the men.
Guardian 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Press and Journal 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Wales Online 27th Dec 2009 more >>
Low Level Waste
Radiation Free Lakeland has blasted the BBC over it’s recent reporting of plans for a radioactive waste dump in old mines at Keekle Head. Members take particular exception to the BBC’s slant that plans on Keekle Head (artist’s impression alongside) have been getting a ‘positive public response’ and it ‘would be a good thing.’ In their this week on the submission of plans by Endecom UK the BBC puts forward the ‘rose tinted view’ of the nuclear industry – “We feel the geological conditions of the site, along with its location just 17 miles from Sellafield, make it ideal for purpose-built disposal facilities.” But RFL point out that this does not mention the strong public opposition and the resolution from Cumbria County Council in August to oppose the re-branding of low level waste so that it can be buried in ordinary landfill resulting in the distribution of radioactive waste away from Sellafield into previously nuclear free areas of Cumbria.
Get Noticed Online 24th Dec 2009 more >>
EDF
The auction for EDF Energy’s electrical distribution business is expected to heat up after news emerged that Abu Dhabi, which has run the slide rule over the asset in the past, has held talks over a potential £5bn joint bid.
Independent 28th Dec 2009 more >>
UAE
Korea Electric Power Corp., Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. and other South Korean builders jumped the most in a year after winning a $20 billion nuclear-plant contract from the United Arab Emirates, the first such order awarded by a Gulf Arab nation.
Business Week 27th Dec 2009 more >>
BBC 27th Dec 2009 more >>
Reuters 27th Dec 2009 more >>
FT 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Scotsman 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Italy
Italian regional utility A2A SpA will present its plans to develop nuclear power at the start of 2010, a company executive told a newspaper, adding he believes at least two Italian consortia should operate in the sector.
Reuters 27th Dec 2009 more >>
Fuel Poverty
More than seven million households struggle to pay their fuel bills, almost double the official estimate, according to new research published today. In an opinion poll for the National Housing Federation, two-thirds of people in “fuel poverty” said they heated their homes less than would like because they could not afford the high prices of gas and electricity.
Independent 28th Dec 2009 more >>