New nukes
Letter from Stuart Campbell: It was to be expected that Duncan McLaren of Friends of the Earth Scotland would take the opportunity to accuse the nuclear industry of being untrustworthy and unable to accurately estimate costs.
Scotsman 28th Nov 2007 more >>
David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, signalled a key change of approach towards nuclear power yesterday by saying that it should be able to compete on a level playing field with other forms of energy. Previously, the Tories had said that they viewed nuclear as a last resort, but Mr Cameron’s more favourable stance came as he also emphasised the need for a push on green energy. He told the CBI conference that Labour had been guilty of doing nothing to decentralise energy generation or to make it easier to open new power stations by changing planning regulations.
Times 28th Nov 2007 more >>
FT 28th Nov 2007 more >>
British Energy
Four sites were earmarked for the new generation of nuclear power stations yesterday as Gordon Brown gave the clearest signal so far that he will give the go-ahead in the New Year for a major expansion of Britain’s nuclear power output.
Independent 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Hinkley
Protest groups have condemned British Energy’s announcement that Hinkley Point power station in Somerset is one of four favoured sites for a new nuclear reactor.Stop Hinkley and Parents Concerned About Hinkley restated their opposition to the plant near Bridgwater when the energy giant’s preferred options were announced yesterday.
Western Daily Press 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Sizewell
SIZEWELL on the Suffolk coast is one of four sites at the top of the list for a new nuclear power station if the government gives the go-ahead for an expansion of the industry next year.
Suffolk Evening Star 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Planning
The Government has backed down on controversial measures in its Planning Reform Bill by giving local people the right to be heard when considering major projects such as runways and nuclear power stations. The concession is that the Independent Planning Commission set up by the Bill and staffed with Government appointees will be able to hold oral hearings into controversial projects. However, conservationists said that this still does not go far enough for them. They want guarantees that developers can be cross-examined at the discretion of the Commission.
Telegraph 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Sleaze
Only last year, Cabinet Minister David Miliband found himself embroiled in controversy. Alan Donnelly, a local Labour bigwig and lobbyist for the nuclear industry, had donated around £75,000 to the Labour Party and paid for work to be carried out at Miliband’s South Shields constituency office. At the time, Miliband was Environment Secretary in charge of nuclear policy.
Daily Mail 28th Nov 2007 more >>
India
India’s parliament holds a long-awaited debate on a controversial nuclear deal with the United States on Wednesday, with critics expected to prove the pact does not enjoy majority support.
Reuters 28th Nov 2007 more >>
