Areva
A resurgence of global interest in nuclear power is driving a boom in orders from this area, the centre of the French nuclear industry. To cope with demand, Areva is hiring up to 1,000 people per month to prepare for a surge in orders from around the world. Luc Oursel, chief executive of Areva Nuclear Plants, the core nuclear reactor manufacturing division, said: “We are convinced about the nuclear renaissance.” Despite the recession, Areva, which is 91 per cent-owned by the French State, has more than doubled in size in three years as France seeks to cement its position as a supplier of nuclear equipment and capitalise on a renewed focus on the technology as countries try to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Times 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Nuclear Subsidies?
We have a regressive tax that takes hundreds of millions of pounds from customers – including the fuel-poor – and redistributes it to major companies that have already received subsidies for generating renewable energy. Equally, the policy fails to address carbon emissions because a tilted playing field transfers this money to some of the least dependable low-carbon generation while providing no financial support to the most reliable. Of the two low-carbon forms of power generation, renewables – including the use of wind and solar – receive subsidies and are set to do so until 2037. Nuclear, by contrast, is unsubsidised. Moreover, these subsidies are not paid by the Government, but by all electricity customers through Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), which are incorporated into their bills.
Telegraph 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Germany
Germany’s nuclear-power industry got its wish yesterday, as Chancellor Angela Merkel won re- election and headed toward a coalition with the Free Democrats. Merkel, 53, may now scrap a law that required Germany’s 17 nuclear plants to close by 2021. Her effort was stymied by her junior partner, the past four years, the Social Democrats, who imposed the deadlines in 2002 when they were in power.
Bloomberg 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Iran
US intelligence knew about the site back in Bush time. Obama was briefed about it during the transition. Last spring US surveillance from satellites and maybe from spies on the ground concluded that a speed-up in the plant’s construction was underway. US intelligence then supposedly learned that the Iranians knew the plant was under US observation. After that it was all news management.
First Post 28th Sept 2009 more >>
IRAN test-fired missiles yesterday to show it was prepared to head off any military threat, four days before the Islamic Republic is due to hold rare talks with world powers worried about its nuclear ambitions.
Irish Examiner 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Scotsman 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Times 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Guardian 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Independent 28th Sept 2009 more >>
This chilling map shows how Northern Ireland was marked for nuclear Armageddon during the Cold War. We have highlighted the Russian battle plan as the lines are drawn for a ‘second Cold War’ between the West and Iran, after a secret weapons plant was uncovered in the rogue state last week.
Belfast Telegraph 27th Sept 2009 more >>
Israel
The Israeli human rights activist Gideon Spiro bravely asks that his country be subject to the same rules as Iran and all others in the Middle East: “Rein in Israel, compel it to accept a regime of nuclear disarmament and oblige it to open all nuclear, biological and chemical facilities and missile sites to international inspection.” The US has leverage because it maintains and funds Israel. If Obama shies away from this, there can be no moral justification to go for Iran or North Korea or any other rogue state. And the leader whose election and dreams gave hope to millions thereby hastens the end of the world.
Independent 28th Sept 2009 more >>
India
India has announced the capability to build a high yield nuclear weapon.
FT 28th Sept 2009 more >>
Climate
Unchecked global warming could bring a severe temperature rise of 4C within many people’s lifetimes, according to a new report for the British government that significantly raises the stakes over climate change. The study, prepared for the Department of Energy and Climate Change by scientists at the Met Office, challenges the assumption that severe warming will be a threat only for future generations, and warns that a catastrophic 4C rise in temperature could happen by 2060 without strong action on emissions.
Guardian 28th Sept 2009 more >>
