New nukes
Greenpeace briefing which shows that subsidies are likely to be an essential part of any new-build programme in the UK and it demonstrates that support can be expected via a number of market interventions. Furthermore, it explains how the government has already enacted legislation and is developing further measures that could open the way for the taxpayer to pick up the bill for the liabilities of any private nuclear operator that should fail to provide proper funding for waste and decommissioning.
Greenpeace 29th Nov 2007 more >>
Investing in nuclear power, says Amory Lovins, is the worst thing we can do for climate change. It’s all in the (bad) economics – and the opportunity costs. [This classic article by the Rocky Mountain Green Guru is available on the web once again]
Green Future 8th March 2006 more >>
Nuclear Smuggling
Enriched uranium that could have been made into a “dirty bomb” by terrorists has been seized by Slovakian police after it was allegedly offered for sale for $1m.
Independent 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Telegraph 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Scotsman 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Herald 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Scotland
Scotland does not need nuclear power to secure its energy supply, First Minister Alex Salmond has said. The SNP administration has made clear its opposition to new nuclear power in Scotland in response to the recent Westminster consultation on the issue. During First Minister’s Questions, Mr Salmond said: “We do not believe there’s an energy gap that only nuclear power can fill.”
IC Scotland 29th Nov 2007 more >>
Tritium
Radioactive tritium, commonly discharged in large amounts by civil and military nuclear plants around the world, may be more dangerous than previously thought. The cancer risk for people exposed to tritium could be twice as high as previously assumed, an expert report for the UK government’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) concludes. The report suggests that international safety standards need to be tightened up, which will put pressure on nuclear plants to cut their emissions.
New Scientist, 29 November 2007 more >>
Hinkley
SIGNS another nuclear plant could be powering its way to Hinkley Point were revealed this week – and slammed by protest groups within hours. On Tuesday (November 27) British Energy announced news of how it was continuing preparation of potential sites before the Government’s expected decision on the future of nuclear energy in 2008.
Bridgwater Mercury 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Iran
Talks over 18 months appear to have failed to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, European officials said Thursday, ahead of a report expected to confirm Tehran’s nuclear defiance that will add to the likelihood of further U.N. sanctions.
Guardian website 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Chances of a breakthrough appear slim when Iran’s main nuclear negotiator meets Europe’s top diplomat on Friday in a last effort to avert tougher sanctions over Tehran’s disputed atomic programme.
Reuters 29th Nov 2007 more >>
Christian Today 29th Nov 2007 more >>
North Korea
Pyongyang will release a list of all its nuclear programmes as soon as next week, Christopher Hill, US assistant secretary of state, said on Thursday as negotiations to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions enter a crucial month.
FT 30th Nov 2007 more >>
Christian Today 29th Nov 2007 more >>
US
The nation’s nuclear weapons laboratories need tougher safety oversight to fix a recent track record that includes dozens of lapses, accidents and near misses, according to a government report released Wednesday.
AFX 29th Nov 2007 more >>
Sellafield
Sellafield, Britain’s biggest nuclear site, has appointed three independent non-executive directors to the board. Lord Clark of Windermere, Sir Paul Lever and Rear Admiral Tim Chittenden will help steer the business through a change of ownership. The new parent body will own the shares for the period of the contract, which is expected to be awarded next summer.
Pendle Today 29th Nov 2007 more >>
A Sellafield worker was taken to hospital after being involved in a potentially serious radiological incident in an old plutonium plant.
Whitehaven News 29th Nov 2007 more >>
Dounreay
THE first visitors have been making their way to Dounreay’s new “front shop” in Thurso. The site’s communications department has relocated to vacant offices in the town centre and converted part of the property to an information centre, making it easier for the public to communicate with the site about its clean-up and closure programme.
John O Groat Journal 28th Nov 2007 more >>
Climate
Sir Nicholas Stern, the government adviser on the economics of climate change and development, has urged nations to agree on ambitious reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions or face the “destructive” consequences of global warming.
Guardian 30th Nov 2007 more >>
