UKAEA
NUCLEAR experts have slammed Government plans to sell off the body responsible for cleaning up old power stations. The UK Atomic Energy Authority has said it plans to put on the market its commercial arm, which is responsible for the decommissioning and management of nuclear waste. Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson claims selling off the group is the best deal for taxpayers. But environmental group Greenpeace claims the Government is playing Russian roulette in the pursuit of cash.
Sunday Sun 5th Apr 2009 more >>
Terror
Two west Cumbrian apprentices were arrested after an April Fool prank sparked an evacuation. The two men who were arrested worked as apprentices for Westlakes, near Whitehaven, based Atkins Nuclear, which provides nuclear, IT and engineering services. On Wednesday morning the two moved a colleague’s vehicle without his knowledge from one car park to another in Westlakes Science Park, Whitehaven. What they did not realise was that they had parked it in a restricted car park at VT Nuclear Services, a company which provides services to the nuclear and security industry. The car park is for employees only, and security evacuated the 65 staff after they suspected a terrorist threat.
Carlisle News and Star 4th Apr 2009 more >>
Sellafield
LAND at Sellafield owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has been submitted to Government as a site for potential nuclear new build. The NDA submitted the nomination yesterday (Tuesday, March 31), in time to meet the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s (DECC) Strategic Sites Assessment deadline. The nomination concerns a 250 hectare site just north of the existing Sellafield plant, and has been prepared by the Nuclear New Build Nomination (NNBN) team Lakes Renaissance.
Westmorland Gazette 1st Apr 2009 more >>
Proposals for a new nuclear power plant at Sellafield are a monstrosity, it has been claimed. Cumbrian economic development lobbyists are behind the move which would create thousands of local jobs for construction and operation. However, SDLP Northern Ireland Assembly member Margaret Ritchie accused them of short-termism.
Galloway Gazette 2nd April 2009 more >>
US
The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted Wednesday to allow the Oyster Creek nuclear reactor in South Jersey to operate for another 20 years, rejecting claims made by opponents about risk.
New York Times 1st Apr 2009 more >>
Disarmament
Britain’s nuclear missiles might be negotiable “at some point” as part of Barack Obama’s drive for a world free of atomic weapons, Defence Secretary John Hutton said on Saturday.
Yahoo 4th Apr 2009 more >>
The UK government has backtracked on its suggestion that the number of submarines carrying Trident nuclear weapons could be cut from four to three. As US president, Barack Obama, launches a ground-breaking nuclear disarmament initiative and a powerful coalition of former generals and world leaders call for nuclear warheads to be scrapped, UK ministers are clinging on to their nuclear bombs.
Sunday Herald 5th Apr 2009 more >>
US President Barack Obama is to outline his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons in a major speech in Europe. He is expected to call for a global summit on nuclear security and the forging of new partnerships to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
BBC 5th Apr 2009 more >>
North Korea
North Korea launched a long-range rocket early this morning, defying mounting international pressure to cancel the test and triggering an emergency meeting of the UN security council.
Guardian website 5th Apr 2009 more >>
Independent 5th Apr 2009 more >>
Telegraph 5th Apr 2009 more >>
Times 5th Apr 2009 more >>
