New nukes
Two of Britain’s largest power com-panies, Scottish & Southern Energy and Centrica, have teamed up to submit a joint proposal to British Energy about building a new generation of nuclear power stations. It is understood that the duo are keen to partner British Energy in the event that the Government gives the go-ahead for new nuclear stations later this year. A British-led consortium would almost certainly be welcomed by the Government. Although neither Scottish & Southern nor Centrica generates nuclear power, they would be able to offer British Energy vital access to retail customers. Both already buy a proportion of British Energy’s output. The proposal is one of a number being considered by the board of British Energy, led by chief executive Bill Coley. German power giants E.On and RWE and their French counterpart EdF have submitted proposals in recent weeks. Vattenfall, the Swedish nuclear company, is also understood to have expressed an interest.
Sunday Telegraph 1st July 2007 more >>
Nuclear Waste
SCOTLAND has been warned that it will have to dispose of its own nuclear waste after pulling out of UK-wide talks on dealing with the highly radioactive material. Local authorities at the Sellafield nuclear-processing plant in Cumbria say they may refuse permission for shipments and storage of spent fuel rods from north of the Border. They have accused Scottish ministers of being “parochial” and “entrenched” after the Executive said it would no longer work with a UK government committee which is examining how to store nuclear waste in the long term.
Scotland on Sunday 1st July 2007 more >>
The Public is being consulted on proposals for long-term underground storage of nuclear waste. As part of the Government’s renewed interest in nuclear power, it is consulting the public what to do with the resulting radioactive waste.
Nottingham Evening Post 30th June 2007 more >>
Climate
The people cannot wait for government. There is a requirement for each of us to change our habits in driving and flying and in energy consumption at home. This is where politics becomes personal, a question of self-control and, I suppose, morality. It is all rather pedestrian and dull, but what needs to happen next Saturday for Live Earth to mean anything at all is a bit of chat about practical measures. If Madonna sells 100,000 energy-efficient light bulbs and Sting endorses bicycles rather than Jaguar cars, all well and good.
Observer 1st July 2007 more >>
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez arrived in Tehran late Saturday for the third time during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a fellow fiery critic
Iran
of the US, Iranian television reported.
Aficasia 30th June 2007 more >>
