New Nukes
At London’s Royal Institute of British Architects last week, an expert panel debated one of the most pressing issues of the moment: the future of energy. The debate, organised by spiked and Clark Mulder Purdie, focused specifically on the potential of nuclear power to meet future energy needs.
Spiked 30th June 2008 more >>
Iran
Crude oil futures surged by more than $3 a barrel yesterday to a new record above $143, over market fears that Israel was planning to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.
Herald 1st July 2008 more >>
Iran yesterday sentenced a businessman to death after a court convicted him of spying on the country’s military and nuclear programme for Israel.
Guardian 1st July 2008 more >>
Germany
RWE AG. said delaying a planned nuclear energy phase-out in Germany would help ease pressure on energy prices, adding that it welcomes renewed talks by lawmakers in the country over a possible delay. Extending nuclear power plant operation in Germany by 25 years to between 50 years and 60 years could yield an additional economic value of 250 billion euros, the company said in a statement.
Interactive Investor 30th June 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear stockpiles around the world must be reduced to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, a coalition of senior British politicians has warned. The four former British defence and foreign secretaries warn that the more nuclear material in circulation, the more countries who have not had such weapons to date are likely to want to acquire their own.
Telegraph 30th June 2008 more >>
OPPOSITION to the formation of a trust to run Ossett schools is mounting following the news a firm linked to nuclear weapons is involved. A Leeds-based subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group is lined up to be a member of the proposed trust which would run nine schools in the town in an opt out from local authority control.
Wakefield Express 27th June 2008 more >>
Terror
Cargo planes present a major threat to Britain’s security, according to the former Metropolitan police commissioner Lord Stevens, who warns today that terrorists could use them to transport hazardous materials or simply blow them up.
Guardian 1st July 2008 more >>
Coal
The government has stepped up the pace of change in the battle against global warming by announcing a shortlist of four bidders pre-qualifying for its carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration project and outlining a proposed new legislative framework for “clean coal”. Among the bidders are E.ON, which wants to use CCS for its controversial Kingsnorth coal-fired station in Kent, and BP, which recently scrapped plans to develop a trial project in Scotland because ministers appeared to be moving too slowly to meet its own internal timetable. Scottish Power and Peel Power are also included.
Guardian 1st July 2008 more >>
Plans for a new generation of coal-fired power stations have received clear backing from the Government. John Hutton, the Business Secretary, gave a clear signal that Britain would press ahead with new coal-fired power stations, despite plans for huge investment in renewable energy and nuclear power to meet global warming targets. He is understood to be determined to approve contentious plans for a new coal-fired plant at Kings-north in Kent, which has become a cause c l bre among campaigners determined to block expansion of coal-fired generation. Campaigners say as many as seven coal-fired power stations are planned, which would destroy the Government’s green credentials. Yesterday Mr Hutton said all new power stations would work with carbon capture and storage technology and announced four bidders competing to build a demonstration plant to be operational by 2014.
Independent 1st July 2008 more >>
Climate
George Monbiot: The government’s policy is to build more of everything – more coal plants, more nuclear power, more oil rigs, more renewables, more roads, more airports – and hope no one spots the contradictions.
Guardian 1st July 2008 more >>
