Scotland
SCOTTISH Labour was facing a fresh internal split last night after the party’s MPs called for its MSPs to be stripped of some of their powers.Chief among MPs concerns are planning powers, currently held by the Scottish Government, which give Scottish ministers control over the construction of new energy projects. The SNP Government has declared it will use the powers, enshrined in the Electricity Act, to ensure no new nuclear power stations can be built north of the border. But Labour MPs are warning of the threat to Scotland’s future energy security. It comes amid growing warnings that the SNP’s reliance on renewables will leave Scotland with an energy gap, once two nuclear stations, at Torness and Hunterston, are decommissioned.
Scotland on Sunday 8th Feb 2009 more >>
SCOTLAND is “turning up its nose” at thousands of highly paid high-skilled jobs because of the SNP administration’s opposition to new nuclear power stations, UK energy minister Mike O’Brien warned last night. Mr O’Brien opened up a new front in the ongoing war of words between the Scottish and UK governments when he attacked the SNP administration’s approach to nuclear power. The minister was due to make a speech today explaining why he believed the Scottish Government is wrong.
Scotsman 10th Feb 2009 more >>
Letter from John Robertson MP: Scotland’s need for nuclear power as part of a balanced, low-carbon mix of energy is becoming increasingly apparent. With a prospective gap in provision from the closures of Hunterston and Torness and the challenges of climate change and security of supply, the SNP’s dogma on nuclear is seriously jeopardising Scotland’s future.
Scotsman 10th Feb 2009 more >>
Is Scotland right to reject a new generation of nuclear power stations? Yes says Shirley Anne Somerville MSP; No says Mike O’Brien MP.
Scotsman 10th Feb 2009 more >>
Oldbury
This letter appeared in Stroud Life and Stroud News and Journal 4th Feb 2009. The NDA has now gone completely beyond its remit of cleaning up nuclear sites. Not long ago their chiefs were saying they’re not in the business of nuclear new build. Even the Government’s Sustainable Development Commission says that replacing all our old reactors will reduce carbon emissions by only four percent. It’s just not worth the £5 billion cost to build each reactor, of which the public will pick up some of the future bill.
Gloucestershire Green Party 30th Jan 2009 more >>
Campaigns
Anti-nuclear power campaigners dressed as “Radioactive Royals and nuclear guards” protested in front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 5 February as nuclear industry bigwigs were wined and dined by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew.
IndyMedia 9th Feb 2009 more >>
Companies
Spanish utility Iberdrola and French power and natural major GDF Suez have entered a partnership to jointly participate in the development of new nuclear power stations in the UK. According to the company, through the creation of a joint venture, GDF Suez and Iberdrola, together with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), intend to participate in the sale of nuclear sites owned by The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the EDF Development Company. The consortium may consider additional partners.
Energy Business Review 9th Feb 2009 more >>
Europe
The European Economic and Social Committee has emphasised the need for transparency with regards to nuclear energy. Meeting on January 26, both those in opposition and those in favour of nuclear energy discussed the subject of transparency and its impact on the environment.
Edie 9th Feb 2009 more >>
Proliferation
Obama said the United States and Russia should lead the way in preventing nuclear proliferation by restarting negotiations to cut their atomic arsenals.
Yahoo 10th Feb 2009 more >>
Pakistan
Pakistan has told the United States it will put some curbs around freed scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan to prevent him from becoming a renewed nuclear proliferation threat.
Telegraph 10th Feb 2009 more >>
Finland
Power utility Fortum has submitted to the Finnish government an application for a decision-in-principle concerning the construction of a new nuclear power plant unit on the island of Hastholmen in Loviisa, Finland. According to the company, it has already two nuclear power plant units on the island. As per the plan, the new unit will be operational in 2020. The application presents five different plant alternatives.
Energy Business Review 9th Feb 2009 more >>
Aldermaston
Anti nuclear warfare campaigners in Watford will be dedicating their Valentine’s Day to showing a film about a pioneering protest 50 years ago. The Watford Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) are showing The March to Aldermaston, a half hour “fascinating slice of 20th Century social history” narrated by Richard Burton.
Watford Observer 9th Feb 2009 more >>
