Scotland
SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen today unveiled his party’s Holyrood election manifesto with a promise of a “renewables revolution”. The manifesto said the target of having renewable energy supplying 100 per cent of Scotland’s electricity by 2050 was bold, but it could happen. The Party proposes increasing the current target from 40% to 60% by 2020 and support for more wave and tidal power. Nicol Stephen said “In September, we will set our 100% renewable electricity target and roll out new funding for micro-generation in homes and businesses across Scotland”. The manifesto says the Lib Dems will reduce energy demands with investment in energy efficiency, microgeneration and local power.
Edinburgh Evening News 11th April 2007
At the moment more than 60 per cent of the energy from big fossil fuel power stations goes up the chimney as wasted heat. I reject our old centralised system of electricity generation with its massive carbon dinosaurs and its nuclear follies. I reject its inherent inefficiency with two thirds of fossil fuel wasted as heat. I reject its carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. I reject its legacy for future generations – with nuclear waste remaining radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years. By generating on a smaller scale, more locally, this heat can be piped to homes and businesses. Scotland does not need new nuclear power. We do not need the risk, the waste, or the cost. New nuclear power would drain money and political will from investment in clean, green renewable energy. Instead, Liberal Democrats want a renewables revolution for Scotland. We’ve made great progress in Scotland and are on course to beat our target of 40 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Now it’s time to go further. So what is my ambition for Scotland in 2050? I say renewable energy supplying 100 per cent of Scotland’s electricity. 100 per cent by 2050. That sounds bold. It is deliberately bold. It can happen, but people – and politicians – need to make it happen. We will start now by raising the existing 40 per cent target to 60 per cent by 2020. The huge untapped power of Scotland’s seas offers a massive opportunity for us to generate more clean energy.
Scottish Liberal Democrats 11th April 2007
France
Electricite de France chief executive Pierre Gadonneix said he is confident that the group will respect the timetable for the construction of the Flamanville EPR (European Pressurised water Reactor) nuclear power plant, which is due to begin operating in 2012.
Forbes 12th April 2007
The French government published a decree in today’s Official Journal authorising Electricite de France (EDF) to go ahead with the development of a new nuclear power plant in Flamanville, northern France, using EPR (European Pressurised water Reactor) technology.
Forbes 11th April 2007
North Korea
NORTH Korea will begin decommissioning its nuclear reactor within a day of receiving millions of dollars blocked for 18 months in a Macau bank, according to Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico in the United States.
Scotsman 12th April 2007
Herald 12th April 2007
Uranium
A scramble by nuclear power firms for the world’s scarce uranium resources has sparked a string of corporate deals and takeover bids. With uranium prices at their highest since the 1970s, France’s Areva is to buy up to 18% of uranium firm Summit Resources. The move follows a 1bn Australian dollar (US$825m; £417m) hostile bid for Summit from Paladin Resources. Japan’s Mitsubishi aims to buy 50% of a CanAlaska uranium mining scheme. As firms are vying to take advantage of the growth in nuclear energy, there have been fears over uranium shortages.
BBC 11th April 2007
Springfields
One of Lancashire’s biggest employers has been given the green light by its neighbours to carry on fuelling. A consultation programme run by nuclear fuel manufacturer Springfields Fuels Ltd, in Salwick, near Preston, has shown local people are happy for it to keep on producing fuel for the country’s reactors until it is decommissioned in 2031.
Lancashire Evening Post 11th April 2007
Companies
Gazprom has hired Philip Dewhurst as a lobbyist. Mr Dewhurst is a former director at Lord Bell’s Bell Pottinger group and until recently was chairman of the Nuclear Industries Association. Andrew Bainbridge, director general of the Major Energy Users Council, said Gazprom continued to be “feared and distrusted” by many because of its links with Mr Putin. “There is a big question mark over how Gazprom goes about its business,” he said.
Guardian 12th April 2007
Biomass CHP
EDINBURGH University is to receive £267,000 from the Scottish Executive for a new green heating system. The university is in line for a share of £10.5 million public funds to introduce Biomass Support Schemes across Scotland to reduce carbon emissions. The cash will pay 40 per cent of the costs of installing a new heating system fired on woodchips. Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said: “I am determined that Scotland becomes Europe’s renewable energy powerhouse.” David Somervell, the university’s energy and sustainability manager, added: “This award is a vital boost to our low-carbon buildings programme. The new vet school will be heated by wood chips from local estates rather than North Sea gas.”
Edinburgh Evening News 11th April 2007
Obituary
Paul Leventhal, founder of the Nuclear Control Institute, died today at age 69 of cancer. Leventhal founded the Nuclear Control Institute, NCI, in 1981 and served as its president until his retirement in June 2002, when he assumed the office of president emeritus.
Environmental News Service 10th April 2007
