New Nukes
The majority of the public feels the risks of nuclear power outweigh the benefits and would prefer to see more investment into renewable energy, a new poll shows. Public support for replacing the UK’s ageing nuclear power stations has changed little since 2006 when the Government announced its support for a generation of new plants, according to a new survey.
Ecologist 11th June 2010 more >>
Bovis Lend Lease has pulled out of a possible nuclear deal with EDF energy at the eleventh hour after parent company Lend Lease objected to ‘unethical’ work. Building reported that the Australian Lend Lease board told Bovis to pull out shortly before the deal was to be signed because it does not want to be involved in the sector for ethical reasons. The Australian government has already decided not to pursue nuclear new build.
Construction Manager 11th June 2010 more >>
Wylfa
WYLFA B will still be at the forefront of the new wave of nuclear power stations despite the change of government, the Secretary of State for Wales revealed last night. Cheryl Gillan has written to Energy Secretary Chris Huhne formally declaring her support for the creation of a new plant on Anglesey, which officials claim would inject £15bn into the local economy. The Welsh Secretary told the Daily Post “it is fair to say” that Wylfa B is still in the running to be one of the first of the 10 new power plants expected to be built in the UK.
Daily Post 10th June 2010 more >>
News Wales 11th June 2010 more >>
EDF
EDF Energy, the UK’s largest producer of low carbon electricity, today launched its Sustainability Commitments, one of the largest such initiatives by any UK company. The ground breaking package on the environment, customers, skills and nuclear energy is a landmark moment which includes the energy industry’s strongest commitment yet to reduce the carbon intensity of electricity generation. Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne MP said EDF Energy’s initiative was an example of how Government and industry must work together on the challenge of meeting low carbon commitments.
EDF Energy Press Release 10th JUne 2010 more >>
Urenco
The Urenco USA uranium enrichment facility, located in Eunice, New Mexico, today received authorisation from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they may begin accepting operational delilvery of uranium hexafluoride feed stock. The permission allows Urenco USA to begin commercial operations enriching uranium for use as nuclear fuel.
Money AM 11th June 2010 more >>
Ireland
Letter: I include nuclear power among the other green energies. It is reliable, cost-effective, clean and safe. What more can we ask for? I see our future power supply consisting mainly of nuclear, wind and gas — the latter to support wind but to be gradually phased out as nuclear capacity increases.
I support Mr Job’s plea for serious planning to be started immediately — otherwise it will be too late.
Irish Independent 12th June 2010 more >>
Baltic
A new nuclear race appears to be brewing in eastern Europe. Fortunately, this one involves reactors rather than weapons. Three countries have announced firm plans to build nuclear power plants within a relatively small area of the Baltic region. Lithuania is planning a replacement for the Soviet-era Ignalina reactor shut down last year; Belarus has proposed a reactor just across the border from Lithuania; and Russia is vowing to build one in its Kaliningrad enclave between Lithuania and Poland.A fourth country, Estonia, has also floated tentative plans for a reactor of its own.
FT 11th June 2010 more >>
Burma
The Burmese government has denied recent reports that it is developing a nuclear weapons programme.
BBC 11th June 2010 more >>
Saudi Arabia
A draft renewable and nuclear strategy for Saudia Arabia is to be prepared by the P yry consultancy firm. The company said is had been chosen by the KA-CARE organisation, responsible for the future King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, to “help prepare a draft of the national vision and high-level strategy in the area of nuclear and renewable energy applications.”
World Nuclear News 11th June 2010 more >>
France
France’s Coteaux du Tricastin appellation has won the right to change its name to avoid associations with an accident-prone nuclear power plant in the area. Subject to last-minute objections, the INAO will now allow producers to label their wines with the new name, Grignan-Les Adhemar, with effect from the 2010 vintage.
Decanter 11th June 2010 more >>
French grid operator RTE has cut the country’s nuclear power availability for the week ahead by 4.2GW, according to today’s forecast. It revised expected availability in week 25 down to 46,898MW or 75pc of France’s installed nuclear capacity. RTE lowered the forecast for week 26 by 2.2GW as shutdowns and delays to planned maintenance continue to cut into capacity. Expectations for the coming weeks were down as well, with plant availability in week 29 forecast to fall by another 982MW, after a recorded 1.3GW decrease on 4 June.
Argus Media 11th June 2010 more >>
Germany
Germany’s nuclear power plant operators will have to pay a new annual tax under an ambitious austerity package announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel. Eon, RWE, EnBW and Vattenfall will have to pay an estimated 2.3 billion per annum to the government for operating the country’s 17 nuclear reactors. The tax is one of several measures announced by Merkel this week in an effort to keep a ceiling on the country’s debts. The nuclear tax is due to start in 2011 and will have no bearing on whether the government will allow nuclear power plant lifetimes to be extended.
Utility Week 11th June 2010 more >>
Iran
Strict sanctions were imposed by the United Nations Security Council last night to punish Iran over its suspected nuclear weapons programme.
Daily Mail 11th June 2010 more >>
Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities, The Times can reveal. In the week that the UN Security Council imposed a new round of sanctions on Tehran, defence sources in the Gulf say that Riyadh has agreed to allow Israel to use a narrow corridor of its airspace in the north of the country to shorten the distance for a bombing run on Iran. To ensure the Israeli bombers pass unmolested, Riyadh has carried out tests to make certain its own jets are not scrambled and missile defence systems not activated. Once the Israelis are through, the kingdom’s air defences will return to full alert.
Times 12th June 2010 more >>
Trident
The Liberal Democrats have been accused of voting “against their own policy” after they opposed an amendment to the Queen’s Speech to include the Trident nuclear weapons system in the Strategic Defence Review. While the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had called several times for Trident to be included in the Review, it was expected that his MPs would abstain on the issue as part of their coalition deal with the Conservative Party. The Tories are adamantly opposed to reviewing Trident. But Liberal Democrat MPs united with Tories to vote against a motion in the Commons proposed by Green, Plaid Cymru and Scottish National Party MPs. It was defeated by 330 votes to 27.
Ekklesia 10th June 2010 more >>
More Films
6 Short Films about Atomic Power more >>
