Heysham
HEYSHAM 2 power station is to continue operating for another 10 years following an intensive safety review. Management at Heysham 2 power station this week received confirmation that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) is satisfied with safety at the plant after their thorough independent assessment of the periodic safety review (PSR). This means that the NII are satisfied the PSR is adequate to justify continued operation of Heysham 2 up to January 2020, subject to continued satisfactory performance and to satisfactory progress with an agreed programme of work identified by the PSR. Subject to completion of this work, the station should not be required to submit a further PSR before January 2019.
The Visitor 12th Feb 2010 more >>
Wylfa
Both Labour and the Conservative Party have resolved that any new nuclear power stations – such as Wylfa B – must not require any public subsidy. As the public cupboard is completely bare you might say that is just as well – except for one small problem: it seems increasingly likely that private companies such as Horizon Nuclear Power (the RWE npower/E.On UK nuclear joint venture which has purchased land around the existing Wylfa reactor in order to possibly construct Wylfa B) will not be able to build new nuclear installations without public subsidy.
The Druid 2nd Feb 2010 more >>
Cumbria
South Cumbria’s economy could be plunged into a permanent “nuclear winter” by the government’s Energy Coast Masterplan, a meeting of local tourism and business leaders heard this week. The nightmare would be triggered if proposals to build nuclear reactors along Cumbria’s West Coast went ahead, said scientist and environmental consultant Doug Cross. Mr Cross was the principal speaker at a gathering of businesses and groups opposed to plans for building new nuclear power stations on greenfield sites in the region. Cumbria Tourist Board, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Duddon Estuary Partnership were among those represented at the meeting held at Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Ambleside.
British Holiday and Home Parks Association Press Release 11th Feb 2010 more >>
Dounreay
NUCLEAR industry representatives from around the globe visited Caithness on Friday for the first part of a major event focusing on the future of Dounreay. Over 150 people attended the session, which was held at the Assembly Rooms in Wick and centred on the competition to become the first private sector owner and operator of the site.
John O Groat Journal 10th Feb 2010 more >>
Generic Design Assessment
Progress in the UK’s Generic Design Assessment program is being supported by the contracting of expert consultants for the most detailed stage of analysis.
World Nuclear News 11th Feb 2010 more >>
US
We’re not sure who’s advising President Obama on nuclear energy policy but we’d suggest he gets some new advisers and fast. His current ones seem to be feeding him a lot of bogus information.
Greenpeace Nuclear Reaction 11th Feb 2010 more >>
President Barack Obama will announce next week loan guarantees for two new nuclear reactors, setting the stage for the first nuclear power plant to be built in the US in three decades. The financial commitment will be made for the construction and operation of the two new reactors at a Southern Company plant in Burke, Georgia.
FT 13th Feb 2010 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
According to a recent report, former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson confirmed that Turkey possesses 40-90 “Made in America” nuclear weapons at the Incirlik military base. Does this mean that Turkey is a nuclear power?
Market Oracle 12th Feb 2010 more >>
Iran
Arab states have no wish to see a nuclear-capable Iran, but they are far more frightened of an Iranian-Israeli war, which could have devastating consequences for the security and stability of the region and for Arab oil exports. The more Iran is threatened, the more defiant it becomes — and the more remote the chance of an agreement.
Middle East Online 12th Feb 2010 more >>
The deliberate raising of the nuclear spectre is intended to divert attention at home and abroad. At home the government believes that the spirit of confrontation can help rebuild a badly damaged legitimacy, while the heightened preoccupation with the nuclear crisis can be used to convince Iranians that the west has no real interest in their human rights and democratic aspirations. Like all good demagogues, Ahmadinejad knows how to peddle fear and exploit paranoia, whether it resides in the east or the west. That is why he raised the stakes again during his speech, announcing brazenly that if Iran wanted to do so, it could build a bomb. It is good politics.
Guardian 13th Feb 2010 more >>
India
After two years of negotiations, the UK and India have signed a joint declaration on cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
World Nuclear News 12th Feb 2010 more >>
Aldermaston
AN anti-nuclear group has slammed the recent approval of an enriched uranium store at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston. Trident Ploughshares has said the move to build a replacement building for the storage and handling of enriched uranium has also given them added justification for a planned blockade taking place at the site on Monday. On Wednesday night West Berkshire Council approved the development, which has been dubbed Project Pegasus. Hundreds of protestors are expected to turn up at AWE and block the main gates to the organisation.
Newbury Today 13th Feb 2010 more >>
