Nuclear Transport
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have urged the UK government to ban a transatlantic shipment of radioactive material which will pass through waters off the north of Scotland. The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) group and marine pollution experts say that they are “deeply alarmed” at plans to transport 16 bus-sized radioactive steam generators by sea from Canada to be cleaned up at the Studsvik recycling plant in Sweden. The groups say the shipments are highly dangerous and have asked environment ministers to stop the cargos travelling through UK waters. The three-week journey aboard the MV Palessa would include passage through the Pentland Firth between Caithness and Orkney. The Scottish Government said it would also be seeking assurances about the safety of the cargo.
Scotland on Sunday 13th Feb 2011 more >>
Wylfa
Magnox North Wylfa Site has donated a total of £19,130 to 27 charities at a ‘Wylfa 21 Club and Pride of Wylfa Awards’ presentation event, hosted by Site Director Nick Gore.
Local beneficiaries of the £10,500 contribution from the Wylfa 21 Club include Theatr Fach Llangefni, Cemaes Bay Coastguards and First Response to name but a few. Wylfa 21 Club has raised £133,000 for charity since its inception in1992 from donations given from employee’s salaries each month, which is then equally divided to fund the prize money for a weekly lottery and annual charity donations.
Magnox North 9th Feb 2011 more >>
Cherbobyl
University of South Carolina (USC) researchers have released their findings in a 12-year study of low-dose residual radiation’s effect on the bird population in the Chernobyl area. 550 birds representing 48 different species were analyzed and found to have on average 5 percent smaller brains than their non-radioactive counterparts. They have also found that bird survival rates have decreased in the area, theorizing that the smaller brain size impedes the birds’ ability to effectively cope with their environment.
Energy Digital 11th Feb 2011 more >>
France
France’s EDF has detected a technical flaw in 34 of its 58 nuclear reactors that could have an impact on safety, the utility said in a note on its website. EDF’s 900 megawatt reactors, built in the 1970s, do not meet current standards of precision required for measuring water flows in their water injection systems. Water injection is used as a key safety measure to cool down a reactor’s core in case of an accident.
Reuters 11th Feb 2011 more >>
Renerwables
Plans for Britain’s first solar energy farm on a reclaimed industrial site have been overshadowed by a potential shake-up of the Government’s green electricity subsidy. Chris Huhne, the Energy Secretary, has launched a fast-track review of the “feed-in tariff” scheme, brought in last April to encourage households and schools to install solar panels. Ministers have become worried by the explosion in planning applications for big commercial projects, which they fear could devour the funding. The prospect of a 10% return has enticed professional players to the sector. Last month, Cornwall Council gave the go-ahead for its fourth solar farm, the 5MW (megawatt) Lanhydrock scheme, designed by Cornwall Power. Cambridgeshire, Devon and Dorset are among other local authorities mulling large proposals.
Sunday Times 13th Feb 2011 more >>
EFFORTS to train enough workers to fill the tens of thousands of jobs expected to be generated by Scotland’s renewable energy sector are aimed too low and do not address a swelling skills crisis at the senior manager level, according to a major recruiter.
Scotland on Sunday 13th Feb 2011 more >>
