New Nukes
Manufacturers are calling on the Government to revise the country’s target for the expansion of renewable energy, arguing that its ambitions are too demanding and too costly. The previous Government committed Britain to deliver a sevenfold expansion of renewable energy to meet 15 per cent of its electricity consumption by 2020, the second most stretching emissions target in Europe after Malta. The new coalition Government has expressed a desire to increase this target, but the EEF, the former Engineering Employers Federation, which represents manufacturers, believes that it should be reassessed. Mr Salomone said that early signs from the Government on energy were mixed. The EEF is urging ministers to set a carbon-based tax on electricity generation to make clear its commitment to replacing the country’s ageing energy infrastructure and building nuclear power.
The Times 12th July 2010 more >>
Nuclear Industry Association and EDF Energy suppliers websites launch to allow large and small businesses to register and be approved for work on the multi-billion pound new nuclear power station building programme.
Telegraph 13th July 2010 more >>
Chief executives from the main nuclear energy companies are meeting the UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne in London this week, to urge progress in the plans to build new nuclear power stations across the country, the Telegraph has reported. The meeting will take place on Thursday at the Department for Energy and Climate Change’s Nuclear Development Forum. Keith Parker, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, has been reported as saying that the forum was a “crucial opportunity” to engage the new Government. He added that the nuclear industry would urge it to maintain momentum in the new build programme for nuclear power plants.
New Statesman 12th July 2010 more >>
Hinkley
CAMPAIGNERS say their battle against power plant proposals in Cannington is nearly won but now the war to save Bridgwater will begin. The Save Cannington Action Group has been fighting EDF Energy’s infrastructure plans for Hinkley C, which it claims would destroy the village. The pressure paid off this week when EDF, in its “preferred options” proposals, scrapped plans to build a campus to house hundreds of workers during construction and a lorry park in the village.
This is the West Country 12th July 2010 more >>
Developer launches 12-week stage-two consultation believed to be the most extensive and wide-ranging ever for a British nuclear power station. EDF Energy will make its ‘Preferred Proposals’ for the development of Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station available for public consultation from 9 July.
British Energy 8th July 2010 more >>
Sedgemoor District Council, West Somerset Council and Somerset County Council have gone out to tender for firms to provide professional technical advice during the planning process for new nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point. Successful firms will be expected to provide technical advice, support in the drafting of documentation, and carry out a critical review of documentation from developers. They will also represent the councils, as and if required during the course of the projects.
New Civil Engineer 10th July 2010 more >>
Hartlepool
MEMBERS of Hartlepool power station’s local community liaison committee were given a behind the scenes tour of the site after their recent meeting. Station director Paul Newman led the tour for committee members, who were taken to see the pile cap, fuel ponds, turbine hall, the cooling water pump house and the control room.
British Energy 8th July 2010 more >>
Sellafield
While Cumbrians face the prospect of £1000 fine for using a hosepipe during the drought – Sellafield uses the equivalent of Millom, Barrow and Ulverston’s fresh water put together every day. Over 4 million gallons are abstracted daily from Wastwater, Britain’s favourite view, in order to prevent the high level liquid wastes from boiling.
Indymedia 10th July 2010 more >>
Devonport
DEVONPORT Dockyard is to change the way it describes nuclear accident procedures to bring them into line with civilian practice. The latest meeting of the Devonport Local Liaison Committee heard that the old military system of talking about ‘category one, two and three’ incidents will be replaced by more “logical” terms used at civilian nuclear facilities. Mark Rouse, director of nuclear safety and quality at Devonport Dockyard, said the old definitions were confusing, as category one was in fact the least serious scenario. The categories will now be referred to as ‘site standby’, ‘on-site incident’ and ‘off-site nuclear emergency’.
Plymouth Herald 13th July 2010 more >>
Waste Transport
The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station plans to ship 1,760 tonnes of radiation-laced steel through Lake Ontario a precedent-setting project that has officials worried on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. On April 1, Bruce Power asked the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canada’s nuclear regulator, for a licence to ship low-level radioactive generators from its power plant on Lake Huron to Sweden, where 90 per cent of the metals inside the generators are to be cleansed and resold.
The Star 11th July 2010 more >>
Iran
The Middle East is on the verge of a nuclear war triggered by a US attack on Iran in the name of preventing the country from developing its own weapons, according to ageing Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro.
Guardian 13th July 2010 more >>
Sky News 13th July 2010 more >>
Saudi Arabia
The Shaw Group, Exelon and Toshiba plan to team up to pursue contracts for “a full complement of services to design, engineer, construct and operate” nuclear power projects in Saudi Arabia.
World Nuclear News 12th July 2010 more >>
Energy Business Review 12th July 2010 more >>
Trident
A clear majority among the general public and leading opinion-formers wants a cheaper alternative to Britain’s nuclear deterrent, either by reducing the number of submarines in the system or scrapping it altogether. The findings, contained in a YouGov poll commissioned by Chatham House, the think-tank, come as the government prepares to announce whether it will press ahead with plans to spend £20bn building a new submarine platform for the deterrent.
FT 13th July 2010 more >>
