New Nukes
Jeremy Leggett: In 2003, the nuclear industry was very nearly killed off in Britain. In 2009, it is so resurgent that captains of the energy industry are arguing it is renewables that should be killed off, or at least kept on a starvation diet. Today, the Confederation of British Industry has thrown its weight behind the nuclear industry’s calls for the government to scale back “overambitious” wind power targets in favour of atomic energy. Two foreign-owned energy giants, E.ON and EDF, have recently told the government it must essentially choose between new nuclear and major renewables developments. With global warming, energy security and fuel poverty all rendering energy policy a matter of life and death today, in their own ways, this new polarisation in the nuclear debate is a desperately dangerous development. The truth is that there is only so much money available, and the nuclear advocates – scared by the growth rates of renewables – are scrabbling to ensure most of it goes to them. De Rivaz has yet to persuade his owners, the French government, that his plan to build four British reactors at well over £4bn each makes commercial sense. He has made it clear to Whitehall that he will need major subsidies.
Guardian 14th July 2009 more >>
A new report from the Green Party, Nuclear Power? No Point!, makes a powerful case that nuclear power has no rationale in terms of either economics or helping the fight against dangerous climate change. Written by London Assembly Chair Darren Johnson, the report argues that nuclear power contributes so little to our energy supply, and new nuclear would be tool little too late, an equal amount spent on energy efficiency would have a much bigger impact on CO2e emissions.
Natural Choices 13th July 2009 more >>
Mayor Watch 13th July 2009 more >>
Britain needs to build more nuclear reactors and cleaner coal plants while putting less emphasis on wind power if it wants a secure low-carbon future, business lobby group CBI said on Monday.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development 13th July 2009 more >>
Contract Journal 13th July 2009 more >>
Nuclear Finance
Dr Mark Cooper of Vermont Law School says three late June developments provide new evidence of the validity of the cost-related concerns documented in his report: On June 30, 2009, Exelon cited “economic woes” as a major factor in postponing for up to 20 years plans to build two nuclear reactors at its site in Victoria, Texas. On June 29, 2009, the Government of Ontario announced that it has suspended the competitive bidding process to procure two replacement nuclear reactors planned for a Darlington, Ontario site. The Ontario government cited excessive cost and uncertainties involving the ownership status of the sole Canadian bidder. On June 23, 2009, Moody’s Investor Services issued a report titled “New Nuclear Generation: Ratings Pressure Increasing.” The summary to the report included the following: Moody’s is considering “taking a more negative view for those issuers seeking to build new nuclear power plants”.
Earth Times 13th July 2009 more >>
Heysham
British Energy’s Heysham 2-8 nuclear reactor was back in operation after an unplanned closure since June 25, data from the National Grid showed on Monday.
Reuters 13th July 2009 more >>
Sellafield
Sellafield has been hit by swine flu. The team, who are in contact with public health specialists, are meeting regularly to ensure the company are best able to manage any potential impact on our sites and our employees as well as our contractor community. In addition we do have a site Flu Pandemic Contingency Plan already in place.
NW Evening Mail 13th July 2009 more >>
Renewables
Renewables are a waste of time says Lovelock. Britain should abandon its “vain” attempts to stop climate change by increasing its reliance on renewable energy and concentrate on flood defences, the environmental pioneer James Lovelock has said. He thought nuclear power would be “the best option” despite its problems. He also warned that the “odds look rather high” that the world was heading to what he termed a “hot state” of about 5C warmer than current levels. Whatever humans now did to stop climate change would probably come too late, he believed.
Telegraph 14th July 2009 more >>
A Green Scotland could scrap its fossil fuel power plants and still more than meet all its electricity demands from renewable sources by 2030, according to a major new study seen by The Herald. The bold new report, titled Power of Scotland Renewed, claims to show for the first time how the nation could completely do away with coal and nuclear generators while comfortably providing for its needs using renewable technology.
Herald 14th July 2009 more >>
It is a combination of the two most optimistic scenarios, though, that is seen as a holy grail for environmentalists: if a 20% reduction in demand could be achieved alongside sustained growth in renewables, then a spectacular 143% of Scotland’s energy desires would be catered for using renewable sources.
Herald 14th July 2009 more >>
A consortium of 12 European businesses have outlined an ambitious plan to build a massive solar power facility in North Africa that they claim could satisfy 15% of Europe’s energy needs by 2050.
Herald 14th July 2009 more >>
On Wednesday Miliband will publish a white paper outlining how the UK will make the transition to a low-carbon economy. Companies of all shades of green are on tenterhooks, waiting to find out if their lobbying for subsidies (although they would never profess to use such a dirty word) for their industry or particular technology has been successful. Everyone has an opinion on how best to solve climate change. “I didn’t grow up in a terribly pro-nuclear family, as you can imagine. But lots of people have changed their mind about nuclear as a result of climate change.”
Guardian 14th July 2009 more >>
Climate
Sarah Boyack MSP: As we debate how in Scotland to make our contribution and change our lifestyles, we should keep in mind that there are others on the front line of climate change who will depend on us turning rhetoric into action. Around 300,000 people are already estimated to die from climate-related events each year.
Herald 14th July 2009 more >>
Germany
The emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor in northern Germany has thrust worries about atomic safety back on to the political agenda ahead of a national election that will decide the fate of the country’s nuclear plants. Roland Koch, a key ally of Angela Merkel, the chancellor, vowed on Monday that “there would be no change” to the Christian Democrats’ electoral pledge to extend the lifespan of reactors.
FT 14th July 2009 more >>
Israel
It is true that an Iranian bomb – if one were ever built – would undermine Israel’s cherished security doctrine of total regional military hegemony. What is really at stake: Israel wants no restraint on its freedom to attack its neighbours at will.
Middle East Online 13th July 2009 more >>
Italy
NEI translates a statement from Enel on the law overturning Italy’s ban on nuclear power. The legislation changed into law by the Senate relaunches nuclear in Italy. The object is to lay the foundation of a new station by the end of the current legislature. “Over the past few years Enel has rebuilt, from outside, the culture and experience necessary to brave the challenge that today Parliament has set us,” said CEO Fulvio Conti.
Nuclear Engineering International 13th July 2009 more >>
Trident
Voters want Britain to scrap nuclear weapons altogether rather than replace Trident, according to a new Guardian/ICM poll today. The result marks a sharp turnaround in public opinion amid growing debate about the cost of a new generation of nuclear weapons and the impact of conventional defence cutbacks on the war in Afghanistan.
Guardian 14th July 2009 more >>
Telegraph 14th July 2009 more >>
Reuters 13th July 2009 more >>
BRITAIN is ready to negotiate on reductions to its Trident nuclear arsenal at multilateral non-proliferation talks called by US President Barack Obama for next spring, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated.
NW Evening Mail 13th July 2009 more >>
