New nukes
Bill Coley, the chief exec-utive of British Energy, expects to announce by the end of the year the industrial partners with whom he will bid to build two of the UK’s next generation of nuclear power plants. The head of the country’s largest electricity provider gave his bullish outlook on the same day that investors again punished the company for its inability to provide any clarity on when four of its oft-troubled nuclear reactors – shut down in recent weeks due to corrosion on the boilers – will come back on line.
Independent 14th Nov 2007 more >>
When around 4,000 representatives of the world’s energy industry gathered in Rome this week, two Greenpeace protesters suspended themselves from the ceiling and dropped a banner urging “quit nuclear madness”. They were a lone voice in the halls of a sprawling conference village, where CEO after CEO has lined up to hail nuclear energy as an essential part of the energy mix to keep the lights on and prevent global warming.
Guardian website 14th Nov 2007 more >>
British Energy
British Energy first-half nuclear production was down to 27.8 twh vs 29 twh; ; no date for shutdown of Hartlepool 1 and Heysham 1 reactors.
Citywire 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Iran
Iran has met a key demand of the U.N. nuclear agency, handing over long-sought blueprints showing how to mold uranium metal into the shape of warheads, diplomats said Tuesday. Iran’s decision to release the documents, which were seen by U.N. inspectors two years ago, was seen as a concession designed to head off the threat of new U.N. sanctions. But the diplomats said Tehran has failed to meet other requests made by the International Atomic Energy Agency in its attempts to end nearly two decades of nuclear secrecy on the part of Iran.
Guardian website 14th Nov 2007 more >>
Telegraph 14th Nov 2007 more >>
BBC 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Channel 4 News 13th Nov 2007 more >>
The next five days will show whether President Ahmadinejad gets what appears to be his wish: a growing row with the West over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Despite deep unease within the regime about his taste for confrontation, the chances are that he will.
Times 14th Nov 2007 more >>
Yucca Mountain
The leading Democratic presidential candidates are united on the government’s Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan: They’d scrap it. Their vigorous opposition to the project reflects Nevada’s importance as one of a handful of states that will lead off voting in January for the Democratic and Republican nominations. Few local issues are as unpopular with Nevadans as the waste dump.
Forbes 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Guardian website 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Waste trains
A GRANDMOTHER has demonstrated against nuclear waste being transported through the area on trains. Bromley and Beckenham Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) member Ann Garrett, of Plaistow Grove, Sundridge Park, demonstrated with Tahrir Swift, 48, of Ridgeway Crescent Gardens, Orpington, and David Polden, 67, from north London.
Bromley News Shopper 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Asia
Southeast Asian leaders will promote the use of civilian nuclear power, along with other alternative energy sources, when they meet in Singapore next week.
World Business Council for Sustainable Develpoment 13th Nov 2007 more >>
Japan
Japan’s nuclear power plant utilisation rate fell to an average 56.3 percent in October, the lowest since July 2003, industry data showed on Wednesday.
Reuters 14th Nov 2007 more >>
South Africa
Two armed gangs made simultaneous attempts last week to break into South Africa’s main nuclear research facility. Rob Adam, chief executive of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), said that a guard had been shot and wounded during one of the break-ins at the Pelindaba plant, west of Pretoria. Another group of would-be intruders fled after a second member of security opened fire at them. A computer was taken during the course of the first raid. The victim is now in a stable condition.
Africasia 14th Nov 2007 more >>
Local Authorities
Some 277 authorities have signed the Nottingham declaration – a voluntary pledge to tackle climate change – a 30% increase on last year. Scotland and Wales have their own versions and all local authorities are signed up. Meanwhile, more than 100 councils are in the process of adopting the Merton rule, which requires new commercial developments to generate at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable energy. Equally significantly, on a bigger scale it now looks as though major cities outside London are starting to really commit themselves to cuts and timetables for action. Last week, at a meeting of eight core cities in Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester pledged to develop individual plans to become low-carbon cities. This initiative is based on a US model through which more than 600 cities have linked to set their own greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The three cities in England will now set a target, audit their emissions and push through reforms to reach “low-carbon economies which are prosperous but sustainable”.
Guardian 14th Nov 2007 more >>
