Nuclear Sites
A list of eleven sites that could be potential hosts to new nuclear power stations in the UK is published today. Members of the public now have a month to comment on the proposed sites before the nuclear planning consultation later this year. The Department of Energy and Climate Change published the list today after vetting all applications to ensure they were credible, that the sites could be operational by 2025 and that the nominator had raised public awareness of their intention to nominate.
DECC Press Release 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Hartlepool could host a nuclear power station by 2025. A list of eleven sites is published today. Members of the public now have a month to comment on the proposed sites before the nuclear planning consultation later this year.
Sunderland Echo 15th Apr 2009 more >>
A list of potential sites for new nuclear power stations has been unveiled by the Government.
Telegraph 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Leicester Mercury 15th Apr 2009 more >>
BBC 15th Apr 2009 more >>
A council is inviting residents to submit their views about plans for a new nuclear power station on Anglesey as part of a public consultation. Wylfa power station on the island is one of the UK sites that has been nominated as a potential site for a new nuclear power station.
BBC 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Nuclear Safety
Tim Stone, a government energy adviser, has warned that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) may continue to experience serious staffing issues which could jeopardise government plans to build new power plants, if it does not increase new starters’ pay by a quarter and give existing staff a pay rise.
Personnel Today 14th Apr 2009 more >>
Terror
Ukrainian security agents have arrested a regional lawmaker and two companions for trying to sell a radioactive substance that could be used in making a dirty bomb. The legislator in the western Ternopyl region and two local businessmen were detained last week for trying to sell 8.2 pounds (3.7 kilograms) of radioactive material to an undercover agent of the security service, said Marina Ostapenko, a spokeswoman for the service. The suspects tried to peddle the substance as plutonium-239, a highly radioactive material that can be used to build nuclear weapons, and demanded $10 million, Ostapenko said.
AP 14th Apr 2009 more >>
CHP
In Helsinki, where winter temperatures often plunge to -30C (-22F), hardly anyone owns a domestic heating boiler. Instead, water is heated centrally at combined heat and power (CHP) plants to 115C and piped directly to tens of thousands of homes and public buildings. Britain has been trying to encourage the development of CHP and district heating for years, but progress is slow, in part because of the high cost and complexity of fitting the country’s ageing housing stock with the necessary equipment. The big six energy companies, which operate lucrative domestic boiler servicing businesses, also appear lukewarm on the development of such a scheme. Nevertheless, the Government is keen to do more and a new subsidy arrangement is due to come into effect in 2011. It is also conducting a consultation on the subject, which is scheduled to end next month.
Times 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Iran
The US and Europe are preparing to make a major concession to Iran to end the deadlock over its nuclear programme, according to American and European sources. In what amounts to a major policy shift, the Obama administration is set to drop a precondition for the start of negotiations on the nuclear issue – that Iran first suspends its uranium enrichment process.
Guardian 15th Apr 3009 more >>
Times 15th Apr 2009 more >>
US
The Wall Street Journal interviews the new GPUSA Executive Director: Speaking of the science, nuclear power is another bugbear for Greenpeace. Former members like Patrick Moore now preach its virtues, and plenty of people think nuclear power must be part of any clean-energy future. Why don’t you? Radford: First, you can get to a clean-energy future without any new nuclear plants it’s completely feasible. There are a whole slew of reasons to be opposed. Nuclear plants are sitting ducks for terrorists. It’s the most expensive way to essentially boil water. There’s the waste issue, there’s nuclear proliferation, the subsidies. It’s just the wrong way to go.
Wall Street Journal 14th Apr 2009 more >>
North Korea
North Korea has said it will resume its nuclear programme and vowed never to return to disarmament talks. Foreign affairs columnist Simon Tisdall looks at the challenges facing the US president, Barack Obama, and the international community in bringing Pyongyang in from the cold.
Guardian 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Telegraph 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Scotsman 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Independent 15th Apr 2009 more >>
FT 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Metro 14th Apr 2009 more >>
International tensions have remained high after North Korea said it was expelling UN nuclear inspectors and resuming work on its nuclear programme.
BBC 15th Apr 2009 more >>
Jordan
Japan and Jordan have signed a memorandum under which Japan will help Jordan in areas like drafting laws and educating experts to prepare it for nuclear power generation, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said. Jordan plans to commence commercial operations at its first nuclear power station in 2017, to overcome an increasing electricity demand and to lessen dependence on fossil fuels.
Energy Business Review 14th Apr 2009 more >>
IAEA
The IAEA is making its International Nuclear Information System (INIS) available for free to Internet users around the world. INIS is the world’s leading database on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
Nuclear Engineering International 14th Apr 2009 more >>
