UKAEA
The Government is planning to sell off the rump of the state- owned UK Atomic Energy Authority. The auction of the nuclear decommissioning division of UKAEA, which will raise up to £400m for Treasury coffers, will be hotly contested. US engineering giants such as CH2M Hill, Bechtel and Fluor, as well as UK services company Amec, are all likely to be interested as they seek a slice of the £70bn nuclear clean-up market. UKAEA, which employs 2,300 people, receives some £300m a year from government body the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to clean up civil nuclear research sites such as Dounreay in Scotland. It also leads UK research into nuclear fusion and is involved in the international venture to build a €4bn (£2.7bn) test facility in France. This smaller division will remain in government hands.
Independent on Sunday 15th July 2007 more >>
Nuclear Convoys
THE NUCLEAR bomb convoys that regularly pass through Scotland have suffered 67 safety incidents over the past seven years, sparking fears of a “catastrophic” accident. Lists obtained by the Sunday Herald from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) reveal details of dozens of mechanical faults and equipment failures since 2000, as well as delays and diversions caused by anti-nuclear protests. Incidents include numerous fuel leaks, a series of broken valves and several instances of engine and brake overheating. In October 2003, an axle began smoking due to “excessive use of wheel brakes” coming down a steep hill.
Sunday Herald 15th July 2007 more >>
Malaysia
Malaysia will build Southeast Asia’s first nuclear monitoring laboratory to allow scientists check the safety of atomic energy programs in the region, a report said Sunday. The 26-million-US-dollar facility would be built in central Pahang state and be operational in three years’ time.
Interactive Investor 15th July 2007 more >>
North Korea
The United States announced Saturday it learned that North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facilities, and said it now hopes for “rapid progress” toward Pyongyang’s nuclear disarmament.
Interactive Investor 15th July 2007 more >>
Telegraph 15th July 2007 more >>
Reuters 14th July 2007 more >>
BBC 14th July 2007 more >>
Sky 14th July 2007 more >>
UN inspectors are starting to verify that North Korea has really closed down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, the top US nuclear envoy has said.
BBC 15th July 2007 more >>
Chronology of the nuclear stand-off.
BBC 15th July 2007 more >>
Q&A about North Korea
BBC 14th July 2007 more >>
A North Korean diplomat said Sunday that Pyongyang is ready to start disabling its nuclear programs now that it has shut down its sole operating reactor, as long as Washington lifts all sanctions against the communist nation.
Guardian website 15th July 2007 more >>
New nukes
Despite its environmentally unfriendly image, nuclear power is firmly back on the world’s energy agenda thanks to the need to cut carbon-dioxide emissions. Paul Norman, Andrew Worrall and Kevin Hesketh describe how the next generation of nuclear power stations will be cleaner and more efficient than ever.
Physics World July 2007 more >>
NDA
A PENSIONER who triggered a major security alert at the Nuclear Decommissioning Auth-ority’s Cumbrian headquarters says he cannot understand how it happened. Anti-nuclear campaigner Charles Barnett, 75, sent the envelope in which white crystals were found by NDA staff at Westlakes science park, near Whitehaven, on June 27. It led to more than 120 workers being quarantined while a chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear reaction unit and chemical testing team were dispatched to the scene. They later discovered that the suspicious substance was nothing more harmful than ordinary granulated sugar. Suffolk-based Mr Barnett, who has since been questioned under caution by police, says he is at a loss to understand how the sugar got into the A4-sized envelope. He denied that it was a publicity stunt.
Carlisle News and Star 14th July 2007 more >>
Coal
A decision is expected within weeks about whether Britain is to build the first coal-fired power station for more than 20 years – potentially unleashing a new generation of coal power. Planning officials are considering an application from Eon to build a new coal-fired station in Kent, which could supply 1.5 million homes. The decision is being watched by power companies considering at least three more coal-fired projects, and government officials forecast up to eight could be built by 2020.
Observer 15th July 2007 more >>
Aldermaston
The Government will this week kick off an auction for one of Britain’s most politically sensitive contracts. The Sunday Telegraph has learned that an announcement of the sale of the Government’s stake in the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), which manages the Aldermaston weapons site on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, will be made in Parliament tomorrow.
Sunday Telegraph 15th July 2007 more >>
