New Nukes
In line with new courses in nuclear energy, but perhaps towards a different end, the WISE group is to host a one-week course of its own for activists. The anti-nuclear information and networking group based in the Netherlands has officially announced its Summer School, saying that climate change calls for immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions but “more and more people say that nuclear energy is part of the solution.”
World Nuclear News 14th July 2009 more >>
England is facing a raft of applications for major projects – from nuclear power stations to wind farms and, maybe, expanded airports and sea ports – in the run-up to next year’s general election. In the biggest shake-up of the planning system for more than 60 years, energy companies and developers are fine-tuning proposals that will test the government’s resolve to fast-track schemes considered vital for the national interest.
Guardian 15th July 2009 more >>
New nuclear power stations and wind farms risk being held up by planning delays, energy companies warned on Tuesday. The warning came after the government confirmed that national policy statements setting out the need for such investments would not be published until the autumn. Ed Miliband, energy and climate change secretary, will on Wednesday set out his plans for cutting Britains greenhouse gas emissions and his strategy for encouraging the growth of renewable energy. But energy companies warned that his plans were threatened by obstructions in the planning process. National policy statements, in which the government will set out the countrys need for new energy infrastructure, are being prepared for nuclear power, renewable energy, electricity networks, fossil-fuel generation and oil and gas pipelines and storage.
FT 15th July 2009 more >>
Renewables
Homeowners are to be offered financial incentives to encourage the use of low carbon energy supplies. The incentives are part of a white paper being unveiled by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband which promises to transform Britain into a low carbon country. The UK is following the lead of Germany and introducing so-called “feed-in tariffs” which should ensure UK homeowners who install renewables at home will be guaranteed a good price for feeding energy back to the grid.
Sky 15th July 2009 more >>
A huge expansion of wind power, home insulation and “smart” electricity meters are among measures being planned to build the UK’s low-carbon future. Ministers hope their Carbon Transition Plan will help them meet 2020 targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy.
BBC 15th July 2009 more >>
One of Britain’s biggest employers in the green energy industry is to cease production within hours of a government announcement today pledging as many as 400,000 green jobs by 2015. Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, will claim that Britain will become a world leader in low-carbon technology and manufacturing. He will argue that raising household energy bills to pay for investment in wind, solar and tidal power is justified not only by the dangers of global warming but also the opportunity to build a new “green economy”.
Times 15th July 2009 more >>
Britain’s plan to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by more than a third by 2022 could be achieved by buying “permits to pollute” from poor countries rather than genuine reductions in domestic emissions, according to documents seen by The Times. A draft copy of the Government’s energy strategy, due to be published today, reveals that ministers have considered scrapping a commitment made three months ago intended to prevent the UK from buying so-called “carbon offsets” from developing nations. It states that while genuine cuts would be preferable, carbon offsets where one country is paid to make reductions in emissions on another’s behalf should be reserved as an “insurance option”.
Times 15th July 2009 more >>
Scotland
SCOTLAND can meet all its electricity needs from green energy by 2030, a report claims. The study says our energy security will not be seriously harmed by decommissioning the Cockenzie and Longannet coal power stations – or the Hunterston B nuclear station. Renewable energy can meet between 60 and 143 per cent of electricity demand by 2030, said the energy analysts’ report. And if Scotland met official targets for energy saving, an end to all fossil fuel generation by 2030 is “feasible”. Even a “business-as-usual” Scotland will not need any new fossil or nuclear capacity.
Daily Record 15th July 2009 more >>
Dundee Courier 15th July 2009 more >>
The Engineer 15th July 2009 more >>
Clickgreen 15th July 2009 more >>
Scotsman 15th July 2009 more >>
Proliferation
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown will tomorrow set out proposals to stem the spread of nuclear weapons around the world. He will publish a policy document on nuclear non-proliferation, setting the scene for international talks called by US president Barack Obama for Washington next spring, at which moves towards reductions in global arsenals will be discussed.
Scotsman 15th July 2009 more >>
Herald 15th July 2009 more >>
Reuters 14th July 2009 more >>
Guardian 15th July 2009 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
The US Air Force discharged three North Dakota ballistic missile crew members who fell asleep while holding classified launch code devices. Officials said the codes were outdated and remained secure at all times.
Wales Online 15th July 2009 more >>
Quiz on nuclear weapons.
Guardian 14th July 2009 more >>
MORE than half of Britons want to see the Trident nuclear missiles scrapped, a poll suggested. Support for the renewal of the system has fallen by nine per cent in the last three years, a survey by ICM for the Guardian newspaper suggested, and 54 per cent wanted the UK’s nuclear weapons axed.
NW Evening Mail 14th July 2009 more >>
Canada
Nuclear power is cheap, the nuclear industry boasts. Isn’t it time that myth was finally laid to rest? The latest example of nuclear’s false financial promise has emerged in Canada in recent days.
Nuclear Reaction 14th July 2009 more >>
Italy
Italy’s Enel is looking at ways to finance construction of nuclear plants in Italy from 2013, with possible bond issues in the cards, Enel Chief Executive Fulvio Conti said on Tuesday. “There are several ways of financing. We have good experience with share issues, we are in a strong position in terms of budget. We are considering selling bonds to broaden the financing possibilities,” Conti told a news conference in Slovakia when asked how Enel plans to finance its nuclear programme in Italy.
Interactive Investor 14th July 2009 more >>
Turkey
Turkey will complete within two months its review of a bid by Russia’s Atomstroiexport to build the country’s first nuclear power plant, a year after the company won the tender.
Yahoo 14th July 2009 more >>
