Iran
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to cause controversy despite a US intelligence report in December 2007 that concluded Iran was not currently running a military nuclear programme. Use the map below to find out more about its key nuclear facilities.
BBC 17th Dec 2007 more >>
New nukes
Letter from Barry Lees: So John Robertson MP thinks that “. . . while there is a place for renewable technology within a balanced energy policy, it is not a core source of supply because of its intermittency” and “only coal, gas or nuclear can deliver a constant supply”. I presume he thinks that the tides are “intermittent”. Tidal stream turbines are capable of extracting some of the power brought to bear on this planet while emitting no atmospheric pollutants, nor leaving behind highly toxic wastes to be “swept under the carpet” for future generations to worry about. Advocates of radioactive fuel always remind me of Basil Fawlty when anyone brings up the waste disposal problem. “Yes, well we’ll worry about that when we come to it.”
Herald 17th Dec 2007 more >>
The biggest energy decision will soon be taken when the Government decides on whether to approve new nuclear power. Bookmakers are not taking many bets on the answer being no. However, any rebirth for nuclear will be achieved via market mechanisms rather than any revival of government planning. Mr Hutton said: “It is hoped that carbon pricing will be enough of an incentive. My gut instinct always is to look for the market solution first.”
Times 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Guardian 17th Dec 2007 more >>
We still await an announcement about the future of nuclear power, which must come soon if the industry is not to be stripped of its expertise. The revival of a nuclear programme is the principal way we can cut carbon emissions and protect our energy supply. The consultations promised by the Government ended months ago. Why the dithering? Campaigners are concerned that nuclear power will undermine investment in renewable energy sources; but it is the Government that seems to be doing that by limiting local authority freedom in this area. There must be scope for local decision making, competition and choice. We must all feel part of the solution, not merely browbeaten.
Telegraph 17th Dec 2007 more >>
US
Over the next decade, Texas may become the biggest U.S. builder of nuclear generating plants. NRG Energy Inc., Energy Future Holdings Corp., Exelon Corp. and a new utility in Amarillo have proposed eight reactors, a quarter of the planned U.S. total, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Bloomberg 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Climate
Britain’s plans to build new coal-fired power stations as part of the country’s efforts to address its looming energy crisis will completely undermine the Bali agreement on climate change and discredit Gordon Brown’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gases, according to one of the world’s leading climate scientists. The warning will be made directly to the Prime Minister this week in a letter from James Hansen, the director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, who will urge Mr Brown to block plans to build up to eight new coal-fired power stations the first in 30 years. The technology of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide from power stations chimneys where the waste gas is caught and then buried underground for thousands of years is still decades away.
Independent 17th Dec 2007 more >>
John Sauven: Agreeing to Kingsnorth will signal surrender on targets. In the proposed coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth, Gordon Brown is facing his first test since pledging to put Britain at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change. A proposal to build the UK’s first coal-fired power station in more than 30 years will land on his desk in the next few weeks. Giving the green light to Kingsnorth and other stations – will lock Britain into huge carbon emissions for decades and signal Mr Brown’s surrender on the 80 per cent target.
Independent 17th Dec 2007 more >>
The Green Movement, though incapable of persuading Americans to consume less energy, did succeed in cutting off new energy sources, whether nuclear plants or offshore oil drilling.
Independent 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Siberia
A thousand miles to the north, the North-West Passage is now free of ice in the middle of summer, bringing the prospect of a 5,000-mile short cut for some inter-ocean shipping, and of floating nuclear power stations to the once destitute reindeer herders of Siberia’s Arctic coast.
Times 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Asia
As oil prices and energy demand soar in tandem in Southeast Asia, many nations are turning to nuclear power — to the horror of environmentalists who say it is not a safe option.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development 16th Dec 2007 more >>
Opinion Polls
A new Ipsos MORI survey of public attitudes to the nuclear energy industry on behalf of the Nuclear Industry Association shows the industry to be favourably regarded on balance, a stark contrast with the position just five years ago. Favourable opinion has reached 35% and unfavourable opinion is 26%; a complete
reversal of the position in December 2002, when favourable opinion was just 21% and unfavourable opinion 33%.
Ipsos-MORI 12th Dec 2007 more >>
Sellafield
A major operation is planned to replace vital elements of a nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria. A section of the roof of the Thorp facility at Sellafield is being removed to allow four huge vessels to be lowered into position by a giant crane. The 20-tonne vessels are 11 metres (36ft) long and cost £5m each. They are used to process liquid waste at the site, which is concentrated before it is sent to be turned into glass. The operation, which will last two days, is due to begin on Tuesday.
BBC 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Nuclear Waste
Professor Tony Denman and his team were alerted in January 1995 when four drums of radioactive waste were discovered at a rubbish tip in Chelveston, near Rushden. The team had to recover and dispose of the waste in the full glare of national TV and press coverage.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo 17th Dec 2007 more >>
Libya
Spain and Libya have reached an agreement that could mean Spanish firms investing up to £8.4bn in the African country. The deal, outlined between Spain’s prime minister, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and the Libyan leader, Muammar Gadafy, could see Spanish companies putting cash into the energy sector, defence and aeronautics as well as nearly £5bn in a project to develop Libya’s infrastructure.
Guardian 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Nuclear Police
Rtired officers are able to resume a police career in forces such as the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, run by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and the Ministry of Defence Police.
Times 19th Dec 2007 more >>
