Nuclear Research
Britain’s entire nuclear research programme could collapse under funding cuts announced yesterday by the Government’s physics agency, scientists have warned. They predicted that the cuts will leave the UK incapable of training the technicians required for a planned new generation of nuclear plants. The Science and Technology Facilities Council announced which projects would by slashed from its portfolio in order to fill a £40 million hole in its budget. Two of the country’s three largest nuclear research projects will be scrapped completely.
Times 17th Dec 2009 more >>
New Scientist 16th Dec 2009 more >>
Bradwell
THE whole of Essex needs to be consulted on a new nuclear power station at Bradwell, according to a Lib Dem councillor. The issue of a new power station, adjacent to the existing decomissioned building, was discussed during a meeting of Essex County Council this morning. A motion was put forward by David Kendall, the Lib Dems Economic Development and Environment spokesman, asking for a county-wide consultation. Events have been taking place in Bradwell, Maldon and Mersea over the last fortnight to get views from local people.
Maldon Standard 15th Dec 2009 more >>
Hinkley
THE cost of running a 400,000 volt power line under the Severn Estuary would cost £1.9billion, according to National Grid. Weston’s MP John Penrose asked the power company for a detailed cost breakdown of how much such a project could cost compared to placing the lines over ground. The request was prompted by the many residents in North Somerset who are against over ground proposals for a 37-mile line linking a new power station at Hinkley Point C with a substation at Avonmouth.
Western & Somerset Mercury 16th Dec 2009 more >>
Cumbria
Friends of the Lake District is against the development of all three proposed major green-field sites for new nuclear power plants along the west Cumbrian coastline. The three sites are at Kirksanton (north of Millom), Braystones (north of Sellafield) and one next to the existing Sellafield plant. The Friends have urged their members and the public to attend the exhibitions taking place in January 2010. Friends of the Lake District’s policy does not oppose the principle of nuclear power. It looks at each proposed development and all the associated infrastructure, such at National Grid connections and road access upgrading required, to assess what impacts it will have upon the landscape, local environment and local communities.
Get Noticed Online 11th Dec 2009 more >>
CHRIS Whiteside, who hopes to win the Copeland seat for the Tories at next year’s general election, has denied claims that the Conservative Party wants to veto new nuclear build. It follows reports that one of Tory leader David Cameron’s closest “green” advisers, Zac Goldsmith, has said that no new nuclear power stations will be built if the Conservative Party comes to power.
Whitehaven News 16th Dec 2009 more >>
China
China’s civilian nuclear power industry with 11 reactors operating and construction starting on as many as an additional 10 each year is not known to have had a serious accident in 15 years of large-scale electricity production. And with China already the largest emitter of gases blamed for global warming, the expansion of nuclear power would at least slow the increase in emissions. Yet inside and outside the country, the speed of the construction program has raised safety concerns. China has asked for international help in training a force of nuclear inspectors.
New York Times 16th Dec 2009 more >>
Iran
China will seek to stave off new UN sanctions against Tehran even as Iran ups the ante, experts on the relationship between the two countries say. China’s backing for sanctions is essential because of its security council veto, and because its expanding economic ties with Iran would otherwise weaken their impact.
Guardian 17th Dec 2009 more >>
The failure of the international community to reach a deal with Tehran is sparking fears of an atomic arms race in the volatile and oil-rich region. The international community is trying to balance legitimate energy needs with limiting access to rogue states such as Syria, whose suspected nuclear plant was bombed in 2007. George Perkovich, an expert on nuclear proliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, said: “There’s a real concern at the level of motivation.” He noted that because of the cost of the technology and low entry level for Middle Eastern countries, it could be years before any could rival Iran. A rush for technology in the unstable region, however, could damage the Non-Proliferation Treaty. “In places where there’s demand, all hell would break loose,” Mr Perkovich said.
Times 17th Dec 2009 more >>
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would levy sanctions on foreign companies providing gasoline to Iran, part of a multinational effort by governments to convince Tehran to give up its nuclear program. While Iran has the world’s third-biggest oil reserves, it must import 40 percent of its gasoline to meet domestic demand because of a lack of refining capacity.
Reuters 16th Dec 2009 more >>
Iran today test-fired an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe, in a show of strength in its nuclear standoff with the west.
Guardian 16th Dec 2009 more >>
Times 16th Dec 2009 more >>
The US and its allies today branded as provocative Iran’s test-firing of an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, one claimed to be capable of hitting parts of Europe.
Guardian 17th Dec 2009 more >>
Renewables
Within two decades Denmark could get all of its electricity from renewable sources.
Telegraph 11th Dec 2009 more >>
SolarAid, one of The Times Christmas charities, has chosen Nyangwayo to be the first solar school in Kenya. From dawn, technicians have been at the school attaching four 120-watt solar panels to the classroom roofs. They will power 24 bulbs all day and four security lamps overnight. Joseph Komunga has other plans for his electricity. He does not see why Kenyan children should have to make do with books and the occasional radio broadcast for their education. “They need visual aids. I want them to be able to see videos and computers. I want them to be able to listen to tapes and CDs,” he said.
Times 17th Dec 2009 more >>
Climate
World Nuclear News, a pro-nuclear website run by the World Nuclear Association, is upbeat about the draft “Danish text” climate change agreement. The text, which was secretly drafted by the governments of the U.K., the U.S., Denmark and Australia, has provoked uproar at the COP15 conference in Copenhagen. World Nuclear News notes that that “there are no technology exclusions in the Danish text, in contrast to previous agreements which have seen nuclear excluded from a group of favoured power sources.” The draft text states that parties “commit to enable the accelerated large scale development, transfer and deployment of environmentally sound and climate friendly technologies”. The nuclear industry has been lobbying to have nuclear projects included in the Clean Development Mechanism, a scheme which allows the funding of ‘low carbon’ projects in developing countries. The draft agreement would also the allow the experimental carbon capture and storage technology, which has been promoted by the coal industry, to be included in the Clean Development Mechanism.
Centre for Media & Democracry 16th Dec 2009 more >>
The greener than thou demonstrators swarming Copenhagen this week should come to grips with an inconvenient truth: their old nemesis, nuclear power, may well emerge as a big winner in the effort to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The industry got short shrift in the wake of the Kyoto Protocol, being excluded from most subsidy and carbon trading schemes. But any realistic chance of reconciling growing electricity demand in the developing world with GHG reduction must give nuclear a big role.
FT 16th Dec 2009 more >>
The clean-coal industry has been shut out of the global emissions trading scheme at the Copenhagen climate change talks, dealing a blow to the UK, US and Australia.
Telegraph 17th Dec 2009 more >>
