New nukes
First it was the British government’s 192-page white paper giving the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations, then it was Total’s inclusion in the French consortium about to ink a multibillion-dollar project to build and operate two nuclear power stations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For an industry that only a few years ago was dismissed as out of date, nuclear is proving to be surprisingly cutting edge.
The Business 16th Jan 2008 more >>
THE operators of Didcot Power Station have ruled out any possibility of a nuclear power station being built on the site. UKAEA was almost as adamant in discounting the idea of the atomic research site at Harwell going on any shortlist.
Didcot Herald 17th Jan 2008 more >>
SHUTTLE Online readers appear to have few worries about the potential dangers of nuclear power. After environmental campaigners condemned the Government’s decision to build a new generation of nuclear power stations, we asked if readers were for or against the plans in our weekly online poll. More than two thirds of those responding (69 per cent) said they were in favour of the decision to increase the use of nuclear power.
Kidderminster Shuttle 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Those of us opposed to nuclear energy are often accused of longing to return to a dimly lit, Stone Age-style past. But I don’t know any greens who want to live in a cave, indeed have never yet met this green yeti anti-progress person that the pro-nuclear lobby keeps talking about. Most of us just want to live within our means to ensure survival.
Independent 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Huge building projects, including the Olympic Games and Crossrail, could be put at risk by a forecast £8 billion shortfall in budgets caused by unchecked construction inflation, a leading engineering body has said. The building of a new generation of nuclear power stations and upgrades to Britain’s rail infrastructure will also cost considerably more than expected if inflation in the industry continues to outstrip the measure used by the Treasury. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) believes that spiralling construction costs could jeopardise some of the country’s biggest infrastructure improvements unless more action is taken to improve long-range planning and procurement in the UK.
Times 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Scotland
MSPs will be asked to back the Scottish Government’s anti-nuclear stance in Parliament. A Scottish Government debate at Holyrood seeks backing for the administration’s position that new nuclear power plants are “not wanted in Scotland” or needed to meet its energy needs.
ICScotland 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Scottish leaders have distanced themselves from the decision in Westminster to push ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations and stressed the northern nation’s potential to meet more of its energy needs with renewable sources.
Edie 14th Jan 2008 more >>
Skills
Last week’s nuclear white paper proposed a new wave of nuclear energy plants in the UK by 2020. A handful of UK universities are girding their loins for the business this will inevitably put their way. They will need to. According to Sir Peter Williams, vice-president of the Royal Society, there is widespread concern about how the UK will be able to meet the skills needs involved with building new nuclear power stations.
Guardian 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Japan
The world’s biggest nuclear power plant, shut down following an earthquake in Japan six months ago, will probably remain closed far longer than expected, hurting profits and increasing oil demand for operator TEPCO.
Reuters 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Iran
Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said on Thursday the West had failed in efforts to put pressure on the Islamic Republic over its atomic activities. The West fears Tehran is seeking an atom bomb and has imposed two sets of United Nations sanctions. Iran says it aims only to generate electricity.
Reuters 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Companies
Iberdrola has won a 79 mln eur contract to update the vapour generators for a nuclear plant in Brazil.
Forbes 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Canada
Canada has sacked the head of the country’s nuclear regulator over the closure of a nuclear reactor that produces medical isotopes.
BBC 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Reuters 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Sellafield
Anyone caught up in the excitement of the Government’s decision to back a new generation of nuclear power plants last week might benefit from a trip to Sellafield, where the grisly realities of Britain’s past nuclear mistakes are plain to see. Up there, despite an industry charm offensive, the local seagulls are still radioactive. Like most birds, they are partial to a dip in the local pond. Unfortunately, Sellafield’s ponds contain a highly radioactive sludge full of weapons-grade plutonium, glowing skips of cobalt 60 and even — bizarrely — rotting barley, which I’m told was formerly used to “clarify” the murky green waters. Sellafield has tried everything — from scaring the birds off with klaxons to shooting at them, but it doesn’t work.
Times 17th Jan 2008 more >>
Nuclear Waste
Researchers have designed a molecule which they hope may help develop ways of dealing with nuclear waste. Scientists at Edinburgh University have taken uranium and enclosed it in a specially designed molecular “scaffold” to make it more reactive.
BBC 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is again trying to persuade the European Commission that it should be allowed to reopen reactors at Kozloduy.
EU Business 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Torness
British Energy has reduced power output from its Torness 2 nuclear reactor in Scotland by nearly half to refuel it, a spokeswoman for the company said on Wednesday. The plant, which has a maximum capacity of 600 megawatts, was running at 345-MW on Wednesday, according to data from National Grid.
Reuters 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Coal
A UNION chief has hit out at Government plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations to deal with the UK’s energy needs.
Neil Greatrex, president of the Mansfield-based UDM mining union, says the Government should focus on using viable coal reserves — which he claims could meet the energy needs of this country for another 300 years.
Mansfield Chad 16th Jan 2008 more >>
Hinkley/Oldbury
Stroud Greens joined a stand against nuclear power.Two Stroud members of the Shut Oldbury campaign took part in a demonstration on Thursday
at Hinkley nuclear power station in Somerset.
Gloucester Citizen 16th Jan 2008 more >>
