General Election
The most obvious difference is Heathrow Runway Three; after that, the next main difference is on the contribution nuclear power could make, as an energy source which is largely CO2-free. Labour and the Tories both now have nuclear as a key component of their global warming strategies, but in an example of what you might call Old Green thinking, both the Liberal Democrats and the Greens rule it out, pointing out the problem of dealing with radioactive waste and the dangers of nuclear accidents, proliferation and terrorist attack. (The Liberal Democrats and Greens would scrap the Trident nuclear deterrent, for good measure.)
Independent 19th Apr 2010 more >>
The Liberal Democrats plan to create a one-year green job stimulus plan, for which £3.1 billion of cuts in government expenditure would be used to bring 200,000 empty properties back into use, and invest in new green energy infrastructure and public transport.
Telegraph 19th Apr 2010 more >>
New Nukes
A university professor has taken on the energy and climate change secretary over government plans for green energy. University of Huddersfield professor Bob Cywinski said the UK could face blackouts within 20 years if investment in nuclear power did not come quickly. The Conservatives said they would speed up the process of building nuclear power stations. The Liberal Democrats said renewable energy was the future. Mr Cywinski told The Politics Show: “Given that it takes between seven and 10 years to build a nuclear power station and given that our last nuclear power station will be shut down in the 2020s we are cutting it extremely fine.
BBC 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Bradwell
With Nick Clegg winning the race, now might be a good time to iron out some of those muddled policies, such as the absolute opposition to nuclear power. This has caused some embarrassment after the candidate for Maldon, Essex, expressed her apparent support for the redevelopment of Bradwell nuclear power station. “We have the experience and it will bring employment to the area,” said Elfreda Tealby-Watson. But Clegg’s office has swept in to clarify the Lib Dem position: “It could be seen as understandable that many of the constituents would be in favour of refurbishing Bradwell, as it would be key to the local economy and job creation. However, this in no way changes her own stance on nuclear power nor the party’s federal policy.”
Independent on Sunday 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Dungeness
Senior Kent politicians have thrown their weight behind a campaign calling for a new nuclear power station at Dungeness. County Council leader Cllr Paul Carter was among those who attended a presentation on Tuesday evening, during which he gave his support for plans to build a third reactor on the existing site. The plans for Dungeness C were thrown into disarray late last year when the Government left it off a list of 11 potential locations where new nuclear power stations might be built.
Kent News 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Heysham
Heysham Anti-Nuclear Alliance (HANA) is hosting a public meeting about plans for the construction of a new nuclear power station at Heysham. The meeting will take place at The Gregson Community Centre, Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 3PY at 8.00 pm on Wednesday, April 28th and everyone is invited. The focus of the meeting will be ‘Heysham 3 and the local economy.’ Speakers include Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility, Dr Noel Cass of Lancaster University Environment Centre, Professor John Whitelegg of the Green Party and Managing Director of Eco-Logica Ltd and Maurice Pennance from the Heysham Anti-Nuclear Alliance.
Virtual Lancaster 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Wylfa
A FORMER nuclear engineer has warned a planned new Welsh power station could be vulnerable to a terrorist attack because highly radioactive waste will be stored on site for 160 years. Tom Conway, the former commissioning engineer for power at Wales’ existing nuclear station Wylfa, on Anglesey, believes waste should instead be reprocessed and recycled as it is now. But the company behind the new power station has dismissed the fears, claiming their disposal methods would be “extremely safe”.
Wales on Sunday 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Ireland
The idea of a nuclear power plant in Ireland may go against public opinion, but Dr Bertrand Barr sees it as the only option to provide affordable electricity in the future while minimising greenhouse gas emissions. ‘‘I think renewable energy will have a great part to play [in the future], yet I am completely convinced that it won’t be enough,” said Barr , a scientific adviser to Areva, a French energy company that is best known for nuclear power. ‘‘The wind is variable, and there is no sun at night. In order to produce base load electricity without carbon emissions – especially in Ireland, where there is very little potential for hydroelectricity, because there are no big mountains – I think nuclear will be necessary.”
Sunday Business Post 18th Apr 2010 more >>
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia , the world’s largest oil supplier, is set to establish a civil nuclear and renewable energy centre to help meet demand for power as it pushes forward with economic expansion plans. The Saudi press agency said at the weekend that the centre, the King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy, would be based in Riyadh and would be led by Hashim Abdullah Yamani, a former commerce and trade minister.
FT 19th Apr 2010 more >>
Iran
The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, has given the White House what has been described as a “wakeup” call over its lack of a credible long-term plan on how to prevent Iran attaining the ability to produce nuclear weapons, it was reported today. A three-page memo written by Gates, below, to General James Jones, Barack Obama’s top adviser on foreign affairs, says the administration has yet to come up with an effective strategy should Iran continue to enrich nuclear fuel and have all the other elements of a weapons programme in place. The memo was described by officials to the New York Times.
Guardian 19th Apr 2010 more >>
Iranian officials boasted on Sunday that a nuclear disarmament summit hosted by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the weekend had drawn more global support than one held by US President Barack Obama in Washington earlier this month.
Telegraph 19th Apr 2010 more >>
Trident
NAIVE Nick Clegg was yesterday hammered by experts over his reckless plans to scrap Britain’s Trident nuclear arsenal. The Lib Dem leader wants to bankroll his vast spending plans by dumping the deterrent, claiming it will save £100billion. But worried experts insist it will make the nation vulnerable – and damage our world standing by potentially ending our permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
The Sun 19th Apr 2010 more >>
