Energy Review
It is no surprise that the nuclear industry, its friends in the construction industry and the unions approved of last week’s energy review. But among those who know about the environment, energy, finance or the behaviour of companies and individuals, there were few who thought that the second energy review in three years in any way laid a platform for Britain to meet its climate change targets and to keep the lights on. Indeed, a consensus has emerged that nuclear power is completely irrelevant to the real debate that must be had about sustainability.
Guardian 19th July 2006
A radical plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions by rationing the carbon use of individuals is being drawn up by government officials. The scheme could force consumers to carry a swipe card that records their personal carbon allocation, with points knocked off each time they buy petrol or tickets for a flight.
Guardian 19th July 2006
Interview with David Cameron: Where do you stand on nuclear power? We believe we should pick the outcomes we want, such as reduced carbon emissions and security of supplies, and then let the electricity generators work out what the mix should be. If we change the planning rules that have held back green energy, there will be a green energy revolution, which we believe will help fill the gap, with nuclear as the last resort. Government policy is not a million miles away, but they do seem to have given a particular emphasis on nuclear. But all energy has some environmental impact, even if it is green. Wind farms may be unpopular. If you have a barrage, there are implications for the estuary. The one thing that does not have a downside is energy saving.
Western Daily Press 19th July 2006
It could still take seven years to build a nuclear station.
IC Teeside 18th July 2006
BANFF and Buchan MP Alex Salmond has hit out at Tony Blair’s nuclear power proposals outlining his vision for a greener Scotland.
Buchan Observer 18th July 2006
THE Government’s energy review evoked predictable reactions from campaigners and pressure groups. To those concerned with encouraging the rural econ- omy, however, questions of large-scale power generation and doubts about nuclear systems seem less relevant.
Western Mail 18th July 2006
Sellafield
The operator of the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria has been rapped over a leak of radioactive water. The incident happened in February 2006, during routine tests, which required levels of contaminated water in storage pools to be raised temporarily. But levels remained high for too long and radioactive water leaked from a gap in a pool wall. Although water was contained within the plant the Environment Agency criticised failings by British Nuclear Group.
BBC 18th July 2006
Hinkley
British Energy has restarted its 610-megawatt Hinkley Point B7 nuclear power plant after a brief shutdown for repairs, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. The plant was shut at the weekend because of problems related to control rods
Reuters 18th July 2006
G8
Greenpeace today rejected claims in the G-8 Heads of State Communiqué saying they will implement their “common global energy security strategy through the following Plan of Action”. The Communiqué contains nothing that can be described as a common strategy and reflects a serious split on nuclear power and highlights the isolation of the Bush administration in its opposition to the Kyoto Protocol.
Greenpeace International Press Release 17th July 2006
For the Kremlin leader, the G8 was an unmitigated success that highlighted Russia’s re-emergence as a world economic power and a geopolitical counterbalance to the West.
Times 19th July 2006
Nuclear weapons
Various letters including one from Greenpeace: There is a pragmatic multilateralist alternative – the government must bring the nuclear submarines back to base, safely store the warheads, ditch any planned Trident replacement and use these measures as a platform for re-energising the successful disarmament process, which has got rid of half the world’s nuclear weapons.
Guardian 19th July 2006
