Hinkley
A deal between several local councils and EDF about processing a planning application for a new reactor at Hinkley had lead to fears it will by-pass the democratic process.
Burnham-on-sea 19th July 2009 more >>
Low Carbon Plan
Letter from Association of Electricity Producers: While lobby groups with flawed arguments have grabbed headlines about energy prices, most experts agree that there are real costs resulting from the drive towards cleaner, more efficient energy. If the costs of environmental commitments are unclear and the benefits are not explained, there is a risk that public opinion may force a political U-turn. This uncertainty is, arguably, the greatest risk faced by investors. Candour about benefits and costs should improve the appetite for risk of those investing in technologies such as nuclear and wind power, and serious debate should increase the level of public support.
Independent 20th July 2009 more >>
NPT
Barack Obama has injected fresh momentum into efforts – stalled for a decade – to bring about nuclear disarmament. He has committed himself to the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons and acknowledges the link between nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament by the nuclear-weapon states. Obama has pledged to revitalise the 1970 nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The non-proliferation regime, of which the NPT is the cornerstone, is in disarray. The main problems are easily identified.
Guardian 19th July 2009 more >>
Iran
The controversy surrounding the recent elections in Iran has greatly damaged the legitimacy of Ayatollah Khamenei’s administration. Gone are the days when even those opposed to the current regime grudgingly admitted that unlike other pro-US regimes such as Saudi Arabia, in Iran, the public do have some say over who occupies the presidential office. This loss of legitimacy is likely to affect the way many Iranians judge government policies on important issues; an important one being the nuclear programme.
Guardian 19th July 2009 more >>
Brazil
GdF Suez, the French power utility, is eyeing Brazil as a potentially lucrative market for the new-generation EPR nuclear reactor after pulling out of the race earlier this year to acquire UK nuclear sites. G rard Mestrallet, GdF Suez chairman, told the Financial Times that Brazil was a potentially attractive market where the economic and regulatory environment looked promising for new nuclear reactors.
FT 20th July 2009 more >>
Climate
The system of trading carbon emissions at the heart of the ambitious low-carbon plan announced by the government last week is seriously flawed and close to becoming irrelevant, according to researchers behind a new analysis. The large number of carbon permits that have been allocated and a fall in emissions due to the recession, have made the trading system less effective.
Guardian 20th July 2009 more >>
