New nukes
NEW SHOCK figures on climate change show that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at its highest level in 650,000 years. But, instead of calling for massively increased investment into sustainable energy sources, both the nuclear industry and New Labour repeat the lie that nuclear energy is somehow “cleaner and greener” than other energy sources.
The Socialist 21st May 2008 more >>
Two sites in Kent have been named as possible sites for nuclear power stations by German utility company, E.ON. The company has announced plans to use its existing oil-fired power station and coal-fired plant in Sheerness and Ashford respectively to build the stations. The company has said it would prefer to use existing nuclear sites owned by British Energy or the governement because it would be easier to get the schemes through the planning process.
Building 21st May 2008 more >>
Kent Online 21st May 2008 more >>
Hull Daily Mail 20th May 2008 more >>
Contract Journal 20th May 2008 more >>
Energy giant E.ON has denied reports that it plans to build two nuclear power stations on Hoo Peninsula. Company bosses reacted angrily to a report in The Times today which said the German utility was looking at using its existing oil-fired power station on the Isle of Grain, near Sheerness, and its coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth, as sites for new nuclear reactors.
Kent News 20th May 2008 more >>
Civil engineers are calling on the government to fast-track the new-build nuclear programme following fears that it could be at least another three years before reactor designs are even chosen. Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association training director Joe Johnson told CJ: “Until we know what type and how many reactors are being built, where they are being built, and to what time frame, we cannot properly prepare for this programme.” He also questioned the length of the three-year design competition.
Contract Journal 21st May 2008 more >>
British Energy
Suez denied reports that it has dropped out of the race for British Energy.
City AM 21st May 2008 more >>
Terror
Swedish police arrested two maintenance workers on suspicion of plotting sabotage after they tried to enter a nuclear power plant Wednesday with traces of a powerful explosive like that used in the 2005 London transit bombings, officials said.
AP 21st May 2008 more >>
Daily Mail Online 21st May 2008 more >>
CNN 21st May 2008 more >>
Channel 4 News 21st May 2008 more >>
BBC 21st May 2008 more >>
Sky News 21st May 2008 more >>
Depleted Uranium
The use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions by the U.S. military may lead to a death toll far higher than that from the nuclear bombs dropped at the end of World War II. DU is a waste product of uranium enrichment, containing approximately one-third the radioactive isotopes of naturally occurring uranium. Because of its high density, it is used in armor- or tank-piercing ammunition. It has been fired by the U.S. and British militaries in the two Iraq wars and in Afghanistan, as well as by NATO forces in Kosovo and the Israeli military in Lebanon and Palestine.
RINF 21st May 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
The Church of Scotland was forced to reaffirm its opposition to nuclear weapons.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 21st May 2008 more >>
Scotsman 21st May 2008 more >>
Proliferation
Almost every country in the Middle East has announced nuclear energy plans in the space of less than a year, in response to Iran’s dramatic progress towards atomic power, it was reported yesterday. Iran’s pursuit of uranium enrichment in defiance of UN security council resolutions has increased tensions with the US. Yesterday, Israel army radio reported that a senior US administration official told the Israeli government during last week’s presidential visit that George Bush and Dick Cheney still intended to mount military action against Iran. The White House dismissed the report, saying it remained committed to diplomacy and economic pressure to force Iranian compliance.
Guardian 21st May 2008 more >>
If you thought only America, Europe and Israel were concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, look at the behaviour of the Arab world. No less than 13 countries across the Middle East have now begun nuclear energy programmes.
Telegraph 21st May 2008 more >>
Times 21st May 2008 more >>
Reuters 20th May 2008 more >>
Nuclear Strike
Normally moderate Prospect union, which represents 40,000 Whitehall specialist staff from nuclear engineers to scientists, voted to ballot for a national strike at its annual conference in Torquay.
Guardian 21st May 2008 more >>
