New Nukes
The use of nuclear power and/or renewable energy is seen as part of the response to climate change, but climate change may have a negative impact on some of these energy sources, limiting the contribution they can make. Most of the UK’s nuclear plants are on the coast, so as to get access to sea-water for cooling. In future, some of these sites may be inappropriate as locations for new plants, as has been proposed, due to the risk of flooding and storm-sea ingress.
Environmental Research Web 20th June 2009 more >>
Germany
Germany’s economy minister on Friday ruled out building new nuclear power stations but said the life of some reactors might be extended and the development of alternative technologies stepped up. The CDU/CSU conservative bloc’s has been calling for some time for a re-think, but zu Guttenberg is the first conservative minister to rule out building new plants.
Nuclear Power Daily 19th June 2009 more >>
Kuwait
French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde held talks Sunday with Kuwaiti officials over the Gulf state’s plan to set up a civilian nuclear project to produce power.
Yahoo 21st June 2009 more >>
Trident
In the search for spending cuts the Trident replacement is an attractive target. Politicians already dream of scrapping it and spending the greatly exaggerated “dividend”. Meanwhile, its benefits in terms of our security and position in the world are ignored as an economic inconvenience.
Times 22nd June 2009 more >>
Coal
Climate change campaigners boarded a coal freighter to try to prevent it unloading its cargo at Kingsnorth Power Station in Kent, Greenpeace said. Scientists are telling us we can’t beat climate change if we keep burning coal, and yet Ed Miliband’s (the climate change minister) new policies would still allow E.ON to build the dirtiest new power station in Britain for 30 years.
Telegraph 22nd June 2009 more >>
Around 40 activists from across the UK gathered on Friday to help a South Lanarkshire community who have lost the fight against another open-cast pit in an area of Scotland already heavily mined.
Herald 22nd June 2009 more >>