Nuclear Subsidy
This government has never had much of an energy policy, beyond flatulent assertions that it would make renewables come of age. It lavishes billions on subsidising turbines, and Mr Huhne embraces some of the most ambitious carbon emission targets in the world. The consequence is that energy costs continue to soar consumer prices have almost doubled in five years while progress is meagre towards averting a threatened British energy crunch a decade hence. Whatever the government does, electricity prices must rise in the years ahead, but extravagant green policies make matters worse. Between 2002 and 2010, subsidies to Britains wind manufacturers cost £200,000 a job, and in 2009-10 still amounted to £57,000. If the government maintains present levels of state aid, in the next decade renewables will receive £39bn from taxpayers to generate modest supplies of electricity. (Quoting Renewable Energy Foundation). Britains next nuclear generation is stalled, because the government insists that plants should be built without subsidy this, when windmills rotate on sheaves of taxpayers cash. Almost every other nation subsidises nuclear construction. It is not surprising this is necessary, when each plant costs an estimated £5bn.
FT 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Oldbury
Europe’s oldest nuclear reactor at Britain’s Oldbury power station will close down 10 months earlier than expected in February next year after operator Magnox decided that running the 44-year-old reactor was no longer economically viable.
Reuters 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Reuters 21st Oct 2011 more >>
The oldest civilian nuclear reactor in the world will stop generating electricity next February after 44 years because it would not be economically viable to continue, it was announced yesterday.
Independent 22nd Oct 2011 more >>
Hinkley
Anti-nuclear protesters declared the mass blockade at Hinkley Point on 3rd October as a victory over EDF Energy. The nine-hour blockade in Somerset attracted supporters from all over the UK including Rising Tiders from London, Bristol & Plymouth. Several people came from as far afield as France, Ireland, Germany and Belgium as numbers topped 250.
Rising Tide 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Areva
Unions at nuclear reactor maker Areva fear up to 4,000 staff, or 10 percent, will lose their jobs in a strategic review to be presented by CEO Luc Oursel in mid-December, Le Figaro newspaper said/
Reuters 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Radwaste
European scientists studying the geological disposal of high level radioactive waste have concluded that the process is “an effective isolation barrier for tens of thousands to millions of years.” Writing for the June e-news bulletin of the European Nuclear Society, the conclusion comes from researchers at Laboratoire Subatech in France and SCK-CEN in Belgium and is based on the results of two EU-funded waste research projects they coordinated.
World Nuclear News 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Canada
When Japans Fukushima nuclear accident took place last March, public officials in Japan and Canada alike jumped straight into Chernobyl-style damage-control mode, dismissing any worries about impacts. Now evidence has emerged that the radiation in Canada was worse than Canadian officials ever let on. A Health Canada monitoring station in Calgary detected radioactive material in rainwater that exceeded Canadian guidelines during the month of March, according to Health Canada data obtained by the Georgia Straight.
Georgia Straight 20th Oct 2011 more >>
Korea
This year, summer floods, soaring global food prices and the continued reluctance of America and its allies to provide aid to a hostile and nuclear-armed dictatorship means millions of children and pregnant women are slowly starving. So this autumn harvest is being watched particularly closely, and already there are concerns that it wont be enough to feed a nation that has struggled with food shortages for more than 15 years.
Scotsman 22nd Oct 2011 more >>
Japan
When the 13-meter (40-foot) tsunami that wrecked Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant hit Onagawa to the northeast, hundreds of residents found refuge at the local nuclear plant, rather than run the other way. Onagawa may now serve as a trump card for the nuclear lobby — an example that it is possible for nuclear facilities to withstand even the greatest shocks and to retain public trust.
Reuters 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Iran
Iran plans to soon start moving nuclear material to an underground site for the pursuit of sensitive atomic activities, diplomatic sources say, a move likely to add to Western fears about Tehran’s intentions. They said a first batch of uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6) — material which is fed into machines used to refine uranium — would be transferred to the Fordow site near the holy city of Qom in preparation for launching enrichment work there.
Reuters 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Trident
CONCERNS have been raised that the promotion of Phillip Hammond to the position of Defence Secretary could lead to a rethink on replacing Trident. The nuclear deterrent, currently based in the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde, supports an estimated 11,000 jobs in Scotland. There has been a debate within the coalition over whether it is too expensive to replace, with a lifetime cost of £100 billion. The Lib Dems have made it clear they oppose the replacement and have an opt-out in the coalition agreement to abstain on the issue. There have been concerns among right-wing Conservative back-benchers that the Treasury and Chancellor George Osborne might also be willing to sacrifice a submarine-based nuclear deterrent for something cheaper. But former defence secretary Liam Fox, who was forced to resign last week over questions about his relationship with a defence contractor, had let it be known he would resign as a point of principle if the Trident replacement was abandoned. But defence experts point out that Dr Foxs replacement, Mr Hammond, the former transport secretary, has never voted in favour of replacing Trident and has abstained on all occasions. He also arrives with a reputation as a minister more interested in finding savings.
Scotsman 18th Oct 2011 more >>
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has deflected concerns that its new defence secretary may be less committed to renewal of the country’s nuclear deterrent than his predecessor. Philip Hammond, who succeeded Liam Fox on 14 October, was absent during three House of Commons votes held since 2007 on renewing the submarine-based Trident nuclear deterrent, sparking fears over his degree of support for the system following his appointment. However, an MoD source told Jane’s on 19 October that his absence during two votes in March 2007 and one in June 2010 resulted from scheduling commitments rather than ideological concerns.
Janes 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Guardian 21st Oct 2011 more >>
SCOTLANDS nuclear base could lose all of its specialist police under budget cuts being considered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The UKs prime strategic nuclear deterrent nuclear submarines armed with Trident missiles is currently policed by some 1000 specially trained MoD Police. However, The Herald has learned that ministers are considering cutting the MoD Police who are specialists in counter-terrorism and replacing them with military personnel trained to be armed security guards.
Herald 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Alex Salmond contrasting “Devo Max” with independence: Fiscal responsibility, financial freedom, real economic powers is a legitimate proposal, he will tell the Inverness gathering. It could allow control of our own resources, competitive business tax and fair personal taxation. All good, all necessary, but not good enough. Trident nuclear missiles would still be on the River Clyde, we could still be forced to spill blood in illegal wars such as Iraq, and we could still be excluded from the councils of Europe and the world. These things only independence can bring.
FT 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Microgeneration
Joining the local energy revolution this week: Bournemouth – 500 council house; Hampshire 60 council buildings; Omagh District Council hydro scheme; Selkirk community wind; Moto Service Station; more Ikea branches; M&S clothes retailer; Wales’ efficiency schemes last year outperformed those in the rest of Britain.
Microgen Scotland 21st Oct 2011 more >>
Renewables
The government is set to reduce funding for large scale renewable energy projects by up to £1.3bn by cutting support for the renewable obligation certificates (Rocs).
New Civil Engineer 20th Oct 2011 more >>
ENERGY companies have given warning that the Scottish Government could endanger the future of offshore wind projects by reducing subsidies. SNP energy minister Fergus Ewing unveiled the Scottish Governments blueprint for future subsidies yesterday, which includes ending support for biomass plants, and increasing support for tidal renewables. Electricity suppliers have to provide an increasing share of power from renewable sources, and different numbers of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are awarded for different types of renewable energy generation. The proposals, which will go out to consultation, include plans to reduce wind subsidies, taking onshore support down from one ROC per megawatt hour to 0.9, and reducing offshore wind from two ROCs to 1.8 by 2017-18. This means energy companies would have to produce more energy from these sources to meet the obligations.
Scotsman 22nd Oct 2011 more >>
