Companies
German industrial group Siemens AG intends to shed its 34 percent stake in the nuclear power plant unit of France’s Areva French business daily Les Echos reported on Friday.
Reuters 23rd Jan 2009 more >>
Nuclear Proliferation
A SWISS man suspected of being involved in the world’s biggest nuclear smuggling ring claims he supplied the CIA with information that led to the break-up of the black market nuclear network led by Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Herald 23rd Jan 2009 more >>
Barack Obama says he wants a world free of nuclear weapons and is promising new efforts to curb proliferation and secure existing nuclear stockpiles. But his plans, set out during the campaign and reiterated by the White House yesterday, are not as radical as they might appear at first glance. Obama’s ban-the-bomb policy is a long-term aspiration, not a specific goal that he expects to achieve while in office. Similarly, his pledge to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT), which is due for review next year, is an aim that all governments subscribe to in theory and do little about in practice. The president is proposing tougher NPT rules, suggesting this might help rein in nuclear programmes in Iran and North Korea. But like his predecessors, his policy statements have so far made no mention of Israel’s nuclear arsenal, which remains beyond all international scrutiny.
Guardian 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
Oldbury
Health experts will be invited to South Gloucestershire answer fears that cancer cases could be linked to Oldbury nuclear power station. Oldbury site director Joe Lamonby refuted the claims, made at a community event in Tortworth, saying there was no evidence of more cases of the disease in the area. He said studies making such allegations had not come from reputable sources and there was no reason to believe there was any increased level of cancer in areas surrounding the station, which is near Thornbury. John Grey, who has an organic farm close to the complex in Shepperdine, told the meeting he was worried that cases of the disease in areas such as nearby Hill could be linked to the nuclear plant.
Bristol Evening Post 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
Energy Supplies
Letter from Doosan Babcock: To secure the UK’s energy supply, it is crucial that clean-coal power stations, ready for the new generation of carbon-capture technologies, and nuclear power stations are built before it is too late. There is a generation shortage looming because existing coal and nuclear stations are to close over the next few years. If something is not done soon, we will risk power cuts in the UK by 2012-13.
Independent 23rd Jan 2009 more >>
Sellafield
While meeting workers at Sellafield today (22nd January), Derek Simpson, the joint leader of Unite, will urge the Government to push ahead with the nuclear rebuild programme to reduce Britain’s household bills, create jobs and end our reliance on oil and gas from countries like Russia.
Unite 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
SELLAFIELD has a surprise new top boss with much-travelled Bill Poulson suddenly taking over from fellow American Bob Pedde.
Whitehaven News, 15:47, Wednesday, 21 January 2009 more >>
A WEST Cumbrian nuclear company has clinched an £80million contract, securing the future of more than 100 jobs. Doosan Babcock Energy, based at Westlakes Science Park near Whitehaven, will design and build the Separation Area Ventilation (SAV) project at Sellafield under the deal. The scheme is a key part of the decommissioning of historic areas of the site. The contract is the first significant win by the company since it established a permanent base in west Cumbria.
Whitehaven News, Wednesday, 21 January 2009 more >>
NDA
MANCHESTER’S Museum of Science & Industry was the impressive venue for the launch of the NDA’s National Skills & Capability Strategy.
Whitehaven News, 21 January 2009 more >>
IN 2008 the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority began recruiting for its ‘nucleargraduate’ scheme, a landmark programme based around four six-month secondments.
Whitehaven News, Wednesday, 21 January 2009 more >>
Radioactive Waste
RADIOACTIVE waste from the UK’s only low-level site, near Drigg, is adding up to more money for Copeland. Another £30,000 a year is to flow into the district, directly from the operation of the low-level repository in addition to the annual £1.5 million under an agreement with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
Whitehaven News, Wednesday, 21 January 2009 more >>
Planning
Letter from Marianne Birkby: Copeland Councillor Elaine Woodburn has hit the nail on the head when speaking of the ambitions of the nuclear industry. We have the nuclear industry to thank for the ‘new planning regime’ which aims to sweep aside democracy and any hard won safeguards along with it. This is a result of successful lobbying by the nuclear industry and will have an impact in Cumbria far exceeding the dismal prospect of new homes built on flood plains. The Planning Bill came about primarily as a ruthless weapon to force through new nuclear build.
Whitehaven News letters, Tuesday, 20 January 2009 more >>
Nuclear Tests
SERVICEMEN from Plymouth who took part in nuclear tests more than 50 years ago have welcomed a new legal bid for justice. In what has been described as one of the country’s biggest ever test case compensation claims, proceedings yesterday began at London’s High Court to sue the Ministry of Defence.
Plymouth Evening Herald 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
Peterborough Evening Telegraph 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
Crosby Herald 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
