Nuclear Liability
Nuclear operators will have to pay the first £1bn towards the cost of any accident in the UK – seven times more than the current cap on their liabilities – the government will propose tomorrow.
Energy secretary Chris Huhne told the Observer that he wanted to introduce the new rule to ensure that there would be no public subsidy for nuclear power. Currently, any operator of a nuclear site only has to pay the first £140m towards clean-up costs, with the taxpayer contributing the rest. The cap, enshrined in European treaties, was introduced because no company can obtain insurance against a nuclear accident – or would want to shoulder the risk themselves – because the costs could potentially be limitless.
Observer 23rd Jan 2011 more >>
Dungeness
Hundreds of people have called on the coalition to reconsider a decision to rule out Dungeness as the site of a new nuclear power plant. The previous government dismissed Dungeness as a location for one of 10 new nuclear power stations in 2009. About 200 people gathered at the meeting in New Romney on Saturday, to pledge their support for a new plant. Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe Damian Collins vowed to take the issue right to the heart of government.
BBC 22nd Jan 2011 more >>
Hinkley
MP Tessa Munt has this week discussed Hinkley Point health concerns with members of the Burnham-based group “Parents concerned About Hinkley”.
Burnham-on-sea.com 21st Jan 2011 more >>
Bradwell
Eleven units are at the blaze that is believed to have started soon after 12 noon on Friday when titanium rods that were being broken down in a condenser unit set alight. Assistant Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick gave the latest update at just before 2pm on Friday saying: “Crews are fighting the fire with three jets and foam.”
Essex Enquirer 21st Jan 2011 more >>
Sellafield
A gigantic plant is being built to enable the safe storage of highly radioactive waste. It is said to be the largest nuclear project of its type in the UK. The Evaporator D, upon its completion in mid-2014, will play a crucial role in handling some of the most radioactive waste generated by reprocessing spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield. The £400 million scheme is progressing rapidly, led by a team from the cradle of the British nuclear industry comprising Sellafield Ltd, which manages the nuclear site in Cumbria, supported by partner Costain Oil and Gas Process, the prime contractor, and the wider supply chain from Britain and overseas.
Professional Engineering 17th Jan 2011 more >>
Hunterston
North Ayrshire and Arran MP Katy Clark met Hunterston B staff during her recent visit to the nuclear power station. Ms Clark was given a tour of the site, which is owned by EDF Energy, and met key members of staff including the acting station director Colin Weir. During her visit Ms Clark learned of a project which a group of Hunterston apprentices have recently undertaken, to restore a Victorian artefact for Dungarvan Mill. Colin Weir, acting station director at Hunterston B, said: “I was delighted to welcome Katy to the station and update her on our recent and forthcoming community initiatives. She enjoyed hearing about the work our apprentices have been doing with Dungarvan Mill and we were also able to give her a short tour of the station.”
Largs & Millport Gazette 22nd Jan 2011 more >>
Iran
TWO days of crisis talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme ended yesterday, with the European Union and United States calling the discussions disappointing and saying that no further meetings were planned.
Scotland on Sunday 23rd Jan 2011 more >>
EU Business 22nd Jan 2011 more >>
Telegraph 23rd Jan 2011 more >>
Sky News 22nd Jan 2011 more >>
Guardian 22nd Jan 20211 more >>
Talks between six world powers and Iran, aimed at persuading Tehran to rein in its nuclear programme, will resume but no date or venue has been set, a senior Iranian official said today.
Independent 22nd Jan 2011 more >>
