Energy Review
Anti-nuclear campaigners yesterday spoke of their fears that the Government may back suggestions to “fast track” plans for new nuclear plants. There are fears speeding up the process for designing and siting reactors would sideline community views and opposition. But it is believed this is one of the options being considered by the Government inquiry Energy Review, which is looking at the feasibility of a new wave of nuclear power plants.
Western Daily Press 22nd May 2006
New nukes
Vincent de Rivaz, head of the UK arm of EDF, has told a Sunday newspaper that his firm would want real assurances from government before committing to building new nuclear stations in the UK. Mr de Rivaz’s comments were reported in the Observer newspaper and follow reports in recent days that government ministers are themselves concerned about the possible costs of a new-build nuclear program.
Energy Business Review 22nd May 2006
Nuclear is cheaper than gas and needs no taxpayers’ subsidy: The debate around nuclear power is coming to a head and many questions are being asked. However, the suggestion that nuclear power is somehow uneconomic, that its costs preclude it from serious consideration, does not match the facts. Comment by Robert Davies of Areva.
Guardian 23rd May 2006
Letters for and against new reactors including one from David Lowry about terrorist attacks.
Daily Mail 23rd May 2006
Iran
The United Arab Emirates said on Monday Gulf countries planned to hold talks with Iran over concerns that Tehran’s nuclear programme could pose an environmental threat to them.
Reuters 22nd May 2006
Iran’s hardline government said Monday that its uranium enrichment programme was not up for negotiation, again rejecting European efforts to secure a halt to the sensitive nuclear work.
Middle East Online 22nd May 2006
NDA
Safety standards in the nuclear industry will be put at risk by the competition culture being enforced by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Britain’s largest nuclear union has warned. Scientists and engineers from the nuclear industry, members of the union Prospect, believe the NDA is pressing ahead too fast with the clean up of Britain’s civil nuclear sites.
TUC Hazards Magazine 22nd May 2006
Nuclear Waste Transport
POLICE were called to Northampton Train Station at the weekend when environmentalists launched a new campaign to stop hundreds of tonnes of nuclear waste passing through the town by rail up to three times a week.
Northampton Today 22nd May 2006