EDF
While most of its rivals continue to jostle in the consolidating European energy market, EDF is now looking across the Atlantic for its long-term future growth. The French state-controlled electricity behemoth is betting on a renaissance of the North American nuclear industry after a 30-year pause during which no new nuclear reactor was commissioned in the US.
FT 24th July 2007 more >>
World Nuclear News 23rd July 2007 more >>
Nuclear weapons
The end of the cold war took much of the passion out of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Now, however, fears of nuclear conflict are rising again. But there is a difference with the 1980s. Then, nuclear anxiety was widespread among the general public. These days it is politicians and policymakers who seem most worried.
FT 24th July 2007 more >>
Aldermaston
Severe flooding has affected the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Burghfield in Berkshire, which is responsible for the final assembly of nuclear warheads. “Several parts of the site, including a number of buildings and the site’s sewage treatment works, have been affected,” the Environment Agency said in a statement. “AWE staff have been sampling and analysing the floodwater from the site. They have confirmed that there has been no escape of radioactive materials from the site.”
Guardian 23rd July 2007 more >>
North Korea
Although the closure of Yongbyon is seen as a major breakthrough after years of tricky negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear programme, concern remains over Pyongyang’s commitment to fully give up its nuclear arsenal.
BBC 23rd July 2007 more >>
South Africa
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba Corp. said Monday its US power plant maker Westinghouse had agreed to buy IST Nuclear of South Africa for an undisclosed amount. Toshiba said in a statement the acquisition was expected to be completed in August. The South African firm, a leading provider of services and systems for pebble bed modular reactors, would be renamed Westinghouse Electric South Africa, Toshiba said.
Africasia 23rd July 2007 more >>
Nuclear accidents
Incidents involving reactors in Germany and Japan have again demonstrated the dangers of nuclear power, writes German Green MEP Rebecca Harms.
New Statesman 23rd July 2007 more >>
New nukes
Letter from David Lowry: Brian Hughes gives the impression that nuclear energy is a low-carbon form of power generation. Our pro-nuclear government’s own energy review consultation document concedes: “Nuclear power plants emit almost zero carbon, and could contribute to the government’s goal of reducing emissions. The mining, refining and enriching of uranium, and plant construction and decommissioning, are carbon-intensive processes, especially when low-quality uranium ore is being processed.”
Independent 23rd July 2007 more >>
Editorial: It’s tempting to turn to nuclear plants to combat climate change, but alternatives are safer and cheaper. The enormous cost of building nuclear plants, the reluctance of investors to fund them, community opposition and an endless controversy over what to do with the waste ensure that ramping up the nuclear infrastructure will be a slow process — far too slow to make a difference on global warming. That’s just as well, because nuclear power is extremely risky. What’s more, there are cleaner, cheaper, faster alternatives that come with none of the risks.
Los Angeles Times 23rd July 2007 more >>
Radioactive waste
A new permanent nuclear waste disposal site at Hinkley Point in Somerset will soon be moving one step closer to reality.In the next few weeks, Magnox Electric Ltd is submitting a planning application to Somerset County Council to build a permanent disposal facility on the Somerset site for low-level radioactive waste (LLW) coming from the decommissioning and clean-up of the defunct Hinkley Point A.
Western Daily Press 23rd July 2007 more >>
Iran
Iran will hold talks with the UN nuclear regulator tomorrow in Vienna over its nuclear programme, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
Interactive Investor 23rd July 2007 more >>
Europe
The European Commission has decided to establish a High Level Group on Nuclear Safety and Waste Management that will develop a common understanding and reinforce common approaches in the safety of nuclear installations across the 27-member economic bloc.
Nuclear Engineering International 23rd July 2007 more >>
Germany
Dr. Bruno Thomauske has been relieved of his function as head of Vattenfall Europe Nuclear Energy (VENE) in the wake of incidents at German nuclear power plants Krümmel and Brunsbüttel.
Nuclear Engineering International 23rd July 2007 more >>
Japan
Japan has decided to allow international inspectors to visit the nuclear power plant damaged in last week’s earthquake, as fears grow for the safety of the country’s nuclear power industry. The government had initially turned down an offer of help from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but changed its mind a day later amid pressure from local officials and rising anxiety among residents living near the plant in Kashiwazaki, Niigata prefecture.
Guardian website 23rd July 2007 more >>
