Radwaste
Nuclear Waste Disposal – the Partnership report condensed.
Whitehaven News 24th Aug 2012 more >>
An underground nuclear dump in West Cumbria would be about the size of Workington, a report has revealed. West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership, which published its final report this week, said it would take at least 15 years to find a site. Twenty-five per cent of West Cumbria has already been ruled out as unsuitable for an underground nuclear waste dump, the report said, and more work would be needed before it would be known if any of the area would be able to host the site. It added that most members felt it was appropriate to do more geological studies after any decision to move to the next stage. But, it said, some felt more work should be done to evaluate the prospects of finding a suitable site before a decision on whether to proceed is made.
Times and Star 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Turning nuclear waste into glass could offer a cheaper and more viable disposal solution for this toxic material, researchers have found. intermediate level waste (ILW) – this is currently encapsulated in specially formulated cement through a mixing process and sealed in steel drums, in preparation for disposal deep underground.
Edie 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Hinkley
The Wests biggest structural steelwork company has this week opened a £500,000 extension to its Somerset factory, with contracts for the proposed new Hinkley C power station in mind. The move is part of £1.6 million of investment at East Brent-based William Haley Engineering Ltd, which includes the latest robotic plasma cutting machine, and could eventually lead to the creation of another 20 jobs.
Western Daily Press 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Waste Transports
Communities are reaffirming their commitment to protect the Great Lakes from nuclear waste shipments, despite new challenges from the federal governments omnibus budget bill. Late last week Sierra Club Canada and the Canadian Environmental Law Association announced that they were withdrawing their applications for judicial review of permits which allowed Bruce Power to ship nuclear waste to Sweden. In April 2010, Bruce Power applied for permits with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to ship nuclear waste through the Great Lakes to a treatment facility in Nyköping, Sweden. Bruce Power contracted Swedish company Studsvik to decontaminate the radioactive waste and sell the scrap metal back onto open markets. The plan threatened to contaminate the drinking water of Owen Sound and other communities around the Great Lakes. Despite the opposition of city mayors, US senators, First Nation communities, residents and environmental and other groups, the CNSC issued transport permits, which have since expired. Introduced in the spring, the omnibus budget bill (Bill C-38) makes sweeping changes to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) as well as other environmental legislation. Under the new CEAA, Bruce Powers plan would not trigger an environmental assessment as it would have under the old Act.
Northumberland View 23rd Aug 2012 more >>
Japan
Fukushima Crisis Update 21st Aug to 23rd Aug 2012.
Greenpeace 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Japan’s anti-nuclear movement has a new supporter: bestselling nationalist “manga” author Yoshinori Kobayashi, known for his controversial defense of Tokyo’s wartime aggression, has joined the growing ranks of those who want the country to end its reliance on atomic power in the wake of the Fukushima crisis.
Reuters 24th Aug 2012 more >>
India
A parliamentary report on nuclear safety regulation in India has pointed out serious organisational flaws and numerous failings relative to international norms. The report submitted to parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India concerns the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which reports to the policy-setting Atomic Energy Commission.
World Nuclear News 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Iran
For months there have been international discussions about the threat a nuclear Iran would present – most notably to its avowed enemy, Israel, which Iran has vowed to ‘erase from the map’. Aggressive, war-mongering rhetoric has been bubbling in Israel as a result. And seeing no signs that slow-burning international sanctions are effective, Israel is coming to the view it should no longer entrust others with its own security.
Daily Mail 24th Aug 2012 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
ALEX Salmond faces a growing rebellion over plans to ditch the SNPs historic commitment to withdraw from NATO. SNP policy opposes nuclear weapons and says Scotland should not be a full member of the pro-nuclear alliance, but party leaders want a change. As their opponents prepare to gather at the SNP CND groups conference in Glasgow, we look at both sides of the issue.
Daily Record 25th Aug 2012 more >>
Renewables
A consortium of energy companies looks set to build a connector and lay a subsea power cable, linking the North-east with Europe. The 350-mile supercable would link Peterhead with Norway, and be the first step towards integrating the Scottish electricity network into a European grid. It is estimated that the multi-billion pound, 1400-megawatt project would create more than 100 jobs. The development is due to be commissioned in 2020.
Buchan Observer 24th Aug 2012 more >>
