Nuclear power goes solar
Greenpeace was invited by the Austrian authorities to hang a banner from a nuclear power station, unlikely but true. The Zwentendorf nuclear plant was never operated and has been mothballed since the 70s. Today it is to open as a solar power station: our banner simply stated: “Energy Revolution – Climate Solution.”
Greenpeace Press Release 25th July 2009 more >>
New Nukes
Porritt retains a special, venomous relationship with his old foes like the nuclear industry: “Little more than a year ago, these nuclear zealots were telling the world that any new nuclear in the UK would require zero public subsidies. Hardened anti-nuclear campaigners such as myself fell about laughing – not one kilowatt-hour of nuclear-generated electricity has ever gone on to the grid, anywhere in the world, over 40 years, without some kind of public subsidy. So why does anybody suppose that it’s going to be any different this time round? We [in the SDC] said categorically that there was no way the industry could build new stations without subsidies. Government said we were wrong, explicitly. All the energy companies, too said they did not need subsidies. Now, they are all in there asking for large amounts of public money. No one in government will now talk to us about nuclear,” he says.
Guardian 25th July 2009 more >>
Nuclear Safety
Parliamentary Questions have revealed a disturbing catalogue of fires and coolant leaks at UK nuclear installations over the last eight years – raising serious public safety and environmental concerns. Since 2001 there have been 82 fires and 83 coolant leaks recorded at nuclear installations – in the last six months alone there were six fires and three coolant leaks.
SNP Press Release 24th July 2009 more >>
Cumbria
RWEnpower has struck deals to acquire land at Braystones, near Egremont, and Kirksanton, near Millom, which have been shortlisted by the Government as potential sites for a nuclear power station. The UK arm of the company said it had completed the sales in order establish whether the sites were suitable for nuclear new build and the move did not necessarily mean the proposals would go ahead.
Whitehaven News 24th July 2009 more >>
Hinkley
Eight workers at Hinkley Point B power station in Somerset needed decontamination following a leak of radioactive material at the site.
BBC 24th July 2009 more >>
Iran
The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Saturday that Iran will strike Israel’s nuclear facilities if the Jewish state attacks Iran, a semi-official news agency reported.
CNN 26th July 2009 more >>
