New nukes
Article by Mark Lynas originally from the New Statesman: the UK is endowed with some of the best renewable resources in the world (particularly wind and wave, as well as tidal) and could become both a technology market leader and a major energy exporter if only the political will and economic muscle could be mobilised to make this happen. The proposal by the Energy Secretary, John Hutton, in December – to open our seas to 33 gigawatts of offshore wind energy (enough to power all the UK’s homes) – is a welcome sign that government thinking is shifting in this direction. The last thing we need now is for this momentum to be lost because of a huge diversion of political energy into justifying new nuclear power stations and battling environmentalists. Nuclear power is fine in principle, but it is not a priority for us.
UKWatch.net 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Letter from Steuart Campbell: even the OECD say nuclear power cheaper than power from coal. As for full-cycle emissions, that studies show that nuclear stations emit 70 times less CO2 on this basis than gas-fired stations and 177 times less than coal-fired stations.
Scotland on Sunday 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Letters from Peter Melchett and others: John Gray thinks only technical fixes can solve global environmental problems. So he attacks ‘the greens’, but grossly distorts what environmentalists and others propose.
Observer 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Proliferation
AN investigation into the illicit sale of American nuclear secrets was compromised by a senior official in the State Department, a former FBI employee has claimed. The official is said to have tipped off a foreign contact about a bogus CIA company used to investigate the sale of nuclear secrets.
Sunday Times 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
Letter from Basic: There is no chance Britain would lose its UNSC seat if it renounced or phased out nuclear weapons. Four veteran US cold warriors, including former secretaries of state George Shultz and Henry Kissinger, are now leading the call for the elimination of these weapons. All three Democratic presidential candidates endorse this vision. By doing so and remaining a council member Britain would destroy the myth that nuclear weapons bring status.
Sunday Times 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Pakistan
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are safe from Taliban and al-Qaida militants because of the military’s stringent security system and a political climate that precludes a takeover by religious extremists, a top official said Saturday.
Guardian website 26th Jan 2008 more >>
BBC 26th Jan 2008 more >>
Reuters 26th Jan 2008 more >>
Canada
How far can a nuclear watchdog’s remit to protect human health extend? That’s the question raised by the sacking last week of Linda Keen, head of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). In November last year, Keen ordered the shutdown of a nuclear reactor at Chalk River, 200 kilometres from Ottawa, after maintenance checks uncovered a safety breach. The reactor is also the world’s largest single supplier of medical isotopes, used in diagnostic tests for conditions such as cancer and heart disease, and the closure caused a worldwide shortage. On 11 December, the government overruled Keen’s decision.
New Scientist 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Scottish Climate Bill
THE SCOTTISH government will face a key test of its environmental commitment this week when it launches a public consultation on plans to cut Scotland’s climate pollution by 80% by 2050. The long-awaited report on proposed climate change legislation is due to be unveiled by Scottish ministers at Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens on Tuesday. Although it is not expected to contain any major surprises, it will be closely scrutinised to check that the government is serious about reducing emissions. The most hotly contested issue will be how the government proposes to ensure progress towards the 80% target year-on-year. Environmental groups are demanding statutory reduction targets of 3% a year, but this is being resisted by ministers.
Sunday Herald 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Climate
Global warming ranks far down the concerns of the world’s biggest companies, despite world leaders’ hopes that they will pioneer solutions to the impending climate crisis, a startling survey will reveal this week.
Independent on Sunday 27th Jan 2008 more >>
Fuel Poverty
Energy companies such as British Gas which have increased household bills by over 15 per cent should be referred to the Competition Commission, according to consumer watchdog Energywatch. In the past month, British Gas, EDF Energy and Npower have all increased utility bills, hitting more than two-thirds of UK households. The average annual bill is now over £1,000, double that of 2003.
Observer 27th Jan 2008 more >>
