New Nukes
Banks are coming under pressure for financing the nuclear power sector, with a group of NGOs launching a website which names the top 10 “nuclear banks”.
Environmental Finance 27th May 2010 more >>
The coalition government has received its first mauling in the Commons on nuclear power, as Ed Miliband suggested the Liberal Democrats had a “hidden agenda” on the issue. The Conservatives support new nuclear power but the Lib Dems do not. Under the terms of the coalition agreement the Lib Dems will abstain and a spokesperson will speak against nuclear power. The appointment of Chris Huhne as energy and climate change secretary handed Ed Miliband, who until last month was the Cabinet minister responsible for nuclear power, the opportunity to launch a strong attack. He repeated a previously-made criticism that it was “like having a vegan in charge of MacDonalds”.
Politics.co.uk 27th May 2010 more >>
Letter from Colin McInnes: Kerr MacGregors entirely reasonable concern that nuclear fuel will be quickly depleted is misplaced (Letters, May 27). When coal began to be used as a substitute for wood during the Elizabethan era, agricultural writer Arthur Standish noted that there is no assurance how long they [coals] will last. As with uranium, some viewed coal as a dirty and polluting fuel and advocated simply growing more trees. This would no doubt have led to a sustainable wood-burning society, but would never have led to the marvels of the industrial revolution with all its manifold benefits.
Herald Letters 28th May 2010 more >>
Letter from Cllr Euan McLeod: I read with interest your report that an EDF poll showed strong support for wind and other renewable energy projects over nuclear power. I am delighted Scots support renewable energy and that almost 70 per cent were in favour of onshore wind. Scotland is one of the windiest parts of the British Isles and it makes sense to tap into this free, clean natural resource rather than choose unsafe, dirty and waste-producing nuclear power. It was interesting that this poll came from the pro-nuclear EDF. Your readers may also be interested in a You Gov poll for Greenpeace, which showed 59 per cent support for renewable energy compared to 34 per cent for nuclear energy.
Scotsman 27th May 2010 more >>
Sellafield
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has praised the role of Sellafield as both a local and national ‘player’. But the Lib Dem cabinet member last night reiterated that any new nuclear power stations would not come from the public purse. Mr Huhne, along with Tory energy minister Charles Hendry, was making his first fact-finding visit to the Sellafield site. And he exclusively told The Evening Mail of the coalition government’s views on Britain’s Energy Coast prospectus for Furness and West Cumbria. Mr Huhne said: “We have to look at the detail, but we are very aware of the importance of energy to West Cumbria and very aware of Sellafield, in particular, to our national strategy; the expertise that is here, the professionalism, the dedication of so many people.
NW Evening Mail 27th May 2010 more >>
Carlisle News and Star 27th May 2010 more >>
Companies
SCOTS engineering heavyweight Weir Group yesterday joined forces with Japanese giant Mitsubishi to supply pumps for the next generation of nuclear power stations. Weir’s new partner will design and make pumps for the atomic parts of the stations and equipment for the conventional areas of the plants, such as the turbines. The Scottish firm’s power and industrial division, based in East Kilbride, will then install and service the pumps.
Scotsman 28th May 2010 more >>
Herald 28th May 2010 more >>
World Nuclear News 27th May 2010 more >>
Energy Business Review 27th May 2010 more >>
BBC 27th May 2010 more >>
NPT
A top Iranian diplomat accused the United States and other nuclear powers on Thursday of creating a “deadlock” that could wreck hopes for a deal on a plan to strengthen the global anti-nuclear arms treaty.
Reuters 27th May 2010 more >>
Talks on shoring up the global anti-nuclear arms treaty were on the edge of failure on Friday as the United States and its allies clashed with Egypt over a push to pressure Israel to scrap any atom bombs it has.
Reuters 28th May 2010 more >>
UK Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has returned from his trip to New York, where he attended talks at the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
News on News 27th May 2010 more >>
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt discussed the Foreign Secretary’s announcement on the total size of the UK’s nuclear arsenal on the BBC News Channel
News on News 27th May 2010 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
Suddenly Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, William Hague, is anxious to confide details of Britain’s nuclear deterrent policy to all and sundry. There was a time when all matters relating to nuclear strike capability and the strategy on which it was predicated were regarded as top secret. Now William is babbling Britain’s nuclear secrets to the world and his dog. He was never as indiscreet as this when he was on 14 pints a day.
Telegraph 27th May 2010 more >>
As Foreign Secretary William Hague announces an overhaul of UK nuclear declaratory policy, a new report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) shows that it must fundamentally reconcile declarations of nuclear deterrence and nuclear disarmament.
RUSI 27th May 2010 more >>
Iran
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called on Iran to “carefully consider” an international offer on its nuclear programme, and also expressed concern over instability in Yemen.
Yahoo 27th May 2010 more >>
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced doubt on Thursday about whether Iran would fulfill the terms of a deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey aimed at resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Middle East Online 27th May 2010 more >>
Russia rejected on Thursday Iran’s criticism of it for supporting draft sanctions against Tehran, saying Iran repeatedly had ignored Moscow’s efforts to resolve the crisis over the Iranian nuclear programme.
Reuters 27th May 2010 more >>
North Korea
A new U.N. report suggests that North Korea has been using front companies to export nuclear and missile technology and has helped Iran, Syria and Myanmar.
Yahoo 28th May 2010 more >>
Irish Independent 28th May 2010 more >>
