New nukes
Could there be any more confusion about the nuclear issue? Gordon Brown says it is the future. Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister, says no decision has been made. Dr David Lowry noticed that in subtitling Gordon Brown’s big conference speech, on Monday, the PM’s reference to “nuclear and renewables” was transcribed by the Beeb to read “killer and renewables”. This probably breaches the corporation’s charter. But it has the benefit of clarity.
Guardian 27th Sept 2007 more >>
The consultations are almost complete but any new energy proframme still has lots of hurdles to clear. The tide of public opposition to a new nuclear power programme may be turning. That was one interpretation placed on the early results of polls conducted at nine public meetings attended by more than 1,000 people as part of the government consultation to test the extent of support for the rebirth of an energy technology that traditionally divides public opinion.
Telegraph 27th Sept 2007 (same article as The Business 27th Sept 2007) more >>
Nuclear Finance
A renewable energy group said it was “deeply worried” about the neutrality of the European Commission when it comes to nuclear power. The European Renewable Energies Federation, or EREF, was reacting September 26 to a September 25 EC decision. The EC decision was that there was no illegal state aid involved in the 570-million-euro (US$805 million) export credit guarantee from French export credit agency Coface to French nuclear vendor Areva for the Olkiluoto-3 reactor under construction in Finland. EREF President Peter Danielsson said the EC had turned its back on its own policies and past practices with regard to export guarantees in intra-community EU trade, “for the sake of shielding nuclear from competitive market conditions and in order to fence out non EU competitors. EREF will evaluate the Coface decision once the whole document is available and see what next legal steps should be taken.”
Platts 26th Sept 2007 more >>
EREF Press Release 26th Sept 2007 more >>
Iran
Britain is resisting American-led efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Iran, as the international community struggles to formulate its next move to prevent the Islamic state building a nuclear bomb. Although Britain and its allies share the common goal of imposing more sanctions at a later date, differences are emerging over the speed.
Telegraph 28th Sept 2007 more >>
Letter: we here in the UK and in Europe, now run the real danger of being drawn into a possible nuclear war in the event that Israel or the United States attacks Iran.
Scotsman 28th Sept 2007 more >>
An Iranian resistance group has claimed that Iran is constructing a secret underground military nuclear facility near its Natanz uranium enrichment plant.
Channel 4 News 27th Sept 2007 more >>
President Sarkozy’s office says Paris does not believe Tehran’s nuclear programme to be peaceful.
Middle East Online 27th Sept 2007 more >>
Korea
Persuading North Korea to move beyond a simple nuclear freeze and begin to disable its Yongbyon reactor will be a priority when the six-party talks on Pyong-yang’s nuclear aspirations resume in Beijing today.
FT 27th Sept 2007 more >>
Skills
Around £10m is being invested in creating a new Cumbria University campus offering science courses. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is investing the money in the new facility in Workington which will exist alongside the College at Lillyhall. It will also offer courses related to nuclear decommissioning including health physics and business innovation, as well as engineering.
BBC 27th Sept 2007 more >>
West Cumbria has been chosen as the site for a National Nuclear Skills Academy.
Whitehaven News 27th Sept 2007 more >>
Finland
Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) reiterated that it has no intention of sharing the costs resulting from delays in the construction of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor with the plant’s supplier Areva.
ADVFN 28th Sept 2007 more >>
Nuclear Waste
Copeland Councillors have expressed dismay about the level of funding offered by the Government to the area for accepting nuclear facilities such as the Drigg low level waste dump.
Whitehaven News 27th Sept 2007 more >>
NDA
THE UK’s nuclear clean-up quango is at the centre of fresh controversy in the run-up to announcing the latest budgets for its sites. Late last year, fears that cuts would lead to major job losses at Dounreay were headed off following a hectic round of eleventh-hour talks. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority said yesterday that despite an expected “tight” Government settlement it does not anticipate a similar crisis in the Far North this time round. The UKAEA site in danger of being the big loser is Winfrith in Dorset. Unions and community representatives there are campaigning to prevent over 100 jobs going as a result of an intended £25 million cut.
John O Groat Journal 26th Sept 2007 more >>
Calder Hall
The cooling towers will be demolished on Saturday
Whitehaven News 26th Sept 2007
more >>
MOX
The Royal Society’s report on plutonium could be a boost to the Sellafield MOX Plant which is under constant review by the NDA because of its poor performance.
Whitehaven News 27th Sept 2007 more >>
Severn Barrage
Charles Clover: The alternative to a barrage is four new nuclear power stations. Anyone can see that is the less environmentally damaging option.
Telegraph 28th Sept 2007 more >>
Letter: bewildering that Friends of the Earth are in opposition to this scheme on the grounds of damage to wildlife in the estuary. This could be a serious mistake. In my opinion (and that of the Government’s chief scientist) global warming is the chief threat to mankind. And melting icecaps will not just end our way of life but destroy the environment of the birdlife in the estuary anyway.
Independent 28th Sept 2007 more >>
