Nuclear Subsidies
In a nimble piece of semantic two stepping Chris Huhne has managed to combine the Conservatives pro-nuclear Energy Policy with the Lib Dems opposition. The solution, while lucrative for the Energy companies and their financial backers is a financial black hole for the UK Taxpayers argues Natural Choices editor Peter Shield. The solution they have come to is an interesting one, and potentially a hugely expensive one for the UK taxpayer and very lucrative for EDF and their fellow Energy companies- a floor price for carbon emissions. Carbon pricing, that product of the Kyoto has had a strange life in Europe. Very effective business lobbying both in Brussels and in member states has lead to a massive over allocation of free emission permits in Phase 1 of the EU ETS, this over supply of the right to pollute continued into Phase 2 and looks very likely this week to continue into Phase3 despite the Commission’s ever optimistic spin on the scheme. Sandbag, a campaigning organisation, recently estimated that to achieve the Commission’s stated goal of a 30% emissions deduction by 2020 2.3 billion permits need to be removed from the scheme. The present proposed system is in effect giving 18 billion to the most polluting industries across Europe.
Natural Choices 28th May 2010 more >>
New Nukes
An MP has demanded clarification from the new Coalition on why no public subsidy should be given to developing new nuclear build when other energy sources are given money from the public purse. Copeland MP Jamie Reed said investors needed answers from government after the collation document published by the Tories and Lib Dems said nuclear would expand as long as there was no public subsidy.
The Labour MP told the Commons he had always supported public subsides for new nuclear generation which was necessary for its development in the country.
Carlisle News & Star 28th May 2010 more >>
The open letter from Artists opposed to nuclear new build (22nd April) sparked responses in the Westmorland Gazette (April 29th & May 6th ) which suggested that that “keeping the lights on” can only be accomplished with nuclear in “the mix.” Contrast this to diverse decentralised renewable energy schemes powering towns and cities worldwide, for example Frederikshavn in Denmark, Kuzumaki in Japan and Rock Port in America. Nuclear power has the supermarket effect of knobbling decentralised local schemes.
Westmorland Gazette 27th May 2010 more >>
Cumbria
COMMENTS made by the new energy secretary have been welcomed by key players on Britain’s Energy Coast.
In an exclusive interview with the Evening Mail, Chris Huhne said the government was aware of the key role of the energy industry to west Cumbria. However, during the fact-finding visit to Sellafield on Wednesday, he confirmed there would be no public funding for any new-build nuclear power stations.
NW Evening Mail 28th May 2010 more >>
Sizewell
Therese Coffey, who made history at the General Election by becoming the first woman to be elected to parliament to represent Suffolk, said in her maiden speech to the Commons that she wanted to see at least two nuclear reactors built alongside the existing Sizewell complex. “Several offshore wind farms are also being constructed, with more planned. Suffolk Coastal is ready to take the lead in the low-carbon economy,” said Ms Coffey “ and I hope that our coast will be able to take on the new alias of the `Green Coast’
East Anglian Daily Times 28th May 2010 more >>
PROPOSALS to build a new store for spent nuclear waste at Sizewell power station have been backed by Suffolk county councillors. But the decision by Suffolk County Council’s cabinet prompted a furious reaction from opponents of nuclear power after the cabinet refused to answer questions about the new store from Labour councillor Sandy Martin. Among the issues raised was how confident the council could be that concrete containers would last for 100 years. “The concrete is already being used in America, and if there is any problem the storage could be reinforced,” said Mr McGregor. Speaking after the meeting, Charles Barnett of the Shut Down Sizewell Campaign, was outraged that no public inquiry would be held. “Shame on Suffolk County Council,” he said. “How on earth can we get a situation where a proposal like this which will leave us with
East Anglian Daily Times 28th May 2010 more >>
Sellafield
Two important high hazard risk reduction milestones have been achieved in the clean up of the historic Pile Fuel Storage Pond facility at Sellafield. 16 fuel skips have been retrieved from the pond, while six of the facilities’ twelve decanning bays have now been desludged. Constructed between 1948 and 1952, the pond and adjoining decanning building provided the storage and cooling facility for irradiated fuel and isotopes from the two Windscale reactors. Work has been ongoing to retrieve the corroded and wind-blown material, known as ‘sludge’, which has accumulated in the pond since it was commissioned.
Sellafield Sites 25th May 2010 more >>
Wylfa
Horizon Nuclear Power intends to apply for planning permission to construct 2 – 3 reactors of up ro 3,300Mw at Wylfa early in 2012
Community Update May 2010 more >>
Dounreay
A fire that broke out at Dounreay nuclear plant is being investigated, it has been revealed. Firefighters were called to the blaze at 1am on Friday after radiation alarms were triggered at the defunct facility. It is understood the incident involved a batch of radioactive sodium which had been removed and bagged after the break-up of pipework.
STV 28th May 2010 more >>
BBC 28th May 2010 more >>
Companies
The Weir Group and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have signed a cooperation agreement to develop jointly activities in the UK nuclear new build market under the brand Weir-MHI. Under the joint cooperation agreement, MHI will design and manufacture nuclear pumps for nuclear power generation, as well as pumping equipment across the ‘conventional island’ of a nuclear power plant.
New Statesman 28th May 2010 more >>
Tidal Power
A power station which could be the “world’s first” such offshore installation has been earmarked for the straits between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland. The station, which will produce enough electricity to power around 900 homes, is being sited in the straits at Kyle Rhea due to the strong tide and sheltered location. Sheffield-based company Pulse Tidal aims to have the station producing the first 1.2MW of renewable electricity in 2012 and has begun a year-long environmental study ahead of applying to Marine Scotland for a licence.
BBC 26th May 2010 more >>
New Civil Enginner 27th May 2010 more >>
Solar
Letter from Kerr Macgregor: Chris Parton highlights problems with using renewable energy, stating it is a diffuse energy source (Letters, May 27). However, he does not seem to be aware that modern technology can concentrate solar energy so efficient capture is possible. For example, solar PV or solar thermal can achieve a conversion efficiency of more than 15% and that means the entire energy needs of the human race could be met by covering only 10% of one of the worlds deserts with solar capture equipment.
Also, Scotland has one of the best climates for using solar energy to heat buildings. Our cool, maritime climate means solar energy is much more useful than in more southern climes. Tests in Perthshire and Berwickshire have proved solar energy can make a huge contribution to tackling fuel poverty.
Herald 29th May 2010 more >>
Switzerland
Shoppers and office workers in Zurich were left part bemused, part terrified when hundreds of people instantly collapsed to the floor. All across the city green demonstrators simulated dropping down dead at exactly 12.15pm yesterday – to protest about a series of proposed nuclear power stations. The campaigners say their action simulated a nuclear radioactivity disaster which could happen in Switzerland, if the stations are built.
News Lite TV 29th May 2010 more >>
Express 28th MAy 2010 more >>
NPT
Signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have agreed to work towards a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East. The members, meeting at the UN in New York, called for a conference in 2012 attended by Middle Eastern states – including Iran – to establish the zone.
The unanimously agreed document also said that Israel should sign the NPT.
BBC 29th May 2010 more >>
As the UN conference on nuclear non-proliferation draws to a close, the most contentious area remains a region with no nuclear power stations, and no country which has declared that it has nuclear weapons: the Middle East. There have been renewed efforts, at the conference, to have the Middle East declared a “nuclear-free zone”. But such a push is drawing stiff opposition from Israel and its allies.
BBC 28th May 2010 more >>
The 189 member nations of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) last night struck a deal on a series of small steps towards disarmament, including a 2012 conference to discuss a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. After a month of wrangling, signatories to the NPT agreed a deal, despite “deep regrets” from the US over a clause singling out Israel’s unacknowledged nuclear arsenal.
Guardian 29th May 2010 more >>
Telegraph 29th May 2010 more >>
Iran
Iran, in its nuclear declaration deal with Turkey and Brazil this month, has tried to gain a head start in forthcoming negotiations over the country’s nuclear programme. It is also motivated to some degree by a desire on the part of Tehran to test the Obama administration’s resolve to impose a new wave of sanctions on Iran while at the same time overcoming domestic opposition to the transfer of enriched uranium abroad.
Institute for War & Peace Reporting 28th May 2010 more >>
North Korea
A United Nations panel has accused North Korea of continuing to export nuclear and missile technology in defiance of a UN ban.
BBC 28th May 2010 more >>
Guardian 29th May 2010 more >>
Wales Online 28th May 2010 more >>
