New nukes
Two months before Tony Blair announced a review on energy in November 2005, he convened a meeting at Chequers to discuss the issue. According to one Whitehall source, it was not only to discuss the forthcoming review but also to give the unofficial green light to nuclear power. If, as is widely suspected, a decision has effectively been made to go for a new generation of nuclear power, then the public consultation that has just finished will have been a charade. It will also be a remarkable political U-turn, as well as a huge victory for the nuclear industry, which has been employing a sophisticated multimillion pound public relations campaign to win its case. Over the past two months, we have tracked the activities of the industry’s hidden persuaders and the tactics they have been using.
Guardian 3rd May 2006
Russia
A small fire broke out late Tuesday in a nuclear research facility northwest of Moscow but was quickly contained before it reached the center’s atomic reactors, emergency officials were quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Interactive Investor 3rd May 2006
Spain
Greenpeace is celebrating the permanent shutdown of Spain’s oldest nuclear power station, which was finally closed yesterday following years of intense campaigning by environmental and social groups highlighting serious safety concerns at the plant.
Greenpeace International 1st May 2006
Iran
Russia could bid for contracts to build two more nuclear power plants in Iran, an official from the Russian company already building the Islamic republic’s first such facility was quoted as saying Tuesday.
Interactive Investor 2nd May 2006
BRITAIN, France and Germany will prepare today the text of a UN Security Council resolution aimed at forcing Iran to halt its controversial uranium enrichment programme or face sanctions.
Times 3rd May 2006
Pakistan
Pakistan has announced an end to investigations surrounding the leaking of nuclear secrets by the disgraced nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan. It says that the release of a key suspect linked to Dr Khan’s network means that the inquiry into his operations has come to a close.
BBC 2nd May 2006
Wales
Welsh Liberal Democrats said today that the Government must look at all the options when deciding how to harness the power of the River Severn. Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said: “The Severn is one of most important sources of renewable energy in Europe. But there are many ways in which we can approach the Severn as an energy source. So far the only thing the Government has been talking about is a barrage.
News Wales 2nd May 2006
Waste Transport
AROUND a hundred police – some carrying firearms – surrounded Bridgwater train station on Tuesday, as officers safeguarded against environmental campaigners targeting nuclear waste transports. Officers began a pre-dawn vigil at the station and stayed throughout the whole day, stopping and searching rail passengers and providing a safety blanket around the dangerous waste. The move came just one day after environmental lobbyists Greenpeace placed a full-page advert in the national press warning of the dangers of transporting nuclear waste through residential areas with little security. The group has previously pinpointed trains carrying waste from Hinkley Point through Bridgwater as potential targets for terrorists, and warned that an attack could lead to huge health hazards for people in a 50km radius. The ad even painted a scarcely-concealed picture of Bridgwater – referring to “one residential area, about 20 metres from a primary school” where trains carrying “highly radioactive nuclear waste” are loaded. Greenpeace anti-nuclear spokesman Emma Gibson told the Mercury: “Bridgwater WAS the place we were referring to, although we had no protest planned.
Bridgwater Mercury 2nd May 2006
Terror Laws
A LEADING anti-nuclear campaigner has condemned a change in the law which will allow police to arrest any unauthorised person found on the Sizewell nuclear site – regardless of whether they are causing damage or disruption. The change has come about as the result of a new amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act in the light of what is perceived as a terrorist threat to nuclear power plants in the UK.
East Anglian Daily Times 2nd May 2006
Nuclear Waste
Letter which says the extra waste from new nuclear power stations would be a modest addition.
Herald 2nd May 2006
Renewables
Plans to introduce energy saving measures at the headquarters of South Norfolk Council have been backed by councillors. Measures include installing a wind turbine at a cost of £20,000 and checking insulation levels, which would cost about £4000. A feasibility study will now be carried out on the idea of the wind turbine, which would have to go through the normal planning process, including public consultation. The measures were recommended by The Carbon Trust, which carried out a survey and found that while the building is not inefficient, there is scope for further improvements.
East Anglian Daily Press 2nd May 2006
Mr Livingstone has had solar panels installed in his home, and they will soon be fitted into the roof of his City Hall headquarters. He has heard about David Cameron’s plan to have a wind turbine fitted on his Notting Hill home. That will require a planning permit from Kensington and Chelsea council, but if they cause any trouble, Mr Livingstone promised: “I’ll turn up as a character witness, in his defence.”
Independent 2nd May 2006
The Irish Government is hoping to double the contribution of renewable sources to the national grid in the Republic of Ireland by 2010.
UTV 1st May 2006
