New Nukes
The energy firm EDF plans to recruit 10,000 staff over the next five years as it expands its nuclear power capabilities. EDF, which is building two reactors at Hinkley Point, Somerset, and two more at Sizewell, Suffolk, intends to hire thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians. It has reportedly already signed up 100 designers and engineers to be based at its head office in London.
Independent 5th Apr 2010 more >>
Emergency Planning
The Royal Navy has failed to minimise the risk of nuclear submarines colliding with oil tankers or cruise ships in the Firth of Clyde, according to a report by the Ministry of Defence’s internal safety watchdog. The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) says that naval plans meant to protect Scotland from submarine accidents in the Clyde and on the north west coast are riddled with flaws. There are “difficulties” with commercial shipping in the Clyde, it reveals. At some submarine berths, weather information is outdated, maps are inadequate and there haven’t been any emergency exercises for years.
Sunday Herald, 4th April 2010 more >>
Proliferation
The Royal Society recently embarked on a project to evaluate the potential risks a nuclear renaissance may pose and how they should be managed. It will include assessing the potential of new technologies and new governance to make nuclear technology more resistant to proliferation. The international community is debating various proposals for placing uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities under international control. This would be a crucial element of a comprehensive system needed to help verify a ban of all nuclear weapons, and it cannot be implemented without the full co-operation of the scientific community.
Guardian 5th Apr 2010 more >>
Energy Supplies
American technology to produce shale gas is unleashing a scramble for drilling rights in Poland, where experts believe vast reserves of unconventional gas exist that could help to weaken Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy supplies. ConocoPhillips is poised to launch Poland’s first shale gas drilling programme next month near Gdansk on the Baltic coast. Two other American oil groups Exxon-Mobil and Marathon and Talisman Energy, of Canada, are set to follow. The technology has transformed America’s energy industry and driven gas prices to their lowest level in years. Shale gas production involves the drilling of dozens of wells across a relatively small area. Water and sand are pumped in at high pressure to fracture rocks and create reservoirs from which the gas can be extracted.
Times 5th Apr 2010 more >>
Disarmament
Cutting deployed long-range nuclear warheads by one-third is not enough, as President Barack Obama and President Dmitry Medvedev have recently agreed to do. This still leaves several thousand that can be utilized for the purpose of destroying humankind.
Middle East Online 4th Apr 2010 more >>
Iran
Iran said today it will host a nuclear disarmament conference later this month, part of Tehran’s efforts to show it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, was quoted by state television as saying the two-day meeting – dubbed Nuclear Energy For All, Nuclear Weapons For No One – will start in Tehran on 17 April, days after a US-hosted summit on nuclear security.
Guardian 5th April 2010 more >>
Iran said on Sunday China would take part in a nuclear disarmament conference in Tehran later this month, to be held just days after Chinese President Hu Jintao is due to attend a nuclear security summit in Washington.
Reuters 4th Apr 2010 more >>
The reported defection of an Iranian scientist to the United States has renewed speculation about a CIA plot to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program through covert action.
Yahoo 4th Apr 2010 more >>
Middle East Online 4th Apr 2010 more >>
Moscow and Beijing have made clear that they don’t believe Iran is building nuclear weapons. Nor does the US, for that matter. The CIA’s assessment is that no such decision has yet been taken.
Middle East Online 4th Apr 2010 more >>
