Hinkley
Anti-nuclear campaigners have condemned a new bill of health for Hinkley Point power station as “outrageous”.The Western Daily Press revealed on Wednesday how the plant has been passed a safety review valid until 2017, providing a programme of works is carried out. This has opened the door to the power station having a life extension beyond its scheduled closing date of 2011, although owners British Energy have not yet decided whether to apply for an extension. Yesterday, pressure group Stop Hinkley, which aims to get the site shut down, said it was astonished at the safety review being passed.
Western Daily Press 4th May 2007
French elections
Only in education and on the environment has Royal fared better, and then marginally. Sarkozy’s plan to give universities greater autonomy has alarmed the teachers’ union, while his green credentials have been compromised by his commitment to France’s nuclear power industry.
Telegraph 4th May 2007
The two remaining French Presidential candidates showed a lack of knowledge of the role of nuclear energy in their country during a live televised debate on 2 May. Socialist candidate Segolene Royal challenged the Conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy to state what share of France’s electricity was met by nuclear power. Sarkozy said that it was 50%. Royal then stated that it was only 17%. In fact, in 2006, some 78% of France’s electricity was generated from nuclear power. Royal was perhaps mistaken in confusing the percentage of France’s electricity generated from nuclear energy as oppose to the percentage share of all energy supplied by nuclear power, which is 17%.
World Nuclear News 4th May 2007
Climate
Preventing climate change from reaching dangerous levels will cost between 0.2 per cent and 3 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product in a few decades, the world’s climate experts are expected to conclude today. The UN’s Intergovern-mental Panel on Climate Change, due to finish its week-long meeting in Bangkok today, says the money will be needed for low-carbon technologies such as nuclear power and renewable energy. These costs will be partly defrayed by substantial savings arising from greater energy efficiency needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
FT 4th May 2007
UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) prepares to release highly controversial proposals for averting the worst consequences of global warming. They include a major expansion of nuclear power, the use of GM crops to boost biofuel production and reliance on technologies which critics say are unproven.
Independent 4th May 2007
Delegates to an international meeting reached agreement last night on the best ways to combat climate change, despite efforts from China to water down language on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, diplomats said. The closed-door debate over everything from nuclear power to the cost of cleaner energy ran into the early hours with quibbling over single words or phrases at times. Consensus was eventually reached on a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN network of 2,000 scientists and delegates from more than 120 nations.
Times 4th May 2007
Friends of the Earth USA attacks IPPC nuclear recommendation.
Common Dreams 4th May 2007
IPCC sees a role for nuclear power.
World Nuclear News 4th May 2007
Reuters 4th May 2007
The prompt adoption of biofuels, renewable energy sources, greater energy efficiency and nuclear power can slow down what would otherwise be a worldwide disaster, said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s working group.
Telegraph 5th May 2007
A summary of the report is on the IPCC web site
“Think global, act local” is the well-worn catchphrase to encourage people to cut their carbon emissions. But, as Matthew Spencer argues in this week’s Green Room, there is little sign of local communities being given the powers they need in the battle against climate change.
BBC 4th May 2007
US
GE has been awarded a contract by Dominion to secure critical, “long-lead” components for a possible next-generation nuclear power unit. Dominion is considering constructing a third nuclear-powered electric generating unit at its North Anna Power Station in Mineral, Virginia and the order includes large forgings as well as fabrication of several schedule-critical nuclear and turbine components for the BWR design.
Modern Power Systems 4th May 2007
NPT
The chairman of a stalled UN conference on strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has tried to assure Iran it was not the target of an agenda item calling for full compliance with the pact. But the Iranian ambassador held to objections that have deadlocked the two-week meeting since it opened on Monday.
Interactive Investor 4th May 2007
Iran
Campaigning in Oklahoma the other day, the Republican senator John McCain was asked what should be done about Iran. He responded by singing, “Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran”, to the tune of the Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann. (Join the hilarity and see for yourself on YouTube.) How can any thinking person disagree? I mean, any country with a president who doesn’t shave properly and never wears a tie deserves what’s coming to it – a lot of American bombs, with a few British ones thrown in to ensure we don’t miss out on the ensuing upsurge in terrorism.
Guardian 5th May 2007
