New nukes
Nuclear power is a distraction. The first task is to embark on a massive energy-saving programme energy. The next must be to boost renewables: the Government made a good start with its announcement last month of a massive increase in offshore windpower. Nuclear power may have a part to play. But giving it top billing, as Mr Hutton’s officials want, will not only be self defeating, but give support to those critics who have long alleged that New Labour is merely Thatcherism in trousers.
Independent on Sunday 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Ministers are to give the go-ahead this week for Britain’s next wave of nuclear power plants – sparking a fresh clash with rebel Labour MPs and anti-nuclear campaigners. John Hutton, the Business Secretary, will tell MPs there needs to be a major expansion in nuclear power, in which some 20 reactors could be built by private companies. Mr Hutton has the support of Gordon Brown who, like his predecessor Tony Blair, believes nuclear power is the best way to help Britain meet climate change targets of cutting carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
Sunday Telegraph 6th Jan 2008 more >>
New nuclear reactors may not be built in Britain until the late 2020s if the government’s botched energy bill is delayed by another legal challenge. The warning from Paul Golby, head of energy giant Eon UK, comes ahead of the government’s announcement this week, which is expected to give the green light to a new generation of reactors. Greenpeace said this weekend that its lawyers could take months to decide whether to launch a fresh legal challenge when the results of the second consultation into nuclear power were released. But the nuclear industry is concerned that global reactor design companies, such as Areva and Westinghouse, may decide to scrap plans to build their plants in the UK if delays keep mounting. Global demand for more nuclear power already outstrips companies’ capacity to build them.
Observer 6th Jan 2008 more >>
In an extensive interview, in his favourite Thatcher Room in No 10, Brown declared that he has earmarked 2008 as year of tough decisions on a range of issues encompassing nuclear power, planning and housing. Anyone who doubts his resolve should prepare for a fight.
Observer 6th Jan 2008 more >>
POWER companies building new nuclear stations in Britain will have to set up independent “pension” funds to pay for the treatment of waste and reactor decommissioning.
Sunday Times 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to push ahead with major development projects including nuclear power plants. He accused Westminster opponents of proposed projects like a third runway for Heathrow and London’s Crossrail railway link of political “opportunism” and insisted he would not shy away from taking “difficult long-term decisions”. Mr Brown said: “We will have to make a decision, yes or no, on nuclear power. And we will publish our proposals on Tuesday. We will have to make a decision, yes or no, on planning the future of the country.
Channel 4 News 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has hinted that the government may approve a new generation of nuclear power plants. He told the Observer newspaper that taking decisions on energy sources is “a fundamental precondition of preparing Britain for the new world”.
BBC 5th Jan 2008 more >>
The government’s consultation on nuclear power was nothing of the sort and has failed to quell public mistrust of decision making on such key issues, according to a report by the Nuclear Consultation Working Group.
Public Servant Daily 5th Jan 2008 more >>
Nuclear Waste
Nuclear chiefs are to give Britons millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to accept the dumping of radioactive waste near their home. The operators of the controversial Sellafield nuclear complex have agreed to pay local people in Cumbria some £75m for expanding the only national dump for low-level nuclear waste, in a move that has surprised leading experts. The unprecedented deal – which is being called a “bribe” – is widely thought to be the precursor of a payment of at least £1bn to the community that agrees to take a much more controversial planned repository for infinitely more dangerous waste that will remain toxic for hundreds of thousands of years.
Independent on Sunday 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Sunday Times 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Scotland
ELECTRICITY generated by nuclear power has fallen by a quarter in Scotland because of poor reliability, figures have revealed. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform found that electricity generated from nuclear power in Scotland decreased by 24%, mainly due to “unplanned outages”. The figures came as the UK Government prepares to give the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations. Jim Mather, Holyrood’s Energy Minister, said the problems at Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire and Torness in East Lothian proved that nuclear power was unreliable and unnecessary, and reinforced the SNP’s policy of concentrating on green and renewable sources of energy.
Scotland on Sunday 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Gordon Brown is as convinced as Blair was of the need for nuclear, so there is no doubt the government is ready to give the go-ahead for a major expansion of nuclear power, with as many as 20 new reactors being built by private firms. Given the capacity for entanglement that planning laws give a Scottish government, the nuclear debate is also a handy cri-de-coeur for Scottish independence. It is unlikely any nuclear reactors will be built in Scotland in the years to come. Jack McConnell said as much when he was Labour leader, and the current SNP administration is avowedly anti-nuclear.
Sunday Herald 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Proliferation
A WHISTLEBLOWER has made a series of extraordinary claims about how corrupt US government officials allowed Pakistan and other states to steal nuclear weapons secrets.
Sunday Times 6th Jan 2008 more >>
India
India said on Friday that it had not dumped a controversial nuclear deal with the United States, opposed by the Indian government’s communist allies, but feared that time was running out to clinch it.
Reuters 4th Jan 2008 more >>
Nuclear Testing
In 1956, HMS Diana sailed into the aftermath of an atomic explosion, testing the impact a war with the Soviets might have on British servicemen. The consequences were horrific, and yet those on board continue to be denied compensation.
Sunday Telegraph 6th Jan 2008 more >>
Petition
South Lakeland Friends of the Earth are still collecting signatures on their online petition which will be delivered to Downing St with a complimentary (symbolic) bottle of Wastwater Twist “specially percolated through white hot fuel ponds by our own experts – as recommended by Prof James LoLo author of How to replace Mother Earth with a False Greek Godess.”
