Nuclear Waste
Cumbria County Council looks set to volunteer Copeland as a potential site for an underground nuclear waste repository. And it is backing proposals to build two new nuclear power stations immediately north west of Sellafield.
Carlisle News and Star 5th Nov 2008 more >>
Nuclear Consultation
CONSERVATIVES and Liberal Democrats have joined with Greenpeace in criticising the way the government handled consultation over new nuclear power plants for the UK. In response to complaints from the environmental group Greenpeace, the Market Research Standards Board has determined that last year’s consultation on the issue of new nuclear build was biased.
Whitehaven News 5th Nov 2008 more >>
Companies
A Cumbrian firm with close ties to the nuclear industry has been taken over. MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, has strengthened its position in the sector with the acquisition of nuclear engineering design company Remac Ltd.
Cumberland News 5th Nov 2008 more >>
US
There are plans for a windfall tax on oil, stiff rises on fuel duty, and a $150bn fund to bring solar and wind power and green energy to the point of critical mass. He backs nuclear power, but new coal plants may not be viable under his swingeing carbon trading charges. The aim is to vastly reduce America’s reliance on oil imports.
Telegraph 6th Nov 2008 more >>
An Obama White House would seek to take the initiative on the two existential issues facing the planet: nuclear proliferation and climate change. It would seek to negotiate deep cuts in the US and Russian arsenals, to restore the integrity of the non-proliferation treaty before it comes up for review in 2010 and before a nuclear arms race breaks out in the Middle East.
Guardian 6th Nov 2008 more >>
In Iran, there was no word from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the hardline president, who is at odds with the US over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel and other Middle East issues. But his press adviser said Obama needed to change policies “to save his country”.
Guardian 6th Nov 2008 more >>
The election of Barack Obama has put the wind back into the sails of the renewable energy sector, where investor confidence had been badly punctured by the credit crisis. Clean technology and green energy stocks have soared as City analysts predict a major boost from the incoming president.
Guardian 6th Nov 2008 more >>
Letter from David Lowry: Three hours’ sleep, but who cares? Our fragile green planet has what it needs – a politician with intellect and compassion in the White House, with massively broad grassroots support. He only needs to review his pro-nuclear energy leanings, and back renewable, sustainable energy instead, and to be less uncritical towards the Israeli Government (not its people) and he will do just fine. I await to see his Cabinet and the new Democrat-dominated Congress in action from January, but for now I am in political ecstasy, just for the moment.
Independent 6th Nov 2008 more >>
Iran
The US and Iran have been locked in hostility for nearly three decades and are at odds over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions, its support for groups like Hizbullah and Hamas and comments by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about Israel and the Holocaust.
Guardian 6th Nov 2008 more >>
Another potential problem (in the UK-US relationship) is Iran’s nuclear programme. On the face of it, President-elect Obama’s desire for “unconditional engagement” is at odds with Britain and the UN’s position that Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme must be suspended before negotiations can begin.
Independent 6th Nov 2008 more >>
Croatia
Croatian politicians these days are still nervous about the nuclear option. Citizens hope to keep the lights on amid growing regional shortages, without compromising “green” values. But in the energy sector, time is running out for the prospective European Union member state to come to terms with its nuclear-powered future, energy executives say.
FT 5th Nov 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
NATIONALISTS called yesterday for the UK government to abandon the Trident replacement programme after a new report warned that it would be very difficult to deliver the project on time and in budget. The National Audit Office (NAO) said the replacement of Britain’s nuclear deterrent on time and within budget presented the government with “considerable challenges”.
Scotsman 6th Nov 2008 more >>
Monopoly suppliers, budget uncertainties and a lack of skills among civil servants are putting Britain’s nuclear deterrent at risk, the government has been warned.
ePolitix 5th Nov 2008 more >>
