New Nukes
Letter from Roger Helmer MEP: Wind turbines can only deliver an intermittent trickle of very expensive electricity, which is already driving up electricity bills for households and businesses across Derbyshire. They argue that nuclear power depends on subsidies. Yet without massive subsidies in the form of “renewable energy certificates”, not a single wind turbine would have gone up in Britain.
Derby Telegraph 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Oldbury
A silent protest was held by campaigners who are fighting plans for a new nuclear power station near Bristol. A group wearing tape over their mouths gathered outside Thornbury Leisure Centre to demonstrate their claim that they were not being heard. They met as about 200 people turned up for a debate into whether land next to the existing Oldbury nuclear power station, near Thornbury, was suitable for a new generation of reactors.
Bristol Evening Post 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Radiation
One of Russia’s richest oligarchs will appear at the high court in London tomorrow to begin his libel battle with a man who accused him of killing Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian secret agent who was poisoned in 2006.
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>
North Korea
A senior Chinese envoy is visiting North Korea and was expected to meet leader Kim Jong-il in a visit aimed at prodding the reclusive neighbour back to stalled nuclear disarmament talks.
Yahoo 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Iran
The Foreign Office says it is treating Iran’s latest apparent move to escalate uranium enrichment as a matter of “serious concern”.
Sky News 8th Feb 2010 more >>
IRAN’S President sparked a fresh row with the West yesterday when he told his country’s nuclear scientists to make higher grade uranium.
Express 8th Feb 2010 more >>
ITN 7th Feb 2010 more >>
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Telegraph 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Independent 8th Feb 2010 more >>
FT 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Daily Mail 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Daily Mirror 8th Feb 2010 more >>
BBC 7th Feb 2010 more >>
The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is “real” for the United States but Al-Qaeda poses an even greater danger, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday.
Middle East Online 7th Feb 2010 more >>
Carbon Prices
The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) is failing to deliver vital green investment after a collapse in carbon prices, MPs warn in a report out today. The environmental audit committee is calling on the government to introduce measures such as a new carbon tax to push the price of carbon from its level of 15 (£13) a tonne to what the MPs see as a more credible price of 100. Tim Yeo, chairman of the committee, said: “Emissions trading should be helping us to combat climate change, but at the moment the price of carbon simply isn’t high enough to make it work. The recession has left many big firms with more carbon allowances than they need and carbon prices have collapsed.
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Climate
BP has become the second energy major to face a potential shareholder revolt over its investment in controversial Canadian oil sands.
Telegraph 8th Feb 2010 more >>
The number of Britons who believe the science of climate change has fallen over the last 12 months, according to recent polls. Although the vast majority of people still believe the planet is heating up, there has been an increase in those who believe climate change claims are exaggerated.
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Ministers could save £12bn of public spending over four years by clamping down on tax breaks and support for polluting oil exploration, cement, aluminium and transport, according to a report from green campaigners this week. With all three major parties committed to cutting the projected £178bn budget deficit, and to a low-carbon economy, a report by the high-level Green Alliance thinktank argues that many spending cuts could achieve both ends. Perhaps the most controversial suggestion is to halve the £10bn national and regional roads spending budget.
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>
Peak Oil
Sir Richard Branson and fellow leading businessmen will warn ministers this week that the world is running out of oil and faces an oil crunch within five years. The founder of the Virgin group, whose rail, airline and travel companies are sensitive to energy prices, will say that the coming crisis could be even more serious than the credit crunch.
Guardian 8th Feb 2010 more >>