9 July 2008

Climate

Gordon Brown is facing another significant backbench revolt over his climate change policy, it has emerged. More than 80 MPs are said to be backing an amendment to the Government’s Climate Change Bill to make cuts to greenhouse gases far more drastic. The Bill currently calls for a legally enforceable 60 per cent cut in UK carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. However, the rebel MPs say it should be raised to 80 per cent as the 60 per cent goal will not do enough to control global warming.

Telegraph 9th July 2008 more >>

A new global deal on climate change heralded by G8 leaders as a significant step forward yesterday ran into trouble within hours as developing nations including China and India rejected it because they believe the commitments are not strong enough. After years of US intransigence, President George Bush finally signed up to a G8 statement vowing to “consider and adopt” a target of at least a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, an agreement described by the prime minister, Gordon Brown, as “major progress”. But while the five-page communique is the first time Bush has committed his country to a long-term target, the deal agreed at the G8 summit in northern Japan was quickly dismissed by the big five emerging economies, which want the world’s biggest polluters to go much further in cutting emissions.

Guardian 9th July 2008 more >>

Leaders of the world’s richest nations have kept alive hope of a global agreement to combat climate change by agreeing to cut their carbon emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2050.

Independent 9th July 2008 more >>

NDA

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is on the lookout for a chief accountant to help with the cost-effective clean-up of Britain’s defunct nuclear fission power plants. Based in West Cumbria, the NDA wants an accountant capable of handling the body’s £2.8bn spend and ensuring the appropriate reporting systems are in place to account for it.

Accountancy Age 8th July 2008 more >>

Reprocessing

Article by Bob Alvarez: The key to recycling is being able to reuse materials while reducing pollution, saving money and making the earth a safer place. On all accounts, nuclear recycling fails the test.

Foreign Policy in Focus 7th July 2008 more >>

Decommissioning

Cuts of up to 40 per cent in grants to scientists have been announced, triggering a warning they could undermine the nation’s ability to build and decommission nuclear power plants. The reduction in support for individual scientists stems from the budget squeeze experienced by the funding agency which oversees astronomy and physics – the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

Telegraph 8th July 2008 more >>

Proliferation

The UK is manifestly in breach of the NPT.

Mathaba 8th July 2008 more >>

France

Liquid containing traces of unenriched uranium have leaked at a nuclear site in southern France, and some of the solution ran into two rivers, France’s nuclear safety agency said. Authorities banned the consumption of well water in three nearby towns and the watering of crops from the two rivers. Also banned were swimming, water sports and fishing.

Express 9th July 2008 more >>

IHT 8th July 2008 more >>

The two most influential energy groups in France, EDF and GDF-Suez, are expected to compete against each other in a bid to build the country’s newest nuclear power plant, possibly having negative implications for the UK’s planned nuclear revival.

Energy Business Review 8th July 2008 more >>

Datamonitor 8th July 2008 more >>

Germany

Confirmation that radioactive brine has been leaking for two decades from a German underground deposit for nuclear waste is yet another blow to the idea that nuclear power can safely increase electricity generation and simultaneously reduce emissions. Radioactive leaks from the nuclear waste deposit Asse II near Braunschweig in Lower Saxony, some 225 km southwest of Berlin, were first discovered in 1988. The state-owned Helmholtz Institute for Scientific Research, which operates the centre, officially admitted the leaks only Jun. 16, under pressure from the German press.

IPS 8th July 2008 more >>

Middle East

Total and Eni are both looking to bring nuclear power plants to countries in the Middle East, the Financial Times reported. Total plans to help build nuclear plants with a view to negotiating better terms and access in the oil and gas industry in countries in the region with which it has long relationships. Separately, Eni chief executive Paolo Scaroni told the newspaper he is considering following Total’s lead, with Egypt and Algeria being possible candidates.

AFX 9th July 2008 more >>

FT 9th July 2008 more >>

Poland

Poland is seriously contemplating building a nuclear reactor.

Mathaba 8th July 2008 more >>

US

Barack Obama gave a big energy policy speech in Las Vegas last month to counter the big energy speech John McCain gave just prior to it. Obama proposed a substantial federal investment in alternative energy sources, including wind power, solar power and biofuels, and he promised to hike fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. Nuclear power, however, does not figure into Obama’s proposed alternatives to reliance on petroleum. On the contrary, he used the Las Vegas setting to hammer home, literally, his objection to McCain’s proposal for the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants – a touchy subject in Nevada.

Guardian 8th July 2008 more >>

Iran

The US has imposed new financial sanctions on Iranian individuals and companies suspected of involvement in the country’s nuclear programme.

BBC 8th July 2008 more >>

Israel and U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf would be prime targets if Iran is attacked, Tehran said yesterday. The warning came as the British and U.S. navies ended a military exercise in the Gulf involving four vessels and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards began an exercise involving ‘missile squads’ at a undisclosed location. The exercises are taking place against a backdrop of high tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Daily Mail 8th July 2008 more >>

Telegraph 8th July 2008 more >>

India

India’s communists, who are coalition partners in the country’s government, have failed to scuttle the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Sky News 8th July 2008 more >>

India moved closer to early elections as leftwing allies of the ruling coalition vowed to withdraw support from the government over a nuclear energy pact with the US. The leftwing parties, which claim the nuclear deal would leave India beholden to Washington, are expected to call for a vote of no confidence in the United Progressive Alliance government.

FT 9th July 2008 more >>

Star Wars

Russia threatened a “military” response last night after America signed a deal to build part of its missile defence shield in the Czech Republic. Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, signed the deal in Prague, laying out the terms for an American-manned radar base near the Czech capital.