Nuclear Waste
A GROUP looking at whether west Cumbria should have an underground radioactive waste repository will be making a recommendation on the next step next week. The advisory group is looking at whether either or both councils should take the next step and make an official decision to participate with the government process. The group, The West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safety (MRWS) Shadow Partnership, is made up of council members, Cumbria Association of Local Councils, local trade unions and the West Cumbria Sites Stakeholders Group. It will be giving its recommendations to both Allerdale and Copeland Councils on Thursday.
Carlisle News and Star 8th May 2009 more >>
Generic Design Assessment
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains on course to complete its Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of reactor designs for new UK nuclear plants by 2011, according to its first quarterly progress report. However, the regulator says it has encountered some “significant delays” in obtaining responses to technical queries from the so-called Requesting Parties (RPs), and warns that to meet its targets the full proactive engagement of the RPs is required. The regulator also points out that the assessment is being made more difficult by the fact that neither design is complete.
World Nuclear News 8th May 2009 more >>
Nuclear Sites
EDF is looking for expressions of interest from Credible Nuclear Operators in buying land at either Dungeness or Heysham.
Contract Journal 8th May 2009 more >>
World Nuclear News 8th May 2009 more >>
Scotland
As former Greenpeace and Green activists begin to break ranks and support New Labour’s calls for a new generation of nuclear power plants, Scottish Democratic Green Socialist’s Iain MacLeod argues that a serious socialist strategy for serious investment in renewables is the real answer, and that the left needs to up its game on the renewables vs nuclear argument.
Democratic Green Socialist 8th May 2009 more >>
Renewables
“Low-carbon projects, whether seeking connection to the transmission or distribution systems, will no longer be delayed by the need to invest in the grid,” said Steve Smith, Ofgem’s networks managing director. National Grid said one wind scheme, which was to have been be connected in 2018, could now be brought forward to this year because of the move.
Guardian 9th May 2009 more >>
New Energy Focus 8th May 2009 more >>
North Korea
North Korea faces consequences if it goes ahead with a second nuclear test, but little can be done to stop it, the U.S. special envoy to the communist state said on Friday.
STV 8th May 2009 more >>
Yucca Mountain
It has already been dumped, but the the long-running Yucca Mountain waste disposal plan has now been officially ‘terminated’ in the US Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) 2010 budget request.
World Nuclear News 8th May 2009 more >>