nuclear-news

Court action against Rolls Royce, over radiation safety issue

Rolls-Royce facing legal action over alleged radiation safety failings at Derby site  By RJohnson_dt  | February 03, 2014 ROLLS-ROYCE is being taken to court over alleged safety failings at one of its Derby sites The allegations brought by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency relate to the firm’s Marine Power Operations business, in Sinfin Lane. The charges centre on the management of risk of exposure to employees of ionising radiation from radioactive sources used in industrial radiography.

February 4, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Overwhelming public support for renewable energy in Kansas

New poll data shows Kansas supports renewable energy law, Windpower February 3, 2014 Paul Dvorak The Wind Coalition and the Climate and Energy Project released new poll data showing that Kansans overwhelmingly support the development of renewable energy resources in Kansas and the state’s 2009 renewable energy law.

The poll, conducted by North Star Opinion Research, shows that Kansans support increasing renewable energy development and that the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard enacted in 2009 enjoys near unanimous support statewide.

“Kansas has been a significant beneficiary of renewable energy investment with nearly $8 billion of dollars in new investment and more than 12,000 new jobs in a decade. This poll underscores the sentiment developers see in the field – Kansans want to develop renewable energy and more of it,” said Jeff Clark, Executive Director of The Wind Coalition.

The poll found that 91% of Kansas voters are strongly supportive of using renewable energy. The poll indicates that renewable energy is just as popular as it was in 2009 when Kansas first pursued renewable energy legislation. Last year, efforts to roll back the state’s renewable energy law failed in the legislature….“It is rare for anything to be popular across partisan lines,” said Dan Judy, Vice President, North Star Opinion Research. “Yet, our polling shows a consistent, high level of support for renewable energy among all Kansans.” ……http://www.windpowerengineering.com/policy/environmental/new-poll-data-shows-kansas-supports-renewable-energy-law/

February 4, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Far sighted planning likely to make Isle of Man a renewable energy hub

Isle of Man takes next step in becoming a renewable energy hubby ClickGreen staff. Published Mon 03 Feb 2014 The Isle of Man Government has taken a further step towards exploring the opportunities for generation of offshore wind and tidal energy and is now inviting expressions of interest from parties seeking to develop offshore energy production in Isle of Man territorial seas.
The Manx Government wants to harness the green potential of the island’s unique position to attract a new era of clean energy generation and export 10 times as much low-carbon electricity to the UK as the entire island consumes in a year.

And a decision 20 years ago to surrender its share of UK’s fossil fuel revenues in return for its territorial waters looks like a multi-million pound wager that is destined to pay off.

February 4, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Support for wind energy in Maine, USA

Wind energy has tremendous pricing benefits for Maine ratepayers – individuals and business owners. A study from ISO-New England found that for every megawatt of new wind that is added to the system, New England wholesale rates may be reduced by $354,000 each year.

Maine Voices: Wind is state’s best bet for renewable energy Portland Press Herald,  Lawmakers should reject proposals that would make wind power harder to produce. By Jeremy Payne , 3 Feb 14 “….A recent poll showed that support for wind energy is shared by an overwhelming 87 percent of Mainers, who said that it is the kind of clean, emission-free renewable energy that our state should be prioritizing.

Despite constant efforts by a vocal few to mislead Mainers about wind energy, people from every part of our state, and all across the political spectrum, strongly support wind energy. I often hear from supporters of wind energy who are pleased with how wind projects are keeping our air and water clean, and boosting our local communities…..

Wind energy has tremendous pricing benefits for Maine ratepayers – individuals and business owners. A study from ISO-New England found that for every megawatt of new wind that is added to the system, New England wholesale rates may be reduced by $354,000 each year.

This is true because wind energy, and other renewables, can offer much needed price stabilization. Unlike volatile fossil fuels, which can and will spike as demand fluctuates around the nation, wind is both constant and free. That means lower, more stable prices for Maine families and businesses.

Wind energy benefits and stabilizes our economy by offering alternatives to finite energy sources that are all shipped in from out-of-state, and it is a vital and growing part of our economy. In Maine, wind energy has directly created hundreds of jobs and has benefited hundreds more local business. Additionally, , wind energy brings much-needed tax revenues to towns.

Wind energy developers have worked closely with nonprofits, community groups and towns to ensure maximum economic benefit for the regions surrounding wind projects. These investments have led to lower local taxes, funding for public safety and educational programs, and the ability to build new recreational trails and conserve land in Maine.

Businesses and residents across the state agree; Republicans, Democrats and independents agree: Wind energy is good for Maine. We hope Maine lawmakers will agree, too, and will stop efforts to end wind energy as we know it in Maine, and make future investment impossible. http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/Maine_Voices__One_hedy_for_Web_.htm

February 4, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Award to scientist who works to reduce nuclear weapons stockpile

Donor to Groups Devoted to Reducing U.S. Nuclear Stockpile Receives Scientific Achievement Award  http://freebeacon.com/donor-to-groups-devoted-to-reducing-u-s-nuclear-stockpile-receives-scientific-achievement-award/  BY: Washington Free Beacon Staff February 3, 2014 A donor to a Democratic representative and a number of groups devoted to reducing the U.S. nuclear stockpile received a prestigious White House award for scientific achievement on Monday.

Dr. Andrew Sessler, director emeritus of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, received the Department of Energy’s Enrico Fermi Award, the administration announced. Sessler was cited “for advancing accelerators as powerful tools of scientific discovery, for visionary direction of the research enterprise focused on challenges in energy and the environment, and for championing

Sessler has donated $1,700 to the Council for a Livable World, a Washington-based advocacy group that is, according to its website, “dedicated to reducing the danger of nuclear weapons and increasing national security.”

The group backs congressional candidates who favor additional nuclear arms control restrictions.

Sessler has also given thousands of dollars to the Ploughshares Fund, which works for what arms control advocates call “Nuclear Zero” – the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

Sessler gave $800 to Rep. Bill Foster (D., Ill) in 2007 and 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

February 4, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment