Near Matera (ANSA) – Potenza, April 13 – An Italian nuclear plant in the process of being decommissioned was impounded Friday after the nearby sea was found to be contaminated. The ITREC plant at Rotondella near Matera in Basilicata was found to be pouring contaminated run-off water into the Ionian Sea.
Three water collection tanks and the run-off pipe were seized in a probe by Potenza prosecutors.
Possible charges in the case are environmental pollution, misrepresentation, illegal waste disposal and illegal waste trafficking, judicial sources said……http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2018/04/13/nuke-plant-seized-after-sea-contaminated-4_ccf1d514-352a-4efb-8b42-1f61bf3f97e4.html
April 16, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
Italy, oceans |
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Cumbria Trust 14th April 2018, The following letter from Tim Knowles, the former Chair of the last search
process (MRWS), appears in the current issue of The Whitehaven News.
Despite previously appearing to be in direct opposition to Cumbria
Trust’s stance, there now seems to be a lot of common ground between us.
Tim appears to share our scepticism that the new search process is a
national one, when the real target is expected to be West Cumbria again.
Not one single local authority of the UK beyond West Cumbria volunteered
during MRWS, and despite hints from RWM and BEIS that there are a number of
interested parties, we would be surprised if they are more than wishful
thinking.
Tim also makes the point that the funds being offered to the
community for taking part in the process are low by international
standards. As Eddie Martin, the former Leader of Cumbria County Council has
frequently pointed out, we only have to look at the state of West Cumbria,
with its Victorian railway system, poor roads and inadequate hospital and
education facilities to see how much to believe promises of community
benefits.
This area has been exposed to a great deal of risk from housing
the nation’s nuclear waste for two generations and has received almost
nothing in return. Why should we believe that it would be different this
time?
It is interesting to hear that that Tim understands that Trudy
Harrison MP, Copeland Mayor Mike Starkie and DBEIS Minister Richard
Harrington have been discussing an offshore Copeland site, presumably with
tunnel access from Sellafield. In the new search process, the offshore
strip available has been extended from 5km to 20km, and this is potentially
very significant, since it is likely to include areas far enough from the
Cumbrian mountains to have relatively low groundwater flow.
Cumbria Trust discussed the potential of offshore Copeland here and while we have had
expert advice that West Cumbria does not contain an adequate onshore site,
we accept that it is possible that a good site may be found further
offshore. If Copeland is going to volunteer itself again, we would
encourage them to volunteer offshore Copeland alone.
We hope and expect that they have enough common sense to exclude the Lake District National
Park from day one. It employs far more people than the nuclear industry, it
generates more income for Cumbria and it is a World Heritage Site. The
coastal strip outside the park is geologically similar to the failed
Longlands Farm Nirex site, so that only leaves offshore Copeland.
April 16, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
opposition to nuclear, UK |
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Syria: US, British and French forces launch air strikes in response to chemical weapons attack,
US, British and French forces have pounded chemical weapons sites in Syria with air strikes in response to an alleged poison gas attack that killed dozens in the rebel-held town of Douma last week.
Key points:
- US, UK and France hit three chemical weapons sites in Syria
- US Defence Secretary says strikes were a “one-time shot”
- Strikes biggest intervention yet by Western powers against Assad regime
In a televised address to the nation, US President Donald Trump said the three nations had “marshalled their righteous power against barbarism and brutality”.
The strikes were the biggest intervention by Western powers against President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s seven-year-old civil war, which has pitted the US and its allies against Russia.
The Pentagon said the strikes targeted a research centre in Damascus, along with a chemical weapons storage facility and command post west of Homs……
British Prime Minister Theresa May said the strikes were not about intervening in a civil war nor were they about a regime change.
“We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised within Syria, on the streets of the UK or anywhere else in our world,” Ms May said…….
Russia’s Defence Ministry said the majority of missiles fired during the attack were intercepted by Syrian air defence systems using Soviet-produced hardware, including the Buk missile system. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-14/us-to-strike-syria-in-response-to-chemical-weapons-attack/9658900
April 14, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
France, politics international, Russia, Syria, UK, weapons and war |
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Le Monde 12th April 2018 , [Machine Translation] EPR Flamanville: the Nuclear Safety Authority
criticizes “a lack of surveillance” ASN President Pierre-Franck Chevet
describes the new anomalies discovered on third-generation reactor welds as
“serious”.
The President of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN),
Pierre-Franck Chevet, came back in harsh terms, Thursday, April 12 in the
Senate, on new weld defects unearthed Tuesday on the EPR Flamanville
(Channel). An anomaly that he considered “serious” before the Parliamentary
Office for evaluating scientific and technological choices, to which he
presented the annual report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation
protection in France .
He had already used the same qualifier in February,
about first “deviations” detected in the realization of certain welds
piping connecting the steam generators (four in the EPR) to the turbine.
Thirty-eight welds were involved. But, at that time, EDF was assured, these
were deviations from a “high quality” standard , more demanding than the
standard standards applied to nuclear pressure equipment, so that,
according to the electrician, these circuits remained ” able to carry out
their mission safely . “
April 14, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
France, safety |
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Plans for Welsh nuclear power plant delayed by concerns over seabirds, Next stage of planning process for Anglesey site postponed as 
effect on tern colonies is assessed, Guardian, Adam Vaughan, 9 Apr 18,
Plans for a nuclear power station on the Welsh island of Anglesey have been delayed by concerns over the plant’s impact on colonies of protected seabirds.
The proposed twin reactors at Wylfa were given the green light by the UK’s nuclear regulator in December, with backers hoping to win financial support from the government.
The Welsh plant would have a capacity of 3GW, similar to the 3.2GW of the nuclear power station being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
Horizon Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi, told planning authorities it would submit its planning application for the Wylfa plant by the end of March, which it called a “major milestone”.
But the company postponed submitting the development consent order because it needs to thrash out the impact building the power station will have on colonies of sandwich, Arctic and common terns.
The species are protected under the EU birds and habitats directive.
Nearby Cemlyn nature reserve is home to thousands of sandwich terns, which account for about fifth of the birds’ UK population and is the biggest on the country’s west coast.
Wildlife groups are concerned about the effect of noise and light from the power station’s construction, as well as a reduction in food for the birds to forage on. Land clearance for the vast site is also expected to displace potential predators, such as rats and foxes.
Chris Wynne, a senior reserve officer at North Wales Wildlife Trust, said: “We are looking at a range of ecological impacts at one of the most significant tern colonies in the UK.”
……….. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/09/plans-for-welsh-nuclear-power-plant-delayed-concerns-seabirds-anglesey-tern-colonies-wylfa
April 11, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
environment, UK |
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EDF warns of delays at Flamanville nuclear power station in France
Experts fear UK’s planned Hinkley plant will face similar budget and deadline problems, Guardian, Adam Vaughan, 10 Apr 18, EDF Energy has warned that a flagship nuclear power station it is building in France could run further behind schedule and over budget, after it detected faults at the €10.5bn ( £9.2bn) plant.
The French state-owned firm said inspections last month had uncovered problems with welding on pipes at the Flamanville plant in north-west France.
Flamanville’s reactor design is the same as the one being used at a delayed plant in Finland and at Hinkley Point in Somerset, where EDF is building the UK’s first new nuclear power station in decades.
The company said that it had discovered “quality deviations” on 150 welds in a system used to transport steam to turbines used for electricity generation.
EDF said it was performing further checks to see what works would be needed to satisfy the safety requirements of the French nuclear regulator, ASN, and would report back in May.
In a statement, the firm said: “Following the current checks and the licensing process by the ASN, EDF will be able to specify whether the project requires an adjustment to its timetable and its costs.”
The plant is already three times over its original estimates and several years late.
Nuclear industry experts said the announcement cast doubt over whether Flamanville unit three would be operational by the end of 2019, as planned………..https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/10/edf-warns-of-faults-at-nuclear-power-station-it-is-building-in-france
April 11, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
business and costs, France, UK |
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Le Monde 7th April 2018, Acquisition of Uramin: the former director of the Areva mines indicted for “corruption” The former director of the Areva mines has been indicted in Paris for “corruption” in the investigation of the acquisition of the mining company Uramin in 2007.
Areva, now Orano, had paid 1.8 billion euros to acquire the Canadian Uramin, but the exploitation of the three deposits
of the company in Namibia , South Africa and Central Africa had proved much more difficult than expected. The operation had turned into a financial chasm and had forced Areva, at the end of 2011, to provision 1.5 billion euros.
http://www.lemonde.fr/police-justice/article/2018/04/07/rachat-d-uramin-l-ex-directeur-des-mines-d-areva-mis-en-examen-pour-corruption_5282269_1653578.html
April 9, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
France, secrets,lies and civil liberties |
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There is a risk that this method of funding will act to ensure that deprived areas, rather than geologically suitable areas, are more likely to volunteer.
Communities should have access to a truly independent scientific body such as MKG in Sweden
what is described as an open and transparent process, could be a long way from that.
there needs to be more honesty and openness about the negative aspects.
“Working With Communities” – Guidance notes for your own response to the consultation. April 8, 2018
The Working With Communities consultation document can be found here. Cumbria Trust has submitted its response to the consultation here . The final date for responses is the 19th April 2018.
You can respond online here and you may wish to include some of the following points in your response to the consultation:
CONSULTATION QUESTION 1: Do you agree with this approach of identifying communities? Do you have any other suggestions that we should consider?
The geological screening report appears to be little more than a broad overview, which is a missed opportunity. A lesson from the previous MRWS process was that early information on geology would help communities to make a decision on volunteering.
There needs to be a test of public support before a community joins the process. It is a long term commitment which could cause significant blight.
Neighbouring local authorities should also have a say in the process. 4.21 suggests that they will be excluded from any test of public support even if a GDF could be close to their boundary.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 2: Do you agree with the approach of formative engagement? Do you support the use of a formative engagement team to carry out information gathering activities? Are there any other approaches we should consider?
This appears to be a process which is very easy to join, but difficult to leave.
There is a need for a test of public support before a community enters the process.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 3: Do you agree with this approach to forming a Community Partnership? Are there other approaches we should consider?
Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) should not be part of the Community Partnership, but should be available to answer its questions.
Frequent tests of public support are required to ensure that the Community Partnership continues to reflect the view of the community throughout this 20 year process.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 4: Do you agree with the approach to engaging people more widely in the community through a Community Stakeholder Forum? Are there other approaches we should consider?
A Community Stakeholder Forum could be appropriate if their views are taken seriously. Previous experience of forums in this area suggests that this may not happen.
The Chair of the Stakeholder Forum must not be part of the Community Partnership – there is a need for independence.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 5: Do you agree with the proposal for a Community Agreement and what it could potentially include? Are there other approaches we should consider?
The suggestion that a local authority may be able to overrule the remaining members of the Community Partnership is unworkable. Partnerships cannot function in that way.
The Community Agreement should be put to a public vote before it is accepted, since it may have a significant impact on the community. The public (rather than just the Community Partnership) must be confident that they have an acceptable right of withdrawal before entering the process. The failure to draw up an adequate right of withdrawal during MRWS was one of the causes of the process being halted before stage 4.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 6: Do you agree with the proposed approach to the way community investment funding would be provided? Are there alternatives that we should consider?
There is a risk that this method of funding will act to ensure that deprived areas, rather than geologically suitable areas, are more likely to volunteer.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 7: Do you agree with the proposed process for the right of withdrawal? Do you have views on how else this could be decided? Are there alternatives that we should consider?
The ongoing right of withdrawal must rest with the community, not the Community Partnership. In order to ensure that there is alignment between the community and Community Partnership, frequent tests of public support are required.
The withdrawal process is unnecessarily complex. There should be no requirement to go through a pre-defined process. If the public vote to withdraw, that should happen with immediate effect.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 8: Do you agree with the approach to the test of public support? Do you agree that the Community Partnership should decide how and when the test of public support should be carried out? Do you have views on how else this could be decided? Are there alternatives that we should consider?
It cannot be right that there is a single test of public support after 20 years. What possible reason could there be for suggesting this, other than to trap a community within the process? If this is a genuine voluntary process then there must be frequent tests of public support.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 9: Do you feel this process provides suitably defined roles for local authorities in the siting process? Are there alternatives that we should consider?
The local authority must not be able to overrule the remainder of the Community Partnership. The scale of this project also requires approval at county level.
CONSULTATION QUESTION 10: Do you have any other views on the matters presented in this consultation?
Communities should have access to a truly independent scientific body such as MKG in Sweden
The current consultation is likely to lead to an early breakdown of trust, since the public are kept at a distance from decision making by the Community Partnership, and appear to have almost no control of it.
It appears that lessons have not been learnt from the MRWS process, and what is described as an open and transparent process, could be a long way from that.
The investigation process, which includes a borehole drilling programme may cause significant blight to an area, particularly if an area’s economy depends on tourism. In addition to setting out the benefits of hosting a GDF, or entering the siting process, there needs to be more honesty and openness about the negative aspects.
April 9, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
UK, wastes |
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Sergei Skripal poisoning: Former Russian spy recovering rapidly, hospital says, ABC News, 7 Apr 18 The hospital treating former Russian spy Sergei Skripal says he is no longer in a critical condition and his health is improving rapidly, more than a month after he was poisoned with a nerve agent in England.
Key points:
- Mr Skripal’s recovery could help British police solve the case, an affair diplomats have compared with Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie mysteries
- His daughter Yulia is also recovering well, issuing a statement yesterday thanking people for their help
- Moscow has asked for an explanation as to why Mr Skripal’s niece was denied a British visa to take Yulia to Russia
Mr Skripal, 66, who as a colonel in Russian military intelligence betrayed dozens of agents to Britain’s foreign spy service, was found slumped unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury along with his daughter Yulia on March 4.
Britain blamed Russia for the poisoning, the first known offensive use of such a nerve agent on European soil since World War II.
Moscow denied any involvement and suggested Britain had carried out the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria.
After weeks of no reported change in his condition, the hospital confirmed that Mr Skripal, who had been treated under heavy sedation, was now making fast progress………
A British judge said last month that the attack might have left them with compromised mental capacity, with an unclear effect on their long-term health.
The hospital did not say whether either Mr Sergei or his daughter would suffer long term effects……..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-07/sergei-skripal-poisoning:-former-russian-spy-recovering-rapidly/9628922
April 6, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK |
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The Inspector General’s report on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection 2017 NuClear News April 18 Published on 2nd March 2018, a report written by François de Lastic, EDF Group Inspector General for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, for the Chairman of EDF is available in French and English on the EDF – French website here: https://www.edf.fr/sites/default/files/contrib/groupe-edf/producteurindustriel/nucleaire/enjeux/securite-des-installations/securite-dessalaries/rapport_igsnr_2017_-_uk.pdf
It aims, amongst other things, to identify any early warning signs and recommend areas for improvement. It therefore focuses on difficulties and weaknesses rather than strengths and progress. Continue reading →
April 6, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
safety, UK |
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Sizewell C nuclear plant may not be feasible, says EDF boss https://www.newcivilengineer.com/business-culture/sizewell-c-nuclear-plant-may-not-be-feasible-says-edf-boss/10029739.article 5 APRIL, 2018 BY FIONA MCINTYRE
The proposed Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk may not be feasible, EDF Energy’s UK boss told The Times, while the energy firm said it is discussing funding options with the government including using pension funds.
EDF Energy UK chief executive Simone Rossi told the newspapaer that the firm needs assurances from government that a “viable funding model exists” for Sizewell C this year. If EDF Energy believes the project is not feasible, it may stop its involvement in the project.
EDF Energy is currently in talks with the government over a funding model for the Suffolk nuclear power plant which would reduce costs for consumers. New Civil Engineer understands pension funds are being considered as a way to help finance Sizewell C.
Rossi told The Times: “This is the year where we need to understand whether this whole thing is really feasible or not.”
He added: “If we were to conclude that maybe it’s not feasible, then at that point maybe we say we are not in a position to continue the project.”
Rossi also said expected cost savings for Sizewell C could disappear if there is a “significant delay” between work on it and Hinkley Point C.
EDF Energy has said it expects construction costs for Sizewell C to be roughly 20% less than for the £19.5bn-plus Hinkley Point C plant. This is because the new plant would almost be a replica of Hinkley Point C, and because electricity grid connections are already in place at the Sizewell C site.
In June last year the National Audit office branded Hinkley Point C “risky and expensive”.
A spokesperson for EDF Energy denied Rossi’s comments were an ultimatum and said Sizewell C would benefit from an existing supply chain, while providing jobs for 5,600 construction workers.
The spokesperson added: “We are working with Government to look at alternative financing models because reducing the cost of capital can make a significant difference to the price for consumers. Financing models that create the conditions where institutional investors like pension funds can participate.”
April 6, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
business and costs, UK |
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Nasdaq 29th March 2018, French uranium mining and nuclear fuel group Orano, formerly called Areva, said its 2017 revenue fell 11 percent to 3.9 billion euros ($4.80 billion) and core earnings fell 30 percent to 946 million euros as demand for nuclear fuel remains low.
Orano’s order book, while still representing nearly eight years of revenue, fell to 30.8 billion euros at the end of 2017 from 33.6 billion euros at the end of 2016 and the company expects revenue will fall again this year. The company continued to burn cash, with a negative cash flow of 1.06 billion euros compared to minus 915 million euros in 2016, but Orano said it targets positive net cash flow from company operations this year. https://www.nasdaq.com/article/nuclear-group-orano-earnings-slide-in-grim-uranium-market-20180329-00098
April 4, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
business and costs, France, politics |
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Poisoned Door Handle Hints at High-Level Plot to Kill Spy, U.K. Officials Say, NYT, By ELLEN BARRY and DAVID E. SANGERAPRIL 1, 2018 LONDON — British officials investigating the poisoning of Sergei V. Skripal, a former Russian double agent, believe it is likely that an assassin smeared a nerve agent on the door handle at his home. This operation is seen as so risky and sensitive that it is unlikely to have been undertaken without approval from the Kremlin, according to officials who have been briefed on the early findings of the inquiry……..
Because the nerve agent is so potent, the officials said, the task could have been carried out only by trained professionals familiar with chemical weapons. British and American officials are skeptical that independent actors could have carried out such a risky operation or obtained the agent without approval at the highest levels of the Russian government .
…… Four weeks after the assassination attempt, British and American officials are turning to the question of whether President Vladimir V. Putin himself was aware of, or ordered, the attack.
They say there is no evidence so far of his direct participation, but the Russian president, a former K.G.B. officer, is skilled at hiding his communications.
Russia has denied involvement in the poisoning, and in the election hack.
……. Some experts have expressed caution about assuming that
Mr. Putin approved the attack. Its timing was awkward, coming too late to help him much in last month’s election, and casting a diplomatic shadow over Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup.
And the Kremlin’s embrace of proxy forces in recent years has opened the door to freelancing from other power centers, like security agencies or the country’s military intelligence, which may not share their plans in detail.
………Russia on Saturday also released a list of questions addressed to Britain, France and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which will hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Skripal poisoning.
The questions scrutinize the British claim that the nerve agent originated in Russia, noting that an antidote was provided to the Skripals within hours of their poisoning, and questioning whether British scientists had produced Novichok nerve agents in their own laboratories. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/europe/russia-sergei-skripal-uk-spy-poisoning.html
April 4, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK |
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Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan to launch Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, ABC News, 3 Apr 18 The leaders of Russia and Turkey are scheduled to launch the start of the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant as ties between the countries deepen.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin, on his first foreign visit since re-election on March 18, arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two will remotely launch the construction of the Russian-made Akkuyu nuclear plant on the Mediterranean coast.
The $20 billion ($26 billion) project is to be built by Russian state nuclear energy agency Rosatom……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/putin-and-erdogan-to-launch-turkey-first-nuclear-reactor/9614652
April 4, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
marketing, Russia, Turkey |
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Belgium pledges to ditch nuclear power by 2025, By Sam Morgan | EURACTIV.com, Apr 3, 2018
On Friday (30 March), the Belgian government approved a new energy pact that will see the country phase out atomic power between 2022 and 2025.
Belgium’s federal government signed off on an agreement that will see the country’s seven nuclear reactors shuttered by 2025.
As part of a package of other measures, Doel and Tihange nuclear power stations will be closed and more investment will be pumped into renewable energy capacity building, particularly offshore wind farms………
Micro-cracks were discovered in reactors at both power plants in 2013 and were closed until 2015 while extensive safety checks were carried out. Environmental groups were outraged when their licences were extended until 2025, by which time they will nearly be half a century old.
Belgium’s new Nuclear Energy Strategy recently came into force, under which radiation-busting iodine tablets were made available to everyone resident in the country in case of a nuclear incident…..https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/belgium-pledges-to-ditch-nuclear-power-by-2025/
April 4, 2018
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
EUROPE, politics |
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