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UK’s Dounreay nuclear site still radioactive

Contamination found at nuclear site, Google News, (UKPA) 27 Jan 12, Traces of radioactive contamination have been found on the shoes of workers demolishing a former nuclear power station. It was detected on around a dozen people on Thursday as they prepared to leave a building which they were preparing for demolition.
Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), which is overseeing the decommissioning of the site in Caithness, has launched an investigation.
It said that the building is in a “controlled” area, where contamination is possible, and controls are in place to manage it.

Dounreay’s nuclear reactor was shut down in 1994 and work to decommission the site has been under way since then as part of a £2.6 billion project. It was the only plant in Britain to use liquid metal instead of gas or water in the cooling circuits.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gVcbsn-jVhJMOoqqQOYXqz-NAfaA?docId=N0166121327661398947A

January 28, 2012 Posted by | decommission reactor, UK | Leave a comment

Conflict of interest? Just where does the climate denialists’ money come from?

Bid to out the money behind the voice against climate change, SMH Graham Readfearn January 27, 2012 – A British journalist’s court bid to unmask the financial backers of a group of climate change sceptics is being used to raise questions about how think-tanks are funded in Australia and whether they deserve tax exemptions.

The UK’s Charity Commission, which regulates charities in the UK, is being asked to release a document that would show the start-up funders of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, chaired by former UK chancellor Lord Nigel Lawson.

Launched in November 2009, the foundation has consistently challenged the mainstream scientific view that human emissions of greenhouse gases represent a significant risk to the planet and societies.

Later today, freelance journalist Brendan Montague will appeal to the UK’s Information Rights Tribunal for the release of a bank statement provided to the Charity Commission by Lord Lawson, which Mr Montague believes will identify the source of a $50,000 seed donation.

The case has raised the issue of how think-tanks engaged in public policy debates are funded and whether potential conflicts of interest should be declared. None are required by law to publicly disclose their funders. Continue reading →

January 27, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, climate change, secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | Leave a comment

EDF’s nuclear plans for Britain are fraught with problems

No easy ride for EDF’s plans for new nuclear, Greenpeace by Richardg – 25 January 2012  Despite the growing shift of support away from nuclear energy in Europe, EDF is stubbornly pushing forward plans to build a new nuclear reactor in the UK, without sufficient consideration for all the relevant risks…..  the French state-owned company EDF Energy is trying to build a new nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

EDF applied for planning permission in late October, less than three weeks after Britain’s nuclear watchdog – the Office of Nuclear Regulation – published a long list of improvementsneeded to protect Britain’s nuclear reactors. Given the scale of the recommendatons in the list, it is not possible for EDF to have incorporated all those improvements into its proposals in just three weeks. Lessons are still being learned following Fukushima (such as ‘don’t delete the minutes of the disaster response meetings’). EDF’s rush to apply for planning permission betrays their cavalier attitude and suggests they can’t have fully considered the implications of the Fukushima disaster.

We are seriously concerned that the flood defences, the emergency response plans and other vital safety features (such as a secure supply of off-site electricity during an emergency) aren’t fit for purpose. There’s a distinctly slap-dash feel to the application: as though EDF were more concerned with keeping the wheels on their nuclear gravy train than with making sure their plans stood up to scrutiny.

We’re not the only ones with concerns about the proposals. EDF’s planning application is also facing fierce opposition from local campaign groups, nuclear experts and Members of Parliament. Local councils have made their own representations, pointing out problems withtraffic levels, waste storage and the impact on tourism.

With 1,200 people registering to comment on their ill-thought out proposals, EDF shouldn’t expect an easy ride. We’ll keep you posted. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/no-easy-ride-edfs-plans-new-nuclear-20120125

January 27, 2012 Posted by | business and costs, France, UK | Leave a comment

UK govt not happy with GE Hitachi’s plan for plutonium waste

the UK stockpile of waste plutonium – the biggest civilian stash in the world 

UK Nuclear Watchdog Toughens Stance On Waste Reuse, Planet Ark 25-Jan-12,  BRITAIN by Oleg Vukmanovic Britain’s nuclear watchdog has hardened its stance against a proposal by U.S.-Japan joint venture GE Hitachi to dispose of UK radioactive waste in a plutonium-burning reactor but has not ended talks.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which advises the government on how best to manage the UK’s growing plutonium stockpile, is considering a number of options including the fast-reactor design proposed by GE Hitachi in November.

The NDA has repeatedly ruled the multi-billion pound 600 megawatt (MW) reactor out of the running on the grounds that the technology lacks credibility for the purposes of plutonium disposal. Continue reading →

January 26, 2012 Posted by | - plutonium, UK | Leave a comment

French nuclear company warns on safety of Scottish nuclear reactor

New safety fears for Ayrshire nuclear power station, Herald Scotland, 22 Jan 12 By Rob Edwards, The company that runs the nuclear reactors at Hunterston in North Ayrshire is warning that their safety could be jeopardised by plans to build a huge coal-fired power station next door. EDF Energy says that the construction and operation of the controversial new plant could block the evacuation routes of staff and deprive its site of electricity and vital cooling water in an emergency.

It is also worried that discharges from the coal plant could compromise reactor cooling systems.

The French nuclear company has lodged a formal objection to an application by Ayrshire Power to build a £3 billion coal station at Hunterston. Following rejection of the application, which attracted more than 20,000 objections, by North Ayrshire Council in November,
the Scottish Government has now confirmed that it will go to a public inquiry later this year…… http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/environment/new-safety-fears-for-ayrshire-nuclear-power-station.1327201596

January 24, 2012 Posted by | safety, UK | Leave a comment

UK’s nuclear expansion could be derailed if nuclear subsidies found to be unlawful

The European Commission could take up to 18 months to consider the complaint A finding in Fair Energy’s favour could potentially derail the UK’s nuclear expansion plans – and those of other countries.

UK ‘subsidising nuclear power unlawfully’, By Richard Black, Environment correspondent, BBC News. 21 Jan 12,  Green energy campaigners are attempting to block new nuclear power stations in the UK by complaining to the European Commission that government plans
contravene EU competition regulations.

They say financial rules for nuclear operators include subsidies that have not been approved by the commission. These include capping of liability for accidents, which they say at
least halves the cost of nuclear electricity…..
Although most of the complaint concerns the UK, some of its ingredients would apply to other EU nations as well, especially the capping of nuclear liability. Continue reading →

January 21, 2012 Posted by | Legal, UK | Leave a comment

A nuclear free Scotland would make England pay up for Trident submarine base

The nuclear issue is the one that concerns ministers most; where would the new Trident submarines be based, if not at Faslane on the Clyde?

SNP’s defence policies are ‘laughable’, says Philip Hammond, Nick Hopkins, guardian.co.uk,   19 January 2012 Defence secretary wades into the debate over devolution as the likely effects – and costs – of Scottish independence rattle the MoD.… The new defence secretary, Philip Hammond, is pretty choosy about the media he does, and on what subjects. Today, he went on the record over devolution, and the effects it might have on defence.

No wonder he was prepared to speak, and in such unusually fruity language for a man not known for rhetorical flourish.

He knows the ramifications for the military, and the Treasury, are enormous.  The key themes for the SNP are easy enough to spell out – Scotlandwould not be a member of Nato and would be nuclear free. Continue reading →

January 20, 2012 Posted by | politics, UK | Leave a comment

Taxpayers to fund massive nuclear waste dump, damaging to Cumbria

A public inquiry and appeal agreed with Cumbria County Council 15 years ago that the risk of radioactive waste migrating to the surface was too great for geological disposal of intermediate level waste.

Today, that same authority is a partner in the plan which now includes high-level waste.

A nuclear dump would blight Cumbria’s major industries of agriculture and tourism…. MRWS is now sinking taxpayers’ millions into a timetabled process too big to fail.

NUCLEAR DEBATE: RADIATION FREE LAKELAND:   JUST SAY NO:  Times and Star By Marianne Birkby,  19 January 2012 The last government set up a quango called Managing Radioactive Waste Safely. MRWS aims to give lucrative contracts, courtesy of the taxpayer, to private companies for a mine 3,280ft deep by 269 sq ft.

Put in perspective, Scafell Pike is 3,208ft. Imagine that size mine filled with high-level radioactive waste by 2026, setting a world first. Continue reading →

January 20, 2012 Posted by | UK, wastes | 1 Comment

Scotland’s radioactive beach a political hazard for UK government

Mr Brown branded the “dumped” material an “undeniable hazard” for people living nearby.
He told MPs: “They are particles which should be removed quickly …and the urgent action is necessary not just because of risks to safety,

but because the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has now stated publicly that unless the Ministry of Defence brings forward a remedial plan for the area, the agency will designate Dalgety Bay as a radioactive contaminated piece of land and this will be the first and only land to be designated as radioactive contaminated in the UK and they say that they will nominate the Ministry of Defence as the culpable party.”

Brown urges beach radiation action Google News, (UKPA)  19 Jan 12,  Gordon Brown has repeated his demand for a face-to-face a meeting with Defence Secretary Philip Hammond to discuss radiation poisoning. Continue reading →

January 19, 2012 Posted by | politics, UK | Leave a comment

Scottish independence would mean moving Trident nuclear base

The vast majority of MSPs [members of the Scottish parliament], as well as the churches, trade unions, and civic society across the nation totally oppose Trident nuclear weapons being based in Scotland 

Scots’ breakaway plan threatens nuclear base, FT.com By James Blitz, 13 Jan 12 Contingency plans to transfer Britain’s nuclear deterrent to England if Scotland declares independence are being examined by the Ministry of Defence.

Officials warn that London would demand billions in compensation from Edinburgh to fund the move. As Scotland prepares for a referendum on independence in the autumn of 2014, MoD officials said they had been studying the implications of a Yes vote for the deterrent – Trident nuclear missiles, carried by four Vanguard class submarines that operate from Faslane Naval Base in the Firth of Clyde.

Officials warn that the costs of moving the four submarines from Scotland to England would be immense, Continue reading →

January 14, 2012 Posted by | politics, UK | 1 Comment

Renewable energy deal between Scotland and Masdar

Scotland set for renewable energy deal in Abu Dhabi, BBC News 8 Jan 12, Mr Salmond said the deal would help develop university research into renewable energy Scotland is poised to sign a renewable energy technology research deal in the Middle East.

First Minister Alex Salmond is to travel to Abu Dhabi this week to sign a “ground-breaking” contract with renewables firm Masdar. Continue reading →

January 10, 2012 Posted by | renewable, UK | Leave a comment

“ WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF TISSUE ANALYSIS TAKEN FROM DECEASED NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS ? “

“ The motives for the work appear to have been similar to those set out in relation to nuclear industry , namely scientific research and potential claims for damages .”

Why Nuclear Veterans are Being Silenced, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 6 Jan 12,”..……Secret examination of tissue , organs and body parts of nuclear industry workers and nuclear test veterans …..

Michael Redfern QC published his report on tissue analysis at nuclear installations on the 16th November 2010 . This report took some three and half years to complete and covers 655 pages .It was originally set up to investigate claims by the families of deceased nuclear industry worker that their beloved ones body parts had been secretly removed
for examination , without family consent , for analysis and destruction .

One bereaved family found the body of a nuclear industry worker in his coffin had a broom stick put in place of a removed leg bone to give the appearance on burial that the body was whole and not desecrated.

The Redfern Report links Nuclear Test Veterans and Power Workers in on-going medical research programmes . Continue reading →

January 7, 2012 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | 1 Comment

UK government’s secret research on atomic test veterans

nuclear test veterans have been part of a continued experimental programme for the protection of nuclear industry.

Why Nuclear Veterans are Being Silenced, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 6 Jan 12 ”…..the public are overdue an explanation of why successive UK governments, ministers and Prime Ministers remain silent on this issue…. Nuclear test veterans and widows believe the press and the general public deserve to know why compensation for damage to health of UK nuclear test participants is beings so fiercely contested .

Based on political and scientific information obtained by CVFI associates and by individual nuclear test veterans over several decades and passed to the legal team acting on behalf of the AVCG the following provides the explanation .

The fierce contesting of litigation by the MoD results from the 1950’s cold war Prime Ministerial policy edict of Sir Anthony Eden which decided that scientific warnings of the danger of genetic damage in nuclear test veterans from exposure to radiation could be ignored as “ a pity , but it cannot be helped.”

This policy edict has been passed down from officials within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to all successive Prime Ministers and upheld for over fifty years .  Continue reading →

January 6, 2012 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | Leave a comment

Community renewable energy projects in UK

There are now 43 communities [across UK] who are in the process of or already producing renewable energy through co-operative structures. They are set up and run by everyday people – local residents mostly – who are investing their time and money and together installing solar panels, large wind turbines or hydro-electric power for their local communities.

The communities taking renewable energy into their own hands, Ecologist, Ed Mayo, 5th January, 2012 A new report by Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group examines those investing time and money in installing solar panels, wind turbines or hydro-electric power for their local communities

Late last year we – Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group – published a new report which reveals the growing number of people who are choosing to start renewable energy co-operatives in their communities, against all the odds.

What is exciting about the report is that it is the first and most comprehensive guide to what amounts to a new movement of communities who are taking action for greener energy into their own hands. Continue reading →

January 6, 2012 Posted by | renewable, UK | Leave a comment

In UK’s slow economy, renewable energy is coming up trumps

Renewable energy boosts UK economy by £2.5bn Renewable Energy Focus, 02 January 2012 Figures from the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) show that companies have announced plans for almost £2.5 billion worth of renewable energy investment in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs, so far in the financial year 2011/12. By Kari Williamson

A separate report to the European Commission on renewable energy progress, shows that the UK:

Achieved a 27% increase in renewable energy consumption from 42.6 TWh in 2008 to 54 TWh in 2010 – representing 3.3% of total energy consumed;
Increased wind generation by 46% from 7 TWh in 2008 to 10.2 TWh in 2010, and in 2010 achieved 5 GW of offshore and onshore wind capacity; and
Saw a threefold increase in the use of biofuels in transport from 1% of total road transport fuel supply in 2007/8 to 3.33% in 2010……

Renewable energy saves £84 per person annually Continue reading →

January 3, 2012 Posted by | decentralised, UK | Leave a comment

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