Nuclear Power

The nuclear White Paper: an analysis

Posted by bex — 10 January 2008 at 5:44pm - Comments

Our political unit has been trawling through the fine print of this morning's nuclear White Paper. Here's their initial analysis, outlining some of the more subtle ways the government has understated the real risks to the taxpayer and the lack of clarity on economics:

 

  • The White Paper shows how nuclear companies will be able to cap their liabilities, leaving the tax payer exposed if estimates for dealing with waste change.
  • It openly admits the government will have to provide extra money if cost estimates are wrong.
  • It uses questionable financial estimates to build the nuclear economic case.
Article tagged as: analysis, economics, energy white paper, nuclear power, nuclear subsidies

Germany steps closer to the 100% renewables dream

Posted by bex — 9 January 2008 at 5:17pm - Comments

New coal, new nuclear - the government here seems to be doing everything in its power to avoid facing up to the reality that our energy system is archaic, our energy policy is a disaster, and the new large-scale, centralised coal and nuclear power plants they want won't stop climate change or ensure energy security.

But at least we can glean hope from a more forward thinking European neighbour. Scientists have proved that Germany - which is already way ahead of us on renewables (14 per cent in 2007) - can power itself entirely by renewable energy sources. Completely. 100 per cent.

Article tagged as: climate change, coal, decentralised energy, nuclear power, renewable energy

New nukes? Yes, Prime Minister

Posted by bex — 8 January 2008 at 6:21pm - Comments

See all updates about nuclear power.

Breaking news: Ministers have unanimously backed the principle of Brown's plans for new nuclear power without a vote at today's cabinet meeting.

According to the BBC, Brown's cabinet has "agreed in principle to approve a new generation of nuclear power stations". Reuters meanwhile quotes Brown's spokeswoman as saying there was a "very good discussion with many interventions from members of the cabinet".

Nice for some.

We're expecting the formal announcement to be made on Thursday.

Article tagged as: gordon brown, nuclear power, public consultations

Energy price hikes? Brace yourself for more if Brown goes nuclear

Posted by bex — 7 January 2008 at 6:15pm - Comments

See all updates about nuclear power.

Now here's a surprise: the government was being 'economic' with the truth when it promised that we, the taxpayers, wouldn't have to foot the extortionate bill for new nuclear power.

It turns out that we, the consumers, will be picking up our fair share.

Yep, the day after the papers reported a 15 per cent energy price hike, we're being told to brace ourselves for more hikes if the government succeeds in dragging us down the nuclear road.

Article tagged as: gordon brown, nuclear power, nuclear subsidies, public consultations

Industry insiders give Brown a drubbing on nuclear

Posted by bex — 4 January 2008 at 12:53pm - Comments

See all updates about nuclear power.

We've been banging on about the sham nuclear 'consultation' for ages now, but today 17 scientists, academics and nuclear industry insiders piled into the debate, giving Gordon Brown a drubbing over well, pretty much everything to do with nuclear power.

I wanted to share a few highlights from their report but the arguments are so compelling I just couldn't stop cutting and pasting. So here, have more quotes about nuclear power than you can shake a stick at, or read the full report for yourself at www.nuclearconsult.com:


"An accumulating public sense of a lack of independence and a lack of transparency behind government initiatives in this area, and a hidden industry agenda belittling the problems seem to emit a strong whiff of mortgaging the long-term future to short-term interests. The issue is one of trust in government..."

Dr Paul Dorfman, University of Warwick
Prof Brian Wynne, University of Lancaster

Article tagged as: climate change, nuclear power, public consultations

Another legal threat for the government over nuclear plans

Posted by jamie — 10 December 2007 at 3:59pm - Comments

When you make a mistake, you tend to learn from the experience so you can avoid making similar blunders in the future. Not so the current government which, if it backs a new generation of nuclear power stations, could once again find itself at odds with the law.

Back in February, we took the government to the High Court over its first attempt to hold a public consultation on the future of nuclear power. The court found in our favour, ruling that the consultation was "unlawful" and "seriously flawed". It forced ministers back to the drawing board for a second consultation but once again it's been shaped and guided by a predetermined outcome: the UK will have new nuclear power stations. Members of the public who attended the consultation meetings posted messages on this site about how they felt attendees were lead into finding in favour of nuclear power.

Article tagged as: climate change, consultations, nuclear power, nuclear waste
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