nuclear power

Greenpeace scientist Dr Rianne Teule measures radioactive levels

Britain is likely to come under fierce criticism this week for its failure to tackle nuclear pollution in the north east Atlantic Ocean. At this week's international meeting of European environment ministers (23rd-27th June), Germany and Norway are expected to be highly critical of the UK for not abiding by promises to reduce radioactive discharges from the controversial Sellafield plant. The expected charge comes despite promises by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott that Britain had shed its tag of 'dirty man of Europe'.

Greenpeace today welcomed announcements in the government's Energy White Paper outlining a 60% carbon cut by 2050 and effectively announcing an end to the UK nuclear power industry, and applauded the efforts of Patricia Hewitt and Margaret Beckett in promoting sustainable energy. However the group warned that the dropping of firm targets for renewable energy from the Paper could put investment into renewable energy projects at risk.

Greenpeace announced today that they would seek an annulment of the European Commission's decision to approve the £50m rescue aid given to British Energy by the UK government late last year. If successful, this legal challenge could deal a fatal blow to efforts to rescue British Energy from falling into administration. The closure of British Energy's power plants may be the only legal solution to the crisis.

British Energy owned Sizewell B: Greenpeace drop a banner during the site's occupation in October 2002

Sizewell: Volunteers enter the site

Britain's nuclear power stations exposed as easy terror targets

At 6.10 this morning Greenpeace volunteers today exposed the complete lack of security at Britain's flagship nuclear power station, Sizewell B when they were able to walk en masse into the plant and easily gain access to the plant's control building and reactor dome. Nineteen people peacefully gained access to the sensitive control building, nine of whom then made their way to the roof of the reactor dome. Disturbingly, this is the second time Greenpeace volunteers have unopposed been able to break into the nuclear site. Last October 140 volunteers including several in life size Homer Simpson costumes encountered little security as they breached the perimeter fence and occupied rooftops. It took 25 minutes for security guards to arrive at the scene.