nuclear power

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.

Responding to today's first reading of the Electricity (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - which will enable government to increase their stake in British Energy and to make unlimited funds available to the company - Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Jim Footner said, 

Greenpeace and Ecotricity today announced that they were opening a new front against the British Government's support for ailing nuclear generator British Energy and taking its legal battle on to the European Court of Justice. They were earlier granted permission to judicially review the £50 million rescue aid from the Government to British Energy. They are now withdrawing from this case in order to be able to mount a full challenge in Europe, including seeking an annulment of the Commission's approval of the rescue aid.

As the threat of a terrorist attack increases across Europe, a new study reveals that the UK's local authorities are not equipped to deal with the aftermath of such an attack or accident on a nuclear power station. This is despite new legislation (1), which makes local authorities directly responsible for all nuclear emergency planning beyond the station's perimeter fence.

The furious debate raging in Hartlepool over the possible construction of a new nuclear power station will be joined by the Rainbow Warrior as the Greenpeace flagship docks in the town.

A press conference on board the famous ship will see Greenpeace executive director Stephen Tindale call on local decision makers to fight the push for a new nuclear plant. Local MP Peter Mandelson has courted controversy by publicly backing a new reactor. Mr Tindale will be joined on the platform by Keith Fisher - the former chairman of Hartlepool labour party who resigned in protest at Mr Mandelson's comments.

Greenpeace and renewable energy provider Ecotricity are taking the Government to the High Court this Friday (22nd November) to lay out their case for a Judicial Review of the Government's £50 million bailout of failed private nuclear generator British Energy.