N-Base Briefing 474


N-Base Briefing 474
5th November 2005
ISSN 1478-4661

Energy debates

The UK's energy policies and the future of nuclear energy have been topics under discussion in both the House of Lords and House of Commons this week. In a debate in the Lords, science minister Lord Sainbury said nuclear power should be considered a renewable energy source. This would mean nuclear power being exempt from the Climate Change Levy and included in the renewables obligation that forces utilities to buy 10 per cent of their electricity from renewable sources.

Meanwhile the Commons environment audit investigation into energy is underway and the head of EDF Energy, Mr de Rivaz, said power companies were not looking for government subsidies for new reactors. However he said it was vital the licensing and planning regulations were not too lengthy or troublesome and that energy policies did not change every five years or so. Instead he called for long-term stability.

Sheep restrictions

There are still 11 farms in Scotland under animal movement restrictions because of increase radioactive contamination resulting from the 1986 Chernobyl accident. Answering a series of questions from SNP MSP Bruce Crawford in the Scottish Parliament, deputy minister Lewis Macdonald said sheep had to be monitored before they could be moved off farm.

In addition an annual whole flock survey is carried out on selected farms to see if they can have restrictions lifted. In the past three years restrictions have been lifted on seven farms Mr Macdonald said. He added that there were no restrictions on crops, shellfish as a result of Chernobyl.

Magnox consultation

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England and the Welsh Assembly have launched a consultation on their draft decision on the application by Magnox Electric, owned by BNFL, to store or discharge radioactive waste from the Berkeley, Bradwell, Dungeness, Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Sizewell, Wylfa and Trawsfynydd reactors. The draft decision document rejects calls for ministers to 'call in' the application or direct the Environment Agency for England and Wales. The consultation runs until 16th January 2006. Details from www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/magnox- decision/index.htm

Waste consultation

The chief executive of Nirex, Chris Murray, has defended plans by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to invite a wide range of local organisations, including the Women's Institute, to give their views on nuclear waste management. 'Public consultation gone bananas' was how nuclear expert John Large described the plan. However Mr Murray say it is necessary to build public understanding and for any solution to be transparent, credible and acceptable to the wider public.

Vandalism

Australia's environment minister, Senator Ian Campbell, said in London his week that opponents of new nuclear power projects were responsible of 'environmental vandalism' because of the urgent need to tackle global warning.

Gun missing

Police in the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) are searching for a firearm and ammunition that has gone missing from the force's armoury at BNFL's Springfield site.

Research grants

UK research funding bodies are giving GBP6 million to support the 'Keeping the Nuclear Option Open Programme' that is being led by Imperial College and is intended to increase nuclear expertise.

NDA concerns

Media reports suggest the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is opposed to the proposed privatisation of the British Nuclear Group, the BNFL subsidiary responsible for running the Sellafield complex and other nuclear sites in the UK. The concern is understood to centre on any possible delay the sell-off might cause in the decommissioning programme and the proposed tendering for management contracts for Sellafield and the other sites.

Court action

The Irish Government is facing court action from the European Commission because of its own legal moves to oppose Sellafield. The commission believes Ireland broke European treaties by taking legal action against the UK.