N-Base Briefing 513
3rd February 2007
ISSN 1478-4661

Particles options

The UKAEA is asking stakeholders for their views on in the options for dealing with the radioactive 'hotspot' particles in the marine environment. The UKAEA also wants opinions on the weighting each criteria should have when selecting options. There are three new options from the original consultation last year - these include training dolphins to retrieve particles and using 'marine friendly lasers' to break down the particles. The consultation document and questionnaire are available at www.ukaea.org.uk/downloads/dounreay/particles_newsletter_No6_V1.pdf

Judicial review

The Greenpeace legal action over the Government's Energy Review last year is due to start in the High Court on Wednesday 7th February. Greenpeace has launched the Judicial Review over the lack of proper consultation. (www.greenpeace.org)

More Thorp problems

A new fault has been found in the Thorp reprocessing plant at Sellafield further delaying is re-opening after a two-year shutdown. Faults have been found in evaporators in the plant and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority says it cannot say how long repairs will take. (Guardian 29/01/07)

Waste delay

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has published details of the work it expects to carry out in the 18 months it expect to take to consider the UKAEA planning application for a new low level waste facility at Dounreay. SEPA points out that this is the first application in the UK for a modern waste facility. Details at www.sepa.org.uk/radioactivity/dounreay/llw/index.htm

New regime

Details of the licensing regime for new nuclear power stations should be announced un the next few weeks, prime minister Tony Blair told the House of Commons this week. (Whitehaven News 01/02/07)

Reactor shut

The Reactor One at Forsmark in Sweden was shutdown this week after a rubber seal was found to be corroded in the safety system. (www.thelocal.se/6291/)

Dome to go ?

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has said it has no plans to retain the famous dome, that used to house the Dounreay Fast Reactor, and which became a world-famous icon for nuclear power. (BBC News 01/02/07)

© Copyright N-Base/NENIG