N-Base Briefing 515


N-Base Briefing 515
17th February 2007
ISSN 1478-4661

Dounreay fine criticised

The UKAEA has been fined a total of GBP140,000 after pleading guilty to four charges of illegally discharging radioactive waste.

It was fined only GBP60,000 for discharging possibly hundreds of thousands of radioactive particles into the Pentland Firth from the waste outfall pipeline; GBP40,000 for unauthorised disposal of radioactive waste to the Landfill 42 facility; and GBP20,000 on each of the other two charges - discharging particles via the surface water drains and allowing solid waste into the drains.

Lorraine Mann of Scotland Against Nuclear Dumping called the fines "disappointing..hardly a slap on the wrist" for the UKAEA. Green MSP Eleanor Scott called the fines "peanuts". (Scotsman 16/02/07, Press and Journal 16/02/07)

Consultation illegal

The Government is sticking to its commitment to building new nuclear reactors despite a High Court ruling that its consultation on the issue was illegal and seriously flawed.

In the court Mr Justice Sullivan agreed with Greenpeace that the consultation had been "misleading", "seriously flawed" and "procedurally unfair". The judge said the consultation last year had been "manifestly inadequate" after a Government promise in 2003 to hold "the fullest public consultation" before reaching any decision.

The judge said the consultation document contained no actual proposals and the information given to the public was "wholly insufficient for them to make an intelligent response".

At the time of the consultation many people were highly critical, pointing out Tony Blair and other ministers had clearly already made up their minds that new nuclear reactors should be built. Sir Jonathan Porritt, an environment adviser to the Prime Minister, commented at the time: "If the door is closed on objections to new nuclear build, the government should say so. Then we can have an honest debate, and not one which is merely about mollifying public opinion."

Trade and industry secretary of state Alistair Darling accepted the consultation had been wrong and said a new consultation would be held. However he also made it clear the Government will published its Energy White Paper on new nuclear reactors. The Department of Trade and Industry said its energy plans would not be changed. "We continue to believe nuclear power has role to play in cutting emissions and helping to give this country the energy security it needs." (Times 16/02/07, Financial Times 16/02/07, Guardian 16/02/07)

Scotoil appeal

Scotoil Services is to appeal against the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's proposed revised waste disposal authorisations. SEPA said no attempt is made by Scotoil to implement best practicable means and minimise radioactive discharges into the sea from its base in Aberdeen. Scotoil decontaminates oil industry pipes and pumps its radioactive waste through a pipeline that discharges off the beach at Aberdeen. SEPA renewed Scotoil's authorisation, but only for two years, after which permission will cease and Scotoil will have to find another "suitable disposal route". Now Scotoil has asked for a public inquiry into SEPA's decision. Representations on the appeal can be made until 1st March. Full details at www.sepa.org.uk/consultation/closed/2006/scotoil/index.htm

Hottest particle

The most radioactive particle to date has been found on the Sandside beach near Dounreay. The 85th particle to be found on the beach had an activity reading of 500,000 Bq. (Herald 17/02/02, www.sandsideestate.com)

Reactor talks

Nuclear generator British Energy has begun talks to find private partners to help build up to two new reactors in the UK. BE said the reactors were likely to be on their existing sites. (Times 14/02/07, Herald 14/02/07)

Capenhurst consultation

The Environment Agency for England and Wales has started a consultation on revised waste authorisations for Urenco's uranium enrichment plant at Capenhurst. Closing date for the consultation is 10th April. Details at www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Evidence published

The evidence and minutes of the short enquiry into radioactive waste management by the House of Lords science and technology committee has now been published. It is available at www.parlkiament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_s_t_select/evidence select.cfm

Spain's dump

Spain is to build a temporary above-ground radioactive store to take waste from the Jose Cabrera reactor which is being decommissioned. Spain intends constructing one central store for all its radioactive waste, and up to 100 communities are reported to have expressed an interest in hosting the facility. (Planet Ark 01/02/07)