Nuclear – Aug 6

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Heated debate over the warming of the planet
Jarrod Watt, ABC (Australia)
Australia’s internationally known veteran of the anti-nuclear movement, Helen Caldicott, takes the stage with Australian Conservation Foundation head, Ian Lowe, and urban policy academic, Brendan Gleeson, to discuss the battle of ideas in the climate change debate.

The title of this mornings session is “The environment: climate change and other hot issues”, but what’s getting Helen Caldicott hot under the collar is the fact that biologist Tim Flannery has landed on the front page of a daily news magazine with his qualified support for the nuclear industry. Caldicott spares no time in coming out swinging against the author of the acclaimed ecological book “The Future Eaters.”
(6 Aug 2006)
Audio and photos at the original article.

Nuclear power links to ‘sham’ UK energy review
Juliette Jowit, Observer
Key consultants working on the government’s controversial energy review, which recommended a new generation of nuclear power stations, have strong links to the nuclear industry, The Observer can reveal.

Experts on both sides of the debate criticised the use of AEA Technology, formed by the privatisation of the Atomic Energy Authority, to handle hundreds of submissions to the review’s public consultation earlier this year. The company has sold most of its nuclear businesses, but still has a nuclear waste unit, and senior executives and staff have links to the old authority and other parts of the nuclear industry.

Critics claim objections to nuclear energy were ignored or misrepresented in AEA Technology’s report. However, The Observer can reveal that the report found nuclear power got by far the lowest support of 15 energy options. The revelations will add to widespread criticism that the review, published last month, was a ‘sham’, designed to push through nuclear energy because it was favoured by the Prime Minister.

Dai Davies, the independent MP whose question in the House of Commons forced ministers to reveal the identity of the consultants, said he was not anti-nuclear but was worried the company’s industry links would undermine public confidence in the review.
(6 Aug 2006)

Energy Dept. announces nuclear insurance
AP, Boston Globe
Utility companies interested in building the next six new nuclear power plants in the U.S. can qualify for a portion of $2 billion in federal risk insurance, Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Friday.

“Companies that take risks and enter the market first after a 30-year hiatus should not be penalized by hold-ups that are not their fault,” Bodman said in a release. “This risk insurance protects them against bureaucratic and legal issues that delay their start-up.”

The risk insurance, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, covers costs associated with certain regulatory- or litigation-related delays that are no fault of the company. Up to $500 million in coverage is available for the first two plants under construction, and up to $250 million is available for the next four plants.
(4 Aug 2006)