Future Protest Sites Announced by Gordon Brown

And the beat goes on in the UK....

Brown Outlines Four Sites for Nuclear Power Stations - The Independent (UK) - 27 Nov 07

"British Energy said the existing sites at Sizewell in Suffolk, Dungeness in Kent, Hinkley in Somerset and Bradwell in Essex were the most likely sites for new reactors. But Environmental protesters were furious yesterday that the Government also published a planning Bill designed to speed up permission to build controversial schemes such as nuclear power stations.

The rush for nuclear energy was delayed in February by a High Court injunction won by Greenpeace, but that has now ended."

"The Friends of the Earth nuclear campaigner Neil Crumpton said building new nuclear reactors was 'crazy'. He added: 'The new reactor designs are all untested prototypes, and the shortage of skills and component availability to build new stations would seriously compromise speedy or safe deployment.'"

Future Protest Sites Announced by Gordon Brown

And the beat goes on in the UK....

Brown Outlines Four Sites for Nuclear Power Stations - The Independent (UK) - 27 Nov 07

"British Energy said the existing sites at Sizewell in Suffolk, Dungeness in Kent, Hinkley in Somerset and Bradwell in Essex were the most likely sites for new reactors. But Environmental protesters were furious yesterday that the Government also published a planning Bill designed to speed up permission to build controversial schemes such as nuclear power stations.

The rush for nuclear energy was delayed in February by a High Court injunction won by Greenpeace, but that has now ended."

"The Friends of the Earth nuclear campaigner Neil Crumpton said building new nuclear reactors was 'crazy'. He added: 'The new reactor designs are all untested prototypes, and the shortage of skills and component availability to build new stations would seriously compromise speedy or safe deployment.'"

David Cameron Towards "Me Too!" Mode on New Nukes?

Two part political harmony in the UK?  Definite maybe.

David Cameron Says Nuclear Power Should be Given Equal Chance to Put its Case - The Times (UK) - 28 Nov 07

"David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, signalled a key change of approach towards nuclear power yesterday by saying that it should be able to compete on a level playing field with other forms of energy. Previously, the Tories had said that they viewed nuclear as a last resort, but Mr Cameron’s more favourable stance came as he also emphasised the need for a push on green energy."

"He said that the Conservatives would soon set out their plans for a big boost in green energy and he attacked Labour for a 'shameful and short-sighted ten-year neglect of green energy' that has left Britain lagging other countries.

Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI, said: 'David Cameron was more open to the idea of a nuclear rebuild than some of the messages that have been coming from the Tories. It was a significant move.'"

And this part made me spew my tea for obvious reasons....

"Documents seen by The Times reveal that some of the group’s programmes to train staff to 'suitably qualified and experienced personnel' level (SQEP) — a benchmark industry training standard set by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate — have been trimmed from 18 to 9 months.

British Energy, which generates one sixth of Britain’s electricity, denied that this meant any lowering of standards. A spokesman said that the new training system was 'more effective, as well as quicker'."

David Cameron Towards "Me Too!" Mode on New Nukes?

Two part political harmony in the UK?  Definite maybe.

David Cameron Says Nuclear Power Should be Given Equal Chance to Put its Case - The Times (UK) - 28 Nov 07

"David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, signalled a key change of approach towards nuclear power yesterday by saying that it should be able to compete on a level playing field with other forms of energy. Previously, the Tories had said that they viewed nuclear as a last resort, but Mr Cameron’s more favourable stance came as he also emphasised the need for a push on green energy."

"He said that the Conservatives would soon set out their plans for a big boost in green energy and he attacked Labour for a 'shameful and short-sighted ten-year neglect of green energy' that has left Britain lagging other countries.

Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI, said: 'David Cameron was more open to the idea of a nuclear rebuild than some of the messages that have been coming from the Tories. It was a significant move.'"

And this part made me spew my tea for obvious reasons....

"Documents seen by The Times reveal that some of the group’s programmes to train staff to 'suitably qualified and experienced personnel' level (SQEP) — a benchmark industry training standard set by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate — have been trimmed from 18 to 9 months.

British Energy, which generates one sixth of Britain’s electricity, denied that this meant any lowering of standards. A spokesman said that the new training system was 'more effective, as well as quicker'."

Sooners Nix Nukes

Yet another reality check provided by the more fiscally prudent of utilities out there.

Oklahoma: Costs Make Nuclear Power Unlikely - Houston Chronicle - 27 Nov 07

"Wendling and representatives of other power producers said nuclear energy is one of many options they consider when deciding how to keep up with Oklahoma's growing demand for electric power. But licensing and construction of a nuclear power plant would take up to 10 years, too long to meet the demand producers will face in the next five years. 'Part of it is how long does it take to build the asset,' Wendling said. 'We need to be able to understand the risks.'

Mike Kiefner, chief operating officer of the Grand River Dam Authority, said it may require the financial resources of all of Oklahoma's energy providers to afford the cost of a nuclear power plant.

Wendling also said energy providers need to educate the public about the safety and reliability of nuclear energy to overcome what he called 'the Three Mile Island syndrome,' a reference to the 1979 nuclear accident in Pennsylvania."

Sooners Nix Nukes

Yet another reality check provided by the more fiscally prudent of utilities out there.

Oklahoma: Costs Make Nuclear Power Unlikely - Houston Chronicle - 27 Nov 07

"Wendling and representatives of other power producers said nuclear energy is one of many options they consider when deciding how to keep up with Oklahoma's growing demand for electric power. But licensing and construction of a nuclear power plant would take up to 10 years, too long to meet the demand producers will face in the next five years. 'Part of it is how long does it take to build the asset,' Wendling said. 'We need to be able to understand the risks.'

Mike Kiefner, chief operating officer of the Grand River Dam Authority, said it may require the financial resources of all of Oklahoma's energy providers to afford the cost of a nuclear power plant.

Wendling also said energy providers need to educate the public about the safety and reliability of nuclear energy to overcome what he called 'the Three Mile Island syndrome,' a reference to the 1979 nuclear accident in Pennsylvania."