No New Nukes in Holyrood

Must be lingering effects of "Braveheart" or somethin'.    Thinking of the "about face" scene.   :)

'Scotland Doesn't Need Nor Want New Nuclear Power Stations' - The Herald - 07 Jan 08

"The Scottish Government last night reasserted its total opposition to nuclear power claiming the argument for a new generation of stations was 'totally redundant' given the opportunities for renewables, clean fossil fuel and carbon storage in Scotland. 

The unequivocal message from Jim Mather, Holyrood's Energy Minister, will contribute to a wave of protest that will hit the UK Government tomorrow when John Hutton, Westminster's Business Secretary, is expected to announce the long-term plan to build a raft of new stations across Britain; most estimates suggest around 10."

"Mr Brown also derided the opposition to his nuclear plans, accusing political opponents of "ducking" tough decisions and of 'opportunism'.  It is not putting the interests of the country before short-term political gain,' he insisted.

However, while Mr Hutton can talk about nuclear plans for England and Wales, he does not have the same ability for Scotland, where the planning authority is not Westminster and Whitehall but Alex Salmond's administration."

No New Nukes in Holyrood

Must be lingering effects of "Braveheart" or somethin'.    Thinking of the "about face" scene.   :)

'Scotland Doesn't Need Nor Want New Nuclear Power Stations' - The Herald - 07 Jan 08

"The Scottish Government last night reasserted its total opposition to nuclear power claiming the argument for a new generation of stations was 'totally redundant' given the opportunities for renewables, clean fossil fuel and carbon storage in Scotland. 

The unequivocal message from Jim Mather, Holyrood's Energy Minister, will contribute to a wave of protest that will hit the UK Government tomorrow when John Hutton, Westminster's Business Secretary, is expected to announce the long-term plan to build a raft of new stations across Britain; most estimates suggest around 10."

"Mr Brown also derided the opposition to his nuclear plans, accusing political opponents of "ducking" tough decisions and of 'opportunism'.  It is not putting the interests of the country before short-term political gain,' he insisted.

However, while Mr Hutton can talk about nuclear plans for England and Wales, he does not have the same ability for Scotland, where the planning authority is not Westminster and Whitehall but Alex Salmond's administration."

Scottish Greens Crank on Nukes Too

This press release from the Scottish Greens just in.  This headline tossed me off for a bit as "vampire" in the States is often the handle that refers to the small but constant and collectively significant loads put on the grid by instant-on appliances like televisions or the often flashing displays of electronic devices such as VCRs.  Supposedly someone is working that problem.

Nuclear Power: Scots to Pay for 'Vampire' Technology - AllMediaScotland.com - 10 Jan 08

"GREEN MSP MEDIA RELEASE

Greens today reacted with dismay, but not surprise, as UK Ministers announced their much-trailed approval for a new round of nuclear power stations. Although the election of a majority of anti-nuclear Parliamentarians in May 2007 means Scotland will not be home to any of these new plants, Scots taxpayers will still be funding the vast and irresponsible subsidies being planned in Whitehall, and paying out again through increased electricity bills.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

'This is vampire economics, using massive infusions of taxpayers' money to try and bring the nuclear industry back to life. Labour have decided that we should pay the industry's decommissioning costs, plus the costs of setting up waste storage facilities, and, staggeringly, an extra fee per unit of electricity we use. All this on top of the £70bn of waste we have already been left to deal with from existing plants. (1)

'What's more, the idea that nuclear power is a sensible response to climate change has been comprehensively rubbished, not least by Labour, back when they were in opposition and before the nuclear lobby got to them. (2) Has word not yet reached Westminster that the right answer is increased installation of renewables and increased energy efficiency?'

( Notes: )

Scottish Greens Crank on Nukes Too

This press release from the Scottish Greens just in.  This headline tossed me off for a bit as "vampire" in the States is often the handle that refers to the small but constant and collectively significant loads put on the grid by instant-on appliances like televisions or the often flashing displays of electronic devices such as VCRs.  Supposedly someone is working that problem.

Nuclear Power: Scots to Pay for 'Vampire' Technology - AllMediaScotland.com - 10 Jan 08

"GREEN MSP MEDIA RELEASE

Greens today reacted with dismay, but not surprise, as UK Ministers announced their much-trailed approval for a new round of nuclear power stations. Although the election of a majority of anti-nuclear Parliamentarians in May 2007 means Scotland will not be home to any of these new plants, Scots taxpayers will still be funding the vast and irresponsible subsidies being planned in Whitehall, and paying out again through increased electricity bills.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

'This is vampire economics, using massive infusions of taxpayers' money to try and bring the nuclear industry back to life. Labour have decided that we should pay the industry's decommissioning costs, plus the costs of setting up waste storage facilities, and, staggeringly, an extra fee per unit of electricity we use. All this on top of the £70bn of waste we have already been left to deal with from existing plants. (1)

'What's more, the idea that nuclear power is a sensible response to climate change has been comprehensively rubbished, not least by Labour, back when they were in opposition and before the nuclear lobby got to them. (2) Has word not yet reached Westminster that the right answer is increased installation of renewables and increased energy efficiency?'

( Notes: )

Kent Greens Up the Ante

Is Kent some kind of hotbed of eco-radicalism in the UK?  Or just another college town area?  Just curious.

Nuclear Power Costs Double Offshore Wind - Greens - KentNews.co.uk - 10 Jan 08

"New nuclear stations would generate electricity at twice the price of electricity from offshore wind turbines, opponents have claimed.  And the Kent Green Party has warned that any companies involved in building new nuclear plants would face boycott action.

Spokesman Steve Dawe said: 'Every £1 spent on energy conservation is seven times as effective at cutting greenhouse gas emissions as every £1 spent on nuclear power.'"

Kent Greens Up the Ante

Is Kent some kind of hotbed of eco-radicalism in the UK?  Or just another college town area?  Just curious.

Nuclear Power Costs Double Offshore Wind - Greens - KentNews.co.uk - 10 Jan 08

"New nuclear stations would generate electricity at twice the price of electricity from offshore wind turbines, opponents have claimed.  And the Kent Green Party has warned that any companies involved in building new nuclear plants would face boycott action.

Spokesman Steve Dawe said: 'Every £1 spent on energy conservation is seven times as effective at cutting greenhouse gas emissions as every £1 spent on nuclear power.'"

Onward Christian Ecologists

This is a new group for me.  Are they significant players in the UK?

Christian Ecology Link Meets Brown Over Opposition to Nuclear Power Plants - ChristianToday.com - 10 Jan 08

"Three representatives of Christian Ecology Link (CEL) met Prime Minister Gordon Brown today to present him with a solar powered torch and a sample of insulation material as symbols of their resistance to the new generation of nuclear power plants that were given the green light by Government today.  Both objects were intended to demonstrate the energy that can be generated by the sun, wind and waves, and highlight the need for a 'drastic reduction' in the use of energy.

Ruth Jarman, Eleanor Orr and Jonathan Essex also handed the Prime Minister a letter outlining their requests for a non-nuclear future and a copy of CEL’s Faith and Power report during their lunchtime visit. In the report, CEL advocates for energy reduction and investment in renewable energy forms as an alternative to new nuclear power stations in the generation of energy."

Onward Christian Ecologists

This is a new group for me.  Are they significant players in the UK?

Christian Ecology Link Meets Brown Over Opposition to Nuclear Power Plants - ChristianToday.com - 10 Jan 08

"Three representatives of Christian Ecology Link (CEL) met Prime Minister Gordon Brown today to present him with a solar powered torch and a sample of insulation material as symbols of their resistance to the new generation of nuclear power plants that were given the green light by Government today.  Both objects were intended to demonstrate the energy that can be generated by the sun, wind and waves, and highlight the need for a 'drastic reduction' in the use of energy.

Ruth Jarman, Eleanor Orr and Jonathan Essex also handed the Prime Minister a letter outlining their requests for a non-nuclear future and a copy of CEL’s Faith and Power report during their lunchtime visit. In the report, CEL advocates for energy reduction and investment in renewable energy forms as an alternative to new nuclear power stations in the generation of energy."

French Ready to Help Out Britannia in Her Hour of Need

Curiouser and curiouser.  I wonder if the EDF will provide all the funding too.  Consider that the current Areva-Siemans fiasco in Finland is an EPR reactor.

EDF Plans Four Nuclear Plants in UK, First by 2017 - Guardian (UK) - 10 Jan 08

"France's EDF  plans to build four nuclear power plants in Britain, the world's leading nuclear power station operator said on Thursday. 'EDF will now step up its plans to take part in building a series of four new nuclear plants in the UK, using EPR technology, with the first one completed by the end of 2017,' the company said in a statement following the UK government's decision to allow more plants to be built."

French Ready to Help Out Britannia in Her Hour of Need

Curiouser and curiouser.  I wonder if the EDF will provide all the funding too.  Consider that the current Areva-Siemans fiasco in Finland is an EPR reactor.

EDF Plans Four Nuclear Plants in UK, First by 2017 - Guardian (UK) - 10 Jan 08

"France's EDF  plans to build four nuclear power plants in Britain, the world's leading nuclear power station operator said on Thursday. 'EDF will now step up its plans to take part in building a series of four new nuclear plants in the UK, using EPR technology, with the first one completed by the end of 2017,' the company said in a statement following the UK government's decision to allow more plants to be built."