Difference between revisions of "Nuclear spin"

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     <td width="60%"><p align="left"><B>Welcome to NuclearSpin</B></p>
 
     <td width="60%"><p align="left"><B>Welcome to NuclearSpin</B></p>
  
==The Covert Pro-Nuclear Push in Schools==
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== New NuclearSpin Briefings ==
  
As the British Government announces the go-ahead for a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK, Nuclear Spin reveals the pro-nuclear covert campaign underway in British schools.
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In the current economic climate are you worried about how the nuclear industry and governments may try and spin the finances for new power stations? Will you end up paying for new nuclear power plants? Where are the new sites going to be built in the UK? What about the waste? Where will it be stored? Will it be secure?
  
For example, in 2006, the national curriculum was changed so that it became compulsory for schools to teach all 14-16 year olds about nuclear power. The move was largely sparked by a report for the Department for Trade and Industry written by the Nuclear Skills Group, made up of Government officials and a panel of six ‘independent members’. In the report only one, Paul Thomas, was said to be working for BNFL. But NuclearSpin has discovered that two more members were also working for BNFL.
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All these issues have not yet been resolved, yet the British government is pushing ahead with a new generation of nuclear power plants. To assist people understand key issues on nuclear power, NuclearSpin has launched a series of in-depth analysis pieces on key issues surrounding the debate concerning building new nuclear power plants in the UK. To access just click on the title:
  
One of the nuclear industry’s largest education projects is called Energy Foresight, run by Young Foresight, which in turn has been paid hundreds of thousands of pounds by nuclear organisations to develop a set of teaching materials “that present radioactivity and related issues in personal and social contexts.” Energy Foresight’s material’s have been criticized by independent nuclear consultant John Large as “a blatant piece of propaganda… it misleads”.  
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* [http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/2/20/Nuclear_Costs_and_Finances.pdf '''Nuclear Costs and Finances''']
  
For more on this go [[http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/The_Secret_Pro-Nuclear_Push_In_Schools here]].
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An in-depth look at the costs and financing of the nuclear industry.
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* [http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/a/a9/Nuclear_Siting.pdf '''Nuclear Siting''']
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This briefing paper examines where new nuclear plants may be sited in the UK
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* [http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/6/61/Nuclear_Waste.pdf '''Nuclear Waste''']
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Worried about how the government is going to spin nuclear waste. Then read this briefing paper.
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* [http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/b/ba/Nuclear_Decomm.pdf '''Nuclear Decommissioning''']
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A critical examination of the issues that surround decommissioning in the UK
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* [http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/5/59/A_Nuclear_Slush_Fund.pdf '''A Nuclear Slush Fund?''']
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A look at whether the UK [[Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] is using a "slush fund" to curry influence with local communities.
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* Finally one new Analysis section has been added called [http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Is_the_Debate_on_Nuclear_Being_Fixed Is the Debate on Nuclear Being Fixed?]
  
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
  
NuclearSpin was originally launched in response to the British Government’s 12-week consultation on energy in 2006. In 2007, the High Court ruled that the Government’s plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations were “unlawful” and the way it consulted with the public over the decision was “misleading, seriously flawed, manifestly inadequate and procedurally unfair”.   
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NuclearSpin was originally launched in response to the British Government's 12-week consultation on energy in 2006. In 2007, the High Court ruled that the Government's plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations were "unlawful" and the way it consulted with the public over the decision was "misleading, seriously flawed, manifestly inadequate and procedurally unfair".   
 
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,2013618,00.html]
 
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,2013618,00.html]
 
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6364281.stm]  
 
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6364281.stm]  
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The Labour Government is also speeding up the planning process, making it easier for nuclear power plants to be built. Planning Minister, [[Yvette Cooper]] has already had to fight off criticism of "nuclear cronyism" due to her father's links to the nuclear industry too.  
 
The Labour Government is also speeding up the planning process, making it easier for nuclear power plants to be built. Planning Minister, [[Yvette Cooper]] has already had to fight off criticism of "nuclear cronyism" due to her father's links to the nuclear industry too.  
 +
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For a full briefing on the so-called 'facilitative actions' which the Government is carrying out to speed up nuclear developments see [http://www.nuclearpolicy.info/docs/nuclearmonitor/NNM14.pdf New Nuclear Monitor No.14 (pdf)]
  
 
To help people make up their own mind about nuclear power, NuclearSpin has been updated and expanded.
 
To help people make up their own mind about nuclear power, NuclearSpin has been updated and expanded.
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* There are new sections on countries and regions, including [[Australia]], [[Belgium]], [[Canada]], the [[EU]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Japan]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]];
 
* There are new sections on countries and regions, including [[Australia]], [[Belgium]], [[Canada]], the [[EU]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Japan]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]];
  
Within these sections you will find details on the lobby groups and pronuclear MEPs in Brussels, including British MEP [[John Purvis]], who is a director of a company with significant investments in nuclear.
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* Expanded profiles on pro-nuclear organisations and lobby groups.  
 
 
You can read about the Italian company, [[Enel]], still 30% owned by the Italian Government, (in a country which voted to close down its reactors in 1987) which is now trying to build new nuclear reactors in Slovakia. Or find out how German companies are trying to undermine the nuclear phase out agreement.
 
 
 
Or find out more information on companies like [[Iberdrola]], which has recently taken over Scottish Power and likes to present itself as a renewable energy company.
 
 
 
Find out how French Government-owned [[EDF]] is expanding its pro-nuclear tentacles around the globe, and [[Vattenfall]] – wholly owned by the Swedish State, which is meant to be phasing out nuclear power – is heavily involved in the industry battle to undermine Germany’s phase-out of nuclear power.
 
 
 
* Hugely expanded profiles on pro-nuclear organisations and lobby groups.
 
 
 
Some of these are out to confuse you with “eco”-sounding names such as the [[African American Environmentalist Association]] and the [[Clean and Safe Energy Coalition]]. 
 
 
 
Or learn how some of these groups such as the [[Nuclear Energy Institute]] ghost opinion pieces for local academics to sign and publish in regional newspapers across the country.  
 
  
* A new Analysis section, including “Why [[Nuclear is not the Answer to Climate Change]].
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* An analysis section, including Why [[Nuclear is not the Answer to Climate Change]] and [[The_Secret_Pro-Nuclear_Push_In_Schools]].
  
* New Freedom of Information requests in key areas on the nuclear push in schools, the [[Franco-British Nuclear Forum]], the "intimate" relationship between [[Jamie Reed]] MP and [[BNFL]], and secret meetings between Number 10’s advisor, [[Geoffrey Norris]] and the World Nuclear Association.
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* NuclearSpin is also working with Sourcewatch to develop a [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Portal:Nuclear_Issues Nuclear Portal page]. Some articles and profiles have now been deleted from the NuclearSpin site and moved across to SoureWatch. So if you cannot find what you are looking for here, try the Nuclear Portal.  
  
 
We hope you will find the site useful and informative. We think you will discover that a better understanding of what is going on globally will help you understand what pro-nuclear spin doctors are up to in your country.  
 
We hope you will find the site useful and informative. We think you will discover that a better understanding of what is going on globally will help you understand what pro-nuclear spin doctors are up to in your country.  
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==NuclearSpin Categories==
 
==NuclearSpin Categories==
  
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So far NuclearSpin or documents from the website have been covered in/on:  
 
So far NuclearSpin or documents from the website have been covered in/on:  
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*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,1765925,00.html ''The Guardian''], May 03, 2006;  
 
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,1765925,00.html ''The Guardian''], May 03, 2006;  
 
*[http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,,1781217,00.html ''The Guardian''], May 24, 2006;  
 
*[http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,,1781217,00.html ''The Guardian''], May 24, 2006;  
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*BBC Newsnight Scotland, May 17 2006;  
 
*BBC Newsnight Scotland, May 17 2006;  
 
*[[Private Eye on Nuclear Spin|Private Eye]], No. 1159, 26 May - 8 June 2006
 
*[[Private Eye on Nuclear Spin|Private Eye]], No. 1159, 26 May - 8 June 2006
*[http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/unknown/viewarticle.aspx?id=378571 W''hiteHaven News''], June 22, 2006.
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*[http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/unknown/viewarticle.aspx?id=378571 ''WhiteHaven News''], June 22, 2006.
 
* BBC Newsnight, July 5, 2006.
 
* BBC Newsnight, July 5, 2006.
 
* [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00076.htm ''Scoop''], July 7, 2006.   
 
* [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00076.htm ''Scoop''], July 7, 2006.   
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* [http://www.publicaffairsnews.com/ ''Public Affairs News''], October, 2006
 
* [http://www.publicaffairsnews.com/ ''Public Affairs News''], October, 2006
 
* [http://fanonite.wordpress.com/2007/02/28/the-friendly-atom/ ''Variant''], Number 28, Spring 2007
 
* [http://fanonite.wordpress.com/2007/02/28/the-friendly-atom/ ''Variant''], Number 28, Spring 2007
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*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/civil-servants-lived-the-high-life-courtesy-of-nuclear-lobby-789185.html?r=RSS ''The Independent''], 24 February 2008
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*[http://www.nuclearspin.org/images/d/d8/Private_Eye.PDF ''Private Eye''], No. 1220, October 3-16, 2008
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* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/12/environment-eco-soundings ''The Guardian''], 12 November 2008
  
 
==What's New==
 
==What's New==
  
Nuclear power is the least popular energy source among European Union citizens, according to new research. A special report from [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm Eurobarometer], the public opinion analysis arm of the European Commission, concludes that “EU citizens are most in favour of renewable energy sources while nuclear energy is opposed by many”. Of 24,815 EU citizens interviewed in 25 countries, only one in five said they were in favour of nuclear power, while one in three (39 per cent) expressed strong opposition. The report says: “Nuclear energy provokes the most opposition among EU citizens." To read more, click [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_262_en.pdf here] (pdf file).
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Check out the following:
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2008.03-environment-radiation-pollution/ ''Walrus Magazine's''] in-depth article on the cancer controversy surrounding the Cameco plant in Ontario, Canada. 
 +
 
 +
* Nuclear power is the least popular energy source among European Union citizens, according to new research. A special report from [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm Eurobarometer], the public opinion analysis arm of the European Commission, concludes that “EU citizens are most in favour of renewable energy sources while nuclear energy is opposed by many”. Of 24,815 EU citizens interviewed in 25 countries, only one in five said they were in favour of nuclear power, while one in three (39 per cent) expressed strong opposition. The report says: "Nuclear energy provokes the most opposition among EU citizens." To read more, click [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_262_en.pdf here] (pdf file).
  
The [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e2532608-bf72-11db-9ac2-000b5df10621.html ''Financial Times''] reported on February 19, 2007, that Rolf Linkohr, who has been advising Andris Piebalgs, the European energy commissioner, had his contract terminated because he failed to clarify there was no conflict of interest between this role, and his role as a pro-nuclear lobbyist. The sacking came after a campaign by [http://www.corporateeurope.org/ Corporate Europe Observatory].
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* The [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e2532608-bf72-11db-9ac2-000b5df10621.html ''Financial Times''] reported on February 19, 2007, that Rolf Linkohr, who has been advising Andris Piebalgs, the European energy commissioner, had his contract terminated because he failed to clarify there was no conflict of interest between this role, and his role as a pro-nuclear lobbyist. The sacking came after a campaign by [http://www.corporateeurope.org/ Corporate Europe Observatory].
  
Check out the new video section on SpinWatch including one on the dangers of civil nuclear power featuring David Lochbaum from the [http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/3547/67/ Union of Concerned Scientists].
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* Check out the new video section on SpinWatch including one on the dangers of civil nuclear power featuring David Lochbaum from the [http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/3547/67/ Union of Concerned Scientists].
  
Also a coalition of groups in the US called Grass Roots Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) has launched a report called [http://www.graceenergyinitiative.org/download/FalsePromises.pdf ''False Promises: Debunking Nuclear Industry Propaganda''] this is a compelling exposé of the nuclear industry propaganda.
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* Also a coalition of groups in the US called Grass Roots Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) has launched a report called [http://www.graceenergyinitiative.org/download/FalsePromises.pdf ''False Promises: Debunking Nuclear Industry Propaganda''] which is a compelling expose of the nuclear industry propaganda.
 
   
 
   
 
'''Other Nuke News'''
 
'''Other Nuke News'''
  
 
'''Get the latest news''' on the Nuclear push at the Spinwatch [http://www.spinwatch.org/content/category/5/152/9/ site]</td>
 
'''Get the latest news''' on the Nuclear push at the Spinwatch [http://www.spinwatch.org/content/category/5/152/9/ site]</td>
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Revision as of 12:36, 25 February 2009

Welcome to NuclearSpin

New NuclearSpin Briefings

In the current economic climate are you worried about how the nuclear industry and governments may try and spin the finances for new power stations? Will you end up paying for new nuclear power plants? Where are the new sites going to be built in the UK? What about the waste? Where will it be stored? Will it be secure?

All these issues have not yet been resolved, yet the British government is pushing ahead with a new generation of nuclear power plants. To assist people understand key issues on nuclear power, NuclearSpin has launched a series of in-depth analysis pieces on key issues surrounding the debate concerning building new nuclear power plants in the UK. To access just click on the title:

An in-depth look at the costs and financing of the nuclear industry.

This briefing paper examines where new nuclear plants may be sited in the UK

Worried about how the government is going to spin nuclear waste. Then read this briefing paper.

A critical examination of the issues that surround decommissioning in the UK

A look at whether the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is using a "slush fund" to curry influence with local communities.

Background

NuclearSpin was originally launched in response to the British Government's 12-week consultation on energy in 2006. In 2007, the High Court ruled that the Government's plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations were "unlawful" and the way it consulted with the public over the decision was "misleading, seriously flawed, manifestly inadequate and procedurally unfair". [1] [2]

What makes Brown's decision in January 2008 to give the goahead to a new generation of nuclear plants politically sensitive is that his younger brother Andrew Brown works for EDF Energy, the UK subsidiary of EDF, which is one of the leading companies pushing for a nuclear rebuild programme in the UK.

The Labour Government is also speeding up the planning process, making it easier for nuclear power plants to be built. Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper has already had to fight off criticism of "nuclear cronyism" due to her father's links to the nuclear industry too.

For a full briefing on the so-called 'facilitative actions' which the Government is carrying out to speed up nuclear developments see New Nuclear Monitor No.14 (pdf)

To help people make up their own mind about nuclear power, NuclearSpin has been updated and expanded.

  • Expanded profiles on pro-nuclear organisations and lobby groups.
  • NuclearSpin is also working with Sourcewatch to develop a Nuclear Portal page. Some articles and profiles have now been deleted from the NuclearSpin site and moved across to SoureWatch. So if you cannot find what you are looking for here, try the Nuclear Portal.

We hope you will find the site useful and informative. We think you will discover that a better understanding of what is going on globally will help you understand what pro-nuclear spin doctors are up to in your country.

NuclearSpin Categories

NuclearSpin in the News

So far NuclearSpin or documents from the website have been covered in/on:

What's New

Check out the following:

  • Walrus Magazine's in-depth article on the cancer controversy surrounding the Cameco plant in Ontario, Canada.
  • Nuclear power is the least popular energy source among European Union citizens, according to new research. A special report from Eurobarometer, the public opinion analysis arm of the European Commission, concludes that “EU citizens are most in favour of renewable energy sources while nuclear energy is opposed by many”. Of 24,815 EU citizens interviewed in 25 countries, only one in five said they were in favour of nuclear power, while one in three (39 per cent) expressed strong opposition. The report says: "Nuclear energy provokes the most opposition among EU citizens." To read more, click here (pdf file).
  • The Financial Times reported on February 19, 2007, that Rolf Linkohr, who has been advising Andris Piebalgs, the European energy commissioner, had his contract terminated because he failed to clarify there was no conflict of interest between this role, and his role as a pro-nuclear lobbyist. The sacking came after a campaign by Corporate Europe Observatory.
  • Check out the new video section on SpinWatch including one on the dangers of civil nuclear power featuring David Lochbaum from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Other Nuke News

Get the latest news on the Nuclear push at the Spinwatch site