Monday, 16 November 2009
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Anti-nuclear power campaign strategy weekend 21-22 November, London
Time to get organised to stop a new generation of nuclear power stations being built.
Saturday 21 November (11am) to Sunday 22 November (4pm), central London (please get in touch for venue details)
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Demo at Australia House - No nuclear dump on aboriginal land!
Australian Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson is in London and Paris this week. In response to an emergency call-out from the Australian Beyond Nuclear Initiative for international solidarity against a proposed federal nuclear waste dump on aboriginal land at Muckaty in the Northern Territory, a small demo was held at very short notice outside the Australian High Commission in central London.Two people dressed in white overalls and gas masks held a sign reading "No Nuclear Dump at Muckaty" and handed out leaflets.
At the end of the 90 minute demo, which attracted the attention of diplomatic police as well as
visitors to the building and passers by, a letter addressed to Mr Ferguson and signed by members of the Muckaty aboriginal community was delivered by hand to a representative of the High Commission.A third supporter arrived shortly afterwards: he had just come from a meeting about nuclear power which overran.
(Photos by D. Viesnik (top) and Ziggy (bottom))
Monday, 12 October 2009
Australian uranium / waste dump champion in London and Paris this week
I am writing to seek support for Aboriginal communities opposing the imposition of a federal radioactive waste dump on their traditional country.
Australian Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will be in London this week (12-14 Oct) to attend a Ministerial meeting of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, ahead of attending an International Energy Agency Ministerial later this week in Paris.
Minister Ferguson is aggressively pro-nuclear and is fast tracking uranium projects across the country. He is a champion of coal, a climate change sceptic and deeply dismissive of the promise of renewable energy.
He also has carriage of radioactive waste management in Australia and is currently pushing ahead with controversial plans to impose a federal radioactive waste dump on Aboriginal land in the NT – an issue of growing concern here.
This issue would benefit greatly from some coverage and profile as Ferguson’s approach of denying the issue any oxygen has been disturbingly successful in removing it from the national media radar. However he is also very exposed on this issue: his approach is out of step with Federal Labor’s 2007 federal election promises, community mood and international best practise.
For more info, contact Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear Initiative Uranium Project
natwasley [at] alec.org.au
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Follow Nuclear People Power on Twitter
Nuclear People Power has joined the "Twitterverse"! For the latest on the nuclear comedy industry, resistance to a radioactive future and the push for sustainable energy solutions, checkout @NukePeoplePower
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Sizewell blockaders acquitted!!
Two days into their four-day trial, the Sizewell five have been found not guilty of aggravated trespass after a blockade in 2008 of the Sizewell nuclear power station in Suffolk.
News just through from Lowestoft Magistrates' Court in Suffolk, eastern England that the Sizewell Five have been acquitted after the prosecution failed to provide evidence that the defendants were on private land, meaning that they were all acquitted on this legal technicality.
The trial related to a physical blockade of the sole access road to the Sizewell nuclear power plant last year. The defendants had held up a banner reading "Nuclear Power is Not a Solution to Climate Chaos" as they physically blocked the road with their bodies and arm tubes.
The defendants had planned to use the defence that they were acting to prevent breaches of health and safety legislation resulting from the continued operation of the nuclear power plant in Suffolk. They had planned to call at least one expert witness, Dr Ian Fairlie, an independent nuclear consultant, but the judge had refused to allow this on the first day of trial, despite earlier pre-trial reviews.
More details will no doubt follow from the blockaders themselves (once they have sobered up).
Nuclear People Power network
e-mail: vd2012-npp [at] yahoo.co.uk
Homepage: http://stopnuclearpower.blogspot.com
Additional information from the blockaders:
It was good to get off but it would have been better if we had won the case on the issues about increased cancer deaths, breaches of health and safety... and all the other issues we brought up.
There had been two previous blockades, which surprisingly did not result in arrests:
August 2007: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/379149.html
December 2007: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/386851.html
We have had several other protests at the site including (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti73TfSFSJU
I will not put up our legal defence here but if anyone is on charges and wants to find out more please do not hesitate to contact us.
The judge did not get round to considering the evidence provided by the defendants. This included the KiKK which is a German study that showed that there are large increases of leukaemia and other cancers in the vicinity of nuclear power plants similar to the one at Sizewell B. They also claimed that several breaches of nuclear regulations leading up to and after the leak at Sizewell A in 2007 meant that the plant was not operating legally.
KiKK report
Background to report (in English) and links to report: http://www.bfs.de/en/kerntechnik/kinderkrebs/kikk.html
Ian Fairlie comments on the KiKK report in the New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826535.300-comment-lets-take-cancer-clusters-seriously-this-time.html
Sizewell Leak
Sizewell A – Cooling Pond Recirculation Pipe Failure Incident Of 7 January 2007. Assessment Of The Nii Decision Making Process, John Large Associates
http://www.largeassociates.com/cz3179/R3179-A3.pdf
Sizewell nuclear disaster averted by dirty laundry, says official report, Guardian June 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/11/nuclear-waste-nuclearpower
Alarm did not sound for Sizewell leak, Evening Star January 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/yendamt
plunk
e-mail: theatreofwar [at] hushmail.com
Friday, 25 September 2009
Sizewell blockade - pre-trial press release
25th September 2009
Five local activists calling themselves the Sizewell Blockaders are appearing in Lowestoft court next week (w/c 28 Sept 09) charged with aggravated trespass at Sizewell Nuclear Power Stations.
The charges relate to a blockade, which took place back in July 2008 when the 5 activists locked themselves together on the end of the only entrance road to the nuclear power stations. The five activists claim that the stations should be shut down for health and safety reasons and therefore the activities on the site are not lawful.
Some of the defendants are calling Ian Fairlie, a Consultant on Radioactivity in the Environment who will be giving evidence about recent German studies (the KiKK study) which found that all types of cancer as well as leukaemia occurred significantly more frequently in the vicinity of nuclear power plants (within a radius of 5 km) than in further distant areas
Mell Harrison, 38, from Geldeston, a Campaigns officer for Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament said ‘when we took the action the government was pressing ahead with Nuclear power despite accidents such as the leak at Sizewell in 2007 and the worrying results of the German study. There are many cleaner and quicker ways of meeting our energy needs and cutting carbon emissions.”
The ‘Sizewell Blockaders’ are appearing at Lowestoft magistrates court for the four day trial from 28th Sept – 1st October.
Three of the defendants are represented by Bindmans Solicitors of London and two are representing themselves at the trial.
ENDS
Further Information
Background to report and links to report: http://www.bfs.de/en/kerntechnik/kinderkrebs/kikk.html
Ian Fairlie comments on the KiKK report in the New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826535.300-comment-lets-take-cancer-clusters-seriously-this-time.html
Sizewell Leak
Sizewell nuclear disaster averted by dirty laundry, says official report, Guardian June 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/11/nuclear-waste-nuclearpowerAlarm did not sound for Sizewell leak, Evening Star January 2007: http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=News&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED09%20Jan%202007%2014%3A08%3A23%3A043
The defendants details
Rebecca Dale an accountant , 34, from Bungay
Mell Harrison who works for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 38 from Geldeston
Nicola Stikles is a environmental education teacher, 39 from Saxmundham
Irene Willis, retired teacher, 61 from Essex
Pete Lux, an office manager, 47 from Beccles
For more info, including during the trial, contact
Mellcndeast [at] cnduk.org
Sizewell blockaders Trial dates
Please come and support if you can.
Thanks,
Mell
more info
mellcndeast@cnduk.org
07760161755
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Call for action against uranium mining in Finland
12/08/2009
International Action Day Against Uranium Mining:
Ranua Rescue Action Day With Actions In Several Countries
Helsinki/Magdeburg Activists of the 'Nuclear Heritage Network', a
international network of anti-nuclear activists, call for tomorrow's
international action day against Uranium mining. Following a call for
help of residents of the Finnish community Ranua, activists of the
growing anti-nuclear movement of Finland decided to initiate
solidarity actions. On Thursday in several countries events will take
place.
"Uranium mining takes place on the land of indigenous people - in
Canada several First Nations are concerned, in Australia it happens
to the Aborigines, in Finland to the Saami. Nobody asks the local
people if they agree with the dangerous mining plans of the nuclear
industry, that will destroy the environment. There traditional lands
are broken up, polluted and completely ruined", explains Falk Beyer.
"For Uranium mining large amounts of chemicals and much energy are
used; the nuclear industry releases huge amounts of the climate
harmful CO2. It is clear: nuclear power pollutes the climate."
Cause of the action day are plans of the nuclear company Areva to
mine Uranium in Finnish Lapland. Obviously the company speculated
with low resistance as Finlands North is not populated too much.
Similar to most of the Uranium mining areas in the world also in
Finland indigenous people are concerned: the Saami are the last
indigenous people of Europe. However, the resistance against the
Uranium Mining in Lapland is amazing. It seems that the growing
Finnish anti-nuclear movement becomes stronger because of Areva's
mining plans. At the international 'Nuclear Climate Camp' in Lapland
in July residents of the community of Ranua asked for support for
their resistance. For this reason Finnish anti-nuclear activists
called for the international 'Ranua Rescue Action Day' on August
13th, 2009.
On Thursday actions will take place in several countries to draw
attention to the destructive plans of the nuclear industry, and to
put pressure against the Uranium mining in Ranua and elsewhere.
Actions have already been announced in several cities of Finland and
Germany.
Every new day operating nuclear power plants causes immense amounts of Uranium ore to be mined. The conventional electricity mixture
usually also contains nuclear power. Everyone who continues buying
conventional electricity takes a part of the responsibility for the
destruction of unique ecosystems and for the exploitation ad
oppression of indigenous people in the areas where Uranium is mined.
The action day shall teach about these connections and sensitize for
a responsible consumption.
Uranium mining usually occures in open pit mines. Thus in Lapland
large pristine wetlands and boreal forests will be cleared, drained
and stripped. Extensiv open pit mines will dig through the vulnerable
ecosystems like huge scars. The traffic system will be multiplied to
develope the area causing massive overdevelopement of the habitats.
Toxic chemicals used in huge extent will not only pollute the
environment locally, but harm further areas being distributed by
ground water and river systems. Large slag heaps of radioactive
materials will permantly threaten human beings and environment.
"Only a small part of the mined Uranium ore can be used. Only 33 tons
of 300,000 tons of mined ore will be sent to the fuel element
production. The rest remains as nuclear waste in slag heaps mostly
directly in the mining areas. Once brought to daylight, the soil
becomes a radioactive threat", says Beyer. "Despite the comparatively
small number of nuclear power plants the nuclear industry runs out
its supplies of fuel. The past daydreams of the everlasting fuel
circle in Fast Breeders and other facilities of the so-called 'Fourth
Generation' has been turned out to be a failure a long time ago.
Nowhere in the world these reactors worked. If the nuclear industry
really wanted to extend their reactor arsenal to a energetic relevant
number, they would soon be out of fuel. New Uranium mines as in
Finnish Ranua shall slow down this trend, but the end foreseeable:
Uranium is an extremely limited resource and no basis for a
long-lasting supply of energy."
Ranua is one of several communities in Northern Finland where the
French nuclear company Areva wants to mine Uranium. As a joint
venture of Areva and the German Siemens company they construct the
world's first EPR reactor in Finland. Until today more than 1,000
faults in the constructions have been registered, the estimated costs
have been multiplied, and the completion is overdue for a long time.
Caused by systematic violations of rules the Finnish authorities in
between had stopped the constructions.
In Ranua more than 4.5 thousands of people are living. The area of
the community has an expanse of some 3,700 square kilometers. About
70 % of the area are wetlands. An uranium mine in Lapland would lead
to all the people who now get their livelihood from berry or mushroom
picking, collecting wild plants, reindeer herding, fishing or
agriculture to lose their source of income. Mining and radioactive
waste in the vulnerable northern nature would also destroy Europe's
largest remaining wilderness areas for forever. In many countries
people and companies are watching Finnish policy on nuclear energy
and uranium mining to see if it starts a new trend on nuclear energy.
So this is not only a local issue but important to all the people in
the world.
Dear editor:
You are warmly invited to point to the action day in your media, and
also to report about it afterwards. With prior consulting we will
provide you with pictures and press report after the action day. We
are also at your disposal for interviews and questions. You will
reach us by e-mail to contact [at] nuclear-heritage.net or by telephone
number +44-7624-194877. More background information is provided by
the webpage of the action day: http://ranua.nuclear-heritage.net
- --
Nuclear Heritage Network
c/o Jugend-Umweltbuero
Karl-Schmidt-Str. 4
D-39104 Magdeburg
Germany
Tel.: +44 7624 194877
contact [at] nuclear-heritage.net
http://nuclear-heritage.net
This media release is provided by the "Nuclear Heritage Netzwerk".
This is an international network of anti-nuclear activists. This
informal alliance supports the worldwide anti-nuclear work. The
Nuclear Heritage Network is no label, has no standard opinion and no
representatives. All activists of the network speak for themselves or
for the groups they represent.
Anti-nuclear Camp in Lecce, Italy
Italy – Lecce
20 – 23 AUGUST IN SALENTO, NUCLEAR CLIMATE CAMP
In the context of the social and environmental resistance, typical of the popular struggles in Italy, a series of experiences, subjectivities and collectivities emerged in the Autumn of 2008 in opposition to the government project to restart the Civil Nuclear programme.
Although a decade of grassrots struggles and the referendum of 1987 led to the closing of power stations and the nuclear programme, on 2th july 2009 the Camera (italian parliament) approved the “DDL Sviluppo-pacchetto anticrisi” that contains the reopening of nuclear power stations. In the next 6 months, the government will announce the sites, declared of “strategic-military interest”, in order to avoid clashes with Local Authorities: a open declaration of war against the population!
After one year of meetings and public initiatives, that gave birth to the National Anti-Nuclear Coordination health-environment-energy , the Pugliese Coordination is organizing a resistance camp, in August in Salento, convivial days of “pizzica” folk music and dedication to the cause. The Pugliese Coordination was set up in 1985 to fight nuclear installations in Puglia, and other parts of Italy. Already, even before Cernobyl, in 1985, the movement was rejecting the nuclear in Puglia.
The resistance camp will take place from 20th to 23rd of August in the “Masseria Fattezze”, 2km away from Ionio sea/Cesareo seaport: this period also sees the “Notte della Taranta”, that takes place in various parts of Salento, finishing the 22th of August in Melpignano.
We have choosen this site, a well know cultural reference in Salento, because it wont cost to you to enter, but it will cost 5 euros per day and there's a kitchen that will cook tipical salentine food.
The resistance camp will basically focus on nuclear energy and fossil-fuels, but will be also discuss other issues on the autumnal political agenda: the crisis, precariety and incomes, racism, “major-works” from the TAV to the Bridge over the Straits, from motorways to drilling, from incinerators to regassificators, so all that kind of things that are the continuity of a model that has left only death and destruction over the territories.
The camp will also focus on the International situation, particularly on the liberation struggle in Palestine, Kurdistan, Nigeria.
The general programme is:
Thursday 20th August
6:00pm Introduction to the camp, and about current situations
7:30pm International overview
Friday 21th August
6:00pm Crisis: Work, precariety, income
7:30pm Common goods – regional energy plan
Saturday 22nd August
6:00pm Anti-nuclear assembly and energy choices
Sunday 23rd August
6:00pm “Field-trip” on the nuclear selected site, in Avetrana
9:00pm Party with Salentine music
Pugliese Coordination / National Anti-Nuclear Coordination health-environment-energy
boboaprile [at] tiscali [dot] it
tel. 0039368582406
Monday, 10 August 2009
Flotilla against new Bradwell NPP, Essex
http://tinyurl.com/EADTBradwell10Aug09
'Vigil' protest against N-plant
Last updated: 10/08/2009 05:50:00
The Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group, known as BANNG, organised the event to raise the profile of its campaign against plans to build a new power station close to the site of the old Bradwell reactor, which is currently being decommissioned.
Andy Blowers, BANNG's chairman, said the two-hour sailing “vigil” had been a big success, with 16 boats joining the fleet and dozens of people signing the group's petition.
The boats set sail from Mersea Island - just a short distance across the Blackwater estuary from the power station sites - on Sunday lunchtime, making their way along the shore before heading over to Bradwell itself.
Mr Blowers said the day had proved a big success and helped draw attention to the group's campaign.
He said: “I think we have stirred up public opinion but we are not deliberately alarmist.
“We were drawing attention to the estuary as a beautiful, tranquil place. Bradwell is a pretty awful site for a new nuclear power station. What we're trying to do is to draw public attention to the various elements of the damage that will be caused.”
While many people packed on to the boats making up the flotilla, others were on the beaches at both Mersea Island and Bradwell, collecting signatures for the petition and picnicking.
EDF Energy owns land next to the old Bradwell site, currently being decommissioned by Magnox, and is assessing it for potential new nuclear development.
A spokesman said: “EDF Energy strongly believes that nuclear has a vital role in maintaining UK electricity supplies as a low-carbon generator now and in the future.
“We also believe that Bradwell is one of a number of potential sites across the UK where new nuclear power stations could be built, but only after they have been thoroughly examined through the planning process.
“A major part of this process will include extensive public consultation. Our company respects the right of people to protest in a peaceful and lawful manner.”
Bradwell was built on the edge of a former Second World War airfield and began generating power in 1962 but operations ceased in 2002. Decommissioning of the old site is currently being carried out and will take many more years to complete.
The Government has decided that nuclear energy should have a role to play in the future and Bradwell is one of the sites nominated for a new build power station.
Copyright © 2009 Archant Regional Ltd
From Gazette website (Colchester and north Essex):
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4536952.Protest_on_the_water
Protest on the water
11:30am Monday 10th August 2009
CAMPAIGNERS battling plans for a new nuclear power station at Bradwell sailed from West Mersea in a peaceful protest yesterday.
A flotilla of boats took to the Blackwater Estuary for the two-hour vigil.
They displayed banners opposing proposals for a new nuclear facility on the Blackwater shoreline.
A demonstration was also held on the beach at Mersea.
The vigil was organized by the Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group.
Spokesman Varrie Blowers said: “We oppose building a new nuclear power station and a highly radioactive waste store at Bradwell.
“This is a departure to what happened there in the past. The waste from the old station was taken up to Sellafield, but waste from the new station has to be stored on site for at least 100 years.”
© Copyright 2001-2009 Newsquest Media GroupSee also previous blog entry
Saturday, 8 August 2009
"Musical inspection" in Gorleben, Germany
8th August 09
One day early: With classical music against nuclear power: "Musical inspection" on the site of the fine [sic] storage site in Gorleben
Today at 10:30am 60 musicians from the action group "Lebenslaute", packed with instruments and music stands, climbed the four meter high wall around the site of the planned final storage site in Gorleben (Germany) and began a protest concert with mainly classical music.
The musicians suprised with their action, originally announced for Sunday. With this "musical inspection" the activists protest against the continued operation of nuclear power plants and against the continued exploration of the salt mine in Gorleben for use as a final nuclear storage site.
"The discussion about nuclear power is about the live of coming generations, but the public does not take the danger seriously enough", says Berthold Keunecke, a protestant priest from Herford and one of the spokespersons of Lebenslaute. Today we overcame the fences and walls of Gorleben, to effectlively protest against nuclear technology which is threatening our lives. We want to awaken, provoke, dramatise - and we all, each one of us individually, stand up for this provocation."
"The nuclear lobby wants to continue the work to turn salt dome in Gorleben into a final storage site, although the scandals around the salt mine Asse finally made clear, that Gorleben too is not save", declares Katja Tempel, midwife and Lebenslaute spokesperson from the Wendland. "In the light of the unsolved question of the final storage of nuclear waste, we demand an end to the production of nuclear waste, that is the shutdown of nuclear power stations. The use of renewable energies has to be promoted."
Under the slogan "A-Moll statt A-Müll" (A-minor instead of A(tomic)-waste" a varied and ambitious programme for choir and orchestra is being performed: the works of Georg Philipp Telemann, Willy Burkhard and Fanny Hensel, performed by "Lebenslaute" celebreate the beauty of nature, which is to be preserved. As an accusation and call for urgent action against the deadly dangers of nuclear energy, "Lebenslaute" will perform Heinrich Schütz' Choral „Wie nun ihr Herren, seid ihr stumm" (What now, you men, are you silent), as well as parts of symphony No 101 "Die Uhr" (The clock) by Joseph Haydn and a choir version of "It`s my life" (Bon Jovi). Chamber music in different instrumentations concludes the concert.
"The music is an expression of the energy of different generations. With this, our action fits well into the broad spectrum of creative resistance in the Wendland", explains Katharina Dehlinger, Lebenslaute activist from the county of Paderborn. "It is better that lifely music comes through the walls and fences of the mine in Gorleben, than deadly nuclear radiation. The salt dome in Gorleben is not suitable for a save final storage of nuclear waste. The project has to be abandoned."
With the combination of actions of civil disobedience and mainly classical music the initiative "Lebenslaute" has been raising awareness for wrongs in society for more than 20 years. The initiative includes politically active musicians from all over Germany.
Up-to-date photos (also in printing quality) will soon be available at http://www.lebenslaute.net
Friday, 7 August 2009
Turkey protest against Putin's nuclear peddling
Source: http://www.bianet.org/english/world/116338-greenpeace-protests-against-putin-erdogan-meeting
Greenpeace Protests against Putin-ErdoÄŸan Meeting
Environmentalists have warned that the Russian Prime Minister's visit will only lead to the encouragement of nuclear energy.
On Thursday, 6 August, two Greenpeace members, Perihan Pulat and BuÄŸra Erol, were taken into police custody after staging a protest against the meeting between Russian and Turkish Prime Ministers Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan at the Prime Minister's Residence in Ankara.
"No thanks"
They had opened a placard reading "Nuclear? No thanks".
Other members of Greenpeace staged a protest in the Güven Park in the capital city.
"Chernobyl is the proof"
Korol Diker of Greenpeace's Mediterranean Energy Campaign said about the protest "Unsurprisingly, nuclear energy will come from Putin's visit. That is dangerous, expensive and relies on outside countries."
"The nuclear lobby says that nuclear energy is clean and safe. Yes, nuclear energy has been tested and has proven itself as a source of energy. But the place where it proved itself was Chernobyl."
He added, "The unsolved safety issues are not the only problem with nuclear energy. There are also problems of cost, of waste, of limited life spans and the cost of dismantling power stations."
Diker also spoke about the bid for the construction of nuclear power stations. He said, "This illegal bid should have been cancelled long ago. As ErdoÄŸan is insisting on continuing with polluting and expensive nuclear energy, he should not forget that the billions of lira being spent belong to the people."
Nuclear matrushkas
The protesters in Güven Park had prepared Matrushka dolls. Thus, a Putin doll emerged from inside a doll of Erdoğan. When the Putin doll was opened, skulls and nuclear symbols came out.
When they were told to move out of the park, the demonstrators moved to the Milli Müdafaa Street, where they read out a statement:
"Putin has come to Turkey to talk about energy issues, and a bid for nuclear power stations is among the topics of discussion. It is clear who will lose from this bargain." (BÇ/AG)
* This news item used information from greenpeace.org and turnusol.biz
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Villagers stage Oldbury anti-nuclear protest
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Villagers-stage-Oldbury-anti-nuclear-protest/article-1222138-detail/article.html
Tuesday, August 04, 2009, 07:00
Residents of Shepperdine, near Thornbury, blocked the access road to a field near the existing Oldbury atomic plant until they were finally asked to move by police.
The site is one of a number around the country put forward by the Government as a possible location for one of the new generation of nuclear stations.
Power firm Eon has acquired land at Shepperdine with another company RWE and wants to build a £4-billion station.
The process involved in getting permission will last for many years but as part of the initial site development work, small-scale ground investigation and seismic studies were due to have started yesterday morning on the Shepperdine land to help determine the type and best location for the foundations.
But when contractors from Almondsbury firm Hydrock arrived with lorries, they found their way blocked by the protesters.
About 13 residents occupied the lane leading to a field that has already been turned into a compound.
They said they had two concerns at this stage – whether permission had been given by the British Geological Survey (BGS) for the drilling to take place and whether South Gloucestershire Council had given the all-clear for the compound and parking area to be created.
Protester Reg Illingworth said: "Ultimately, we don't want a new nuclear power station here.
"But this protest is solely about permission for the preliminary work and the compound, which has already been built.
"We want to know if consent has been given and if we see that in writing, then we will stand aside."
At one point, four policemen were at the scene but that was later cut to two.
Acting sergeant Steve Wilson said: "It's a peaceful protest and we are here to ensure it remains that way."
There was also a debate throughout the morning about whether the road being blocked was part of the public highway or privately owned.
When it was confirmed it was a public road, the residents moved aside and the Hydrock lorries went through.
Alan Pinder, of South Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth, was among the demonstrators.
He said: "We want to ensure Eon is going through the proper process.
"You have to do everything by the book if you are going to run a nuclear power station."
Eon spokeswoman Emily Highmore said: "While we respect the right of people to protest, we would like to reassure everyone the ground investigation works and establishment of a contractor's compound have been carried out with the full knowledge of South Gloucestershire Council and the BGS.
"It's still very early days but we're committed to keeping everyone informed of our activities and would urge anyone with any questions or concerns to get in touch."
BGS spokesman Clive Mitchell said the organisation had to be notified about drilling of holes deeper than 30m for water abstraction and mineral exploration but not site investigation.
South Gloucestershire Council spokesman Ryan Skeets said: "The council was made aware of intentions by Eon to carry out some temporary ground investigation works that appear to be covered by permitted development rights and therefore would not require prior planning permission.
"The council will monitor these works to ensure they are being carried out in line with these intentions."
Monday, 3 August 2009
Flotilla / vigil against nuclear power, Bradwell, Essex - Sunday 9 August
http://www.banng.org.uk/page_1246466074069.html
Sunday, 9th August 2009 - from 14.00 to 16.00 hrs
join a peaceful summer vigil in the Blackwater Estuary
The future of the Blackwater Estuary should concern everyone. Any despoiling of this unique facility will take away the opportunity for its enjoyment for many generations to come.
If we are not vigilant, the Estuary, as we like it, could be irretrievably ruined for the future.
The intention is to attract recreational and commercial users of the estuary and its surroundings to join a PEACEFUL VIGIL at Bradwell in protest against the development of a proposed new nuclear power station (possibly more than one) and the associated high level radioactive waste dump.
Watercraft -
anchor/float about off the beach to include yachts, motorboats, dinghies, kayaks canoes and “whatever” between 14.00 and 16.00 hrs
Show your participation by displaying flags/banners, if afloat - from the rigging – make these up out of old bedsheets or something similar. Just display anything to show your protest!
Walkers, birdwatchers and beachcombers -
make it an outing – bring family and friends and enjoy a picnic or barbecue on the beach in front of the old station.
If you unable to get afloat or visit Bradwell, a group will be meeting for a picnic from 1.30 onwards on West Mersea beach, close to St Peter's Steps, and just a short walk down Coast Road from West Mersea Church. - Don't forget to bring a sunshade if it's a sunny day, especially if you are bringing any children!
DIRECTIONS: If coming by rail and/or bus, the two-hourly West Mersea bus 67 leaves the North Station bus stop from 8.10am onwards on the south side of the bridge. So for example if you get the one which leaves North Station at 12.10pm, Colchester High Street at about 12.15pm, and the bus station at 12.20pm it gets to Mersea near the church at 12.50pm.
Don't forget there are special bargain bus fares on Sundays. The bus returns at 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm and 11pm so you can make a day of it. Cut your carbon footprint and leave your car at home for a change perhaps if you would normally travel by car???
There is free carparking behind the library if there are any spaces, or you can park along various roads including St Peter's Road - go past the church and it's to the right off Coast Road.
We want to highlight:
* Environmental damage to the Estuary foreshore, wildlife, pleasure and commercial fishing and local oyster industries
* Potential restriction on access for recreational use to the Estuary and its foreshore
* Long term on site storage of highly radioactive waste
* Increased health risks to surrounding population resulting from toxic waste and from the lack of long term evacuation plans for the surrounding areas
* Negative Visual impact of the new facility and the retention of the former station
Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG)
Homepage: http://www.banng.org.uk
See also Colchester and north Essex Gazzette:
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4516003.Anti_nuclear_power_plant_demo_goes_afloat/
Bradwell Power Station demo on the water
11:00am Wednesday 29th July 2009
ANTI-nuclear protesters plan to take to the water to object to proposals for a new power station at Bradwell.
The Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group is calling on sailors and fishermen to join them for the protest, on August 9.
Boats will drop anchor at 2pm in the Blackwater Estuary, off the old power station, for a two-hour demonstration.
There will also be gatherings at Monkey Beach, West Mersea and on the beach at Bradwell.
Varrie Blowers, the group’s secretary, said the aim of the protest was to highlight the recreational and commercial uses of the estuary and the way a new power station might affect them.
She said: “It is not clear at the moment what the Government wants from nuclear power.
“We are keen to express our opposition in any way we can. We want boats to display flags and banners from their rigging to make their protest.
“But we also want families to use the beaches, along with birdwatchers and walkers.
“Huge numbers of people would be affected by any new nuclear development, particularly on Mersea, which is only just across the river.”
A recent Government document listed Bradwell as a potential site for one of a new generation of nuclear power stations.
Land next to the former power station has already been bought up by French power firm EDF Energy.
l For more information, visit www.banng.org.uk or call Varrie Blowers on 07932 644482.
International criticism concerning the trade of stocks from nuclear companies is defamed by the CCI
http://stopnuclearpower.blogspot.com/2009/01/frankfurt-stock-exchange-international.html
Media Release
03.08.2009
The Frankfurt (Main) Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCI) shows
insensibility and a lack of professionalism in handling critics.
International criticism concerning the trade of stocks from nuclear
companies is defamed by the CCI.
Frankfurt (Main). Environmental organizations and activists from the
international ”Nuclear Heritage Network” of anti-nuclear activists
are outraged by the way the Frankfurt (Main) Chamber of Industry and
Commerce handles critics of their trading in nuclear stocks. As the
alliance of activists from more than 10 countries learned recently,
the CCI defamed an action at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange that took
place on this years first trading day, January, 2nd 2009 – the CCI
pressed charges against an activist.
In conjunction with an international seminar, attended by
anti-nuclear activists from France, Finland, Bulgaria, Russia and
Germany, the trade of stocks from nuclear companies and the
encouragement of this dangerous and potentially hazardous technology
was criticized. Activists uncoiled a banner more than 10 meters long
in front of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange stating: ”Nuclear Stocks =
Time-Bomb”. Additionally, a symbolic ”nuclear time-bomb” was handed
to a representative from the stock exchange. The activists demanded
an immediate stop in trading with dangerous shares and an end of all
nuclear projects worldwide. The gathering was properly filed in
advance and received solidary support from merchants that handed out
free drinks to the activists.
On the spot the stock exchange showed professionalism and easily
accepted the present – a nuclear time-bomb constructed from
cardboard. However, it became known that a month and a half later a
criminal proceeding against one of the activists was triggered by the
CCI as owner of the stock market grounds. She is faced with charges
of trespassing for trying to climb the buildings facade without
permission. Although the contended incident happened after the end of
the demonstration, anti-nuclear activists from all over the world
express their solidarity with the concerned person.
”The CCI in cooperation with the Frankfurt police obviously tries to
criminalize an unwanted activist. While on the spot a representative
from the stock exchange exposed professionalism and openness towards
criticism, pressure is now applied on political critics on the crook.
The CCI took more than a month to realize that it felt compromised in
its rights”, is what Falk Beyer, an activist from the ”Nuclear
Heritage Network” states. ”It is obvious, that this is an attempt to
overload a critic with criminal charges to stop his/her political
activism. However, it is not the activist who is criminal, but the
nuclear industry endangering and even destroying the lifes of
countless people with its greed for profit and power. Criminal are
those institutions that profit from the trade in stocks from nuclear
companies. And criminal is the police in repeatedly applying measures
against anti-nuclear activists that have been clearly judged as
unlawful.”
Several preliminary proceedings have been launched against the French
climbing activist in the past months. The charges and handling of
others involved suggest that the motive on the side of the police is
not the prosecution of alleged offenses, but rather to muzzle an
obnoxious activist. Regularly, she is being denied legal
representation and an interpreter during proceedings.
”Through the pressing of charges, the CCI shows that it lacks
sensibility and professionalism in handling legitimate criticism.
Instead of dealing with the criticism of nuclear trade at the stock
exchange, the CCI goes on the offensive against critics”, says Beyer.
”The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the shareholders and organizations
trading there, as well as the CCI that went to action in this case
are jointly responsible for thousands of victims to so called 'low
level radiation' from the ongoing operation of nuclear facilities,
responsible for thousands of victims from nuclear accidents,
responsible for uncounted victims of the polluting and unhealthy
mining of Uranium and the associated deprivation of indigenous
people, and furthermore responsible for the radiant heritage of the
nuclear industry.”
For further information, please contact:
* Falk Beyer, activist of the "Nuclear Heritage Network":
+44-7624-194877
* Cécile Lecomte, attacked activist: +49-163-7342462
* Andrey Ozharovskiy, participant of the action from Russia:
+7-905-5771240
* Bernhard Riepl, Austria/Czech Republic: +42-0775383750
Nuclear Heritage Network
http://nuclear-heritage.net
contact [at] nuclear-heritage.net
Sunday, 26 April 2009
No to New Nuclear Power - Yes to Decentralised Energy!
Saturday 25th April over 70 people attended a demonstration at the Sizewell nuclear power plants in Suffolk. It has recently been announced that Sizewell will be the possible site for two new reactors. Many of the protestors camped overnight and held a memorial service for the victims of the Chernobyl which occured exactly 23 years before.
Speakers included - Pete Wilkinson Co-founder of Greenpeace UK, CORWM, Peter Lanyon and Charles Barnet, Shut Down Sizewell Group, Mell Harrison, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Sizewell Blockaders, Rupert Read Green Party European candidate
Yet another letter was handed to the site challenging British Energy to have an open public debate with the protesters about nuclear power.
There was then a tour along the coast next to the site to show the various parts of the site and the proposed new site.
Many of the protesters camped overnight.
There was also street theatre from Theatre of War
The protest was not just against nuclear power but also urged that cheaper, cleaner and safer alternatives be used. A good example of which has been carried out in Woking (see www.ideascentre.co.uk/download/file?ref=68 - for a more general discussion of the alternatives to nuclear to tackle climate change see Nuclear power: economics and climate-protection potential by AMORY B. LOVINS of the Rocky Mountain Institute.)
Further Information
- Flood map for the Sizewell area from the site nomination proposal
- Sizewell Blockaders: Previous Blockade of Sizewell A and B
- TORCH Report: Affects of the Chernobyl Accident
- The True Battle of Chernobyl Google video
- More images
- Flash video of the fallout cloud (can be slow loading)
Thursday, 5 February 2009
“Radioactive Royals” Welcome Nuclear Greenwash Brigade to the Palace
Anti-nuclear power campaigners dressed as “Radioactive Royals and nuclear guards” protested in front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 5 February as nuclear industry bigwigs were wined and dined by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew.Hundreds of tourists, visiting the Palace for the Changing of the Guard, were amused to see “nuclear guards” taking their place at the gates. They held up a large banner reading “Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Climate Chaos!” and a placard reading “Royal Nuclear Family? No Thanks!”, drawing attention to the fact that Prince Andrew, the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, was hosting a gala lunch at the Palace for the nuclear industry, presumably to plot how best to promote their toxic greenwash agenda at home and abroad. [see note 1]
The action was called by a new UK-based network, Nuclear People
Power, which aims to promote nonviolent direct action and visible campaigning to prevent the construction of a new generation of nuclear reactors in the UK and globally. Joining the protest were representatives from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Stop Hinkley / Shut Oldbury, Shut Down Sizewell and a woman from the Bradwell area. Among the sites earmarked for new nuclear build are Hinkley Point in Somerset, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex, as well as Sellafield in Cumbria, Wylfa in north Wales and Dungeness in Kent.Daniel Viesnik, from Nuclear People Power said, “Nuclear power is a huge and dangerous distraction from the genuine solutions needed to prevent a global climate catastrophe whilst providing for the future energy requirements of the UK and the world in a safe, sustainable and affordable way. Instead of wasting billions of pounds building new nuclear white elephants, generating ever increasing quantities of extremely hazardous radioactive waste that we can’t safely deal with and increasing the risk of global proliferation of nuclear weapons; energy companies and governments alike, the British Government included, should massively invest in genuine green alternatives, such as wind, solar and wave, decentralised energy and energy efficiency and conservation.”
He added, “The royal family would do well to distance itself from the nuclear industry, with its long history of cover-ups, cronyism and self-interest, and lack of regard for health, safety, indigenous rights and the environment.”
Mell Harrison, from CND Eastern Region, Shut Down Sizewell and Nuclear People Power said, "What's needed is not lunch at the palace with a prince but accountability, transparency and the truth about nuclear power and the nuclear industry. Why, for example, isn’t the public being told that waste from new [EPR] reactors will be up to seven times more hazardous than that produced by existing ones? [see notes 2 & 3]. We still don't know how to deal with the current nuclear waste, let alone even more hazardous material."
She went on, “I live near the Sizewell nuclear power plant in Suffolk, where two new reactors are being considered. With significant costal erosion on this stretch of the coastline and already over ten years’ worth of spent nuclear fuel rods in storage at the site, any new nuclear reactors here would be nothing less than a health and safety nightmare. Nuclear power is not the answer to climate chaos: it is the pathway to a radioactive future."
She added, “Given Prince Charles’s concern for environmental issues, it would be interesting to hear the conversations between him and his younger brother [Prince Andrew] on this.”
The Observer newspaper reported that Prince Charles has recently appointed Benet Northcote as his deputy personal secretary. Northcote was previously employed by Greenpeace, where he directed campaigns against nuclear power. [see note 1]
EDF Energy, the 85% French state-owned energy giant which employs Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s younger brother Andrew Brown as its UK media chief, plans to build at least four controversial new French-designed EPR nuclear reactors in the UK, starting with two at Hinkley Point in Somerset and two at Sizewell in Suffolk. The EPR, or European Pressurised Reactor / Evolutionary Power Reactor is a collaboration between 90% French state-owned multi-national Areva and German firm Siemens. It has been plagued by safety problems, multi-billion pound / euro cost overruns and delays running into years during the construction of the first two prototypes, at Olkiluoto in Finland and Flamanville in Normandy, France. To date, not a single EPR has been completed anywhere on the planet, yet the technology is being aggressively peddled by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France to Britain and the rest of the world.
Jim Duffy, Stop Hinkley co-ordinator said, "People living near nuclear power stations have a nagging concern that they run a higher health risk from radioactive discharges or from a major accident. It's galling to see the royal family promoting this dirty industry which will blight West Somerset and leave a toxic legacy for many thousands of years."
"Prince Andrew has made a misjudgement in promoting nuclear power, now linking the Royal family with a controversial industry. Local communities are divided on the issue with many concerned about the long-term environmental and health consequences of reviving this previously moribund technology. It's poor judgement for the Royals to side with the industry in this debate."
Dozens of police officers, including a Forward Intelligence Team (FIT) unit were on hand to greet the small group of protesters as they arrived at Green Park tube station, despite the fact that the demonstration had only been advertised by e-mail. Four out of the six demonstrators had their person and belongings searched under the pretext that they might be intending to commit criminal damage, in scenes reminiscent of last summer’s Climate Camp, near Kingsnorth coal power station in Kent. Nothing of suspicion was found, other than a small pair of scissors which had been used to prepare flyers for the demonstration.
Duffy commented, "We were closely shepherded by obviously nervous police, led by a Chief Inspector, who were waiting for us in numbers. Their searches of several campaigners evidently showed that their fear of terrorism is very much alive. But then building terrorist targets in the shape of nuclear power stations must surely be a much bigger fear."
Nuclear People Power
Notes:
1. Andrew courts nuclear meltdown at the Palace – Oliver Marre, The Observer, Sunday, 11 January 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2009/jan/11/3
2. Planned nuclear reactors will produce seven times more hazardous waste - Greenpeace UK Press Release - Monday, 2 February 2009
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/planned-nuclear-reactors-will-produce-seven-times-more-hazardous-waste-20090202
3. New nuclear plants will produce far more radiation – Geoffrey Lean, Independent on Sunday, 8 February 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/new-nuclear-plants-will-produce-far-more-radiation-1604051.html
Friday, 2 January 2009
Frankfurt Stock Exchange international action
International Antinuclear Rally at
"Nuclear time bomb" delivered to Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Photo: Falk Beyer)
Frankfurt am Main, Germany (2 January, 2009) A banner rally took place in front of the entrance of Frankfurt Stock Exchange to deliver a symbolic ‘nuclear timebomb’ at the first business day of 2009. Environmental activists from bulgaria, finland, france, germany, scotland and russia demanded a “nuclear free new year” and said that financial mechanisms should not be used to support dangerous nuclear projects.
The ‘bomb’ represents the lethal mistakes of financing and investing in the nuclear industry; an industry that should be decommissioned not revived. Nuclear power is neither clean nor safe, and is not an acceptable solution for the climate change crisis.
Activists demonstrated at the continent’s financial centre to tell investors, traders and companies that investments for profits should not come at the cost of the earth. Natural and financial resources must now be directed towards healthy, sustainable developments in renewable energy, not developments that create short-term profits at the immeasurable cost to future generations.
Banners stated:
“NUCLEAR STOCKS = TIMEBOMB “ and “NUKE €NVESTMENTS? “
“The nuclear industry puts us all in danger and investing in it must be regarded as an attack on human and environmental survival. The nuclear path is a dead end and the investors should recognize that before the next Chernobyl happens.” said Jason Wallace.
Companies such as Cooper Minerals, Areva, EoN, Siemens, EnBw, Vattenfall and RWE are being specifically targeted for their involvement in dangerous nuclear projects.
Website for photos and background information: