The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) calls today on Prime Minister David Cameron, new Energy Minister Amber Rudd and Defence Minister Michael Fallon to initiate a timely review of UK energy policy and UK nuclear weapons policy to take into account major changes in the international nuclear policy agenda. Last Thursday’s election result has left … [Continue Reading]
NFLA remembers the life of NFLA Welsh Forum Chair, Councillor Ray Davies, who has sadly died
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) sends its best wishes to the family and friends of Caerphilly Councillor Ray Davies, its Welsh Forum Chair, who sadly died yesterday at the age of 84. (1) Councillor Ray Davies was one of the longest serving members of the NFLA Steering Committee and has been Co-Chair of the … [Continue Reading]
Serious new safety issues for Areva’s EPR design at Flamanville suggest yet more delays for Hinkley Point C
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) is today concerned to read further serious safety issues with the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) being built at the Flamanville site in France. It calls on the UK nuclear regulator and Areva-EDF to understand these design concerns in reference to plans for Hinkley Point C. NFLA believe these serious … [Continue Reading]
As the Sellafield THORP plant reaches its 21st birthday, NFLA calls on the Government and the nuclear industry to reflect on expensive past mistakes for future nuclear policy
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) publishes today an analysis of the innovative ways Scottish Councils – urban and rural – are seeking to develop strategies and policies to d rive renewable energy projects forward and deliver low carbon, non nuclear energy for Scotland. The NFLA Policy Briefing (1) provides a snapshot of so me … [Continue Reading]
NFLA submits response on UK Low Level Radioactive Waste Strategy advocating a radical change of tack by the nuclear industry
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) submits today its official response to the UK Government and Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland giving its view on the updated UK strategy for the management of solid low level radioactive waste from the nuclear industry. (1) In its response to the Governments’ joint consultation (2), … [Continue Reading]
NFLA urges MPs to not designate a ‘Geological Disposal Facility’ under the National Infrastructure planning system, over fears of reducing local democratic accountability and transparency
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) calls on MPs to not support a call this Wednesday by the Government to place the development of a deep underground radioactive waste repository under the National Infrastructure Planning system, amidst concerns it reduces local democratic accountability and transparency for such a development. As part of the Government’s attempts … [Continue Reading]
NFLA publish briefing on small modular nuclear reactors – uncertain technology, uncosted designs and unlikely to be developed without massive public investment
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) publishes today a detailed assessment of the prospects for the development of what are called Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) – a technology mooted for use in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The NFLA briefing (1) acknowledges a renewed interest in this technology, particularly as the … [Continue Reading]
As the fourth anniversary of the Fukushima disaster approaches, NFLA argue that it is irresponsible to look to develop new nuclear reactors
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) commemorates the fourth anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, which takes place tomorrow. It remembers all those who died as an effect of the earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan, and the immense environmental, social and economic problems that the destruction of three of the six nuclear reactors at Fukushima … [Continue Reading]
NFLA share concerns of Public Accounts Committee over soaring decommissioning costs at the Sellafield site
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) shares the alarm of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee Chair, Margaret Hodge MP, over a huge increase in the nuclear decommissioning costs at the Sellafield site in West Cumbria. Mrs Hodge has given the bosses at Sellafield a week to explain why decommissioning costs at the plant have soared … [Continue Reading]
NFLA submits views on the future of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management – it needs to become more independent and it should investigate the Swedish model for radioactive waste management
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) submits today its views on the future development of the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM). NFLA’s main comment to the consultation is that CoRWM needs to become more independent than its current membership is, and that it needs to follow the Swedish example in advising on a … [Continue Reading]