Andy Blowers, social scientist and Chair of BANNG, considers the social transformation that Bradwell B could bring in the July 2020 column for Regional Life. We live in strange times. Just as the coronavirus began its lethal spread, the plans for a new nuclear power station at Bradwell were launched. For the past four months … [Continue Reading]
Small nuclear reactors – another nuclear fantasy
Peter Banks, BANNG Co-ordinator, concludes that advanced nuclear technologies are no answer for Bradwell in the March 2020 column for Regional Life #23 Published 5th February 2020 – Small Modular Reactors (Part 1)… The nuclear industry has championed a rosy future for their anachronistic technology with the expression “Nuclear Renaissance”. In reality the programme of … [Continue Reading]
Should Bradwell B carry on at a time of Coronavirus?
Andy Blowers questions if doing so is in the public interest in the BANNG column for Regional Life June 2020 (no May edition) Coronavirus provides a shock requiring immediate and profound changes in the way we live. Travel is suspended, gatherings forbidden, the economy paused and society is in lockdown while we stay apart and … [Continue Reading]
Does Coronavirus stop Bradwell B in its tracks?
BANNG column for Regional Life, March, 2020. No sooner had the pre-application public consultation on Bradwell B got under way than it was part-suspended as a result of coronavirus. After a week of visiting places such as Maldon and Bradwell, the Bradwell B (BRB) programme of exhibitions around the Blackwater was halted with ten places … [Continue Reading]
BANNG continues to… keep BANNGing on!
Varrie Blowers looks forward to what 2020 may hold for new nuclear and reviews BANNG’s activities through 2019 column in the February 2020 edition of Regional Life. It may appear that all has been quiet on the eastern front in the recent past but Chinese developer, CGN, seems intent on carrying out its plans to … [Continue Reading]
Get Climate Done…
As we enter a new year, Andy Blowers muses on the massive challenge of climate change that lies ahead, globally and locally, in the column for Regional Life, January 2020. While there is some relief that the General Election is over, it does not feel like ‘glad confident morning again!’ (Robert Browning). On the environment … [Continue Reading]
Climate Change and Bradwell B – time to nip it in the bud?
Andy Blowers ponders a major local environmental issue in the BANNG column for Regional Life, December, 2019 As I write this, and for the first time in my recollection, environmental issues have claimed consistent public and political attention during a General Election campaign. Pretty well everyone now recognises that climate change is the most palpable … [Continue Reading]
Anything goes – as long as it’s nuclear power?!
In the BANNG column for Regional Life in November 2019 Andy Blowers considers it wrong that consumers and taxpayers should be made to subsidise foreign companies to provide nuclear power Renewables now provide over a third of electricity consumed in the UK and their costs continue to fall. The latest contracts for offshore wind are … [Continue Reading]
The Show Must (NOT) Go On!
Andy Blowers ponders the question, ‘Why, since Bradwell B is such a futile project, don’t the regulators stop it now?’ in the BANNG column for Regional Life, October, 2019 Why is it that so often decision makers fail to see or, perversely, choose to ignore the blindingly obvious? This thought occurred to me during a … [Continue Reading]
Nuclear power station a marine life killer?
Barry Turner, Vice-Chair of BANNG, argues that Bradwell B could have devastating impacts on fish and the marine environment of the Blackwater Estuary in the BANNG column for Regional Life September 2019. ‘It has been described as a giant plughole under the sea, sucking in 130,000 litres of water a second along with vast numbers … [Continue Reading]