Rob Edwards

Nuclear warhead reduction could leave plutonium at risk

from New Scientist, 15 November 2001

The US and Russia may have promised to take 9000 nuclear warheads out of service but they have no idea of how to dispose of the plutonium they contain, experts say.

Government may ditch nuclear energy option

from Sunday Herald, 04 November 2001

The government's review of energy policy, which has been widely trailered as backing new nuclear power stations, might end up rejecting them.

BP forced to revamp 'inadequate' safety plans

for Sunday Herald, 04 November 2001

Safety plans to avert major accidents at the BP petrochemical complex at Grangemouth have been rejected as inadequate by the government's watchdog, the Health and Safety Executive.

The HSE has taken legal action against the British oil giant to ensure that its plans are revamped in accordance with tough new rules for the "control of major accident hazard", known as COMAH. The company has until the end of March to comply.

Last year BP Grangemouth suffered a series of accidents, culminating in a big fire at its catalytic cracker on 10 June. This sparked a site-wide safety investigation by the HSE, which was worried about systematic failures to ensure safety at the complex.

World's nuclear facilities vulnerable, warns UN agency

from New Scientist, 01 November 2001

Nuclear plants are vulnerable to attacks by terrorists, according to a stark new warning by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Plutonium, uranium and even medical radiation sources are now much more likely to be targeted by terror groups seeking to cause mayhem, the IAEA believes.