Cumbria Trust is not involved in the fracking argument and Professor Smythe’s problem with the University of Glasgow actually stems from his opposition to fracking. However, without access to the scientific and academic library database at the university, Professor Smythe could not have informed the people of Cumbria, during the MRWS process in 2012/13, about the unsuitability of the geology for siting a nuclear disposal facility. “Internal emails dating back to July 2014, obtained by Smythe through a Subject Access Request filing and seen by DeSmog UK, confirm his online privileges were revoked following a long-running dispute between the university and Smythe concerning his use of the university name when discussing the impacts of shale gas extraction.” DeSmog UK has the full story and if, after reading it, you would like to support Professor Smythe, please write to the university court secretary David Newall and ask him to reinstate his legal right of access.
Cumbria Trust 2nd Aug 2016 read more »
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to store nuclear waste not produced at Berkeley power station at a store on the site have been approved by the county council. Gloucestershire County Council’s planning committee backed Magnox’s proposal but did not discuss the potential for connected community benefits despite requests. Stroud district councillor Penny Wride spoke before the committee considered the application to request that the local area received £1,000 per package transported to Berkeley as a way to appease local residents. Magnox has estimated that the change, which would mean a separate waste store does not have to be built at Oldbury Nuclear Power Station, would save the taxpayer £15million. About 130 waste packages will now be moved to Berkeley from Oldbury over the next two years, following the permission granted by the committee. Concerns had been raised by local residents and councillors about the change to a condition which stated that only waste produced at Berkeley power station would be stored there. Stroud District Council also objected to the change due to the potential environmental risks of transporting the packages between the two power stations.
South Gloucestershire Gazette 1st Aug 2016 read more »