Links

Other Reading:

NFLA : Nuclear Free Local Authorities : www.nuclearpolicy.info

Nuclear Free Local Authorities tackle in practical ways, and within their powers, the problems posed by civil and military nuclear hazards and is the local government voice on nuclear issues in the UK and Ireland

NDA : Nuclear Decommissioning Authority : www.nda.gov.uk

NDA is responsible for all decommissioning of nuclear sites in the UK and is the body tasked with implementing government policy on higher activity radioactive waste and the low level waste strategy

The NDA an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) reporting to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). For some Scottish issues, we are responsible to Scottish Ministers. The NDA also works with the Devolved Administrations in developing our strategy and plans

DSRL : Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd. : www.dounreay.com

Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) is the site licence company responsible for the clean-up and demolition of Britain’s former centre of fast reactor research and development

DSRL operates under contract to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), a non-departmental public body of the UK Government that owns the site.

DSRL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cavendish Dounreay Partnership Ltd, a consortium of Cavendish Nuclear, CH2M and AECOM. It is funded by the NDA to deliver the site closure programme agreed with the Cavendish Dounreay Partnership.

The company employs approximately 1000 people (2015), with a similar number working for other companies on site closure sub-contracts.

DSG : Dounreay Stakeholder Group : www.dounreaystakeholdergroup.org

The Dounreay Stakeholder Group (DSG) is an independent body whose role is to provide public scrutiny of the Dounreay site, by providing an active, two-way channel of communication between the site operators, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and local stakeholders. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) site Vulcan is also part of the remit of the DSG

The arrival of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in 2005 saw a change from the Dounreay Local Liaison Committee to the Dounreay Stakeholder Group (DSG)

A wide variety of organisations with an interest in Dounreay and its impact on the community make up the membership of the DSG which has a remit to monitor the work being carried out at Dounreay and members can question the company responsible for the work and the regulatory bodies

The group meets in public four times a year. Socio-Economic & Site Restoration Sub-group meetings are held in between these times

Cavendish Dounreay Partnership (CDP), Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), the NDA and regulators are among those who provide regular reports to the group.

The group has an annual budget provided by the NDA. In addition, secretarial support is provided by DSRL.

ONR : Office for Nuclear Regulation : www.onr.org.uk

ONR independently regulates nuclear safety and security at 37 nuclear licensed sites in the UK. It also regulates transport and ensure that safeguards obligations for the UK are met. Its duty is to ensure that the nuclear industry controls its hazards effectively, has a culture of continuous improvement and maintains high standards.

The nuclear industry is undergoing rapid change and ONR’s role as a regulator is vital in ensuring new nuclear facilities are designed, built and operated to the highest standards, and in a manner that improves public confidence without compromising safety or security.

ONR also oversees the decommissioning of nuclear sites and cooperate with international regulators on safety and security issues of common concern, including associated research.

Its work is critical to the protection of society at large so it is important the work is done with rigour, diligence and with an appropriate level of assurance.

SEPA : Scottish Environmental protection Agency : www.sepa.org.uke regulator, Scotland’s environment.

As a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, SEPA’s role is to make sure that the environment and human health are protected, to ensure that Scotland’s natural resources and services are used as sustainably as possible and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

With around 1300 people based across Scotland, from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders, it regulates and advises on a wide range of environmental activities.

As an organisation with a strong science base, it constantly assess the quality of our environment by monitoring our air, land and water and uses its findings to advise government, industry and the public on environmental best practice.

It helps business and industry to understand and comply with their environmental responsibilities and legislation and has a range of enforcement powers which can be applied to ensure that regulations are complied with.

In addition, it works in partnership with other agencies, organisations and policy makers, to increase environmental understanding and build consensus on environmental priorities and issues.

It is also responsible for delivering operating the Scottish aspect of the Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network and work with the Health and Safety Executive to control the risk of major accidents at industrial sites.

DRS : Direct Rail Services : www.directrailservices.com

DRS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The company was established in 1995 as a lynch pin supplier of transport and associated services to the nuclear industry.

Today DRS is a profitable and dynamic business that is achieving sustained growth with current turnover levels running at around £75 million a year and employing more than 400 staff. Whilst DRS continues to support the decommissioning activities of its parent company, it has successfully extended its service offerings into a number of new and exciting rail market sectors.

INS : International Nuclear Services : www.internationalnuclearservices.com

International Nuclear Services Limited (INS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and has extensive and proven expertise in irradiated fuel management and nuclear material transportation.

It offers its customers a wide range of consultancy services, strategic assessments and feasibility studies relating to irradiated fuel management and transportation. It also supports utility customers and government agencies with advice on the strategic and technical options relating to the back end of the fuel cycle.

INS has significant experience of package selection, design, finite element analysis (both mechanical and thermal), engineering, licensing and operations.

It provide a complete range of flask design and approval services that meet the appropriate regulations and its customers’ requirements, with more than 40 years experience of providing services to customers in the UK and overseas. Its experience includes packages for a wide range of materials, from fresh uranium and MOX fuel, to irradiated fuel and high level waste.

It also have the expertise to provide customers with specialist services associated with the transport of nuclear material, including safety, security, logistical services and comprehensive 24-hour global emergency response support.

INS is also the commercial arm of the NDA, **_managing NDA’s contracts with UK and overseas customers for services from the Sellafield and Dounreay sites_. _It works closely with our NDA sister companies_** Direct Rail Services Ltd (DRS) _and_** Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD)** on both a consultative and commercial basis.

Scottish Government : www.scotland.gov.uk

The Scottish Government is responsible for national emergency planning and has a unit which oversees nuclear related issues, including transport of waste

Civil Nuclear Police Authority : www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-nuclear-police-authority

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority oversees the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) and must ensure that their policing meets the need of the nuclear operating companies.

CNPA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Energy & Climate Change.

Civil Nuclear Constabulary : www.cn.police.uk

With over 1000 highly trained Police Officers and Police Staff, the CNC is a specialist armed police service dedicated to protecting the civil nuclear industry. It protects 14 civil nuclear sites across England, Scotland and Wale (including Dounreay), safeguarding nuclear material in transit and play a key role in national security.

Highland Council : www.highland.gov.uk

Highland Council is the Planning Authority for the Highland area and therefore has responsibilities relating to planning, development, environment and transport

Highland Council is consulted by the NDA on matters relating to Dounreay including nuclear transport

Other neighbouring local authorities are Moray, Argyll and Bute, Perth & Kinross and Aberdeenshire and transport of nuclear waste by sea is of interest to Orkney, Shetland and Western isles Islands Council / Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Nuclear waste from Dounreay also goes through Local Authority Areas south of Perth in Scotland and into north-west England

Rob Edwards : Environmental News & Comment : www.robedwards.com

Over 1,500 articles on nuclear power, nuclear weapons, climate change, transport, GM, pollution, waste, wildlife, freedom of information and other issues from Rob Edwards, a freelance environmental journalist with the Sunday Herald, The Guardian and New Scientist.

No2Nuclear power : News & Information about the UK Nuclear Industry : www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk

Daily bulletins related to all aspects of nuclear power in the UK and worldwide

KIMO : Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation : www.kimointernational.org

KIMO was founded by local municipalities with a shared concern for the state of the environment. KIMO is designed to give municipalities a political voice at the international level, to share best practice and to find solutions to marine political problems that affect coastal communities.

KIMO reports that over 40 nuclear reactors are currently being constructed in 11 countries. The transportation and emission of nuclear waste pose a threat to the health of our oceans. Increased reprocessing of radioactive waste and its subsequent transportation by sea increases the chance that a serious nuclear accident may occur. The impact of a nuclear cargo vessel running aground on our coastlines is inconceivable – not only threatening our marine ecosystem, but the health of coastal communities.

European Union / Commission & European Laws : www.europa.eu

All the EU Environmental Laws apply to the UK including laws related to radioactive emissions whether planned or accidental and regulations related to transport of nuclear waste.

MEP’s Highlands & Islands & UK : www.writetothem.com – whole list

MP’s Highlands & Islands & UK : www.writetothem.com – whole list

MSP’s Highlands & Islands & rest of Scotland : www.writetothem.com – whole list

Community Councils in Highland : www.highland.gov.uk – follow links

Community Councils exist in all Scottish Local Authorities

The EU, UK Government, Scottish Government and Local Authorities all have responsibilities that relate directly or indirectly to nuclear transport

Where Community Councils exist they represent and express the views of the whole community they serve. Many also involve themselves in a wide range of other activities for the benefit of their community.

Community Councils also respond to planning and licensing applications.

Network Rail : www.networkrail.co.uk

Network Rail runs, maintains and develops Britain’s rail tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings and many key stations

No2Nuclear Power : www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk News and information about the UK Nuclear Industry including daily bulletins

Rob Edwards : Environmental news & Comment : www.robedwards.com

Friends of the Earth Scotland : www.foe-scotland.org.uk

FoE Scotland’s vision is of a world where everyone can enjoy a healthy environment and a fair share of the earth’s resources

Since 1978 Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES) has gone from no paid staff to a team of 11and grown from less than 100 members to 2,500

On its website there is Nuclear Power Q & A which is also available on the HANT website

FOES has campaigned against Nuclear Power since 1981

Greenpeace : www.greenpeacce.org.uk

Greenpeace has always fought – and will continue to fight – vigorously against nuclear power because it is an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity. The only solution is to halt the expansion of all nuclear power, and for the shutdown of existing plants.

Despite what the nuclear industry tells us, building enough nuclear power stations to make a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would cost trillions of dollars**_, create tens of thousands of tons of lethal high-level radioactive waste_**, and contribute to further proliferation of nuclear weapons materials.

Instead, we need an energy system that can fight climate change, based on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Nuclear power already delivers less energy globally than renewable energy, and the share will continue to decrease in the coming years

CORE : Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment :

www. corecumbria.co.uk

CORES aim’s are to stop reprocessing, stop foreign waste imports & exports, stop aerial and sea discharges, expose health damage and prevent Cumbria becoming the nuclear dustbin of the world

Stop Nuclear Power Network : www.topnuclearpoweruk.net

The Stop Nuclear Power Network (SNPN) is a non-hierarchical informal campaigning network of groups and individuals started in September 2008 to promote and encourage visible and effective action against the retention and expansion of nuclear power in the UK and worldwide.

SNPN are seeking to develop a strong and expanding network, building alliances with local, national and international campaigns which share our desire to resist the global expansion of the nuclear industry in creative and inspiring ways. Many groups and individuals are voicing their concerns about a post-Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear renaissance; but more people need to get organised and networked and put their words into action, using a range of campaigning tactics, including blockades and other non-violent direct actions (NVDA), demonstrations, camps, street stalls, leafleting, artwork, and eye-catching publicity stunts and street theatre.

The British Government and nuclear spin doctors are working overtime to repackage nuclear power as a ‘green’ source of energy. They are attempting to create divisions within the environmental movement. Dissenting voices are being drowned out. If we wait until the bulldozers move in, it will probably be too late. We believe now is the time to fight back and make ourselves heard, by any peaceful means, and nip the “nuclear renaissance” in the bud.

SNPN’s vision is of a safe and sustainable low-carbon future, based on more modest consumption, energy efficiency and conservation, and renewable and decentralised energy; a future in which we no longer have to rely on non-renewable and unsustainable uranium, plutonium and fossil fuels, and which will not lead to nuclear proliferation, more and deadlier radioactive emissions, and a legacy of even more hazardous radioactive waste that we can’t safely deal with. No more Fukushimas! No more Chernobyls! No more Three Mile Islands! No more Windscales! We have no time to lose: the time to act is NOW

Nuclear Trains Action Group : www.nonucleartrains.org.uk

Nonucleartrains.org.uk is the website of the Nuclear Trains Action Group (NTAG): a campaining organization opposing the transport of nuclear waste through densely populated areas such as London. NTAG has no ties to any energy company or industry sector, nor to any political party.

“Nuclear trains” are trains carrying used, but extremely radioactive, nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power stations to Sellafield in Cumbria for reprocessing. The reprocessing is not essential, and separates out plutonium. The main use of plutonium is in nuclear weapons and there is a world glut of this extremely dangerous substance.

The nuclear industry insist on calling the waste “spent fuel” but since there is little demand for plutonium it may actually have a negative value as it has to be safely stored for a very, very long time. The reprocessing does not reduce the total radioactivity but produces a much greater volume of somewhat lower level radioactivity, which has to be dealt with as a highly toxic waste – as well as releasing some radioactive waste into the environment.

Plans to build more nuclear power stations in the UK are still being pursued, despite the continuing disaster at Fukushima. If built, starting at Hinkley Point, these will create an even more radioactive environment.

Savannah River Site Watch (SRS Watch)Columbia, South Carolina, USA : www.srswatch.org

Tom Clements founded Savannah River Watch which the monitors a host of energy and nuclear issues from a public interest perspective and has focused on the Department of Energy, with a specialty in DOE’s Savannah River Site (SRS) located in South Carolina. While monitoring various Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission projects, he focuses on risks associated with high-level nuclear waste and plutonium management at the Savannah River Site

The Sunday Herald reported on 22/12/15 that the UK Government is preparing to transport nearly five kilograms of enriched uranium by sea from Dounreay in Caithness to the US government’s nuclear complex at Savannah River in South Carolina

Bellona Foundation, Norway : www.bellona.org

The Bellona Foundation was founded in 1986. There are currently 65 employees, working at the main office in Oslo and our three international offices in Brussels (Belgium / EU) Murmansk (Russia) and St. Petersburg (Russia). It has websites in Norwegian, English and Russian.

Its area of expertise is broad, and the staff is comprised of individuals with extensive professional background. With 29 years of experience, it has established a unique network both nationally and internationally. Its work has gained international attention within several disciplines, and Bellona`s advisors are frequently sources and experts on climate change issues both in national and international press.

Bellona is working with issue including Nuclear , Fossil fuels, Russian human rights, Arctic, Climate Change, Carbon Capture & storage, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Norway has an interest in Dounreay due to risks of radioactive discharges which could pose risks to the Norwegian fishing and aquaculture industries and to the environment

The Norwegian Government and Norwegian environmental groups were active in the 1980’s in opposition to the proposed EDRP : European Demonstration Reprocessing Plant