Revolt news244 of 2.12.07 and other issues are sent bcc and free. To subscribe or unsubscribe simply email me. Email addresses which fail for three consecutive issues will be removed in any case. For your convenience, these news issues are usually in plain text for easy transmission. For further information please see . Statements made by me as editor or by other parties and quoted for information do not necessarily represent the views of Revolt. Criticism of government and industry, and grievances from members of the public, are in the nature of Revolt's work, though we try to give credit where it is due. Revolt is strictly non-party-political and regrets any offence which may be inadvertently caused. 1. An important development in recognition of health effects is expected in December, according to CNN and the Times 1-12-07. The WHO body IARC (International Agency for Research in Cancer) is to recognise night shift work as a "probable cause of cancer", noting the connection with disturbance of circadian rhythm and melatonin production. The melatonin side of the argument counters the negative approach of the HPA (and formerly NRPB) and adds to the case for carcinogenicity of powerline EMFs, which are recognised as a "possible human carcinogen". 2. Snips from news@all-energy102 are at APPENDIX A. I've picked a mix of technologies and fundamental/practical items which seem interesting and relevant to long term transmission issues. 3. BBC News is promoting a new icon and champion for man-made global warming. Well, it's an old one resurrected. In a recent news item, the "Keeling curve" is used to promote the modern increase in CO2 in the atmosphere, complete with misleading axes to give an exaggerated impression - a schoolboy "sin" of presentation. The BBC makes a 20% increase over 50 years look like a ten-fold or 1,000% increase. Now the increase is indeed significant, as properly recognised by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its 22nd Report "Energy - the changing climate" in 2000. But to claim this newly dubbed "Keeling Curve" as "one of the most famous graphs in science" and "alongside E = mc2"? Come off it, BBC, you are just spinning to bury the disgraced and false "hockey stick graph" which was formerly the global warming icon. 4. Henry Barnett writes from the Pyrenees to follow up Russell Hinton's note (news243.6). News of the France-Spain overhead line interconnector is not encouraging. See APPENDIX B. 5. Children with Leukaemia reports PQs in the Scottish Parliament regarding EMFs and distances from powerlines. See APPENDIX C. 6. The BBC has upheld complaints made against an edition of Panorama about the potential dangers of wi-fi technology, shown back in May 2007 (revolt news226.4). Prof Michael Repacholi, formerly of WHO, who was presented in a critical light, complained that scientific evidence was presented in an unbalanced way. The programme had favoured the precautionary views of Sir William Stewart, Chairman of HPA. It remains to be seen if there will be counter complaints about this ruling! < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/low/uk_news/7122230.stm > 7. The prospect of pan-European and trans-Mediterranean HVDC transmission, which can be underground and undersea, for the developing patterns of renewable energy is promoted by TREC (Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Co-operation). Studies by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) confirm the viability of the project. 8. A strategic project for Electricity Networks of the Future has been running through the mechanisms of the EU this last two years, with some emphasis on DER (Distributed Energy Resources) and HVDC solutions. Revolt has long supported small distributed generation as distinct from large remote generation. These strategies could have a key bearing on projects like Beauly-Denny and Eirgrid's proposed 400 kV lines in Ireland. The driving force is renewable energy policy, which places great demands on networks. The change in emphasis from "connecting" to "integrating" DER, with modern ICT, is said to be critical. Perhaps it will be a key agent to enabling undergrounding of major new projects throughout Europe. ***** ***** APPENDIX A Snips from news@all-energy102 1.CLIMATE CHANGE 1.1.World's first Climate Change Bill The Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in the world, sets out a framework that will put Britain on the path to become a low-carbon economy, with clear, legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050, and 26 to 32 per cent by 2020, against 1990 levels 4.2.Pylons plan 'breaks guidelines' A proposed upgrade to a 137-mile power line through the centre of Scotland would break countryside protection guidelines, it has been claimed. The public inquiry into SSE's plans has begun its final session in Stirling http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7103241.stm 4.5.National Grid's investment plans National Grid is to invest £16bn in the UK and US over the next five years www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/11/16/cngrid116.xml 5.4.Valuable lessons of failed turbine Windfarm designers must learn lessons from storm damage, an Aberdeen academic has warned. Three Scottish windfarms had to be switched off after a turbine collapsed in high winds. The 200ft machine at an Argyll windfarm, "bent in half" during storms sweeping Scotland >Irish-based offshore wind energy developers confirmed that they have projects at an advanced stage of preparation for the development of over 2,000MW of RE in Irish waters at a capital cost of over 4bn euro - also covers the launch of NOW www.finfacts.com/irelandbusinessnews/publish/article_1011859.shtml 10.1.UK to develop pioneering carbon-capture facility The UK Govt has announced a drive to expand RE sources in the UK and build one of the world's first carbon-carbon capture and storage plants www.ukinvest.gov.uk/OurWorld/4018284/en-GB.html 13.2.Nanotube boost for hydrogen power Scientists have moved us a step closer to a hydrogen-based economy by successfully "wiring up" carbon nanotubes to hydrogenase - a biological molecule that can be used to harness hydrogen as fuel ***** ***** APPENDIX B Henry Barnett replies to Russell Hinton's note in news243.6. Fioul (pronounced fuel) is Heating oil, normally used in country houses where gas cannot be had. It's not a 'flask'! AND by the way President Sarkosy has spoken out against those electric windmills and wants to stop their spread. Good for him BUT it seems like the THT in the PYRENEES ORIENTAL is moving slowly but surely to a conclusion. The RTE (the company that owns the power lines) obtained compulsory land purchases on the Spanish side against the wishes of the local commune affected by having the Guardia Civile protect a car park where the owners were made to sign!! (See news242.3 re. President Sarkozy and wind farms.) ***** ***** APPENDIX C PQs in Scottish Parliament Source: Scottish Parliament - Written answers report 27.11.07 Housing Mary Scanlon To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to review planning guidance in relation to building new homes near high voltage overhead transmission lines. [S3W-6347] Stewart Stevenson The Stakeholder Advisory Group on Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (SAGE) published their First Interim Assessment: Power Lines and Property, Wiring in Homes and Electrical Equipment in Homes on 27 April 2007. The report of the Cross Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields was published in July of 2007. Both of these reports include consideration of how planning guidance might be used to control development near high voltage overhead powerlines. The Scottish Government will consider the content of these reports, including implications for planning guidance, in close liaison with colleagues in relevant UK Government Departments and devolved administrations. 26 November 2007 29.11.07 Health Mary Scanlon To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any known adverse health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. [S3W-6349] Shona Robison Electric and magnetic fields of the type produced by the electricity distribution system can induce electric currents in the the body. If these currents are large enough then sensations such as small electric shocks and flickering sensations in the eye can occur. The existing guidelines on restrictions on public exposure to electric and magnetic fields are 5 kiloVolts per metre and 100 microTeslas, and these are based on the avoidance of these various established biological effects. There is some epidemiological evidence that prolonged exposure to power frequency magnetic fields well below 100 microTeslas may be associated with a small risk of childhood leukaemia, but the UK Health Protection Agency advises that this evidence is not strong enough to justify the firm conclusion that exposure to such fields does cause leukaemia in children. The Stakeholder Advisory Group on Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (SAGE) published their First Interim Assessment: Power Lines and Property, Wiring in Homes and Electrical Equipment in Homes on 27 April 2007. The report of the Cross Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields was published in July of 2007. The Scottish Government will consider the content of these reports in close liaison with colleagues in relevant UK Government Departments and devolved administrations. Chantelle Roberts, Campaigns Officer CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA 51 Great Ormond Street London WC1N 3JQ tel: 020 7404 0808 ***** ***** -- Mike O'Carroll