Dounreay's industrial safety record during the last 12 months earned a £22,500 windfall for good causes locally. Every month the site goes without a lost-time accident earns a £2500 pay-out from UKAEA Ltd, parent company of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd.
Commenting on the Chancellor's Budget statement, Trudy Morris Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: "Businesses had a need to see some positive news out of the Budget and we are fairly encouraged by some of the measures announced. The Chancellor appears to have taken notice of some of the recommendations put forward by both the British and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
The destruction of the liquid metal coolant in Dounreay's experimental fast reactors means that the site can say farewell to two of its firefighters, the graphex tenders. Specially built for Dounreay, the two graphex tenders are the only ones in the world.
Another legacy of Dounreay's commercial venture into nuclear reprocessing has been safely cleaned up and taken apart. A household proprietry cleaner "Mr Muscle" was found to be the most effective way of removing glue and fake snow use in the clean-up process.
A stump of concrete and steel is all that remains standing of one Britain's most historic nuclear research facilities from the 1950s. Demolition contractor John Gunn is in the final stages of clearing away the reinforced shield that once surrounded the plutonium criticality cell pressure vessel.
Protecting and enhancing the natural waters of the North Highland area is a huge task involving many organisations and communities, and Scotland's environment watchdog is urging all those with an interest to get involved. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is asking interested local communities and businesses to read the draft River basin management plans (RBMP) and Local area management plans (AMP) and feed back whether they think the plans are comprehensive enough, how they can help to achieve the aims of the plans, and how we can all work together to achieve them.
A hi-tech "worm" is probing a subterranean pipeline used to discharge radioactive effluent from Dounreay between 1957 and 1992. The £100,000 pipe crawler has sent back video and radiation readings during its five-day journey some 45 metres underground.
In the current economic climate it is essential businesses are prepared for new regulations, as failure to comply could lead to increased costs. NetRegs (www.netregs.gov.uk) is a free UK website offering environmental guidance for businesses and is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Scotland's recycling and composting rate continues to make steady progress. Figures released today (Friday 13 February), by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), show that Scotland's annual recycling and composting rate rose to 32.9% for the year October 2007 to September 2008.
A north-east farmer was fined £2000 for allowing diesel to enter surface water drains and into a tributary of the River Ythan causing pollution of the river. Mr Roger Glennie from the Hillhead of Ardo Farm, Methlick, Ellon pled guilty today (21 January 2009) to a contravention of legislation designed to protect the water environment.
Scotland's environment watchdog has found that 57% of Scotland's water is in good condition, or better. This provides an excellent basis for our future livelihoods, economy and recreation.
The Caithness Chamber of Commerce has recruited a chief executive to ensure a strong united business voice for the future. Trudy Morris, who currently lives in Inverness, will take up her new appointment on Monday 5th January 2009.
A versatile remotely-operated machine that will cut the heart out of Dounreay's fast reactor has been installed in the sphere. The retrieval cell is a highly engineered tool that will reach down inside the reactor vessel and remove the remaining breeder elements in a delicate and precise operation.
A ground-breaking project to recover nuclear waste from a shaft beneath Dounreay is in the running for a top award. The project team has already taken a top in-house award for its safety and environmental performance during a three-year operation to divert groundwater from the shaft.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced further steps to reduce bureaucracy, while still ensuring high levels of environmental protection. Changes have been put in place to how SEPA enforces three sets of regulations; the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) and the Trans Frontier Shipment Regulations (TFS).
With the Climate Change Scotland Bill now in parliament, it is important that everyone starts thinking how they will contribute to the ambitious world leading targets set out in the Bill. As Scotland's environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a key role in addressing climate change and has today (19 December) published its climate change plan for SEPA.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has developed, with Government, a 10-point Plan to support economic activity during the current difficulties. The aim is to help the economy whilst also protecting the environment and the health and well being of communities across Scotland.
Articles in this month's publication include: A word from Stuart Chalmers, NDA Site Programme Mananger (Dounreay) PFR's electrical strip out Apprentices help Dunnet Forest count its visitors Dounreay's Health and Safety Week 2008 See it at www.dounreay.com/news/2008-11-03/novembers-dounreay-news-out-now.
Now that the evenings are getting darker, and colder, many people are starting to think about Autumnal celebrations like Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night. While huddling round a blazing bonfire is an important part of the celebrations, and a good way to keep warm, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is reminding everyone that careful consideration needs to be given to what goes on any pyres.
From soggy summers to wet winters, flooding can be a problem in Scotland at any time of the year. Following on from one of the wettest summers for some parts of Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is launching its annual flood awareness campaign today (27 October).