2010 January « nuclear-news

Finance facts could end Obama’s pro-nuclear push

some experts are predicting a repeat of the experience of the 1980’s, in which the costs of many projects soared in price until they became prohibitive and the plants were abandoned before completion.

Nuclear Power Gets Strong Push From White House

The New York Times By MATTHEW L. WALD

January 29, 2010

The Obama administration moved vigorously on two fronts Friday to promote nuclear power, proposing to triple federal loan guarantees for new projects and appointing a high-level panel to study what to do with nuclear waste. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin | Leave a comment

China leads in solar energy, using U.S. technology

Obama can take heart in the fact that China’s two big solar farms will use U.S. technology. The big photovoltaic farm will use panels built by Arizona’s First Solar ( FSLR – news – people ) and the solar thermal farm will use technology developed by California’s eSolar.

The World’s Biggest Green Energy Projects Forbes.com Jonathan Fahey, 01.29.10, The U.S. and Europe have led the way in renewable power, but right now China has the grandest plans. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, climate change, renewable | energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

Costly cleanup at notorious Hanford Nuclear Site, Washington

the notorious distinction of being one of the most contaminated nuclear sites in the Western Hemisphere……………

Federal funds aim to clean up nuclear wasteland By Patrick Oppmann, CNN January 29, 2010

— The federal government has set aside nearly $2 billion in stimulus funds to clean up Washington state’s decommissioned Hanford nuclear site, once the center of the country’s Cold War plutonium production. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Time to shut down Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor

Former Yankee co-owner says shut it down: Times Argus Online By DANIEL BARLOW VERMONT PRESS BUREAU January 29, 2010 MONTPELIER – One of the former co-owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant called on lawmakers Thursday to vote this year against continued operation of the troubled Vernon reactor beyond 2012. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes | Leave a comment

Unecessary and cruel radiation experiments on squirrel monkeys

There are obvious flaws to this research: 1) High doses of radiation are not the same as low levels of radiation. 2) Squirrel monkeys are not the same as humans. 3) The dangers of radiation are not a secret. And, of course, the fact that animals will suffer needlessly.

More Radiation for Space Monkeys ANIMAL WELFARE Stephanie Feldstein 29 Jan 2010 It’s not the first time monkeys have been exposed to radiation. So many studies have documented the painful and disturbing effects of exposure, that there’s no reason for further animal research. But NASA doesn’t see it that way. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Religion and ethics, USA | 3 Comments

Continuing protests against NASA’s radiation tests on monkeys

“NASA prides itself on looking to the future, but when it comes to crude and cruel animal experiments, the agency is stuck in the Dark Ages,”

PETA to hold protest at NASA Ames against monkey experiment – San Jose Mercury News By Diana Samuels Daily News Staff Writer : 01/28/2010

A half-dozen people dressed in monkey masks and locked inside small cages plan to demonstrate in front of NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field today, protesting radiation experiments on primates. Continue reading →

January 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Obama understands that nuclear power is neither safe nor clean

Indeed, Obama knows better. Candidate Obama understood that nuclear power is neither safe nor clean. Watch this video taken early in his presidential campaign,

Nuclear Information and Resource Service Michael Mariotte 28 Jan 2010 If you were watching last night’s State of the Union address, I’m sure you were as appalled as I was when President Obama suddenly spoke in support of “safe, clean nuclear power” (not to mention support for offshore oil drilling and “clean” coal).

Politically, Obama likely was simply parroting the effort being led by Sens. John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Lindsay Graham to gain support for a climate bill by adding massive subsidies for nuclear power, offshore oil and “clean” coal. But recycling George W. Bush energy talking points is no way to solve the climate crisis or develop a sustainable energy policy.

Indeed, Obama knows better. Candidate Obama understood that nuclear power is neither safe nor clean. Watch this video taken early in his presidential campaign, in which he expresses concern for his daughters growing up in Chicago and surrounded by nuclear reactors. He says he is not a nuclear proponent and speaks out directly against taxpayer subsidies for nuclear power…www.nirs.org

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Latest poll shows that the young, and women, oppose Obama’s nuclear power policy

A Run at the Latest Data from ABC’s Poobah of Polling. Gary Langar The Numbers The President and Nuclear Power

ABC News January 28, 2010“…………..Obama’s been most popular by far among young adults, a group critical to his election. Yet they oppose nuclear plants by significant margin. Support’s highest among seniors, long Obama’s weakest support group by age; they favor nuclear power by a vast 67-28 percent. Continue reading →

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, energy efficiency, nuclear, nuclear spin, reactor, reactors, renewable energy, renewables, solar, uranium | Leave a comment

Obama panders to nuclear lobby, loses credibility with his supporters

Demoralizing his Supporters, Obama calls Nukes, Coal and Oil Drilling “Clean Energy Jobs” Think Progress, by Brad Johnson 9 Jan 2010 President Barack Obama’s discussion of energy policy in his first State of the Union address pandered to corporate interests while demoralizing his progressive supporters. Though Obama made a strong case that real investments in clean energy such as solar technology, advanced batteries, high-speed rail and efficiency are critical to job creation and international competitiveness, he also offered sops to established corporate polluters.

Republicans, who spent much of the address refusing to applaud Obama’s call for economic reforms, ecstatically applauded his praise of polluting industry. Embracing the language of the John McCain campaign, Obama described nuclear power, offshore oil and gas drilling, and coal as “clean energy jobs”: – (” a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country”)………Obama’s actual supporters were dismayed. Continue reading →

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, politics, USA | antinuclear, energy efficiency, nuclear, nuclear wastes, reactors, renewable energy, renewables | Leave a comment

South Africa’s Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor probably has no future

Times Live Zambia Jan 28, 2010 | By Sapa

Trade union Solidarity has raised the alarm about pending job losses at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) project in Centurion near Pretoria as funding dries up.

“Workers were informed (by PBMR chief executive Jaco Kriek) that government would not make further subsidies available for the project and that there were only sufficient operating funds left until April,” Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans said in a statement.

PBMR spokesman Tom Ferreira did concede, in a statement, that “the future of the PBMR is currently being reviewed by government, Necsa and Eskom.”…..The minerals and energy department could not be reached for comment….http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/local/article282054.ece

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | South Africa | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, reactor, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Young Americans want clean jobs, not dirty nuclear power

Dirty talk in SOTU: why my generation’s jobs must be clean The Huffington Post Jessy Tolkan 28 Jan 2010 “….After outlasting the Bush Administration’s team of deniers over the last decade, it’s a victory that Team Obama has identified the need to solve the climate and energy crisis as the path to securing our nation’s future. Continue reading →

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, radiation, radioactive, reactors, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

Obama’s State of Union speech: double standards on nuclear power?

Iran Accuses Obama of Double Standards on Nuclear Power Voice of America 28 Jan 2010 Iran is accusing U.S. President Barack Obama of double standards for supporting the building of nuclear power plants in the United States while threatening Tehran for pursuing a similar goal. Continue reading →

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, reactors | Leave a comment

Nuclear weapons are useless: Colin Powell shows why

Colin Powell: ‘Nuclear weapons are useless’ WATCH VIDEO, National Security By Max Bergmann on Jan 27th, 2010 General Colin Powell in an introduction to a new film called the Nuclear Tipping Point didn’t mince words. In a forceful and direct presentation, the former Cold Warrior talked about his experience in dealing with nuclear weapons throughout his military career. Powell discussed the nuclear planning that he conducted against the Soviets in Europe and the responsibility of having oversight of 28,000 nuclear weapons as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Through these experiences, Powell concluded that nuclear weapons are “useless” and ought to be eliminated…..http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/01/27/colin-powell-nuclear-weapons-are-useless/

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

AREVA and INB’s false claims on radioactive drinking water wells

Why do nuclear companies always start by denying there is a problem, when there is a problem, only admitting it when there is a lot of pressure hoping the issue is already forgotten? For years AREVA denied the problems in Niger and now in Brazil! With such track record do they really expect us to believe anything they say?

Hot’ drinking water near uranium mine in Brazil Continue reading →

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, SOUTH AMERICA | antinuclear, AREVA, France, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Doubts about AREVA and the future of France’s nuclear power empire

Areva reshuffles ops to stave off split-up PARIS, Jan 28 (Reuters) – French nuclear reactor maker Areva (CEPFi.PA) announced a reorganisation of its businesses on Thursday, in a move aimed to shore up its credentials as an integrated nuclear power provider that cannot be split apart.

The embattled state-owned company said it was reshuffling operations to improve synergies and customer satisfaction.

Areva has recently come under fire for losing a multi-billion euro contract to build nuclear reactors in Abu Dhabi in part because it did not tailor its offer to meet local needs.

The company has also struggled to finish a project to build next generation nuclear reactors in Finland and is embroiled in legal proceedings with its partner there over delays and cost overruns……….President Nicolas Sarkozy has commissioned Francois Roussely, the former head of EDF (EDF.PA), to produce an analysis on the future of the French nuclear industry. The report is due by the end of April. (Reporting by Nina Sovich; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)…http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE60R0QQ20100128

January 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, politics | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment