2010 February « nuclear-news

The hidden costs of nuclear power

We know about the ever-increasing costs of building a nuclear reactor. Everyone talks about these “central”, or middle costs. But what about the hidden costs at the “front end” and the “back” end of the nuclear fuel cycle? – our theme for March 2010

February 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, business and costs | antinuclear, cancer, energy efficiency, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium, wastes | Leave a comment

Not even money, but WATER might kill off the nuclear power industry

Water could the be issue that sinks this project, or it could be numerous other funding and safety issues related to nuclear power.

Water Issues Derailing Nuclear Power in Utah SpeakEasy by Tara Lohan , February 26, 2010 Nuclear power has been a hot topic these past few weeks with Vermont’s leaking reactor, Georgia’s plans for new ones (thanks to Obama), and the press’s blind approval of all things nuclear. ….

While there are lots of reasons that nuclear power is a bad idea, residents in Utah are particularly concerned about water. Waldholz writes: Continue reading →

February 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA, water | nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Young African Americans rallying for truly clean energy

We need clean energy because we need the jobs. Black leaders understand this is an issue for our communities.

Hip-Hop Caucus Goes Green Energy and Environment, Ashlie Rodriguez
February 25, 2010

The south side of the Hill’s reflecting pool received a splash of color in more ways than one on Wednesday. Young, multicultural Hip Hop Caucus organizers poured out of their neon-colored tour bus that had taken them from Little Rock, Ark. to Washington D.C. in less than a week, holding signs and chanting, “Clean Energy Now!” to the beats of Biz Markie. Continue reading →

February 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, politics, USA | energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

U.S. States starting to rebel against nuclear industry

The nuclear industry may think it’s on the verge of a revival, but the people of the United States are saying something very different! Beyond Nuclear 27 Feb 2010

In Vermont on Tuesday, the State Senate voted 26-4 to close the Vermont Yankee reactor when its license expires in 2012. That’s a huge victory, but one that will need to be protected over the coming months since no one is foolish enough to believe the Entergy Corporation is just going to slink home. Here is a statement from Citizens Awareness Network on the vote.

Yesterday in West Virginia, a bill to repeal that state’s ban on new nuclear construction was defeated in the state legislature. Although the bill had already passed the Senate’s Energy and Mining Committee, it received only one vote in the Judiciary Committee and is now dead for the year.

And yesterday in Arizona, a bill to classify nuclear power as renewable energy was withdrawn following heavy lobbying from the solar power industry and environmental community.

February 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation | Leave a comment

Nuclear Plant to be Shut Down by State Legislature

Vermont Senate Votes to Shut Down Nuclear Plant Politics Daily 25 Feb 2010, Just a week after President Obama called for a revitalization of the nation’s nuclear industry, the Vermont Senate voted to deny a license extension for the state’s only nuclear power plant. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | cancer, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive | Leave a comment

Aborigines across Australia will fight nuclear waste dumping on their land

“Aborigines from across the country will fight nuclear dumping” Goodooga, northwest NSW, 24 February 10 – Aboriginal people will be called from all over Australia to protest in the Northern Territory against any movement of nuclear waste across their traditional lands, an Aboriginal activist says. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | indigenous issues | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Atomic Mom” documentary

there was so much secrecy about everything that happened, especially in terms of telling people in the United States about what happened

Atomic Mom” documentary fundraiser: Feb. 27, Oakland | Oakland Local Seven years in the making, Oakland filmmaker M.T. Silvia has nearly completed Atomic Mom, an understated rumination on the U.S. nuclear program during WWII examined largely through the experience of two women: Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Obama provides $8 for nuclear, $1billion for solar

So why is Obama providing 8.3B in loan guarantees for nuclear fission power plants?

Because it’s all about the money for elections. Which is a different diary.

8.3B for nukes,1.4b for Solar, The Seminal, By: ubetchaiam , February 24, 2010 Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

Indigenous Rights- shameful history in Canada

Olympics can’t mask country’s human rights record on indigenous peoples rabble.ca, By Martin Lukacs| February 24, 2010 “.… aboriginal gilding can blind Canadians and the world to the country’s secret shame: the true state of its indigenous peoples………….. Billions have indeed been spent — not on paving roads or developing infrastructure and healthcare in dilapidated and diseased communities, but on a legal war opposing aboriginal rights.

Olympics can’t mask country’s human rights record on indigenous peoples | rabble.ca

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Uranium mining threatens Public Health and Indigenous Sacred Lands

Uranium Mining Begins Near Grand Canyon: Thousands of Claims Threaten Public Health & Sacred Lands :: Peace, Earth & Justice News Feb 24, 2010 Grand Canyon, AZ — In defiance of legal challenges and a U.S. Government moratorium, Canadian company Denison Mines has started mining uranium on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | indigenous issues, USA | antinuclear, cancer, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Australian women protesting nuclear waste dumping

Women’s Peace Walk to Take People’s Opposition to Nuke Dump to Canberra | Indymedia Australia 24 Feb 2010
The Women’s Peace Walk “Footprints for Peace” will begin their epic three month trek from Brisbane to Canberra to send a message of peace, sustainability and anti-nuclear proliferation to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics | AUSTRALIA | Leave a comment

After decades, uranium mining areas still radioactive

Enviros: Uranium mines still too hot CYNDY COLE AZ Daily Sun , February 20,
Local environmentalists said Thursday’s findings on past uranium mining confirmed what they suspected: That it led to uranium contamination on the Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon, and that mining is not safe. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA | cancer, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Arizona Bill Calls Nuclear Power “Renewable” !!

Solar Industry Fights Arizona Bill That Favors Nuclear, Hydro · Environmental Leader, 24 Feb 2010 Solar City, Kyocera Solar and Suntech Power Holdings, together with other solar energy providers, are opposed to Arizona House Bill 2701 (HB 2701) stating it would jeopardize Arizona’s renewable energy industry by allowing nuclear and hydroelectric power to meet RES requirements and by setting up a more burdensome regulatory scheme. Continue reading →

February 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | spinbuster | Leave a comment

Potential for 100% U.S. electricity from wind power

U.S. Wind Energy Potential Someday Could Power Entire Country EarthTechling, by Susan DeFreitas, February 23rd, 2010 “…..the US has the potential to produce a whole lot of juice using nothing but turbines–enough, in fact, to power the entire country on an annual basis. But over 12 times that much energy?? Those are the new numbers, according to a new study released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Continue reading →

February 24, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, renewable, USA | energy efficiency, renewables | Leave a comment

President Obama has let the nuclear industry be caught in its own trap

Though the President’s critics on the left do not recognize a strategic move in the loan guarantees to new nuclear, there is very likely method in what seems madness. The nuclear industry proved in the 1970s and 1980s, to those who were paying attention, that it is not viable.

New Nuclear to be Hoist on its own Petard, RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD, February 23, 2010“…the phrase hoist with one’s own petard…means ‘to be harmed by one’s own plan to harm someone else’ or ‘to fall into one’s own trap’…” (Wikipedia)Announcements from the Obama administration of new financial support for the nuclear industry were met by declarations that the long-anticipated nuclear renaissance is finally at hand but the reality is quite different. Continue reading →

February 24, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, reactor | Leave a comment