The week that was, in nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

USA. Nuclear industry still reeling from closure of San Onofre nuclear power plant.  Now the full shock of the “decommissioning” challenge is being felt. It will take at least 60 years to get rid of that radioactive corpse of San Onofre.   Warren Buffett and MidAmerican cancel plans for nuclear power, and shift investment to wind energy. Nuke lobby produces an advertising film – Pandora’s Promise, which, I am happy to say, is getting pretty bad reviews.

 UK govt struggling with costs for its new nuclear program: it will link its guaranteed fixed price for electricity to inflation, so that the French supplier EDf will be sure of  a profit, but  British consumers will face high costs. Meanwhile UK and Russia sign a deal that will enable Rosatom to sell nuclear technology to Britain.  Wind power doing very well, with negligible need for backup, over 12 months.

Climate change: 48 USA city mayors pledge action to address climate change. China starts  a carbon trading scheme.

Japan. Prime Minister Abe – still junketing around Europe marketing nuclear reactors, but 60% of Japanese oppose export of nuclear reactors. Prime Minister’s wife Akie opposes nuclear power, speaks up for renewable energy.

Uranium industry in serious doldrums. Rio Tinto’s Rossing uranium mine may have to close.

June 19, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes