Scientists’ doubts on the safety of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Top scientists express safety concerns over Kudankulam nuclear plant NDTV, by Pallava Bagla, Edited by Mala Das | May 14, 2013 New Delhi: Sixty of the country’s leading scientists have written to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, expressing safety concerns over the controversial Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant which received the Supreme Court’s nod earlier this month. The scientists, most of who aren’t specialists in nuclear energy, have sought a safety review of the plant by an “independent panel” of experts.
But the scientists, in their three-page petition, have expressed doubts “particularly with reference to possible sub-standard components” that were supplied to the plant. Recently, four faulty valves were detected in the first reactor unit of the plant; they were later replaced. Some Russian officials had also been arrested recently over alleged corruption in sourcing sub-standard materials from some Russian nuclear plants.
Still the danger of radioactive scrap metal in Delhi
Delhi still not radiation ready Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times New Delhi, May 08, 2013 Three years after a man was killed in India’s first case of radiation exposure at the Mayapuri scrap market in West Delhi, there is still a big question mark on the preparedness to prevent such disasters.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) will on Wednesday hear a petition, which has claimed the mechanism to detect radiation is withering away. There is no screening of scrap before it finds its way to the market. The National Disaster Management Authority is still in the process of procuring devices, to be given to the police, to detect radiation.
Safety hazards of India’s Kudankulam nuclear plant
Behind the scenes at Kudankulam… THE HINDU, VASUDEVAN MUKUNTH, 7 May 13 ”…. the people of Kudankulam and its surrounding fishing villages protest against the plant and call for its shutdown. Why? Despite accidents being unpredictable by definition, they do occur because the enterprise is immensely complex for anyone to keep track of all its components at the same time.
While the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) could be addressing this issue well, etc., the complexity increases the opportunities for accidents to occur rather than directly precipitating them. Despite a decent track record for maintenance, the one for compensation in India is dismal, and so the people’s fears are bound to persist.
In order to explain how a nuclear power plant works, I’ve divided it up into short chapters, each explaining the role of an important component. … Read more »
Why India must say “NO” to nuclear power
India has entered into nuclear deals with countries like US who are looking to revitalise their economies, while ignoring the concerns of the poor villagers who live near these plants. At Kudankulam, the agreement indemnifying the Russian supplier against accidents mocks the very absolute liability principle that deters foreign corporations from setting up nuclear plants in India.
Nuclear power is a centralised form of power supply that does not empower the local community. It makes them vulnerable to the decisions and interpretations of scientific and technological experts. All this falls through when a disaster happens. It is the locals and their future generations who bear the brunt of the accident. What India and the world needs are safe, small-scale, renewable power options.
Saying no to nuclear http://www.indianlink.com.au/headline/saying-no-to-nuclear/ The Radioactive Exposure Tour highlights the need for caution when it comes to nuclear power in India, reports?Jyoti Shankar Every time you visit India, you see the change, bigger malls, new flyovers, the lifestyle in the cities not very different to what you experience in the streets of any capital city in Australia, and, fewer power cuts. Move a bit further away from the cities and you realise that not much has changed. Dirt roads, constant blackouts, people struggling to make ends meet. And the paradox of progress hits you.
Nuclear power is just another aspect of this big picture where the pursuit of economic ?growth? at any cost seems acceptable. India is power hungry. It needs power for its burgeoning millions, as well as for industries that supply cheap goods to the consumers in the developed world. And the government is pursuing this objective setting aside all its democratic principles. Nuclear power is portrayed as a greener option, but scratch the surface, and a different story is revealed. Read more »
India racing ahead with nuclear weaponry
The elite nuclear race, Khaleej Times, Eric S. Margolis (America Angle) / 28 April 2013 While the United States beats the war drums over North Korea and Iran’s long-ranged nuclear armed missiles –which they don’t even possess – Washington remains curiously silent about the arrival of the world’s newest member of the big nuke club – India. Read more »
Kudankulam nuclear plant has faulty technology
India’s nuclear watchdog finds faulty valves in Kudankulam plant by Pallava Bagla, Edited by Ashish Mukherjee: April 19, 2013 New Delhi: For the very first time, India’s nuclear watchdog, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), has indicated that faulty parts have been found at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The problematic valves are being replaced, said officials.
The Department of Atomic Energy, which reports to the Prime Minister, has been insisting that the nuclear facility in coastal Tamil Nadu is safe and ready to be commissioned in weeks.
Protesters, including local fishermen and villagers who have campaigned long and hard against the nuclear plant, have repeatedly shared their concern that sub-standard equipment has been installed at the facility.
The AERB confirms that “performance of four valves of a particular type were found to be deficient”…… SP Udayakumar, leader of the anti-Kudankulam protesters, said the nuclear watchdog’s finding proves that the plant is not safe. “Not just valves, the reactor pressure vessel itself is deficient. The project should be scrapped,” he said. http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/india-s-nuclear-watchdog-finds-faulty-valves-in-kudankulam-plant-356391
India’s Green Power Market Development Group is expanding
Green Power Market Development Group Announced at Clean Energy Ministerial World Resources Institute April 19, 2013 Business group will help increase the uptake of renewable energy sources in India
A group of leading businesses and organizations announced the expansion of India’s Green Power Market Development Group(GPMDG) at the Clean Energy Ministerial in New Delhi. The objective of the GPMDG is to transform energy markets and enable corporate buyers to access reliable and clean energy, diversify their energy portfolios with green power, and reduce their impact on climate change.
According to the latest reports, clean energy investment dipped in 2012, but it still was nearly $270 billion, which is a five-fold increase over the past decade…… Read more »
Film-maker describes India’s repression of anti nuclear protestors
I’ve just been informed 30 people including the woman who helped me get to Idinthakarai have been arrested and detained by Tamil Nadu police. They joined another 54 activists who were arrested in September and have been refused bail, wasting away in dirty conditions in gaol after a big police operation invaded their village and beat the daylights out of anyone who could not run away fast enough.
David Bradbury on Idinthakarai’s anti-nuclear front line Independent Australia Posted by Sandi Keane 16 March, 2013 Award winning Australian filmmaker, David Bradbury, describes in chilling detail his visit to the epicentre of the Kudankulam anti-nuclear struggle in India – the beautiful seaside town of Idinthakarai. “…… We’re talking national security and big bikkies here – $140 billion in nuclear power contracts if the Centre Government has its way. He [ Deputy Superintendent NK Stanley Jones] repeated that the area was a prohibited zone under Section 144. I didn’t bother to draw the parallel for him that this was exactly the same rationale used by the South Australian coppers two months earlier in arbitrarily arresting people at Lizards Revenge outside Olympic Dam uranium mine.
There, SA police in similarly threatening Orwellian tones repeatedly warned us over loudspeakers, ‘You are now entering a Protective Security Zone. Under the Protective Security Act of the South Australian Parliament 2007, you are subject to arbitrary arrest, strip search and detention…’
It would seem the nuclear lobby worldwide has a special dispensation for suspending people’s normal rights of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of non-violent protest……..
The latest round of opposition to stop the opening of the Kudankulam nuclear power plants has raged for more than ten years now, with this last year seeing opposition to the Russian built nuclear power plants at Idinthakarai reach fever pitch. Read more »
Indian farmers determined to stop Mithi Virdi nuclear plant
Farmers set for bitter fight over Mithi Virdi nuclear plant Times of India 3 Mar 13, RAJKOT/GANDHINAGAR: Large number of farmers and environmentalists will gather at a mega congregation in Mithi Virdi village of Bhavnagar district on Monday to oppose tooth
and nail the 6,000 MW nuclear power plant proposed at this coastal site. Read more »
“Radiation leaking” from Kudankulam nuclear power plant
Kudankulam plant ‘leaking radiation’ since Feb 27, Deccan Herald,
Colombo, Mar 2, 2013 Days after India dismissed as “baseless” reports
about radiation leaks at the yet to be commissioned Kudankulam Nuclear
Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, a Sri Lankan interest group on Saturday
alleged that the atomic power station has been leaking radiation since
February 27.
The People’s Movement Against Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, in a
statement, urged officials here to bare the truth.They held the
government of Sri Lanka responsible for turning a blind eye to
radiation threats from Kudankulam…..
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/316125/kudankulam-plant-leaking-radiation-feb.html
Danger to Sri Lanka from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Lanka seeks protection from Indian radiation http://www.emirates247.com/news/sri-lanka/lanka-seeks-protection-from-indian-radiation-2013-02-23-1.496099, February 23, 2013 Even before being commissioned, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant had developed leaks and leading environmentalists have urged the Indian government to protect Sri Lanka from the nuclear power plant, ‘The Island’ reported. Read more »
Inadequate assessment for planned Saurashtra’s Bhavnagar nuclear plant
‘Cancel public hearing for Mithi Virdi nuclear project’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cancel-public-hearing-for-mithi-virdi-nuclear-project/article4449713.ece
THE HINDU, 24 Feb 13, Environmentalists in Gujarat have claimed that
the March 5 environmental public hearing (EPH) for the 6,000-MWe
nuclear power plant in Saurashtra’s Bhavnagar district will be on the
basis of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) by Engineers India
Limited, which did not have the necessary accreditation. Read more »
France – to phase out nuclear at home, but keen to sell it to India
Trust our nuclear technology: French president to India Deccan Herald, Mumbai, Feb 15, 2013, (IANS) French President Francois Hollande Friday urged India “to trust” his country’s nuclear technology and extended France’s support to the Indian nuclear power generation programme……
France is helping India construct two nuclear power reactors at the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Ratnagiri, 400 km south of Mumbai. The project has been facing stiff resistance from locals, NGOs, anti-nuclear groups and some political parties..… Earlier Friday, Hollande met Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Industry Minister Narayan Rane, Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty and stressed the importance of nuclear energy.
France’s President Hollande greeted with anti nuclear protest in India
Anti-nuclear protesters burn French national flag http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Anti-nuclear-protesters-burn-French-national-flag/articleshow/18508167.cms Feb 15, 2013 TIRUNELVELI: Anti-nuclear protesters in Idinthakarai burnt the French national flag on Thursday condemning the visit of France’s president Francois Hollande to India.
A large number of men and women, who are staging a prolonged protest against the nuclear plant at Kudankulam, took out a march from Idinthakarai village in Tirunelveli district and burnt the French national flag.
A statement from People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) said the French flag was burnt to condemn the visit of Hollande to India, to sign a contract pertaining to Jaitapurnuclear project at a time when hundreds of villagers were jailed for staging a protest against the project. The Jaitapur nuclear plant is being built with technological support from France.
This is the first visit of Hollande to India. His two-day visit is expected to end in signing of contracts worth several billions.
Thousands ready to picket Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Anti-nuke protesters threaten to picket Kundankulam nuclear power plant http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_anti-nuke-protesters-threaten-to-picket-kundankulam-nuclear-power-plant_1798559, Feb 10, 2013, : Tirunelveli | People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, spearheading the agitation against Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant, today said its supporters would picket the plant if the Centre tries to “suddenly” commission it.
“Thousands of people including children will picket Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant if the Centre makes efforts to suddenly commission it,” movement coordinator S P Udhayakumar said in a statement here. Read more »
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- AUDIO About San Onofre Nuclear plant. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – NRC: Lapdog or Watchdog? http://www.fairewinds.org/content/nrc-lapdog-or-watchdog
- and this Japan’s nuclear safety record criticised by regulator http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/japans-nuclear-safety-record-criticised-by-regulator/1132464
- VIDEO Printing Australia’s Largest Solar Cells
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/05/19/printing-australias-largest-solar-cells/#I2hPrL1dDL6WTXwD.99 - and this VIDEO: Japan to open nuclear plant http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3761126.ht
From Fukushima to New York: Continuing Dangers of Nuclear PowerEVENTS
San Onofre at the No Nukes Brink: It’s Time to Take Action & WIN!!!
http://www.nukefree.org/stop-san-onofre-re-start-call-petition-now
Women and nuclear radiation – Mary Olson speaks
Mary Olson, from Nuclear Information and Resource Service, spoke at the New York symposium on Fukushima’s effects, March 2013.
Here are some highlights:
Mary Olson discussed the findings of the latest National Academy of Sciences Biological Effects of Ionising Radiation ( BEIR VII) , illustrated by this graph:
This lifespan graph shows increased cancer risk by exposure to a given amount of radiation, The pink line shows the risk for girls, the blue line for boys. Look at left hand part of the graph. It covers from zero to 5 years, and includes pre birth. We see a striking difference between the blue line and the pink line. The nuclear regulators assume that the risk shown here at age 40 – in the blue line- is the same for every individual regardless of age or gender. Yet, even at ages 40 – 60 the cancer risk from radiation is significantly more for women, than for men.
The cancer danger from ionising radiation depends on the type of radiation, the amount, and the duration of the exposure. But it also depends on who is exposed. Radiation exposure endangers some individuals more than others. In order, the most vulnerable are:
Primary germ cells/ Embryo
Foetus
Children
Elders
Some genotypes
Females – both juvenile and adult
All of the world’s scientific authorities agree that there is no safe dose of radiation. That includes the WHO, EPA, NRC, and national Academy of Science.
The standards for permissable levels of ionising radiation were originally written to cover doctors using radiation, then were intended for the purpose of sending military into radiological areas. Yet these standads, based on a 30 year old man, are applied to everyone.
Over 100 years, man’s activities have increased the background radiation by 25%
The ratio of cancer risks from radiation for males and females is 3 to 2. That is for every 2 males who get cancer from ionising radiation, there are 3 females. In reports from BEIR and the Lifespan study of Hiroshima survivors only external radiation is considered, not internal radiation. The risk for females is being underestimated in reports and in regulations about radiation
The World Health Organisation is the first big agency to acknowledge this difference in radiation risk between males and females, in its latest report. WHO is also saying that there is 70% higher risk of thyroid cancer for little girls exposed to radiation.
Studies are continuing, and animal studies, too, are showing this gender difference. We must move towards prevention and precaution as the basis of policy. Sadly, it is too late for a lot of prevention. We need to cahnge the priorities – to protect first, study second
And we need to get a whole lot more women motivated to get involved.
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