nuclear-news

latest news on the uranium/nuclear industry

IONISING RADIATION and NUCLEAR MEDICINE – theme for March 2012

The nuclear lobby touts Nuclear Medicine as a justification for nuclear reactors – a sort of “fig leaf” on a dirty and dangerous technology, or a “foot in the door” to introduce nuclear reactors. Nuclear medicine uses various isotopes for diagnosis and treatment. These isotopes can be produced in other ways, so there is no necessity for nuclear reactors.

The Future of Nuclear Medicine Scientists are seeking new methods of finding disease without using radioactive substances or nuclear reactors. Nuclear medicine materials do not have to be produced by reactors.

Cyclotrons and linear accelerators are two alternative technologies. The Canadian government recently decided to move to these nonreactor methods. See: www.triumf.ca/sites/default/files/isotopes-gc-re-eng.pdf


March 10, 2012 Posted by | Christina's themes | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

The potential for Stuxnet computer worm to attack nuclear centrifuges

Forensic experts dissecting the worm found that it was calibrated in a way that could send nuclear centrifuges “wildly out of control.”…..one thing is clear: Stuxnet is a worrying escalation in cyber attacks.

A dangerous new level in malware, Pittsburg Post Gazette, TechMan:  2 Dec 10, Malicious software turned a dangerous corner recently with Stuxnet, a computer worm that attacks the control systems for things like nuclear power plants and electrical grids………….. Read more »

December 2, 2010 Posted by | 2 WORLD, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

German govt to raise 3 billion euros from nuclear fuel tax

From Jan. 1 2011 through December 2016, a tax on nuclear fuel will bring an estimated EUR2.3 billion to the federal government.

German Upper House Passes Nuclear Fuel Tax – WSJ.com, By Beate Preuschoff, Dow Jones Newswires;NOVEMBER 26, 2010, BERLIN -Germany’s upper house of parliament Friday approved a new tax on nuclear fuel rods, part of a sweeping overhaul of the country’s atomic energy policy. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , | Leave a Comment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission challenged over rubber-stamping nuclear license extensions

he was fired by FPL and other nuclear power companies after complaining about safety issues and is now campaigning against what he terms the “rubber-stamping” of 20-year nuclear power plant license extensions.

Florida activist challenges plan to repair Palo nuclear reactor, By DAVE DeWITTE • Cedar Rapids Gazette • November 26, 2010 Palo, Ia.A nuclear power activist has asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the repair method proposed by the operator of Duane Arnold Energy Center for a potentially serious fault in a nozzle on the plant’s reactor this month. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | safety and incidents, USA | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Nuclear company EDF has financial and legal problems

The European Commission plans to take France to the European Court of Justice over a provision in the reform which maintains local taxes on electricity, La Tribune reported today……..….

EDF May Sell Nuclear Power Below 42 Euros, Deputy Says, Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Nov 26, 2010 Electricite de France SA may be forced to sell nuclear power to rivals at less than it says it needs to recoup production costs under a law adopted yesterday by France’s National Assembly, according to a lawmaker. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

UK’s “independent” research into nuclear veterans far from independent

The reason for this covert examination of body parts is exposed by Redfern ( p.90 ) as “mainly scientific research and potential damage claims .”

Dear Members of Parliament « Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog. 26 Nov 10, “…………The Minister for Veterans has admitted nuclear test veterans were exposed to radiation . Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stuxnet computer worm still stalling Iran’s uranium enrichment

Iran’s nuclear program reportedly struggling Network News By Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, November 22, 2010; Iran’s nuclear program has experienced serious problems, including unexplained fluctuations in the performance of the thousands of centrifuges enriching uranium, leading to a rare but temporary shutdown, international inspectors are expected to reveal Tuesday. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | Iran, technology, Uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

AREVA nuclear company doesn’t like India’s Nuclear Liability Law

Areva will await clarifications on Indian nuclear liability law, The Hindu, 26 Nov 10, The French nuclear company Areva declined from clarifying its position on the issue of supplier’s liability in the Indian civil nuclear liability law at a press briefing here on Thursday. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | France, politics international | , , , , | Leave a Comment

ETHICS and NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY- theme for December 2010

The unethical nature of nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle is becoming more obvious, as its history unfolds. On grounds of nuclear weapons spread, unsolved wastes problem, health and environment, effects on indigenous and poor peoples, injustice to today’s and future generations – and even the sheer financial costs for now and the future – it is clear that “atoms for peace” is a false and unethical enterprise.

Given the mounting negative evidence about the nuclear industry, it is concerning that so many world political, scientific and economic leaders continue to promote the industry. Sir Mark Oliphant, (below) one of the founders of the atomic bomb, was one who had the courage to change his mind, and to speak out against nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

Why is it so rare for ‘important’ people to face up to the evil nature of the whole nuclear fuel cycle? It’s not just money. Is it that so much of their reputation, their work has already been invested in nuclear? just too much effort to change track

Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who said For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”

Rather than pause to think about the whole picture, they concentrate on their own important actions. Again like Macbeth ” Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d.”

(Image from MACBETH IS A BAD, BAD MAN design by Dave Shanker&Danilo Groppa, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Macbeth – Webquest)

November 25, 2010 Posted by | Christina's themes | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Costly electricity in $40 billion Toronto nuclear power expansion

it will also send energy bills skyrocketing, with the average bill expected to double over the next 20 years. Ontarians can expect to see a 3.5 per cent annual increase on their bills over that period.The plan could cost up to $40 billion and will be the largest nuclear improvement project on the continent.

More Money For Nuclear Power, But At What Cost? – CityNews, Toronto, 23 Nov 10, The Ontario government is expanding its nuclear power capacity. It was announced Tuesday the province will refurbish as many as 10 reactors and add two to the Darlington plant over the next 10 years. Read more »

November 24, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, Canada | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Britsh nuclear “guinea pigs” soldiers will fight on for justice

Many people, including researchers based in Dundee, believe this has led to deteriorating health among the veterans and Mr Malone said he was used as a “guinea pig” during the testing…..

VIDEO of Christmas Islands nuclear tests The Courier – Veterans undeterred by 1950s nuclear test ruling Veterans undeterred by 1950s nuclear test ruling, The Courier UK,  23 Nov 10, Atomic bomb test veterans from Dundee and Kirkcaldy say they will continue their fight for the truth after top judges dashed their hopes of compensation….. Read more »

November 24, 2010 Posted by | Resources -audiovicual | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Safety problems, workers pressured at Knolls nuclear site

WGI managers “created an atmosphere of fear among the work force not to speak up about issues of concern,” according to the DOE report.

Federal probe: Workers felt pressed to ignore safety issues at Knolls nuclear site, Times Union, By BRIAN NEARING , November 23, 2010 NISKAYUNA — A federal investigation into radiation released during demolition of a research building at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory found workers felt pressed by bosses to ignore safety issues and get work done faster. Read more »

November 24, 2010 Posted by | safety and incidents, USA | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Millions spent on lobbying gets results for Body Scanner Radiation company

spent $271,500 on lobbying so far this year too. In return it has received $41.2 million in government contracts for their scanners this year.

Body Scanner Radiation Machine Makers Spent Millions On Lobbying, Wall Street Window,  – Mike Swanson (11/22/10) The truth comes out. USA Today reports that L-3 Communications, which makes the TSA radiation scanning machines at the center of controversy spent millions on lobbying government officials over the past few years to get government contracts to build the machines. Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Sexism in airport radiation scanning: pilots exempt, flight attendants not

Unions representing both groups are advising their members not to go through the scanners because of concerns about radiation exposure. The dose per scan is trivial, but radiation exposure is cumulative.

(USA) TSA Sexism: Pilots’ Junk Off-Limits; Flight Attendants’ Fair Game, Big Think, Lindsay Beyerstein on November 22, 2010, Pilots who shun full body scans are exempt from the TSA’s new “enhanced” body searches. Flight attendants are not. Their respective unions complained about the searches, but only pilots got an exemption. Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | civil liberties, USA | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Australian soldiers, Aborigines, civilians exposed to depleted uranium in ’50s nuclear tests

The government is preparing a study of those who may have been affected, including soldiers, and Aboriginal and civilian populations in the area at the time of testing.

Depleted uranium used at Maralinga Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10, Australian Government Confirms Depleted Uranium Used in 1950s The Australian Federal Government announced that it will conduct a health study of Australian volunteers who worked at Maralinga, a British nuclear test site. Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, depleted uranium | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

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