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The Standard – Hong Kong’s First FREE English Newspaper

Smoke spotted at Japan nuclear plant: operator
 THE STANDARD (Hong Kong) 10 Oct 08 Smoke was detected inside an annex building of a Japanese nuclear plant, its operator said.Japan Atomic Power said its workers detected smoke inside a facilityhandling radioactive garbage, such as discarded protective suits and gloves.

The Standard – Hong Kong’s First FREE English Newspaper

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | safety | Leave a comment

Al Jazeera English – Africa – ‘Toxic waste’ behind Somali piracy

‘Toxic waste’ behind Somali piracy
ALJAZEERA.NET October 10, 2008 By Najad Abdullahi Somali pirates have accused European firms of dumping toxic waste off the Somali coast and are demanding an $8bn ransom for the return of a Ukranian ship they captured, saying the money will go towards cleaning up the waste…………………………..

While money is the primary objective of the hijackings, claims of the continued environmental destruction off Somalia’s coast have been largely ignored by the regions’s maritime authorities.

Dumping allegations

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN envoy for Somalia confirmed to Al Jazeera the world body has “reliable information” that European and Asian companies are dumping toxic waste, including nuclear waste, off the Somali coastline.

“I must stress however, that no government has endorsed this act, and that private companies and individuals acting alone are responsible,” he said

Allegations of the dumping of toxic waste, as well as illegal fishing, have circulated since the early 1990s.

But evidence of such practices literally appeared on the beaches of northern Somalia when the tsunami of 2004 hit the country.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reported the tsunami had washed up rusting containers of toxic waste on the shores of Puntland.

Nick Nuttall, a UNEP spokesman, told Al Jazeera that when the barrels were smashed open by the force of the waves, the containers exposed a “frightening activity” that has been going on for more than decade

“Somalia has been used as a dumping ground for hazardous waste starting in the early 1990s, and continuing through the civil war there,” he said.

“European companies found it to be very cheap to get rid of the waste, costing as little as $2.50 a tonne, where waste disposal costs in Europe are something like $1000 a tonne.

“And the waste is many different kinds. There is uranium radioactive waste. …………………………Nuttall also said that since the containers came ashore, hundreds of residents have fallen ill, suffering from mouth and abdominal bleeding, skin infections and other ailments………………………and there are hospital wastes, chemical wastes – you name it.”

Al Jazeera English – Africa – ‘Toxic waste’ behind Somali piracy

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | wastes | Leave a comment

Doctor sounds alarm on risks of nuclear energy – Press-Telegram

Doctor sounds alarm on risks of nuclear energy Press-Telegram

By Tom Hennessy

 10/08/2008

“……………………..In 1971, she played a major role in opposing French atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific. A decade later, she left Harvard University, where she had been an instructor in pediatrics, to work full time on the prevention of nuclear horror, whether by war or accident.Co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the recipient of 19 honorary degrees, Dr. Caldicott was named by the Smithsonian Institution as one of the most influential women of the 20th century.In an appearance sponsored by more than 20 Southern California groups, Dr. Caldicott will deliver a lecture, “The Presidential Campaign and the Fate of the Earth,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Ave., in downtown Long Beach.

The free event is open to the public…………………

Q. You have said the United States is the most dangerous country in the world in terms of nuclear policy. How did you arrive at that conclusion?

A. Because the U.S. processes more hydrogen bombs than any other country and because it has an official policy to fight and “win” a nuclear war against Russia. Its weapons are on hair-trigger alert and presidents (George) Bush and (Vladimir) Putin (now prime minister) have only a three-minute decision time to launch.

Of the 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world, the U.S. and Russia own 97 percent………………

Nuclear power is a grave public health danger, far worse than tobacco. Over time, it will induce epidemics of cancer, leukemia and genetic disease in all future generations from the massive quantities of radioactive waste currently being generated.

Therefore, it is dangerous in any country that possesses it. Reactors also manufacture 500 pounds of plutonium per year, fuel for potentially 100 nuclear weapons. Any country possessing a reactor owns a bomb factory. Plutonium remains radioactive for 500,000 years………….

Nuclear power is not emission free. This is a mendacious statement. The nuclear fuel chain from uranium mining, reparation of land, fuel enrichment and fabrication, reactor construction and decommissioning, and transport and storage of massive amounts of radioactive fuel over 500,000 years involves much fossil fuel.

With one or two decades, as the available uranium ore declines in usable concentrations, a nuclear reactor will collectively, therefore, produce as much CO2 as a similar sized natural gas electricity generator. Also, reactors continually emit radioactive gases and elements into the air and water as they operate.

Hence, it is medically dangerous to live near a nuclear power plant because you or your children are at risk of inhaling or ingesting radioactive elements which are carcinogenic. Locally grown fruit and vegetables also bio-concentrate these elements…………………………

Q. Why do some European countries seem unafraid to use nuclear power.

A. Because they are governed by scientifically and medically ignorant politicians who are manipulated by the powerful nuclear industry. They forget Chernobyl even though 40 percent of European land mass is still radioactive and will remain so for 600 years. Hence, some European food is radioactive…………………………………

Under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is entitled to enrich uranium for nuclear power. In fact, it is encouraged to do so by the world nuclear establishment. Israel has 200 to 400 nuclear weapons and as such is setting a very dangerous example for the Middle East.

Only if the major nuclear nations move rapidly towards bilateral, multilateral nuclear disarmament will they, by example, have the moral authority to discipline and cajole other small countries not to build nuclear weapons.

Doctor sounds alarm on risks of nuclear energy – Press-Telegram

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | environment | Leave a comment

The Associated Press: Britain planned taped messages after nuclear war

Britain planned taped messages after nuclear warOct 2, 2008LONDON (AP) — The doomsday script was never used by the British Broadcasting Corp., but decades later the message remains haunting.”This is the wartime broadcasting service,” the announcement begins. “This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons.”The decades-old statement continues: Communications have been severely disrupted, and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known. The announcer promises to bring further information as soon as possible and tells listeners to stay tuned.A draft of the message was released by the National Archives on Friday, along with letters between government bureaucrats and BBC executives offering a rare glimpse at a Cold War secret plan to deal with a nuclear attack.

The Associated Press: Britain planned taped messages after nuclear war

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | weapons and war | Leave a comment

Uranium mining and market mayhem | GoDanRiver

Uranium mining and market mayhem

goDanRiver.com 10 Oct 08 TERRY ANDREWS, R.N. I find it interesting that most of the letters that favor uranium mining seem to be written by people who are VUI investors or employees. In other words, by people who stand to reap significant financial gains if uranium is mined and milled at the Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County.

The people that oppose uranium mining are spending their own money and countless hours trying to educate the public on the dangers of uranium mining and milling — and they don’t get paid to do that. They, like me, do it because they love Virginia and don’t want their land, water, livestock and health destroyed………………………….

a physician was quoted as saying that there is a higher incidence of cancers (lung, bone and blood), kidney problems and birth defects in areas where uranium is mined. He was endorsing a resolution in Colorado that opposes uranium mining “in geographical areas that are utilized by the farming or ranching communities or where there are human residents, due to the adverse health conditions associated with the mining process …”

In a similar article from Utah, the results of a study by a state epidemiologist determined that “Monticello residents suffered from lung cancer and stomach cancers at up to twice the normal rate over three decades, a possible legacy of a uranium mill near the town in southeastern Utah.”

Uranium mining and market mayhem | GoDanRiver

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | spinbuster | Leave a comment

Environmental Capital – WSJ.com : Could More Renewable Energy Mean Lower Power Prices?

 Could More Renewable Energy Mean Lower Power Prices?
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL  October 9, 2008, by Keith Johnson The big knock against renewable energy like wind and solar power is that they are more expensive than traditional forms of power like coal and natural gas. But what if the impending explosion of renewable energy in the U.S. brings power prices down?
That’s the take from a new report by Bernstein Research. The idea? Renewable energy is poised to take off in the U.S., not because it is economically competitive today, but because so many U.S. states are pushing it (including Michigan, the latest state to join the bandwagon.) That presents a threat to earnings at U.S. utilities, Bernstein says.

Environmental Capital – WSJ.com : Could More Renewable Energy Mean Lower Power Prices?

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | ENERGY | Leave a comment

McCain Joins Attacks on Obama Over Radical – NYTimes.com

Objections over ruled

Centralian Advocate

Dan Moss

07Oct08

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U-explorer gets nod

FURIOUS protest, concern and interest surround the announcement of an exploration license at the Angela-Pamela uranium deposit.

 

Green lobbyists protested the licence over the weekend as the Cameco-Paladin joint venture and the Government began their efforts to soothe the public debate.

 

The Government received more than 200 objections to the exploration licence.

 

A statement from the Cameco-Paladin joint venture said it would take six years to bring the site to a point where it can be mined, if the necessary approvals were given.

 

The Government said the company must meet environmental, heritage and sacred site regulations during drilling……………

Both mining companies are suffering from a massive downturn: Paladin’s stocks have fallen from a top of about $6.50 in mid-July 2008 to about $3.50 yesterday.

 

Cameco’s share price has also fallen from about US$41 in mid-July to $27.

 

The spot price of uranium has almost halved recently to about US$50/lb.

 

Natalie Wasley from the Beyond Nuclear initiative said “It’s hard to say at this stage what will happen, but I think there will be a stronger community response if a mine were approved.

 

“You can never guarantee that there won’t be a problem.

 

“I think if you weigh up short-term potential economic gains against long-term environmental effects it’s not worth it.”

 

She also cast doubt on Cameco’s safety record.

 

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | politics | Leave a comment

The Standard | Online Edition :: More studies needed on nuclear power

More studies needed on nuclear power

THE STANDARD By John Njiraini 10 Oct 08

Kenya must undertake a comprehensive assessment of her long-terma energy needs and exploit local resources before contemplating the construction of a nuclear plant, a nuclear expert has said.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) senior energy economist Dr Ferenc Toth, said the country might encounter enormous problems in financing a nuclear plant due to stringent conditions from international financers.

This is because unless Kenya puts in place a clear legal framework on nuclear energy that includes security and safety measures and an independent regulatory body, financers would keep their distance.

“Nuclear energy is not the panacea to solve Kenya’s energy problems………………….Toth advised that instead of contemplating a nuclear plant, which will take at least 15 years to put up, the country should invest in renewable resources that are cheaper and faster to implement.

The Standard | Online Edition :: More studies needed on nuclear power

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | business and costs | Leave a comment

Nuclear battle to fix reactor in Australia | TECHNOLOGY | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

Nuclear battle to fix reactor
tvnz news Oct 9, 2008 “……………………..
In reality, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is scrambling to get the reactor operating in time for its anticipated commissioning at the end of the year……………………………….

Shutdowns of the reactor have been caused by the displacement of fuel plates in the reactor core – an issue rectified by redesigned componentry approved by independent regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

However, leaks that allow ordinary water to dilute molecularly altered heavy water around the reactor have not yet been fixed, despite being identified soon after the unit’s installation…………………….

The reactor requires about 10,000 litres of heavy water, which equates to about two full domestic water tanks.

The heavy water became radioactive and after use was stored for “some time” at the Lucas Heights site before being shipped back to its overseas manufacturer, Dr Storr said.

The Australian Greens are concerned about what will happen when ANSTO runs out of space to store the heavy water waste at Lucas Heights and they want the reactor shut down.

“We think the safest solution for this reactor is for it to be shut down and for the waste to be contained properly,” Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said late last month.

It is a proposition given little consideration by Dr Switkowski.

Nuclear battle to fix reactor in Australia | TECHNOLOGY | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

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October 10, 2008 Posted by | safety | Leave a comment