2009 September 03 « nuclear-news

US Dept of Energy preventing tax-payer comment about nuclear loan money?

civil-liberty-2sm The U.S. Department of Energy is attempting to fast track its nuclear loan guarantee program by drastically limiting the opportunity for the public to comment on changes to its regulations.

On August 7^th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) posted an announcement in the Federal Register in which it weakened the rules, as by moving taxpayers further back in the line of lenders who would be paid back in the event of nuclear project default. This puts taxpayers at increased risk of being left holding the bag for tens of billions of dollars in loan repayments when new nuclear projects go belly up.

Despite such astronomical financial risks, and the complex technical nature of the regulatory changes, DOE has allowed just 30 days for the submission of public comments. The month-long comment period just happened to coincide with the August Congressional recess, with watchdog groups as well as House and Senate Members and staff away on travel. Many could well remain unaware of the changes until Congress resumes the day after Labor Day – the very day comments are due – Tuesday, Sept. 8^th.

Read the details on DOE’s proposed nuclear loan guarantees.

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, uranium | Leave a comment

Costly delays in fixing nuclear plant

Point Lepreau refurbishment 9 months late
September 2, 2009 ATCBC News

The troubled $1.4-billion refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear reactor is suffering another setback, pushing the massive project nine months behind schedule, CBC News has learned.

Sources inside NB Power say the refurbishment of the reactor is being stalled because of problems with the installation of the plant’s new calandria tubes…………

Point Lepreau is the first Candu-6 reactor to undergo a complete gutting and rebuild. It was intended to be a showcase for AECL to display its ability to revive the 1980s-era reactors.

When the refurbishment project started, it was supposed to last 18 months and have the reactor back on line in October 2010

However, crews at Point Lepreau struggled to deconstruct the old reactor, finally finishing that stage in late July, almost eight months behind schedule.

NB Power has acknowledged delays at Point Lepreau will cost $20 million a month.

Point Lepreau refurbishment 9 months late

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, Canada | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive | Leave a comment

Anti-radiation pills for people living near nuclear plants

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills
by MONICA VON DOBENECK, Of The Patriot-News September 01, 2009,
“……………free doses of potassium iodide being distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in case of a radioactive release. The potassium iodide pills can partially protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure if there is a nuclear accident. They are being distributed over the next few days to anyone who lives or works within ten miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants………..

Alice Gray, director of community health systems for the Department of Health, said the state last distributed the pills in 2002, but those expired Monday. The state has enough tablets for the 1.2 million people within the 10-mile radius of the five nuclear plants, she said. She did not know how many will take advantage of the free distribution.

The potassium iodide, or KI pills, protect the thyroid gland against radioactive iodine that may be released in an emergenc……………..The pills do not protect against other forms of cancer or illnesses caused by radiation…

….The state has five nuclear plants: Three Mile Island, Beaver Valley Power Station, Limerick Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills – PennLive.com

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Finland’s nuclear plant: more delays, cost overruns

More Delays at Finnish Nuclear Plant
The New York Times. September 2, 2009, By James Kanter
AREVA a French nuclear construction company, said this week that its project to build the world’s most powerful reactor remained mired in delays and was over-budget by 2.3 billion euros, or about $3.3 billion.

The price tag of the plant in Olkiluoto, Finland — the first of a fleet of so-called evolutionary power reactors that Areva foresees building in coming years — was about $4.3 billion in 2003 and costs have steadily increased.

The reactor was meant to have gone online early this summer but Areva no longer is committing to any dates for its completion. Patrice Lambert de Diesbach, an energy analyst with CM-CIC Securities in Paris, said the latest developments were “bad news” for Areva and “should be sanctioned by the market.”

The problems faced by Areva are important a time when the nuclear power industry is promising to build safer and more reliable reactors than during the last building boom in the 1960s and early 1970s. …………………………

So far there are few signs of a breakthrough in Finland.

Areva said this week that it would not begin work on the final stages of the reactor until the Finnish utility agreed to a new set of proposals and modifications.

More Delays at Finnish Nuclear Plant – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, Finland | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Paladin loss, as uranium price slips

Money Sept 2 09
…….- Paladin’s loss was greater than the broker expected, given greater ramp-up and exploration costs. With cashflow tight Paladin has been forced to draw down on its debt facility although first half FY10 inventory sales mean it’s just a bridging deal.

Paladin’s realised uranium price was also lower than expected given a higher level of spot over contract sales. As the U price continues to drift and the Kayakelera ramp-up remains slow, the broker sees no positive catalysts. Hold retained on slightly lower earnings forecasts.

FN Arena Broker Call Headlines – 2 Sep 2009

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, 2 WORLD, business and costs | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment