Regulatory decay allows more radioactive leaks from aging USA nuclear power plants

Beyond Nuclear Bulletin, 4 Sept 09 More radioactive leaks from reactors like Dresden, Oyster Creek, Vermont Yankee and Indian Point are calling attention to a largely ignored Nuclear Regulatory Commission document dating back to 1979 when the agency first asked operators to periodically inspect pipes and tanks to prevent uncontrolled leaks.

Reactor operators are not inspecting the miles of buried and corroding pipes and tanks. NRC is instead allowing reactors a “leak first fix later” approach rather than use preventive inspections to maintain integrity of these radioactive waste management systems through preventive inspections. In addition to frequent intentional radioactive releases, these accidental and unmonitored spills and leaks onsite are contaminating water resources away from the reactors, jeopardizing public health.

The October 19, 1979 NRC technical circular entitled “Prevention of Unplanned Releases of Radioactivity” advises the nuclear industry to periodically inspect buried pipes specifically using hydrostatic testing equipment and procedures with the focus on the “prevention” of uncontrolled and unmonitored radioactive release pathways.

Reactors are getting older and more decrepit. Twenty-year license extensions are breezing through NRC approval without regard for the environmental cost and impacts from these uninspected and deteriorating systems. How has protecting water by preventing uncontrolled and unmonitored radioactive releases become less important to NRC as the nuclear power plants degrade?

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, wastes | Leave a comment

Ban on nuclear power upheld in six US states

Attempts to Overturn Nuclear Bans Fail in Six States

West Virginia is not the only state that declined to overturn a ban on nuclear power this year.

The State Journal by Pam Kasey 3 Sept 09

West Virginia is not the only state that declined to overturn a ban on nuclear power this year.

As the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers licensing applications for new nuclear generation in 14 states, attempts to overturn explicit or effective bans failed in six other states in 2009, according to the nonprofit Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

“Things will be even tougher for their state lobbyists in 2010 now that the freeze on Yucca Mountain has taken long-term waste disposal off the table,” said NIRS Executive Director Michael Mariotte.

The last new nuclear power generation unit to be ordered in the U.S. was in 1978, just before the partial core meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979.

Since that time, first California and then about a dozen states passed laws that outright or effectively banned new nuclear generation.

West Virginia’s law is titled a ban in the state code, but functions as an effective ban…….. The code requires at least 24 months’ prior operation of a national facility “which safely, successfully and permanently disposes of any and all radioactive wastes associated with operating any such nuclear power plant, nuclear factory or nuclear electric power generating plant.”

That condition has never been met.

And because the federal government withdrew its support for the Yucca Mountain facility earlier this year, there is no process in place for it ever to be met.

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=65865

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Giant uranium companies spinning nuclear to kids

Tenex to Launch Children Nuclear Academy

Gainesville, FL, USA, September 3, 2009 (PRESSbooth.ORG) — Sigma Transnational, Techsnabexport (Tenex) North American Associate Partner, announced that Russian’s Uranium Giant, Tenex, will soon launch the Children Nuclear Academy in the Southeastern region of USA. ……………………… The Russian Children Nuclear Academy project was launched in Russia in January 2002 on the initiative by the Institute of Pandeia textbook and Educational Society public association. See additional information at http://www.dya.ru

Since 2003, the JSC Techsnabexport (Tenex) has been the chief sponsor of the annual Russian scientific and educational projects so-called the “Power of the Future” contest…………. As part of Techsnabexport (Tenex) social responsibility, Tenex supports education, charity and other community involvement.

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Russia, spinbuster, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Colorado: town board vote might stop uranium mining

Uranium mining may get buried in Nunn

Powertech says its process is safe but a vote by Nunn’s town board could make permitting difficult.

The Denver Post, by Monte Whaley 3 Sept 09

NUNN — Opponents of a huge uranium- mining operation northwest of Greeley say they are ready for a showdown tonight before the Nunn town board. Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction — a citizens group formed in 2007 — wants the Nunn board to back a resolution against a plan by Powertech Uranium Corp. to extract uranium from the windy plains that surround Nunn and two other small towns, Wellington and Carr………… CARD claims the mining will damage air and water and bring other health problems. A negative vote by the Nunn board will make state and local officials more reluctant to approve any permits for Powertech’s Centennial Project, said the group’s spokeswoman, Jackie Adolph……….. “The time is now for the town board to speak for the overwhelming majority of residents who think uranium mining this close to the town represents unacceptable risks,” resident Dan Rapelje said.

The project, opponents say, may reap more jobs but would be a detriment to long-term economic growth in the area.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13256900

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Shock of indigenous people on uranium exploration agreement

Lutselk’e shocked by chief’s support of Ur-Energy exploration

CBC NewsSeptember 3, 2009

Some residents in Lutselk’e, N.W.T., were surprised Wednesday to hear their leadership is supporting a uranium company that’s exploring for uranium in the Upper Thelon area.

Members of the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation, which has long opposed uranium mining there, say they were shocked when Chief Steve Nitah told CBC News the First Nation signed an agreement allowing Ur-Energy Inc. to conduct a small exploration project this summer at its Screech Lane property, just south of the Thelon Game Sanctuary.

……….. Lutselk’e residents have been apprehensive about uranium mining for good reason: toxic waste tailings from a uranium project there in the 1950s were reportedly dumped into nearby Stark Lake.

People in the area have said that as a result, fish in the lake have since become deformed and infested with parasites.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/09/03/lutselke-ur-reax.html

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | indigenous issues, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment