nuclear site argument in Egypt
A nuclear falling out
El Abram 5 sept 09
Parliamentarians and nuclear power scientists appeal to President Hosni Mubarak to prevent businessmen from interfering in the choice of sites for nuclear power plants, Gamal Essam El-Din reports Continue reading
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?
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
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.
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.
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
US Dept of Energy preventing tax-payer comment about nuclear loan money?
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 7th, 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. 8th.
Read the details on DOE’s proposed nuclear loan guarantees.
Costly delays in fixing nuclear plant
Point Lepreau refurbishment 9 months late
September 2, 2009 ATCBC NewsThe 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.
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
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
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.
AREVA going to court over Finland nuclear reactor runaway costs
Areva’s half-year results yesterday night brought new information about the Olkiluoto-3 EPR nuclear fiasco:
South Africa’s nuclear company Eskom makes huge loss
Corporate Toughest of times for Eskom
World Nuclear News28 August 2009
Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned utility, has reported a record annual loss and has warned of a funding gap for an expansion program needed to prevent a repeat of the blackouts the country experienced in 2008.The company, which supplies about 95% of South Africa’s electricity and more than 60% of Africa’s, reported a loss of 9.7 billion rand ($1.25 billion) for the year ended 31 March. In the previous year, Eskom made a loss of 210 million rand ($27 million)………….
No public scrutiny for Florida nuclear waste storage
Florida Power and Light’s “dark” business
“…………..As storage of nuclear waste continues to pose concern across the country, an FPL land use change at Turkey Point raises questions about potential safety and environmental risks
Poder 360 By Siobhan Morrissey Sept 09“…………….Plans for the dry cask storage facility have sparked controversy because the project has not been aired at public hearings. Instead, the project was moved along quickly and quietly, with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) granting certification on May 18, roughly six weeks after receiving FPL’s application and without an opportunity for public input. Without fanfare, the approval slipped the notice of interested parties such as the Sierra Club, the Tropical Audubon Society and Clean Water Action. Miami-Dade County officials and environmentalists maintain the utility company and the regulatory agency did an end run to avoid public scrutiny……………
Currently, FPL places the spent nuclear fuel onsite in wet storage structures that resemble cavernous, stainless-steel-lined swimming pools. But it’s getting crowded in the pools, so the utility is resorting to dry cask storage.
“They’re simply running out of room in the spent fuel pools for the current two [reactor] units,” says Roger Hannah, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “You never want to get below a certain point [of capacity]. You have to start several years in advance.”…………………
But how did FPL manage to avoid a public discussion of the environmental concerns? FPL presented the proposed dry storage facility as an amendment to an existing certificate that DEP issued last October when the utility sought permission to ramp up its power output. In the industry, this is commonly known as “uprating.” FPL plans to begin increasing its power output at Turkey Point by 14 percent as early as 2011.
It’s a problem nuclear power plants across the country face,
India: nuclear deal will cause problems
A Different Perspective on the U.S.-India Nuclear Deal
MONTHLY REVIEW Peter Custers Sept 09
The U.S.-India nuclear deal was initiated through a framework agreement signed by India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. President Bush in July 2005.India, at the instigation of Washington, agreed to separate its civilian and military nuclear production facilities, and place all civilian production facilities under the inspection regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in return for U.S. economic, technological, and military cooperation. The nuclear deal, which took three years to complete, is officially aimed at promoting India’s access to uranium and to civilian nuclear technology, through enlarged importation of both………….
……From its very start, the U.S.-India nuclear deal has generated huge controversies, both in India and internationally. The intent here is to lay bare the implications of the deal for the creation of waste,……………
fears that the controversial deal will enhance the danger of a nuclear conflagration in South Asia appear to be well grounded, even if we leave aside all other interrelated objections that have been raised……………..
the side effects in terms of generation of nuclear waste are so ponderous that, from this perspective too, implementation of the deal needs to be preempted…………….
the U.S.-India nuclear deal is bound to result in huge quantities of extremely dangerous waste that cannot be sold on the market, but needs to be put aside, at great risk to humans and to our natural environment……………….
A Different Perspective on the U.S.-India Nuclear Deal – Monthly Review
1 This Month
10 June – Assessing Canada’s Investments in Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/IiqHA5feRhaEBycOLNTJlA#/registration
Cuba Is Not a Failed State – It Is a Besieged State
PETITION: “Global Appeal to Endorse Palestinian Right of Return of Refugees”
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