2010 May 18 « nuclear-news

It could be the water problem that finishes off the nuclear industry

“The best alternatives from a water perspective are wind and photovoltaics, that require effectively no water.”

Water Adds New Constraints to Power, NYTimes.com By ERICA GIES May 17, 2010 “……In the United States, thermoelectric power generation — mainly coal, nuclear and natural gas — accounted for 41 percent of U.S. freshwater withdrawals in 2005, U.S. Geological Society data show………..

But there is a growing awareness in California and throughout the United States that the use of water for energy generation may be reaching its limits.

California has extensive experience with water shortages, resulting in its adoption of a policy, included in the energy commission’s 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report, that discourages freshwater use for power plant cooling…….“If you want to build a big central power plant, whether it’s oil, gas or nuclear, you can’t take the water for granted.” Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, water | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, climate change, global warming, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear technology, nuclear wastes, reactors, renewable energy, renewables, solar, uranium, water, wind | Leave a comment

Nuclear Bombing the oil leak? A Radioactive Idea

‘Expert’ proposes nuking the Gulf of Mexico to stop oil spill NATIONAL POST, May 17, 2010, by Matt Gurney What’s worse than an oil spill? A radioactive oil spill.
Nonetheless, an ‘expert’ (albeit one who doesn’t look old enough to have graduated high school) has suggested that the United States seal the Gulf of Mexico oil pipe by setting off a nuclear weapon at the site of the ruptured pipe in the hopes, one would presume, that the blast would either seal the leak or melt the pipe…..

…… What if the bomb goes off and doesn’t seal the leak? Then instead of an oil leak, you have a radioactive oil leak. Is that somehow better?

Despite the absurdity of the proposal, apparently, it’s not without precedent. The Soviet Union has reportedly used this technique five times in order to stop natural gas leaks. Four of them worked. Okay…but…what about the fifth? Is there a natural gas leak somewhere out there, deep in a radioactive crater?….. Matt Gurney: ‘Expert’ proposes nuking the Gulf of Mexico to stop oil spill – Full Comment

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

UK’s energy future could now be renewables, not nuclear

nuclear plants are not needed if the government will invest enough in energy conservation. Huhne’s opposition may create enough uncertainty and delay to open windows of opportunity for other energy technologies including wind and tidal energy.

Will the new U.K. government support nuclear energy? The Energy Collective, by Dan Yurman, 17 May 2010, Energy & Climate Minister pledges “not one atom of help” from the governmentThe future of nuclear energy in the U.K. does not look bright based on the rhetoric coming from Chris Huhne, (right) the new government’s Energy & Climate minister and key advisor to Conservative Party coalition partner David Cameron. Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK | antinuclear, energy efficiency, nuclear spin, renewable energy, renewables | Leave a comment

Australian Aboriginals fight Govt’s draconian nuclear waste plan

YouTube – Muckaty Voices

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcuNpT84Ov

The proposed waste dump law excludes the Muckaty Traditional Owners from procedural fairness and appeal rights, removes Aboriginal Heritage and environmental protections and overrides any Commonwealth, State and Territory laws that could be used to oppose or challenge the dump plan.

From the campfire to cyberspace: Radioactive waste concerns go global, Natalie Wasley, 18 May 2001 Aboriginal Traditional Owners opposed to a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory of Australia have taken their campaign to a global online audience. Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, indigenous issues | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, indigenous, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium, wastes | Leave a comment

India tests nuclear weapons capable ballistic missile

India successfully launches Agni-II ballistic missile, BBC News , 17 May 2010 India has successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile, Agni-II, after two similar tests failed last year.

The surface-to-surface missile was launched off an island in Orissa state in eastern India.

With a range of more than 2,000km (1,250 miles), the missile can carry a nuclear payload of 1,000kg.

The Agni missiles are among India’s most sophisticated weapons carriers. BBC News – India successfully launches Agni-II ballistic missile

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

International Atomic Energy Agency wants written proof of Iran – Turkey uranium deal

IAEA demands written confirmation of Iran uranium swap deal Israel News, Ynetnews: 05.18.10, The International Atomic Energy Agency called on Iran to submit a written confirmation of its uranium exchange agreement with Brazil and Turkey. “We’ve received the joint statement issued by all three countries, and we are interested in receiving a written confirmation saying Iran agrees to the terms of the agreement,” a spokesman for the IAEA said. (AFP) Print Print Send to friend Send to friend

IAEA demands written confirmation of Iran uranium swap deal – Israel News, Ynetnews

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, uranium | Leave a comment

Iran-Turkey enriched uranium deal a problem for Obama

The agreement negotiated by Brazilian and Turkish leaders would have Iran send 1,200 kg of its low enriched uranium stockpile to Turkey, and in turn receive 120 kg of higher enriched uranium for Iranian nuclear medical use within a year.

President Obama’s nuclear headache By Laura Rozen – POLITICO.com | 5/17/10 The Obama administration isn’t publicly celebrating a nuclear fuel swap deal announced Monday in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Turkey and Brazil. Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

Renewable energy bounding ahead in China

China’s Push for Renewable Energy, donga.com[English donga] 18 May 2010, The popularity of renewable energy sources including wind, photovoltaic and biomass is growing dramatically in China. Beijing designated renewable energy as a strategic industry last year, and invested 34.6 billion U.S. dollars, twice as much as the U.S.Despite the global financial crisis, the renewable energy industry knows no recession. Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | China, renewable | climate change, renewable energy, renewables, solar, wind | Leave a comment

Anti nuclear film might just change the world

Cannes blog: Documentaries determined to change the world, SBS Films, 17 May 2010 By Lisa Nesselson in Cannes The world’s documentary makers provide some much-needed perspective to the madness of Cannes. “….Countdown to Zero , Lucy Walker’s spooky analysis of why all extant nuclear weapons must be eliminated –…… Continue reading →

May 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, plutonium | Leave a comment