2010 July « nuclear-news

Nuclear radioactive threat to the Great Lakes

natives, like 40 million Canadians and Americans draw their drinking water from the Great Lakes and they also rely on fish caught in them.

(Canada) Coalition opposes shipping plan, By CHIP MARTIN, The London Free Press : July 27, 2010 Aboriginal voices have joined the growing international chorus opposing plans to ship radioactive nuclear generators along the Great Lakes. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, environment | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

France steps up security in its uranium colony, Niger

Areva extracts almost half its uranium from Niger, where it has been active for 40 years.

French nuclear giant steps up security after hostage killing, Expatica France, 27 July, 2010, French nuclear power giant Areva said Tuesday it had stepped up security around its sites in the West African country of Niger after Al-Qaeda murdered a French hostage captured in the region…… Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Niger, safety | antinuclear, AREVA, France, nuclear, nuclear spin, uranium | Leave a comment

Iran now offers talks, following new sanctions

The announcement appeared to be a move by Iran to show willingness to negotiate as a net of U.N., EU and U.S. sanctions tightens around it, but it was not clear that the quick offer of fuel swap talks would be enough to placate world powers….

U toughens screw on Iran; Tehran offers talks EU, U.N. and U.S. sanctions against Iran , Jul 26 2010 By Luke Baker and Robin Pomeroy BRUSSELS/TEHRAN, July 26 (Reuters) – Iran said unexpectedly on Monday that it was prepared to return to talks on a nuclear fuel swap, shortly after the European Union agreed tougher sanctions including action to block oil and gas investment. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, reactors | Leave a comment

US govt embroiled in lawsuits over nuclear wastes

The litigation itself has been expensive for the government. DOJ has spent $29 million in attorney costs, $111 million on experts and $52 million in litigation support costs, with no end in sight.

DOJ in Settlement Talks for Nuclear Waste Cases, The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times, David Ingram. July 27, 2010 After more than a decade of litigation with nuclear utilities nationwide, the U.S. Department of Justice is interested in settling claims related to the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, USA | antinuclear, depleted, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Dim future for nuclear energy in South Africa

with the global economic slowdown, things have not improved much. Investments are not forthcoming from international lending banks.

South Africa still in pursuit of its nuclear future | The Energy Collective July 27, 2010 Pebble Bed project is shut down. Future reactor investments up in the air.This is not a good time to be looking to invest in nuclear energy in South Africa. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, South Africa, technology | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, reactor, uranium | Leave a comment

Wake up call: review of “Countdown to Zero”

…Nuclear weapons are supposed to be a deterrent. They are supposed to keep us safe. But that’s crap.

Take a Friend to the Movies — Before It’s Too Late, Steven Crandell, 23 July 2010, “………. They are designed to kill civilians in cities, to wipe out families, neighborhoods and communities. Yes, nuclear weapons bring influence and power. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Uranium processing costs higher than estimated

The range was significantly higher than the informal federal estimate of $1.4 billion to $3.5 billion for constructing the planned Uranium Processing Facility...

Senator Says Uranium Plant Could Cost Billions More Than Planned NTI: Global Security Newswire, July 27, 2010 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) yesterday suggested the expense of building a highly enriched uranium processing center at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee might ultimately amount to between $4 billion and $5 billion, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. (see GSN, Oct. 29, 2009).

The range was significantly higher than the informal federal estimate of $1.4 billion to $3.5 billion for constructing the planned Uranium Processing Facility……In a July 6 letter to Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman, acting Government Accountability Office head Gene Dodaro said his agency believed the plant’s cost might reach or surpass the $3.5 billion threshold, the Nuclear Weapons and Materials Monitor reported (Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel II, July 26)………

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

EDF takeover in France’s nuclear empire?

it has ambitions to dominate the global market, building its latest-generation EPR reactor around the world and introducing it next-generation reactor ATMEA.

French Govt: EDF, Areva In Strategic Nuclear Partnership – WSJ.com-By A.H. Mooradian and Geraldine Amiel, Dow Jones Newswires;PARIS 27 July 2010, –The French government Tuesday announced a far-reaching alliance between State-controlled utility giant Electricite de France (EDF.FR) and State nuclear engineering group Areva SA (CEI.FR), Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, France | antinuclear, AREVA, France, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, reactors | Leave a comment

Sunny Central Australia to lead in solar energy

These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator [pictured] and solar thermal technologies

CPV in Australia’s Red CentreA town called Alice: How CPV is springing up in Australia. Renewable Energy World, by Brian Elmer July 27, 2010 London — Located in the arid desert region in the heart of Australia, the small town of Alice Springs, with a population of 28,000 is normally best known as the jump off point for one of Australia’s best known natural icons, Uluru (the geological formation formerly known as Ayers Rock). Located about 500 km to the south west (considered a short distance in the vast reaches of the Northern Territory Outback) Uluru attracts some 400,000 visitors per year. Over the last few years though, Alice Springs has been attracting attention for another reason, its development of world-leading expertise in its use of one of the region’s other natural and abundant resources – solar energy.
Indeed, the central Australian region receives more sunlight than any other region in Australia, with over 7 kWh/m²/day of incident radiation, Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, renewable | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, climate change, global warming, renewable energy, renewables | Leave a comment

Safety problems add to costs, overruns, in AREVA’s new nuclear plants

Areva, the state-controlled French nuclear engineering company, is already battling construction delays and cost overruns at both Flamanville and Olkiluoto, in Finland, where it is building the first of its EPR plants.

Safety Fears Raised at French Reactor, NYTimes.com, By PATRICIA BRETT July 26, 2010, PARIS — Anti-nuclear activists are seeking to halt construction of France’s latest-generation nuclear power plant at Flamanville, on the Normandy coast, arguing that changes introduced to solve problems with the reactor’s fuel pellet cladding have invalidated the plant’s original building permit. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, France | antinuclear, AREVA, EDF, France, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, radiation, radioactive, reactor, uranium | 1 Comment

American nuclear companies nervously awaiting Indian Parliament over Civil Liability Bill

The bill triggered a storm when it was first presented to lawmakers in May, with the opposition arguing it will shield American technology suppliers from compensation claims.

GE, Westinghouse Await Nuclear Bill as Singh Set to Face Stormy Parliament, Bloomberg, By Bibhudatta Pradhan – Jul 26, 2010, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh faces an opposition buoyed by support for a recent nationwide strike when parliament meets today, promising a rough ride for legislation such as a bill to enable the entry of U.S. nuclear power companies……….. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, reactor, uranium | Leave a comment

Huge wind farm planned by for California

San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm, SignOnSanDiego.com, By Onell R. Soto, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER , July 26, 2010 A development team based in San Diego is leading an effort to build the world’s largest wind farm in Mojave.The $1.6 billion Alta Wind Energy Center consists of more than 600 wind turbines on desert ridge lines between Lancaster and Bakersfield.The 1,500 megawatt project is estimated to produce enough power for 275,000 homes, said Randy Hoyle, head of wind development for Terra-Gen Power. San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm – SignOnSanDiego.com

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, renewables, wind | Leave a comment

USA’s extremist Tea Party movement favours Israel attack on Iran

theme among Tea Party leaders, such as Sarah Palin……..promoting instead an aggressive, unilateralist view of world affairs and unchecked military spending.

Tea Party Caucus members endorse Israeli attack on Iran, FP, By Josh Rogin Monday, July 26, 2010….21 members of the new caucus have now come out explicitly endorsing Israel’s right to strike Iran’s nuclear program. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, plutonium | Leave a comment

Nuclear power future in Germany very much in doubt

According to a law passed in 2002 by the then-ruling SPD and the Green coalition, all of Germany’s nuclear power plants are to go off line by 2022……

Opposition party pledges to fight nuclear power extension | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 26.07.2010 Richard Connor , German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s governing coalition has been put on notice that it will face a fight over any change to the law on nuclear energy without approval from the country’s upper house of parliament. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

Control rods, cladding, MOX fuel – unsafety of AREVA’s new nuclear reactors

EDF engineers had concluded by 2007 that the entire core of the reactor should be reconfigured.

Safety Fears Raised at French Reactor, NYTimes.com, By PATRICIA BRETT July 26, 2010 “……….among the leaked documents, one dated February 2007 — just before the construction of the Flamanville plant was approved — reported that technical studies by EDF had shown that the EPR’s original core design had failed to meet safety criteria for a control rod ejection accident at high power Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, technology | antinuclear, AREVA, EDF, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment