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Costly necessity to buy higher land for nuclear reactors

OECD Says Nuclear Land Costs to Rise by Up to 10% Post-Fukushima Bloomberg By Lars Paulsson – May 23, 2011 The cost of buying land to build nuclear reactors may increase by as much as 10 percent because the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11 will force developers to buy in safer areas, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency.

Luis Echavarri, the agency’s director general, spoke on May 17 by phone from Paris.

On nuclear land costs:  “I think the cost associated to the location could increase. You need locations better protected against earthquakes, tsunamis and floods. You will have to build plants at higher elevation than the sea and river levels. I think we are talking of something between 5 and 10 percent, but that is very significant.”..

May 24, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, business and costs | Leave a comment

Germany managing well teh transition away from nuclear power

Germany copes without bulk of nuclear power,  By Vera Ecket and Muriel Boselli, FRANKFURT, May 23 (Reuters) – Germany is coping without about three quarters of its nuclear power capacity by burning more climate-warming coal, reaping the rewards of renewables investments, and importing more French atomic energy. Continue reading →

May 24, 2011 Posted by | ENERGY, Germany | Leave a comment

Westinghouse nuclear reactor design flaws

NRC puts hold on Westinghouse reactor approval, Charlotte Business Journal – by John Downey May 23, 2011 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has put a hold on the certification of Westinghouse’s AP1000 nuclear reactor after discovering mistakes in some of Westinghouse’s calculations about its reactor shield building…….The NRC announced its decision Friday. Anti-nuclear groups praised the announcement, saying it represented a major setback for the nuclear industry that raised doubts about construction of any AP1000s.

“This unsafe reactor design had been the cornerstone of efforts to build new nuclear reactors in the United States,” Tom Clements, an anti-nuclear campaigner for S.C. Friends of the Earth, says in a prepared statement. “The fact that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which often operates as an industry lap dog, is voicing concerns is a sign of just how serious these design flaws are.”…

May 24, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

US NRC had to admit safety problems with new Westinghouse nuclear reactor

Another nail in the coffin for the “nuclear renaissance” Greenpeace  by Jarred Cobb – May 23, 2011 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) released a statement on Friday about the new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor. In the grand tradition of breaking bad news on a Friday, the NRC was trying to bury a significant blow to the so-called “nuclear renaissance.” After a review of the Toshiba-designed reactor, the NRC found: “more problems regarding the AP1000’s shield building, as well as the peak accident pressures expected within containment.” Continue reading →

May 24, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Continuing catastrophe of Fukushima threatens Japan’s future

 it is the continuing nuclear catastrophe at Fukushima, just 200 kilometres north of Tokyo, that really threatens Japan’s future.

The ‘myth of safety’ in Japan’s nuclear plants THE NATIONAL POST , Peter Goodspeed: 21 May 11“……….The world’s third-largest economy has suffered nearly US$400-billion in damage and been thrust into recession. Japanese manufacturers have been staggered by power shortages and breaks in their supply chains, and are not expected to return to business as usual before the fall. Continue reading →

May 24, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Nuclear risks with unstable Pakistan

Pakistan is the nuclear Somalia…–By: Sumantra Maitra 05/23/11 The Examiner Pakistani Talibans last night attacked a heavily secured Air Force base in Karachi, Pakistan at approximately 2 AM. Around 15-20 heavily armed terrorists, with rocket propelled granades, shoulder fired missile launchers, and assault rifles, attacked the Air Force base PNS Mehran, which also houses the Pakistani Navy air group, right at the heart of the commercial capital of Pakistan raises question on the failing state.  Continue reading →

May 24, 2011 Posted by | Pakistan, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Japanese rice contaminated with plutonium

Media Silent About Plutonium Contamination of Japanese Rice, Global Tech, 23 May 11
The Japanese Business Press reported on May 14 that a rice field more than 50 kilometers away from the Fukushima nuclear plant has tested for high levels of deadly plutonium. A “certain food manufacturing company” conducted the independent test that reported data different from data the Japanese government released, according to a translation of the news article
The corporate media outside of Japan did not mention the test or the increased radiation affecting the staple crop. Since the start of the disaster, the corporate media has parroted statements from TEPCO and the Japanese government in its coverage of the worst nuclear catastrophe since Chernobyl. In addition, the corporate media has all but ignored extremely high levels of nuclear radioactive contamination recently detected in Japan. “The latest joint US and Japan survey shows extremely high levels of nuclear radioactive contamination, with radiation levels higher than Chernobyl evacuation limits, now span over 800 kilometers in Japan,” writes Alexander Higgins
The total area contaminated with radiation from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant is estimated at about 800 square kilometers, or about 40 percent the size of Tokyo, according to a radiation map created by the science ministry and U.S. Department of Energy,” reports Asahi. “The report uses the same level of contamination (555,000 becquerels or higher of cesium-137) that was used to issue compulsory evacuation orders in the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986.” It is not likely the corporate media missed the news. Asahi has alliances with the International Herald Tribune, which is owned by the New York Times. According to the map  about 800 square kilometers are contaminated with accumulated cesium-137 of 600,000 becquerels or higher per square mete

May 24, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

More radiation leakage from Fukushima nuclear power plant

Japan reports more radiation leakage   TOKYO, May 22 (UPI) –– At least 250 tons of radioactive water spilled into the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, officials said.

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. said the radiated water leaked for 41 hours beginning May 10 from the No. 3 reactor at the site, where four of six reactors were damaged in the magnitude-9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami, Kyodo News reported. At a Sunday news conference in Tokyo, utility spokesman Junichi Matsumoto told reporters Tepco has drafted plans to install a water-circulation system to cool the spent-fuel pools at the plant by the end of July, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Since the disaster, officials have scrambled to prevent the radioactive cores from overheating and releasing catastrophic radiation clouds. As of Sunday, part of the stop-gap measures still involved the use of fire hoses to pump water into the reactors, the Journal said. Matsumoto acknowledged radioactive vapor can still be seen “depending on the weather and wind direction of the day,” the Journal said……Japan reports more radiation leakage – UPI.com

May 23, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Staggering financial costs of Fukushima continue to rise

it is clear that holes not only exist in the reactors at Fukushima but also in plans to bring the crisis under control……the issue of who is left holding the bag for the many costs associated with decontamination of the plant and surrounding facilities as well as rebuilding the dozens of communities wiped out by the tsunami. The amounts are staggering. Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch estimates TEPCO may face claims of 11 trillion yen ($136 billion).

Report From Tokyo: Left Holding the Bag,H UFFINGTON POST,  David Wagner, 23 May, 11, Each week that passes here brings new revelations about the unstable nature of the nuclear facility at Fukushima as a result of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th. Most recently, it has been confirmed by Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) that units #1, #2 and #3 at the Daiichi Fukushima plant all have substantial contaminated water in the basements of each reactor building, reinforcing the suspicion that the containment vessels are damaged as they are not holding the water. This creates additional challenges for TEPCO as it tries to set up a continuous cooling system that will eliminate the threat of radiation leaks into the environment. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Solar panels plan for all new buildings in Japan

Japan ‘plans solar panels for all new buildings’, Google News, (AFP) – 23 May 11TOKYO — Japan is considering a plan that would make it compulsory for all new buildings and houses to come fitted with solar panels by 2030, a business daily said Sunday.The plan, expected to be unveiled at the upcoming G8 Summit in France, aims to show Japan’s resolve to encourage technological innovation and promote the wider use of renewable energy, the Nikkei daily said……
AFP: Japan ‘plans solar panels for all new buildings’

May 23, 2011 Posted by | decentralised, Japan | Leave a comment

20,000 protest against nuclear power in Switzerland

Swiss protest nuclear power, Google News, (AFP) – 23 May 11, DOETTINGEN, Switzerland — About 20,000 people took part in an anti-nuclear demonstration in north Switzerland on Sunday ahead of a government decision on the future of atomic energy in the country.” At least 20,000″ protesters joined the march near the town of Doettingen and the Beznau nuclear power plant, Switzerland’s oldest, police and organisers said. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Switzerland | Leave a comment

Nuclear lobby’s comic book spin to Jaitapur villagers

AREVA, Cameco, and other nuclear companies have become skillful at targeting indigenous peoples with  comic strip books and promotions. They’ve also used these tactics in schools –   getting to unsophisticated people with cheerful, simplistic propaganda.

the comic narrates the story of Jagdishpur, a village that had been underdeveloped due to ignorance and superstition, but undergoes a transformation when a nuclear power plant is built there.

Comic relief for Jaitapur N-plant fears  Hindustan Times, Mumbai, May 23, 2011 The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has turned to comic strips to dispel safety fears of villagers about atomic energy. The move by the Government-run nuclear plant operator is an attempt to address opposition by locals and activists to the planned nuclear power project in Jaitapur, Maharashtra and questions that may come up at sites of other proposed projects. The comic dwells on the benefits of atomic power Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | India, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Decentralised solar energy a boon for local companies

“We’re recommending it to everyone,” ….. “We’ve certainly got our money’s worth.”

Many local companies laud effects of renewable energy efforts By Marc Munroe DionHerald News Staff Reporter 22 May 11, FALL RIVER — It’s been 15 months since linen manufacturer Matouk, 925 Airport Road, installed about 200 solar panels atop its building, which houses the company’s offices, manufacturing space and factory store.

Matouk Controller Peter Brust said it’s been a good deal for the company. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | decentralised, USA | Leave a comment

Japan’s Prime Minister up against nuclear lobby as he promises reforms

Japan tsunami: Survivors make emotional visit to Fukushima homes hit by nuclear meltdown | Mail Online 23 May 11, “……….Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan must rethink how nuclear power is regulated and explore other energy sources. Kan, battling low support rates, a feisty opposition and rebels in his own party, has pledged a blank-slate review of Japan’s current energy policy that aims to boost nuclear power to more than 50 percent of electricity supply by 2030 from about 30 percent now.
But whether he can break the grip of the politically powerful utilities companies remains in doubt. He also dodged questions about how big a role atomic energy would play in the country’s future….Japan tsunami: Survivors make emotional visit to Fukushima homes hit by nuclear meltdown | Mail Online

May 23, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Ionising radiation the most proven environmental cause of cancer

the health impact of exposure is perhaps “the best understood, and certainly the most highly quantified dose-response relationship for any common environmental human carcinogen,” a report of the U.S. National Cancer Institute concluded…….the most stressful aspect of the Chernobyl results, in the final analysis, is that the accident surely caused thousands of deaths that cannot actually be identified. The Chernobyl fatalities, in that sense, are like the deaths of unknown soldiers……

Radiation Risks – IEEE Spectrum, Bill Sweet, May 22, 2011, “………..the accident showed that large radiation releases can occur in a light water reactor accident, not just in a defectively designed and operated Soviet-era reactor. So it’s important to be clear about Chernobyl’s long-term health impact. Continue reading →

May 23, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, health | Leave a comment

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