nuclear-news

Uncertainties about radiation in Fukushima region

The disagreements came to the forefront on Friday, when a government adviser on radiation safety quit, calling on Japan to lower the permissible radiation dose of 20 millisieverts per year that the Education Ministry has set for schools for younger children, including elementary and junior high, in affected areas.

Life in Limbo for Japanese Near Nuclear Plant, New York Times, By MARTIN FACKLER and MATTHEW L. WALD, May 1, 2011 TENEI, Japan — For seven generations, Yoshitoshi Sewa and his ancestors have tilled this farm in a gently curving valley filled with green rice paddies. But now he will not let his young grandchildren play outside their tile-roofed home for fear of an invisible and potentially long-lasting threat, radiation. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Thousands of Taiwanese in anti nuclear protest

Thousands protest against nuclear plant in Taiwan, Google News, (AFP) 1 May 11, TAIPEI — Thousands of Taiwanese took to the streets on Saturday to protest against a new nuclear power station as safety concerns mounted in the wake of the atomic crisis in Japan, an organiser said. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | opposition to nuclear, Taiwan | Leave a comment

Calvert Cliffs nuclear project a dead cat

a new one [nuclear plant] would cost many billions with big financing costs. The French would like the state of Maryland or somebody else to guarantee the purchase of electricity from Calvert Cliffs 3, but that’s not going to happen.

Exec: Exelon deal won’t revive Calvert Cliffs project, Baltimore Sun, by Jay Hancock, APRIL 29, 2011, Exelon’s announced purchase of Constellation Energy prompted speculation that the dormant project to build a third reactor at Calvert Cliffs on Maryland’s Chesapeake shore would be revived. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | Leave a comment

Two Japanese women risk deportation in Taipei anti-nuclear protest

Japanese citizens could be deported for participating in nuclear power protest, Taipei Times May 02, 2011, Two Japanese citizens could be deported for attending an anti-nuclear power rally in Taipei on Saturday, because officials said their participation in the protest was contrary to the stated purpose of their visit to the country. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Non nuclear nations call for nuclear weapons abolition

Ten Non-Nuclear States Plead For Nuke Abolition, By Jamshed Baruah, IDN-InDepth NewsReport, 2 May 2011, BERLIN (IDN) – While public attention worldwide is focussed on one authoritarian regime after another tumbling down on the Arab shores of the Mediterranean Sea, foreign ministers of 10 non-nuclear nations stretching across continents have called for “a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction”. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Uranium mining threatens Grand Canyon’s water, and itseconomic viability

Polluting the Grand Canyon with uranium mines and radioactive tailings would have a drastic, negative effect on the area’s economic viability.

Uranium mining and Grand Canyon, Salt Lake Tribune, BY WALKER MACKAY 1 May 11, “……..Uranium mining in the Grand Canyon area will have a huge impact on the area’s watershed. The uranium excavation process known as “breccia pipe-type” results in ore and waste rock being piled on the land’s surface, where precipitation and run-off waters can transport it into the Grand Canyon via aquifers, springs, and drainages. There is a real potential for uranium contamination to occur in the creeks, seeps, and other tributaries that supply water to Grand Canyon National Park. Continue reading →

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uranium, USA, water | Leave a comment

Fukushima a disaster for the uranium industry

Today , in Fn Arena Greg Peel reports that the Uranium Market is Becalmed. USA’s Energy department is continuing to sell its uranium the spot price continues to fall.

Uranium Prices Plummet in the Wake of Nuclear Explosions, Insane Planet May 1, 2011 By N. Solomon, The Japan disaster has spelt a concomitant disaster to uranium prices as both spot prices as well as shares of uranium-mining companies crash. Uranium prices have suffered due to the explosions that happened in Japan and the attendant problems which are obvious to everyone, many countries in the world which had nuclear agendas especially as a means of power generation are either developing cold feet or planning to scrap the project is completely–and justifiably so.

As it stands, it is believed among investors that many countries are going to react to the radiation leaks that followed explosions at the Japanese Fukushima plant by enforcing tighter restrictions even if they do not take the alternative of completely abandoning the project. Either way, uranium prices will be forced down.

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Uranium | Leave a comment

New Zealand joins International Renewable Energy Agency

NZ becomes member of energy agency, NewsTalk ZB, 2/05/2011 , New Zealand has become a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is dedicated to the rapid development of renewable energy worldwide.

Acting energy minister Hekia Parata says we’re one of the leading countries in the area, with 74% of our electricity last year coming from renewable sources.

By joining this organisation, Ms Parata says, we have the opportunity to contribute to international efforts to increase the deployment of renewable energy technologies and drive down their costs… http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=195799

May 2, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | New Zealand, renewable | Leave a comment

Desperate spinning by nuclear lobby to resuscitate the industry

proponents of reactors have spent some $645 million in the last decade lobbying Congress for more subsidies. ….A critical moment is coming soon, when Obama goes to Congress to request an additional $36 billion in loan guarantees for new nukes in his 2012 budget.With them, America’s atomic industry has a chance to build a few more reactors. Without them, a green-powered Earth is within our grasp

Will the Nuclear Power Industry Melt Down?, Washington Spectator, by Harvey Wasserman, 29 April 11, ”….Japan’s horrifying catastrophe has sent the industry’s spin machine into overdrive. Hell-bent on minimizing the dangers of this unprecedented disaster, we’ve been shown the script of what reactor-backers are willing to say and do to save themselves. Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | spinbuster, USA | Leave a comment

Chernobyl’s radiation tragedy continues to this day

since the explosion 93 000 have died from radiation-linked cancer in the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia; hundreds of thousands of cancers have been diagnosed; and there have been major effects on children, then unborn and now in their 20s.

Cold and desolate in the dead zone, Mail & Guardian, ILHAM RAWOOT – Apr 29 2011 “……Twenty-five years after the disaster those living near the station are still feeling the effects on their bodies, finances and livelihoods. Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Canada’s New Democrats gaining support for opposing nuclear subsidies

Canada’s New Democrats – Jack Layton and New Democrats advocate ending public subsidies for nuclear energy industry.

Jack Layton on nuclear power in Canada, Gordon Edwards, 27 April 2011 Canadians go to the polls on Monday May 2 to elect new representativesfor the House of Commons, Canada’s elected Parliament

Jack Layton is the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which has received a very dramatic surge in popular support in recent days, a surge which is mainly felt in the province of Quebec but which is also being noticed across Canada. Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, politics | Leave a comment

Dissatisfied, Japanese Nuclear Adviser quits

Japanese Nuclear Adviser Quits, Wall Street Journal, By WILLIAM SPOSATO, 30 April 11, TOKYO—A special advisor to the Japanese government on radiation safety resigned Friday, saying that he was dissatisfied with the handling of the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011, Japan, politics | Leave a comment

Call for a global end to nuclear power

To achieve these goals we demand an initiative to terminate the EURATOM agreement, ending the privileged position of nuclear power in the EU

World Council For Renewable Energy Demands A Global Ban On New Nuclear Power, Voxy.co 30 April 11, “……The WCRE demands from the Parliaments and Governments to:

– initiate a broad introduction of renewable energies in a consequent manner and to increase their use

– empower the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA with adequate financial and human resources to enable their vision for a world where renewable energy is accessible in all countries and becomes the primary source of energy

– underline the end of the atomic power pathway through the cancellation of the remaining privileges for nuclear power

– counter the threat of a nuclear renaissance in Europe and globally Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | EUROPE, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Fukushima shows government and industry’s breach of trust

Around this shrinking globe, like it or not, our fates are tied more and more closely together…….. what about the responsibility we all share to inform and protect one another? We expect our leaders and institutions to protect us when disaster hits. We expect nuclear plant operators to warn us when a reactor has breached. We expect them not to hide, not to lie, and not to procrastinate the delivery of bad news. We trust them. And they breach our trust.

BREACH…of Trust, Forbes, Davia Temin , 30 April, ‘…… as time went by, we found that the [Fukushima] situation was really far more dire than we had been told. Nuclear reactor rods had become exposed, and radioactive material had been flowing into the ocean, possibly from the start. There had been a nuclear BREACH, but few inside or outside of Japan had been informed. Continue reading →

April 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

USA’s leading 10 solar energy States

The Top 10 Solar States, New York Times, By MIREYA NAVARRO April 29, 2011, New Jersey is the nation’s second largest solar market behind California thanks to the state government’s commitment to increase the amount of electricity derived from renewable energy sources over the next decade.

But where are the other leaders in solar energy?

Here, courtesy of the Solar Energy Industries Association, is a Top 10 list for cumulative installed solar capacity in the United States.

1. California: 47 percent with 971 megawatts

2. New Jersey: 14 percent with 293 MW

3. Colorado: 5 percent with 108 MW

4. Arizona: 5 percent with 101 MW

5. Nevada: 5 percent with 97 MW

6. Florida: 4 percent with 73 MW

7. New York: 3 percent with 54 MW

8. Pennsylvania: 3 percent with 54 MW

9. New Mexico: 2 percent with 45 MW

10. North Carolina: 2 percent with 42 MW