nuclear-news

The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

Nuclear barons queasy, as UK turning anti-nuclear?

The bosses at EDF, Centrica, RWE npower, E.ON and all must be feeling distinctly queasy, after all the time and money they’ve spent on pushing for nuclear power in Britain. They’ve been pretty successful at gaining subsidies for it too – with UK billpayers expected to pay at least £17 more per year by the middle of the decade to encourage the construction programme. Could the years of lobbying fail to pay off?

Is Chris Huhne preparing for his second U-turn on nuclear? – Telegraph, By Rowena Mason 12 April 11, The previously anti-nuclear Lib Dem, who famously became pro-nuclear on appointment to Energy Secretary, is yet to pronounce definitively on what the Japan atomic disaster may mean for UK plans for 10 new stations. But he has ordered an inquiry into safety concerns and several ministers seem to be smoothing the way for a new official line – that we don’t need nuclear power after all. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | politics, UK | 1 Comment

Pulling apart George Monbiot’s pro nuclear statements

In all this prolific writing in support of nuclear power, Monbiot never quite answers the most difficult questions regarding cost, liability for accidents, nuclear waste disposal and link with nuclear bomb manufacturing. Instead, he chooses to attack his previous allies in the environmental NGOs and movements, ridiculing their struggles as resulting from delusions of ignorant people. No matter how cool he thinks he might look with his supposedly highly rational approach to environmentalism, I’d like to know what exactly is his stance on this critical issue. Is that asking too much?

Why George Monbiot is STILL wrong on nuclear power | Links, By Ricardo Sequeiros Coelho, 11 April 11, “……...Double standard 1: deaths and injuries. According to Monbiot, anti-nuclear campaigners cry in despair over the deaths and injuries caused by nuclear accidents, yet don’t say a word about the victims of the coal industry. …….The game goes on by playing with statistics from Chernobyl. Monbiot again quotes the highly disputed number of 43 deaths from the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown, taken from the Chernobyl Forum report. Not only does he uncritically follow the statistics given by an international body that incorporates one of the strongest pro-nuclear lobbies in the world, he is dishonest enough not to quote it correctly, as Joe Giambrone neatly exposes (see Counterpunch). Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, spinbuster | 1 Comment

A Fukushima chill growing over global nuclear energy business

Will Fukushima crisis chill civilian nuclear energy deals? Experts warn that Fukushima should sound an alarm on the safety and security dangers inherent in the spread of civilian nuclear fuels and the proliferation of nuclear technology. CSMonitor.comBy Howard LaFranchi, April 11, 2011Washington

A year after President Obama’s landmark nuclear security summit brought dozens of world leaders to Washington, global powers are making progress at locking down unsecured nuclear materials, some experts say. But at the same time, others caution that the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan should put the world – including the United States – on notice about the dangers of spreading nuclear energy technology around the globe….. Will Fukushima crisis chill civilian nuclear energy deals? – CSMonitor.com

 

April 12, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

How George Monbiot misleads the world on nuclear radiation

by reassuring the public that things aren’t too bad, Monbiot and others at best misinform, and at worst misrepresent or distort, the scientific evidence of the harmful effects of radiation exposure – and they play a predictable shoot-the-messenger game in the process.

How nuclear apologists mislead the world over radiation George Monbiot and others at best misinform and at worst distort evidence of the dangers of atomic energy Helen Caldicott * guardian.co.uk, 11 April 2011 Soon after the Fukushima accident last month, I stated publicly that a nuclear event of this size and catastrophic potential could present a medical problem of very large dimensions. Events have proven this observation to be true despite the nuclear industry’s campaign about the “minimal” health effects of so-called low-level radiation. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | general, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Continued decline in uranium price

Uranium Prices Drop as Demand Declines on Japan Crisis, Ux Says,  Bloomberg By Jason Scott – Apr 12, 2011 “…..The magnitude-9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 that caused radiation leaks at the Tokyo Electric Power Co.- operated plant led buyers of the nuclear fuel to retreat, according to Ux. The crisis is likely to hurt the atomic power industry’s credibility more than the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, UBS AG analysts said April 4.
“Activity on the spot market remains limited with very few active buyers or sellers,” Ux said in the report. “Sellers that had been active appear to be taking a more protracted approach to the market,……

 

April 12, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Jaitapur nuclear project highlights conflict of interest

Despite assurances by the government, experts feel an honest assessment of hazards is impossible. “Like the International Atomic Energy Authority, the Indian DAE too is trapped in conflict of interest. They are both the promoters and regulators of atomic energy. How can one expect an honest assessment from them?” asks Krishna. “Safety audit should be independent,” says Bidwai. Even Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has called for an independent regulatory body for nuclear energy.  “Fukushima has changed everything,” says Krishna

JAITAPUR’S own Fukushima | Hard News After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, it’s time for a moratorium on all unsafe nuclear complexes in India, Sadiq Naqvi 12 April 11, “…….”JAPAN HAS CHANGED the paradigm of debate vis-à-vis the proposed Jaitapur nuclear park,” says Vivek Montero of the Konkan Bachao Samiti. He says that the Fukushima disaster has shown that radioactivity affects everything, all life, agriculture, plantations, animals, human lives. “People have categorically stated their position. The question is not of compensation. We don’t want the project, that’s all,” he adds. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | civil liberties, environment, India | Leave a comment

Steady growth in renewable energy in USA

Energy Use Down, Renewables Up | RenewablesBiz, Wind grew by one-third in 2009 Bill Opalka | Apr 12, 2011, Renewable energy is growing steadily even while the overall economy slumps and energy use from other sources is falling.That’s the gist of a new report from the federal Energy Information Administration, which tracks energy use and projects future supplies. It just released a report that showed that overall use declined for consecutive years, in 2008 and 2009, for reasons outside of the energy sector, for the first time in decades.

U.S. energy consumption declined for the second year in a row in 2009, falling 4.8 percent between 2008 and 2009 to 94.6 quadrillion Btus. This follows a 2.1-percent decline between 2007 and 2008. As a result, total energy consumption in 2009 dropped to its lowest level since 1996…….

the overall shift to renewables from 2005 to 2009 is impressive. Wind has come from a relatively minor renewable energy source to accounting for nearly 10 percent of total renewable energy consumption. Energy Use Down, Renewables Up | RenewablesBiz

 

April 12, 2011 Posted by | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

Delay in clearance for Nuclear Power Corporation of India’ Jaitapur project

Centre’s clearance for nuke reactors awaited – Hindustan Times, 12 April 11, The aftershocks of the nuclear emergency in Japan are being felt in India, leading to a delay in getting clearance for constructing the first two reactors at the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant in Ratnagiri district. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) that builds and operates nuclear plants is yet to get the Jaitapur project sanctioned by the Central government. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | India, politics | Leave a comment

Supreme Court upholds State’s rights over water intake at nuclear plant

SJC upholds state’s right to regulate water intake at Pilgrim nuclear –  Boston Globe , by Beth Daley, 12 April 11, The state Supreme Judicial Court has upheld Massachusetts’ right to regulate the intake of vast amounts of water by the Pilgrim Nuclear Station and other power plants, which can harm fish and other marine organisms.Power plants use the water to cool equipment then discharge it later — and hotter — into waterways. Environmental studies show the heated water can harm aquatic life. The state and environmentalists have also long argued that the sucking in of water can kill vast amounts of fish larvae, eggs, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms – larger creatures become trapped on screens covering the intake pipes, and smaller ones are sucked into the cooling system. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | Legal, USA, water | Leave a comment

Goanese join opposition to Jaitapur nuclear plant

No to Jaitapur Nuclear Project, The Times of India, TNN | Apr 12, 2011, PANAJI: A group of around 60 Goans voiced their opposition against the Jaitapur Nuclear Project by participating in a candlelight vigil at Bandodkar Samadhi, Miramar at 6pm.   The protesters held candles and placards to express their solidarity with the people of Japan on the one month anniversary of the nuclear catastrophe. Similar vigils were held in 10 cities across India on Greenpeace National Day of Action against Nukes. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Tonga leads Pacific push for renewable energy

AUDIO Tonga steps up its renewable energy push Radio Australia:Pacific Beat: April 11, 2011 There is a growing push towards renewable energy in the Pacific with both Cook Islands and Tuvalu setting ambitious targets to achieve 100 percent renewable energy networks.Tonga too is moving down the same road, having just been admitted as the Pacific’s sole representative on the council of IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency.And tomorrow the country’s first sustainable energy expo will open.It’s been organised by TERM – the Tonga Energy Road Map.
Radio Australia:Pacific Beat:Story:Tonga steps up its renewable energy push

April 12, 2011 Posted by | OCEANIA, renewable, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

Call for new rules on USA’s nuclear wastes

US lawmaker calls for new nuclear waste rules
*  Feinstein says waste should move to dry storage faster

* Study found that dry cask storage less risky than pools

* NRC has said waste could stay in pools for 100 years

By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) – A top Senate Democrat on Monday urged the U.S. nuclear regulator to require plants to speed up the shift of radioactive waste to dry cask storage from pools. Continue reading →

April 12, 2011 Posted by | USA, wastes | Leave a comment

License application withdrawn for Diablo nuclear plant

PG&E withdraws license renewal application for San Luis Obispo nuclear plant,  PolitiCal | Jack DolanApril 11, 2011 Pacific Gas & Electric asked federal regulators to hold off on granting them a new license to run the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in Central California until the company can complete a new round of seismic safety studies.

The company, which runs two reactors at the coastal site south of San Luis Obispo, cited “considerable public concern” about nuclear reactors situated in earthquake zones after a massive quake and tsunami crippled the Fuskushima Daichi plant in Japan last month…….In 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey revealed that it had discovered a previously unknown fault less than a mile from Diablo Canyon. Another fault, about three miles offshore, had been discovered in the early 1970s. Geophysicists are concerned that movement of one fault could trigger an earthquake along the other, potentially compounding any damage to the nuclear plant…..PG&E withdraws license renewal application for San Luis Obispo nuclear plant | PolitiCal | Los Angeles Times

 

April 12, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, USA | Leave a comment

California moving to 33 percent renewable energy

California to set 33 percent renewable energy goal for 2020 Govenor to sign bill  The Desert Sun |, Apr. 12, 2011 Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign a new law Tuesday committing California’s private utilities to producing 33 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.

The signing is scheduled for around 11:15 a.m. when the governor attends the dedication of SunPower’s new solar panel manufacturing facility in Milpitas…..California to set 33 percent renewable energy goal for 2020 | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com

 

April 12, 2011 Posted by | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

Facts on plutonium and Mox nuclear fuel

some reactors do use Mox, but only as a small percentage (less than 30 per cent) of the total fuel. The rest of the fuel is conventional uranium oxide…Mox, which in any case remains far more expensive than conventional uranium fuel…

(UK) Government’s doomed  £6bn plan to dispose of nuclear waste,  The Independent, 11 April 11“……Q & A: Why has it come to this?

Q: What is Britain’s “plutonium mountain”?

A: It is the nation’s stockpile of radioactive plutonium, kept as plutonium dioxide powder, packed into special drums stored at Sellafield in Cumbria. A further, smaller amount is stored at the Dounreay nuclear facility in Scotland, the site of the doomed nuclear fast-breeder reactor programme. Continue reading →

April 11, 2011 Posted by | - plutonium, reprocessing, UK | Leave a comment

« Previous Entries     Next Entries »