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Numerous renewable energy bills signed by California’s Governor Brown

Calif. Governor Brown Takes Action to Promote Renewable Energy and Protect the Environment, 09 Oct 2011 – SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced Saturday that he has taken action on legislation to protect California’s environment and natural resources.

The following bills have been signed by Governor Brown:: (A large number of bills listed )

For full text of the bills, visit: leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

http://californianewswire.com/2011/10/09/CNW10031_111229.php

October 10, 2011 Posted by | politics, renewable, USA | Leave a comment

Radioactive leak from Dounreay nuclear plant

Leak found at former nuclear plant, Google News, (UKPA) 9 Oct 11, Scotland’s environment secretary has called for a full investigation after a radioactive leak was found at the former Dounreay power station. The leak was discovered during a routine operation of the plant which is destroying the liquid metal used as the coolant in the Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR).

Monitoring systems detected drips of caustic liquor from pipework in a shielded cell. Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) said the plant was immediately shut down and the leak isolated and stopped. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said no material had been released into the environment and that the leak was “minor”….

Dounreay’s nuclear reactor was shut down in 1994 and work to decommission the site in Caithness has been under way since then. It was the only plant in Britain to use liquid metal instead of gas or water in the cooling circuits…. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gbScqRflnDY2MmCLODQSX6TveHNA?docId=N0834141318086993943A

October 10, 2011 Posted by | incidents, UK | Leave a comment

Sympathy with advocates of nuclear moratorium, from NRC chief

US Nuclear Regulator Sympathizes With Moratorium Advocates, Fox Business By Ryan Tracy October 05, 2011 WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)– The top U.S. nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that he sympathized with the views of groups who argue the U.S. should stop moving forward with plans for new nuclear-power plants until it can implement lessons from Japan’s nuclear crisis earlier this year.

“There are strong arguments on both sides about putting [in place] a moratorium,” Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko said during a public discussion about the Japan incident at the National Press Club.

Jaczko noted that, collectively, the five-member commission has decided to move forward with licensing new reactors and re-licensing existing ones as it reviews the Japan incident. Jaczko didn’t dispute that course outright, but said one process should inform the other. “What I feel personally is that I think these processes can’t be independent,” he said….http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/10/05/us-nuclear-regulator-sympathizes-with-moratorium-advocates/

October 10, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Generator failures hit 4 U.S. nuclear plants

4 generator failures hit US nuclear plants, Kake County News Sun, By RAY HENRY Associated Press October 9, 2011  ATLANTA — Four generators that power emergency systems at nuclear plants have failed when needed since April, an unusual cluster that has attracted the attention of federal inspectors and could prompt the industry to re-examine its maintenance plans.

None of these failures has threatened the public. But the diesel generators serve the crucial function of supplying electricity to cooling systems that prevent a nuclear plant’s hot, radioactive fuel from overheating, melting and potentially releasing radiation into the environment. Continue reading →

October 10, 2011 Posted by | incidents, USA | Leave a comment

Chernobyl radiation, and breast cancer years later

Doctors told us our radiation levels were 100 times higher than normal.

Catriona Munro on Chernobyl and her breast cancer, BBC News, 7 Oct 11, Catriona Munro believes her incurable breast cancer is linked to the fall out from the Chernobyl disaster. For a BBC Scotland documentary she has recalled how she may have been exposed to radiation and told of her fears for others whose health may also have been affected. Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | health | 1 Comment

Renewed protest against Koodankulam and Kalpakkam nuclear facilities

Anti-nuke activists protest against power plants in TN Indian Express 8 Oct 11, Over 300 anti-nuclear activists today staged a protest here against the Koodamkulam atomic power plant in Koodankulam even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a state delegation that he would depute a panel to address the safety concerns of local population.

The protestors, under the banner of People’s Coalition Against Nuclear Power Plants, also demanded that the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam near here be gradually phased out.

“We want the Koodankulam project to be scrapped and the Kalpakkam plant to be gradually phased out. When the whole world is going for solar driven energy, why are we going behind nuclear which is not safe?” asked Convenor of the coalition S D Rajendran, who led the protest.

He wanted the government to make public how Kalpakkam nuclear plant was handling it effluents. “There are people including children who suffer from cancer in areas around Kalpakkam and the fish catch in the sea near the plant is dwindling,” Rajendran alleged. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/antinuke-activists-protest-against-power-plants-in-tn/857031/

October 8, 2011 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Nuclear power and democracy in conflict in India

Safety record at Kalpakkam facility

*In 1987, a refuelling accident ruptured the reactor core.

*In 1991, workers were exposed to a radioactive heavy water leak.

*In 1999, another leak exposed 42 workers.

*In 2002, 100 kg of radioactive sodium leaked.

*In 2003, high-level radioactive waste was released into a work area, exposing six workers to nuclear radiation.

How pertinent is the nuclear option? Deccan Chronicle October 8, 2011 , By R. Mohan Democratic protests against nuclear plants are the flavour of the season.What began in Jaitapur has come down south to Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu and protests are bound to spread across the country to wherever nuclear power plants are being planned.

There is a fundamental conflict here between the aims of the government to arm the country with clean nuclear energy and the people’s fears over nuclear power plant catastrophes fanned further by the Fukushima experience. Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | India, politics, safety | Leave a comment

Rudy Giuliani the face of Indian Point nuclear reactor – for money of course

Rudy Giuliani to do ads promoting safety of nuclear power plant Digital Journal, 8 Oct 11

Rudy Giuliani is about to become the face of Indian Point, a Westchester County, NY nuclear power plant. Starting next week, the former NYC Mayor will be showcased in a series of ads designed to promote Indian Point’s safety……
This high profile campaign ironically enough comes at a time where Giuliani is considering a presidential bid for 2012, as reported by Digital Journal.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/312452#ixzz1aDlRcPrm

October 8, 2011 Posted by | marketing of nuclear, politics | Leave a comment

AREVA ahead in the scramble to sell off nuclear reactors to India

Areva In ‘Full-Scale’ Talks To Build Nuclear Power Plants In India, WSJ, By Eric Yep MUMBAI (Dow Jones)-–Areva S.A. (ARVCY) is “in the middle of full-scale discussions” to build nuclear power plants in India, said Arthur De Montalembert, chairman of its local unit, despite its U.S. rivals going slow on their Indian plans due to concerns over a nuclear liability law.

Areva’s talks with Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd. may give an edge to the French state-controlled nuclear equipment supplier over its U.S. rivals, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse Electric Co., whose plans were delayed after the Indian government adopted the law that makes both equipment suppliers and plant operators liable to accident compensation claims.

Equipment suppliers, which are eyeing India’s multi-billion-dollar nuclear power market, have sought changes in the law. Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, India | Leave a comment

India’s Prime Minister cannot be trusted about nuclear power

The disaster potential of nuclear power plants is of concern to the entire nation and not the people of Kudankulam or Jaitapur alone.  The Prime Minister disallowed the demand for a national debate when he slyly negotiated the India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement …

India,…, must reassess its policy.

Discard this secrecy, THE PIONEER , 08 OCTOBER 2011  PM can’t be trusted on N-power plants The Prime Minister’s response to the protest against the 1000 MWe nuclear power plant which is being set up at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu is typically that of a file-pushing babu: Unimaginative, bureaucratic and non-committal. It is understandable that having single-mindedly pursued the opening up of India’s civil nuclear sector to foreign collaboration, Mr Manmohan Singh should continue to insist that the nation’s deliverance lies in boosting the generation of atomic power. … Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | India, politics | Leave a comment

Britain’s nuclear power plans in doubt, as companies try to get out

Britain’s nuclear future is not so bright as firms look for exit strategy, This Is money, By PETER CAMPBELL, 6th October 2011, The future of Britain’s nuclear power is at risk, with one of the three groups looking to build the next generation of reactors on the brink of splitting up.  Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, UK | Leave a comment

Row in Finland over insufficient storage space for nuclear wastes

Dispute over disposal of nuclear waste brewing between power companies,

 Pyhäjoki waste would not all fit in Olkiluoto, HELSINGIN SANOMAT, 7 Oct 11,  Disagreement over the final storage of nuclear waste flared up soon after the power company Fennovoima announced on Wednesday that it had decided to build a new nuclear facility in Pyhäjoki on Finland’s west coast. Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | Finland, wastes | Leave a comment

8,ooo petitioners call for closure of USA’s Fukushima style nuclear plants

Petitioners Fight for Suspension of Fukushima-Style Nuclear Plants, Barnegat Ocean Acres Patch  Oyster Creek Generating Station is among the 21 reactors that more than 8,000 petitioners are asking the NRC to shutdown By Elaine Piniat, 7 Oct 11,  Petitioners urged the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to immediately suspend all U.S. nuclear plants with the same type of reactor as the plant in Fukushima, Japan during a public hearing today.

“This appeal is for human sensibility, moral responsibility and due process,” said Paul Gunter, Director of the Reactor Oversight Project for Beyond Nuclear. “Fukushima tragically demonstrates that the Mark 1 containment liability is a deceptive falsehood, a breach of contract to both the NRC and public health and safety.” Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, USA | Leave a comment

Legal action against Belarus President over planned nuclear power plant

Presidential Decree No. 418 “On the location of a nuclear power station in Belarus” contradicts Article 18 of the country’s constitution, which proclaims Belarus “a neutral country with a nuclear-free territory.”

Activist Sues Belarusian President Over Nuclear Power Plant, Radio Free Europe, October 07, 2011, ASTRAVETS, Belarus — An antinuclear activist in western Belarus is suing President Alyaksandr Lukashenka over plans to build a contentious nuclear power station there, RFE/RL’s Belarus Service reports. Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | Belarus, Legal | Leave a comment

Nuclear energy’s new dangers in the “developing world”

developing countries with little nuclear experience and spotty industrial safety records are moving ahead with ambitious plans to expand generating capacity.

Nuclear energy after Fukushima, Washington Post, By ,  October 6, PALO ALTO, Calif. The environmental disaster at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant this spring is creating a new global divide over the safety of nuclear energy.

Sharply differing responses to Fukushima from the world’s wealthiest and poorest nations will bring diminished safety for all.

Countries that should be best equipped to deal with nuclear mishaps are turning away from atomic energy Continue reading →

October 8, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, safety | Leave a comment

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