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

The power of energy efficiency to cut world’s greenhouse gas emissions

whereas new generation techniques take years to come on stream, efficiency can be improved today, with existing technologies and know-how.

Efficiency could cut world energy use over 70 per cent, – New Scientist,  26 January 2011 by Helen Knight Simple changes like installing better building insulation could cut the world’s energy demands by three-quarters, according to a new study. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, ENERGY | Leave a comment

World could run on renewable energy by 2030

“The actual footprint required by wind turbines to power half the world’s energy is less than the area of Manhattan,” said Jacobson.

Jacobson noted that most wind turbines could be placed offshore, and that others could be implemented on land already used for agriculture as is already the case with many large-scale land wind projects in the U.S.

By 2030, world can run on renewables, CNET News,  by Candace Lombard 27 Jan 2011, Scientists from Stanford University and the University of California at Davis have crunched the numbers and come up with a plan for how the world might economically and feasibly make the move to renewable energy in the next 20 to 40 years. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, renewable | Leave a comment

60th anniversary of the first secret nuclear fallout on American citizens

When it was learned years later that no American was given these maps
and forecasts – only Kodak and its industry peers – the reaction of
those who came to realize their bodies too became ‘exposed’ by the
fallout was one of anger and rage……...Downwinder Day is needed because Americans should have been deemedabove corporations, not below them. Their lives should have been given importance above that of a cartridge of film. They should have known, just as Kodak’s officials knew, that the “situation is serious.”

Downwinder Day – 2011 USA – from Andrew Kishner, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 27 Jan 2011, Sixty years ago today, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission conducted itsfirst ‘experimental nuclear detonation’ at the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range. The date was January 27, 1951. The time was 5:45 am. The bomb test was dubbed ‘Able.’ Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | civil liberties, history, USA | 1 Comment

UK’s plan for new nuclear plants add to danger of Sellafield radioactive waste problem

Experts in the field say the ongoing problems at Sellafield are worrying, especially in light of the possibility of waste that will be created from new-build nuclear…The consultation process on how to deal with nuclear waste and new nuclear plants across the country has been clearly lacking,

Sellafield is where we house the toxic legacy of our failed nuclear industry’ Industry experts say the government must deal with legacy waste before committing to new nuclear in the UK Nidhi Prakash,   27 January 2011,   guardian.co.uk There are many uncertainties about the renaissance of nuclear power in the UK, particularly surrounding the level of public subsidy, but one thing remains constant: the industry’s waste problem hasn’t gone away. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | decommission reactor, UK, wastes | Leave a comment

Global risk of nuclear materials being obtained by terrorists

“Another risk is nuclear material falling into the hands of terrorists. Some people do not believe this is a real risk. But the IAEA has a database and, on average, every two days we receive information about the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials or radioactive materials and this may only be the tip of the iceberg.”

Nuclear Watchdog Chief Warns of Nukes Falling Into the Wrong Hands, By Amy Kellogg January 27, 2011  FoxNews.com “……Among those worried about funding his project in this tight environment is Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, safety | Leave a comment

Thefts of radioactive material in India

the DSP case is not the first time that there has been an accident involving radioactive material in India. Some incidents have received press attention and are widely known; others are not……there have been 16 cases of loss, theft or misplacement of radioactive sources across India since 2001, in which radioactive material found its way into the environment. In 11 of these incidents, the source was never found.

Radioactive theft material in India alarms US, IAEA, The Daily Mail , 28 Jan  2011, Christina Palmer & Ajay Mehta NEW DELHI – The US nuclear experts and the officials of IAEA are much alarmed over the constant cases of radioactive material from a number of defence and civilian nuclear facilities across India Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | India, safety | Leave a comment

India-US nuclear deal will trigger S.E. Asia arms race

Pakistan threatens nuclear arms race after India-U.S. deal, Montreal Gazette,  By Dean Nelson and Ben Farmer, The Daily Telegraph, January 27, 2011 Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

With political and social will, world can be powered 100% carbon neutral

All it requires is the political and social will to increase the rate of transformation and build the energy infrastructure for the future…

A carbon neutral solar and wind powered world in 20 to 40 years?, Indybay, by Takver – Jan 26th, 2011 Is it achievable? You bet! All it takes is the political and social will to make it happen say  two California based researchers who have just published a study of the material resources and technology required to power the world 100 per cent by carbon emission neutral alternative energy technologies. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | general | 1 Comment

UK’s Trident nuclear weapons not as secure as they used to be

Defence cuts threaten Trident nuclear safety, warns MoD Staff shortages and cash squeeze revealed by Ministry of Defence watchdog pose unacceptable risk, says ex-safety chief ,  Rob Edwards guardian.co.uk,  27 January 2011 The safety of Britain’s nuclear weapons and submarines is being jeopardised by staff shortages and spending cuts, according to secret Ministry of Defence reports. The MoD’s nuclear safety watchdog has warned it can no longer ensure Trident warheads and nuclear submarines “remain safe”. There was a “lack of adequate resource to deliver (and regulate) the defence nuclear programmes safely”……….Defence cuts threaten Trident nuclear safety, warns MoD | World news | The Guardian

January 28, 2011 Posted by | safety, UK | Leave a comment

What to do with old unused nuclear bombs?

at least 650 of the bombs were built, each with a 1.2 megaton explosive capability, which is about 80 times more powerful than the 1945 Hiroshima bomb………

Nuclear bombs: a legacy of leftovers | The Augusta Chronicle  Rob Pavey | Thu, Jan. 27 Ever wonder what happens to old nuclear bombs when no one needs them anymore? It’s way more complicated than parting out a ’67 Chevy. In the case of the B83, one of America’s most potent thermonuclear weapons, some of those parts are coming to Savannah River Site. We’re just not sure how many. Or when. That’s a tightly guarded secret. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | USA, wastes, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Flaws in radiation screening of cargo at US ports

Review finds flaws in new radiation monitor program  Physics Today   January 26, 2011 A National Research Council committee identified flawed testing, faulty cost–benefit analyses, and other problems with the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office’s program to develop and deploy improved radiation monitors for the screening of cargo at US ports. The NRC review also found that vendors of the Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (ASP) monitors had failed to deliver a system that meets DNDO’s specification for modularity, with the result that the agency is unable to match the best-performing hardware with the optimal data-analysis algorithms, or to allow upgrades as experience is gained with the system………Review finds flaws in new radiation monitor program – Physics Today Politics and Policy

January 28, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Nuclear company Exelon’s low stock price making things difficult

Exelon’s low stock price stymied potential bid for N.C. utility, Crain’s Chicago Business By: Steve Daniels January 26, 2011 — Exelon Corp.’s low stock price is making it harder for CEO John Rowe to pull off the big acquisition he’s looking for. Continue reading →

January 28, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, USA | Leave a comment

US nuclear company Exelon teams up with China National Nuclear Corp

Exelon Corporation now Work with China regarding Nuclear Services,  TechWeek, January 27th, 2011 Exelon Corporation and China National Nuclear Corp had signed the memorandum of understanding in the previous week. It was the first step that encouraged the top U.S. nuclear power operator to offer their services in China.The both company’s will sign a detailed agreement soon before June 30, 2011 to start their operations mutually…… | Exelon Corporation now Work with China regarding Nuclear Services | TechWeek

January 28, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, China, USA | Leave a comment

Contractor fined for radioactive mishap to worker

Agency fines Idaho National Lab in radiation case – KPVI News 6 – Pocatello, ID   January 27, 2011 MSTIDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The U.S. Department of Energy haslevied an $85,000 fine against the contractor for the Idaho National Laboratory after a worker was accidentally exposed to a radiation generating device. Lab contractor Battelle Energy Alliance says its investigators identified several safety flaws that led to the exposure……Agency fines Idaho National Lab in radiation case – KPVI News 6 – Pocatello, ID

January 28, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Call for NATO to investigate Stuxnet cyber attack

Russia calls for NATO probe into Iran cyber strike Google hosted news, (AFP) –27 Jan 2011, BRUSSELS — Russia called on NATO on Wednesday to launch an investigation into the computer worm that targeted a Russian-built Iranian nuclear power plant, saying the incident could have triggered a new Chernobyl……Russia is helping Iran build a nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr for civilian use…… AFP: Russia calls for NATO probe into Iran cyber strike

January 28, 2011 Posted by | general | Leave a comment