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World Health Organisation director comes clean about nuclear radiation

Chan distanced herself from the recent statements made by the WHO on the consequences of Chernobyl.

W.H.O. Secretary General “Margaret Chan” admits for the first time: RADIATION IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS, Jan Hemmer Blog, May 12, 2011 by Mikkai…..There is no safe low level of radiation, ” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan on Wednesday during a short meeting scheduled with members of the critical “initiative for an independent WHO “. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Perspective on Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear catastrophes

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Perspective, Global Research ca by Dr. Helen Caldicott 15 may 11, First I want to present this report, produced by the New York Academy of Sciences, a report on Chernobyl.  It can be downloaded.(2)  They translated 5,000 articles from Russian for the first time into English.  It seems that nearly a million people have already died as a result of Chernobyl, despite what the WH0(3) says and the IAEA.(4)  This is one of the most monstrous cover-ups in the history of medicine.  Because everybody should know about this.  Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | 1 Comment

Earthquake, not tsunami, damaged Fukushima nuclear plant

Quake ‘hurt reactors before tsunami’ | The Japan Times Online, May 16, 2011Tepco detected sharp rise in radiation in reactor 1 immediately after temblor struck  High radiation readings taken in the No. 1 reactor building the night of March 11 suggest it was the quake rather than the loss of cooling that critically damaged the Fukushima No. 1 power plant, a utility source said Saturday.
The belated disclosure could trigger a review of quake-preparedness at nuclear facilities across the country. Many have been focusing on increasing defenses against tsunami, which knocked out the plant’s poorly placed emergency power generators…..Quake ‘hurt reactors before tsunami’ | The Japan Times Online

May 16, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | 1 Comment

UK government’s secret subsidies to nuclear industry

Nuclear companies are also likely to receive government assurances that the taxpayer could foot any increases to the estimated bill for storing radioactive waste from new reactors…….

MPs attack government’s covert subsidies for nuclear industry Select committee criticises attempts to hide hundreds of millions of pounds of funding as ‘deeply irresponsible’ Fiona Harvey, environment correspondent, The Guardian, 16 May 2011 The government is planning to award covert subsidies of hundreds of millions of pounds to nuclear power, betraying the coalition promise that the taxpayer would not foot the bill for a new generation of reactors, according to an influential committee of MPs. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | politics, UK | Leave a comment

Success with small scale solar energy and feed-in tariffs

“It might not seem like a lot if you look at one unit, but it’s like looking at ants,” ….. “If you look at one at a time, they seem tiny, but they build up into a large population.

Green energy from city skylines, nwi.com, 15 May 11, While large wind and solar farms catch grief from nearby residents, engineers and designers have created ways to incorporate renewable energy systems into city skylines, including Chicago’s.

Across the United States, renewable energy developers are supplementing energy grids more discreetly, more affordably and on an urban-friendly scale. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | decentralised, USA | Leave a comment

Fukushima nuclear plant – cooling process now abandoned

Japan nuclear: Tepco halts Fukushima cooling plan, BBC New15 May 2011  Japanese engineers have abandoned their latest attempt to stabilise a stricken reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant.The plant’s operator, Tepco, had intended to cool reactor 1 by filling the containment chamber with water.

But Tepco said melting fuel rods had created a hole in the chamber, allowing 3,000 tonnes of contaminated water to leak into the basement of the reactor building……The government and Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Company) said it would take until next January to achieve a cold shut-down at the plant……Tepco says it will come up with a new plan to stabilise the reactor by Tuesday.Japanese broadcaster NHK said Tepco was now studying a plan to circulate water from the basement through a decontamination filter and back into the reactor.BBC News – Japan nuclear: Tepco halts Fukushima cooling plan

May 16, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Olympic swimming pool-sized pond of radioactive water at Fukushima

Radioactive ‘pond’ found at Fukushima, The Independent 16 May 11, Japanese officials have found an Olympic swimming pool-sized pond of radioactive water in the basement of a unit at the Fukushima nuclear plant crippled by the March earthquake and tsunami.The discovery has forced officials to abandon their original plan to bring the No 1 reactor under control. Now they will focus on how to deal with the rising pool that some experts see as a threat to groundwater and the Pacific coast……Radioactive ‘pond’ found at Fukushima – Asia, World – The Independent

May 16, 2011 Posted by | - Fukushima 2011 | Leave a comment

Yucca Mt scientifically unsuitable for nuclear waste dump

in the last three decades 1the Energy Department studied Yucca Mountain and simply couldn’t make the plan work. There are a multitude of scientific, technical and safety issues with Yucca Mountain, which is a porous volcanic ridge in an area prone to earthquakes. The Energy Department had to keep rewriting its plans and requirements to try to make it look like Yucca Mountain was suitable……Nevada was chosen because the state [back then] didn’t have any political power.

More Yucca hypocrisy, Las Vegas Sun, Republicans continue to push a foolish plan that is unsafe and expensive, May 15, 2011  Republicans in Congress this past week continued their shameful crusade to turn Nevada into a nuclear waste repository by trumpeting a report that they say shows “political opposition” is the key obstacle toward building a Yucca Mountain repository. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | politics, USA | 2 Comments

World’s biggest uranium hole and mountain of radioactive wastes planned

“This Environmental Impact Statement shows the company has designed Olympic Dam to leak up to eight million litres of liquid radioactive waste per day.  BHP Billiton plans to dump radioactive tailings on the surface and leave them there forever, rather than pay to isolate the toxic waste from the environment.”


BHP Billiton has released a multi-phonebook-sized environmental impact statement to support its proposal to make Olympic Dam the world’s largest uranium project, but the EIS does not address the risks that go along with Australian uranium when it is used in nuclear reactors overseas.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has challenged the company to re-do its environmental assessment to take account of disasters like Fukushima. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, environment | Leave a comment

41 organisations join to stop uranium mining in Virginia

“There are just too many questions and potential risks of radioactive and toxic materials contaminating our streams, rivers and drinking water. With all the storms and hurricanes we get, this is the worst possible place you could put a uranium operation.”

Coalition to keep the ban on uranium mining in Virginia growing statewide
, THE GAZETTE VIRGINIAN, 15 May 11, An organization called Keep the Ban Coalition on Thursday launched a statewide effort to keep the existing ban on uranium mining in Virginia. Representatives on the coalition include the NAACP, Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center and numerous activists from across Southside Virginia.The Keep the Ban Coalition said Thursday it has the support of 41 localities and organizations that have joined the growing statewide movement urging the Virginia legislature to resist an industry push to lift the state’s ban on uranium mining as early as next year. ncluded among supporters are the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and Southside Concerned Citizens. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

With nuclear safety concerns, why extend Vermont Yankee’s license?

the too frequent appearance that the NRC is in bed with the industry it regulates, there’s no reason to assume that every plant should get added years. This is where concerns about Vermont Yankee’s record of operation, radioactive leaks included, kick in, and where the NRC needs to do a much better job of explaining why Vermont Yankee should keep running past 2012

The 40-year license for nuclear power plants – New Hampshire, SentinelSource.com: Editorial, 15 May 11, “……….When the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 was being debated, the drafters felt it necessary to put an expiration date on licenses, after which renewals could be considered. However, at the time no one had any experience with nuclear power plants, so the drafters essentially lifted the 40-year provision from federal licenses then in use for hydroelectric power plants. The decision wasn’t based on science and safety; it was based mainly on investment considerations, such as how long it would take for a huge investment to make financial sense.

But, as the unfolding Fukushima disaster tells us, nuclear plants are about more than investments. To bring that point home, the NRC reports that it is finding that many nuclear power plants in this country are vulnerable to big natural disasters; the finding was based on a review ordered up after the Japanese crisis began. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Nuclear safety body’s independence is questioned

Scientists welcome move to set up independent nuclear body PTI,May 15,2011 (Reopens BOM2)  .” ……..The legislation for an independent authority is in the drafting stage currently and some DAE experts (who do not wish to be quoted) said the body would be better-off if it is not placed under a Ministry as has been suggested by some. They fear such a move would adversely affect radiation safety in the country. “It is a highly probable scenario becasue once it is under a Ministry, the present informal method of tapping all available scientific expertise within DAE would have to go through an inter-Ministerial bureaucratic mechanism,” they maintained. ,,,,,Scientists welcome move to set up independent nuclear body, IBN Live News

May 16, 2011 Posted by | India, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Residents’ anxiety near Rawatbhata nuclear power plant.

Fear of radiation grips locals residing near Rajasthan’s Rawatbhata nuclear power plant, DailyIndia.com Chittorgarh (Rajasthan), May 15(ANI): Amid fears of a Japan-like nuclear crisis, locals in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district have expressed concerns over the impending danger due to the proximity of their homes to the Rawatbhata nuclear power plant. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Flawed analysis of risks of Grand Canyon uranium mining

“There is entirely too much risk, too many unknowns and too many identified impacts to justify threatening one of the most important U.S. landmarks and one of the most world-renowned national parks to justify the relatively small economic benefit associated with mining of uranium in the Grand Canyon region,”

Critics blast report on G. Canyon uranium mining,  NewsTimes , May 15, 2011 FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Conservation groups and officials in a northern Arizona county say there are serious flaws in a new federal analysis of the risks and benefits of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, Uranium | Leave a comment

Authorities not coming clean on full potential of Fukushima nuclear disaster

VIDEO   The horrifying consequences of the Fukushima meltdown | Independent Australia The horrifying consequences of the Fukushima meltdown Independent Australia EXCLUSIVE interview with Dr Helen Caldicott, who talks about the potential ramifications of the Fukushima meltdown, including the horrifying possibility of a hydrogen explosion, which is something the authorities aren’t discussing. By Sandi Keane| Environment Correspondent , 14 May 11,  Continue reading

May 16, 2011 Posted by | Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment