2011 July 30 « nuclear-news

China’s rail disaster – a prelude to nuclear disaster?

The breadth of Chinese ambitions to indigenize foreign technologies and scale them for mass deployment has simply outpaced its ability to plan, operate and staff these complex undertakings in a safe and sustainable manner. This is true in the case of high-speed rail, and it threatens to become the overarching storyline for the country’s nuclear energy program.

Wenzhou Train Crash Highlights Risks of China’s Nuclear Program Epoch Times, July 29, 2011 by ML COULD A TECHNOLOGY mishap akin to Saturday’s deadly train crash near Wenzhou, China happen at one of China’s 40 operating or planned nuclear power reactors?….. Experts are attributing China’s high-speed rail woes to its policies of adapting foreign technologies without the means to adequately operate and maintain them.

The risky strategy isn’t just being used by China’s Ministry of Railways, it’s also the foundation of the country’s nuclear power program. Continue reading →

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | China, safety | Leave a comment

USA’s pro nuclear Blue Ribbon Waste Commission rejects nuclear reprocessing

The good news: The BRC rejects reprocessing for now. The report states: “No currently available or reasonably foreseeable reactor and fuel cycle technology developments—including advances in reprocess and recycle technologies—have the potential to fundamentally alter the waste management challenge this nation confronts over at least the next several decades, if not longer.

Waste Commission rubberstamps more nuclear, but rejects reprocessing – for now Beyond Nuclear 30 July 11, A year and a half after its creation, on July 29th Energy Secretary Chu’s “Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future” (BRC) has published its draft report of recommendations for dealing with the mountain of U.S. high-level radioactive waste now nearly 70 years high. Continue reading →

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | reprocessing, USA | Leave a comment

Germany’s strategic approach to renewable energy and energy efficiency

This package of proposals forms the basis for Germany’s confidence that it can phase out one source of energy and phase in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The combination of a mix of policies (emissions trading, standards, regulations, incentives) with planning and investments in the longer-term infrastructure is the pathway Germany has chosen.

How Germany plans to succeed in a nuclear free, low-carbon economy, | guardian.co.uk, 29 July 11, Germany plans to meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets while it phases out nuclear power Germany has taken some fundamental energy decisions in recent months, ones that are interesting for other countries to study and learn from. The most “famous” decision recently has been to phase out nuclear power in the next ten years. This move builds on years of debate and a societal decision after Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident to move away from nuclear energy.

There has been much less focus, however, on the phasing in of other sources of energy. Nor has there been much focus on how Germany can remain the economic powerhouse of Europe, and the world’s second largest exporting country, while removing a significant source of energy from its grid.

This phase-in story is vital to understand, especially taking into account that Germany plans to meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets while it phases out nuclear power. So, how will this work?……. Continue reading →

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, renewable | Leave a comment

Anger in Japan,as nuclear regulator’s hypocrisy is revealed

the Chubu Electric scandal features the direct involvement of the nuclear safety agency, the government body responsible for overseeing nuclear power plant operations. This cannot be seen as anything but an attempt to distort public opinion….

The revelation that the government attempted to manipulate a public symposium on a pluthermal power-generation project in 2007 has confused and angered people living near nuclear power plants….

‘Credibility shot to pieces’ / Latest utility scandal also sullies govt nuclear safety agency The Yomiuri Shimbun, 29 July 11, An attempt by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency to stifle public opposition to a plutonium-thermal power generation project at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant during a 2007 community symposium is the latest scandal to involve a nuclear power project. Continue reading →

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

USA’s nuclear waste management in a mess

Panel Scorns Nuclear-Waste Policy, WSJ.com, 29 July 11, By RYAN TRACY, A presidential panel Friday scolded the U.S. government for failing to effectively deal with a growing stockpile of radioactive nuclear waste, saying Washington should change course and create a new, independent entity to decide where to dump it.

In a draft of its final report, which is due in January, the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future said the current policy for dealing with nuclear waste is “all but completely broken down.”

The Obama administration didn’t support or reject the recommendations presented by the panel in the draft…..Panel Scorns Nuclear-Waste Policy – WSJ.com

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, wastes | Leave a comment

Japanese nuclear regulator’s deceptive role in promoting nuclear power

UPDATE: Japan’s Nuclear Regulator Admits It Tried To Sway Public Opinion On Nuclear Plants By Kosaku Narioka and Toko Sekiguchi, Dow Jones Newswires; JULY 29, 2011,

— Japan’s nuclear regulator behind efforts to falsely suggest public support for nuclear power

— At least two utilities say they were asked to take part in secret efforts

— Admission comes as government releases energy strategy that reduces dependence on nuclear power

— PM Kan says that scandal brings into question the agency’s very existence

TOKYO (Dow Jones)--The Japanese government disclosed Friday that its primary nuclear regulator tried to manipulate public opinion at public forums around the country to promote nuclear power, findings that further damage the industry's already tattered reputation. Continue reading →

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

New York monitoring for potential ‘dirty bombs’

NYPD Testing “Dirty Bomb” Monitoring Network, NTI: Global Security Newswire -July 29, 2011 The New York Police Department is preparing to bring online an innovative monitoring network for detecting the presence of radiological materials that could be part of a “dirty bomb,” the Associated Press reported on Friday (see GSN, April 12).

The system links the 2,000 compact radiation sensors used daily by officers to a command post in lower Manhattan, which would receive an alert if any one of the detectors picked up a trace of a potential radiological weapon. The technology is being tested and federal officials want to see if it could be put into place in other parts of the United States……NTI: Global Security Newswire – NYPD Testing “Dirty Bomb” Monitoring Network

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Germany’s electric bicycles, powered by renewable energy

Germans get on their e-bikes – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation),29 July 11, Electric bikes may be the bicycle industry’s next big thing if German users are anything to go by.Demand in Germany, one of Europe’s largest markets for electronic bicycles along with the Netherlands, tripled in 2010 and is set to grow by 50 per cent to 300,000 this year, according to bicycle industry association ZIV.This attitude reflects a broader trend in Germany, where the Greens party is gaining popularity, for people to buy a range of “green”, environmentally friendly products…..Germans get on their e-bikes – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, renewable | 1 Comment

Local anger as preparation begins for new UK nuclear plant

Green light for Hinkley C despite protests Edie.net,by Luke walsh,29 July 11, Energy giant EDF has won approval to start work on what would be the first nuclear power station built in the UK for 20 years, despite protests from local campaigners….

Following the council’s ruling, which has been branded ‘jumping the gun’ by anti-nuclear campaigners, EDF can begin the clearance of most vegetation, hedges and trees from a 420 acre site, but will have to pay more than £25 million to cover measures to mitigate the impact of the project.

It also allows for the excavation of more than 2 million cubic metres of soil and rocks, the re-routing of underground streams, the creation of roads and roundabouts, major changes to the landscape and the start of deep excavations for the power station foundations.

Stop Hinkley spokesman, Crispin Aubrey, said: “This is like giving a developer permission to excavate a greenfield site even before they have permission to build the actual houses. “What will those councillors say to the people of West Somerset in two years’ time, with massive holes in the ground lined with concrete and a devastated wasteland – no trees, no hedges, no wildlife – and EDF says ‘Sorry, we don’t think it’s worth going ahead’.” …..
Green light for Hinkley C despite protests

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | opposition to nuclear, UK | Leave a comment

Fish killed by nuclear plant’s hot water release

Oyster Creek nuclear plant pump shuts down, resulting in fish kill, July 29, 2011, By Eliot Caroom/The Star-Ledger Pumps that cool water as it leaves the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant shut down yesterday evening, causing a rise in water temperature and a fish kill in a canal, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said today.

Electricity stopped due to a problem with the Jersey Central Power & Light grid, and the pumps shut down at 8:05 p.m., the a spokesman for the NRC said.

“Oyster Creek reduced reactor power to control discharge water temperatures, but a fish kill was subsequently identified in the canal,” said spokesman Neil Sheehan in an email. Exelon said in a statement that 300 fish were lost due to the temperature rise…..Oyster Creek nuclear plant pump shuts down, resulting in fish kill | NJ.com

July 30, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA | Leave a comment

USA to sell nukes to Saudi Arabia, despite its weapons ambitions?

The White House’s decision is already facing opposition from members of Congress who worry about sharing nuclear technologies with countries in today’s increasingly unstable Middle East. The concerns were further fueled by recent comments made by a senior member of the Saudi royal family that their country would seek to develop nuclear weapons if Iran did.

U.S., Saudis to Discuss Nuclear Agreement, WSJ, JULY 29, 2011,By JAY SOLOMON,WASHINGTON—The Obama administration plans to resume talks with Saudi Arabia about nuclear cooperation, according to senior U.S. officials, in a move aimed at boxing in Iran and keeping an eye on Riyadh’s strategic ambitions. Continue reading →