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

Nuclear industry’s poor understanding of public opinion

People do not like this [nuclear] industry, not because they misunderstand it but because they understand it perfectly well. That is going to be very difficult to fix with little video clips on websites and new fact sheets….

… the magnitude of the disconnect, the dissonance, that exists in the minds of the strongest advocates of the [nuclear] industry. All they need to do is somehow just fix up the image of the industry and everything is going to be fine. I think we will be hearing a lot more of that on the part of the nuclear industry and its supporters in government.

Adjournment speech – Fukushima 6 months on – Australia’s Nuclear Free Alliance Spokesperson Scott Ludlam 14th September 2011 ”……..It will be very interesting to see how the democratic aspirations of the people of Japan now play out in the light of the permanent radioactive nightmare that has been unleashed in the Tohoku region of Japan.
If we take a very quick trip around the world, a Washington Post/ABC poll in April 2011 found that 64 per cent of Americans oppose the construction of new reactors, so there are no surprises why the industry is at an absolute standstill there. Support for nuclear power was similar or much lower in countries as varied as Chile at 12 per cent, Thailand at 16½ per cent, Australia at 34 per cent, and the United Kingdom at 35 per cent support.

That, I think, is a problem that has dogged the nuclear industry right from the beginning Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, spinbuster | Leave a comment

People’s continued fight to shut down Japan’s nuclear industry

“The government and TEPCO need to admit to the crime they’ve committed. Then they need to work on making amends. This accident was not a natural disaster. It was caused by humans,”  mayor, Tamotsu Baba, said……

even though Congressman Takano isn’t getting much support in the Japanese government for his campaign to shut down the country’s nuclear power plants, he is getting more attention from the public, and for now, that’s good enough, as he wants to mostly spread the word on a grassroots level, beyond his community and beyond the Tohoku region…..

Fighting for a radiation- free Japan, Aj Jazeera, D. Parvaz   16 Sep 2011 Communities in the Tohoku region are struggling for information, decontamination and a say in future policies…. The radiation contamination has created a pristine post-apocalyptic postcard, a place where no one is allowed to live and farmers are forbidden from growing anything. It will be years before the full extent of damage to area residents and ecosystem alike will be known…..” Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Making nuclear power safe – too hard to be cost effective

 I back renewables and efficiency. Making those work at sufficient scale is of course a huge challenge. But making the nuclear industry around the world safe and cost-effective is a greater one.

What price safe and secure nuclear power?, Guardian UK Damian Carrington 16 Sept 11, A sober analysis of what is needed to make the global nuclear power industry safe and secure reveals a mountain to climb

“….an analysis published on Friday which sets out how to make the global nuclear power industry safe is important, not least because it is written by neither industry-linked figures or green campaigners. Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, safety | Leave a comment

Kudankulam anti nuclear protestors resolute against Chief Minister

Anti-nuclear plant protesters in Tamil Nadu turn down Jayalalithaa appeal, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, 17 SEP, 2011,  , JOE A SCARIA, CHENNAI: Protestors from three southern districts in Tamil Nadu have refused to give up their demand to shut down what is poised to be the nation’s newest nuclear power plant coming up in Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram made a “kind appeal” to the protestors, including 127 people who are on a fast that entered the sixth day on Friday, to end their protest. She said the power plant had ensured all safety parameters, and that it was situated in the second zone of seismic activity where earthquakes were unlikely.

The protestors have turned down her plea. “The CM’s request was disappointing for all of those who are here demanding closure of the plant”, Amal Raj, a volunteer of the People’s Movement against Nuclear Energy which is spearheading the agitation against the nuke project told ET.

Among those who have thrown their weight behind the agitation to have the plant shut, is the local Radhapuram MLA, Michael Rayappan of DMDK, which was an ally of the ruling AIADMK in the assembly poll. …  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/anti-nuclear-plant-protesters-in-tamil-nadu-turn-down-jayalalithaa-appeal/articleshow/10012764.cms

September 17, 2011 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Asking nuclear scientists about safety is like asking the Pope if he believes in God

Christina Macpherson's websites & blogs

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister discussed nuclear power safety with nuclear scientists and engineers – and surprise surprise – they said it was safe!

Why didn’t she talk with ecologists, seismologists, radiation medical experts, economists?
Does anyone really believe nuclear scientists any more?   It’s like asking the Pope if he believes in God? – C.M. 
Koodankulam nuclear plant: Jayalalithaa slams protesters, says safety ensured, Sep 16, 2011, By Kumar Chellappan  Chennai | Agency: DNA The agitators fasting for the closure of the 1000 MW Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant were given a dressing down by Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa who described the reactor quite safe.

“My discussions with nuclear scientists and engineers have allayed all kinds of apprehensions….

Representations of various organisations including Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy, NGOs and some sections of the Church have been on indefinite fast asking for the closure of the Koodankulam plant which is expected to be commissioned by December 2011….

September 17, 2011 Posted by | India, politics | Leave a comment

India: Central and State govts ignoring huge anti nuclear protest

 

 

The non-violent struggle from people are not being responded to with seriousness by the state government and central government. There is a huge battalion of police personnel around Idinthakarai village.

Indefinite Fast Against Nuclear Plant in Koodankulam, By Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), 16 September, 2011,Countercurrents.org  5th day Update from Idinthakarai Indefinite Fast  Koodankulam: The 25000 people who gathered in Idinthakari village for protesting against Koodankulam nuclear plant rejects Tamil Nadu Chief Minister freebies like mixy, grinder, laptop etc

Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

No confidence in Seabrook nuclear plant environmental report

“..report appears to take a page out of the environmental report of the applicant,” … “That does not generate public confidence that you are doing anything other than promoting the (nuclear) industry.”….

Locals lambaste nuke officials on Seabrook plan, Seacoast Online, By Shir Haberman, September 16, 2011  HAMPTON — Officials from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission visited town Thursday to hear public input about possible environmental effects of extending the operating license for the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant until 2050.

The report, which the agency called preliminary, concluded, “The environmental impacts of license renewal for Seabrook Station are not great enough to deny the option of license renewal.”… Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, USA | Leave a comment

No energy security in nuclear power for South Africa

Activists slam SA nuclear decision, 2011-09-16  Environmental organisation Greenpeace has urged the Minister of Energy to reconsider the role of nuclear energy in South Africa,  Duncan Alfreds, News24, Cape Town – Environmental groups have slammed the government’s decision to build nuclear plants, saying it will not lead to energy security for South Africa.

“As for nuclear energy as being our answer to whatever Eskom thinks it will be, that’s not entirely true. If Eskom is concerned with electricity security, energy security and safe electricity supply, nuclear is not going to be able to provide that,” Ferial Adams of Greenpeace Africa told News24.
Energy Minister Dipuo Peters announced on Thursday that the building process to build new nuclear plants which would produce 9 600MW, would begin by 2012….. http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Activists-slam-SA-nuclear-decisi

September 17, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Africa | Leave a comment

Sadety worries delay nuclear power in South Africa

South Africa Delays Bids for Nuclear Plants on Safety Concerns, Bloomberg By Jana Marais – Sep 15, 2011  South Africa postponed the opening of bids for its nuclear power-plant build program to next year because of safety concerns following the meltdown of reactors in Fukushima, Japan, South African Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said.

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., the state-owned South African power utility, will be the main driver of the country’s nuclear power plants and will invite partners, Peters told reporters in Johannesburg today…http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-15/south-africa-delays-bids-for-nuclear-plants-on-safety-concerns.html

September 17, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, South Africa | Leave a comment

Nuclear Power Plant Exporters “Principles of Conduct” – ha ha!

Christina Macpherson's websites & blogs

Excuse my laughter – I’m sure the Carnegie Endowment means well.  But in the present climate of cut-throat competition to sell nuclear reactors to anybody and everybody – before the industry collapses completely –      well, the idea of nuclear plant exporters having principles –  it’s a contradiction in terms.

Still, that doesn’t matter.  After all –  their high-flown “Principles of Conduct” are only voluntary anyway. – and they’re “not legally binding”

I see that their principles include “ethics” –  they wouldn’t know what the word means!. – Christina Macpherson

Announcing the Nuclear Power Plant Exporters’ Principles of Conduct, Carnegie Endowment, Jessica Tuchman Mathews, George Perkovich, Ariel (Eli) Levite, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 – WASHINGTON, D.C.The world’s major vendor companies of civilian nuclear power plants have agreed to apply a common set of principles in their exporting decisions and practices. Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | marketing of nuclear, USA | Leave a comment

Iran’s call for nuclear talks is refused by USA

U.S. Rejects Iran’s Call For Nuclear Talks Payvand.com Source: Radio Zamaneh, 16 Sept, 11, The U.S. has rejected the proposal to resume nuclear talks with Iran, accusing the country of a “charm offensive” in a letter to the European Union. The U.S. says Tehran has made no new commitments to address international concerns around its nuclear program…..
http://www.payvand.com/news/11/sep/1152.html

September 17, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Nuclear proliferation- a profitable crime that goes unpunished

Nuclear proliferation is a crime that pays well. Those involved in the Khan network were made very wealthy for their efforts, and the inability of the international community to effectively punish them has resulted in a missed opportunity to provide a deterrent against future black-market salesmen.

Nuclear Proliferation: The Crime with No Punishment?, TIME,B y Eben Harrell , Sept. 16, 2011 In 2003, the seizure of sensitive nuclear equipment on a ship in an Italian port played a key role in the unraveling of a vast, international smuggling ring led by the Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan that supplied nuclear technology to some of the world’s most dangerous regimes. Prosecuting those involved in this proliferation network, however, has proved difficult. Today none of the people associated with the so-called Khan network remain in prison. Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Yucca Mountain nuclear dump is dead, but not yet buried

Closing down Yucca Mountain “once and for all” can happen if the DOE’s license application is denied by NRC and its decision is upheld through a final non-appealable decision rendered by a federal court, or if Congress amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the president signs the legislation. 

Yucca Mountain is dead again, September 16, 2011  The Ely Times, By Elizabeth Crum, Nevada News Bureau In a long awaited ruling, the federal nuclear safety agency has said Nevada can close down Yucca Mountain once and for all. Or not. Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | USA, wastes | Leave a comment

Radiation danger in mushrooms in Japan

Radiation fears, shipment bans, weigh heavily on mushroom pickers, growers, Mainichi Daily News, 17 Sept 11, The ban on wild mushroom shipments from 43 Fukushima Prefecture municipalities announced on Sept. 15, paired with widespread radiation fears, is discouraging pickers from their usual mushroom-hunting trips into the woods.

The ban came after wild mushrooms containing cesium beyond the legal limit of 500 becquerels per kilogram were found in the prefecture. Tawny milkcap mushrooms containing cesium over the legal limit, meanwhile, have also been found in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, endangering  mushroom-picking in that region as well.

In the town of Tanagura in Fukushima, tawny milkcap mushrooms picked this month were found to contain 28,000 becquerels of cesium, or 56 times the legal limit. The town is famous for matsutake mushroom hunting between the end of September and late October each year….. http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110916p2a00m0na012000c.html

September 17, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

5,900 pounds of plutonium and highly enriched uranium cannot be tracked

 the U.S. can’t track or fully account for 5,900 pounds of “weapons usable” nuclear material that it once shipped overseas.

U.S. Can’t Track Tons of Weapons-Grade Uranium, Plutonium
Wired.com, By Noah Shachtman   September 16, 2011, President Obama has repeatedly said his top counterterrorism goal is to prevent terrorists from acquiring the building blocks to make nuclear or “dirty” bombs. Continue reading →

September 17, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

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