2011 October 04 « nuclear-news

Where to put 23 Tokyo Domes-full of radioactive waste? wonders Japan

Radioactive soil can fill 23 Tokyo Domes, Five prefectures’ nuclear burden a hot potato no one wants to catch, Japan Times By SETSUKO KAMIYA 29 Sept 11 Radioactive soil and vegetation that must be removed in Fukushima and four adjacent prefectures could reach up to 28.79 million cu. meters, equal to filling the Tokyo Dome 23 times, according to a recent Environment Ministry estimate.

But finding a disposal or temporary storage site will be a tall order. The estimate covers soil and dead leaves mainly from areas with radiation levels of more than 5 millisieverts per year in the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi, Yamagata, Tochigi and Ibaraki, whose data were used to mete out the rough figures.

In Fukushima, home of the nuclear plant leaking all the radiation, about 17.5 percent of the prefecture is contaminated to that level. The estimate was submitted Tuesday to a 12-member expert panel working out decontamination plans. The panel assumed that 5 cm of topsoil should be removed from contaminated areas, including pinpoint decontamination efforts in certain locations with radiation of 1 to 5 millisieverts per year.

The government is hammering out details on plans to remove and store the soil and leaves. But finding a location to temporarily store such a huge amount of radioactive materials will be an extremely sensitive and politically difficult task for the central government.

Breaking down the total, contaminated soil from residential areas was estimated at 1.02 million cu. meters, farm land at 17.43 million cu. meters and forests at 8.76 million cu. meters, the Environment Ministry said.

A single facility capable of housing the entire 28.79 million cu. meters of soil would have to be 1 sq. km in area and 30 meters deep. But if the central government decides on multiple facilities, negotiations would have to be completed with numerous local governments. The location for a temporary facility is still undecided, but the government is reportedly considering Fukushima Prefecture….. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110929a3.html

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, wastes | Leave a comment

Problems of Finland’s Olkiluoto nuclear plant and waste storage plans

the companies are planning to make Onkalo only large enough for waste from their own potential seven reactors

the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has identified safety concerns at operating Finnish power plants as part of stress tests conducted after last spring’s Fukushima crisis in Japan. These include the lack of backup cooling systems that are independent of electrical supply at the Olkiluoto1 and 2 reactors.

a honeycomb of storage sites extending over an area of several square kilometres will weaken the bedrock, making it vulnerable to earthquakes,

includes VIDEO TVO: No room for Fennovoima waste in nuclear cave, YLE FI 4 oct 11, Onkalo on Finland’s west coast will be the world’s first permanent nuclear waste repository. The project director of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant, TVO Senior Vice President Jouni Silvennoinen, insists there is no space for waste from utilities other than TVO or Fortum in the Onkalo underground disposal site on Finland’s west coast. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Finland, Reference, technology, wastes | Leave a comment

Japan will no longer measure plutonium

Japan ceases measuring the plutonium, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 4 Oct 11, At the press conference of TEPCO and related ministries of Japanese government, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology stated they will not measure plutonium anymore.

The measurement of plutonium was abandoned in Japan.It was announced on 10/3/2011 by staff from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Now Japanese people are allowed to take 1~10 Bq/kg of plutonium. However, 1 in a million gram of plutonium causes cancer.

They announced that plutonium and strontium were detected in 45km / 79km area on 9/30.They seem afraid of having the contamination situation known by more people. http://fukushima-diary.com/2011/10/breaking-news-the-measurement-of-plutonium-was-abandoned-in-japan/#.Tomr6dmxwk4.facebook

JGov and TEPCO are disgusting.

http://nuclearhistory.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/japan-ceases-measuring-the-plutonium/

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | - plutonium, health, Japan | Leave a comment

Rio Tinto, uranium miners, and nuclear colonialism

situation isn’t all rosy for the multinational, which has long faced allegations of widespread environmental destruction and labor and human rights abuses in Africa, Asia and even the U.S.

Foreign control of metals and other natural resources in African and other developing countries is increasingly seen as a new form of colonialism, wherein locals work for relatively low wages and often in grueling, repressive conditions for companies that take most of the profit from the resources and labor out of the country.

Namibian Uranium Miners vs. Rio Tinto, IN THESE TIMES, BY KARI LYDERSEN, OCT 3, 2011 Namibian union uranium miners on strike against international mining giant Rio Tinto alleged in late September that a week into the strike, the company was violating mutually agreed upon conditions of the strike by hiring nonunion workers at its Rossing uranium mine.
Rio Tinto says it is not hiring nonunion workers and is demanding written proof from the Namibian Miners Union.

Miners have demanded payments of $2,557 (USD) each to end the strike over union allegations of unfair bonus payments and other grievances. Rio Tinto has asked the country’s labor court to rule that the union’s complaints are not grounds for a strike. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, indigenous issues, Namibia, Uranium | 1 Comment

Truth is the casualty, as nuclear lobby pushes a dying industry

vigilance was especially needed now that the nuclear industry is in retreat. “The nuclear industry is dying but the company bosses are being dragged kicking and screaming to the funeral. They will fight hard to promote their business, and truth is often the first casualty.”

Long campaign of deception by nuclear industry exposed – Scott Ludlam, October 4, 2011 The nuclear industry’s long-term campaign of deception exposed by an independent investigation in Japan is almost certainly not an isolatedcase, the Australian Greens warned today.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs Senator Scott Ludlam said it would be surprising if Japan was the only victim of corrupt and dishonest tactics from the nuclear industry.”The stacking of public meetings by nuclear sector stooges and collusion with corrupt officials to suppress opposition to nuclear power in Japan is a case study in the lengths to which this industry is prepared to go. In the globalised economy, the idea that these kinds of practices would only be occurring in Japan is an example of extreme optimism.” Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, Religion and ethics | Leave a comment

Irradiated area land in Japan larger than greater Tokyo

Japan reveals huge size of Fukushima clean-up area, Irish Times, 29 Sept 11DAVID McNEILL in Tokyo JAPAN HAS revealed that the clean-up of land irradiated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster could stretch to an area larger than greater Tokyo. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011, environment, Japan | Leave a comment

UK blockade of nuclear power plant shows growing opposition to new nukes

Stop New Nuclear comprises groups from across the UK, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), CND Cymru, Stop Nuclear Power Network UK, Kick Nuclear, South West Against Nuclear, Shutdown Sizewell, Sizewell Blockaders, Trident Ploughshares and Stop Hinkley..…

Activists hail nuclear plant protest, THE INDEPENDENT, By David Wilcock, 3 Oct 11, Protesters who blockaded a nuclear power station today have said their actions were a “phenomenal success” in shedding light on opposition to new nuclear reactors.

Members of several anti-nuclear groups who are part of the Stop New Nuclear alliance barred access to Hinkley Point power station in Somerset in protest against EDF Energy’s plans to renew the site with two new reactors. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | opposition to nuclear, UK | Leave a comment

Iran’s nuclear deal offer seen as a positive move

For the West, the idea offered a way to restore a degree of trust in ties with Tehran and help in the search for a comprehensive diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute.

US cool on Iran atom offer, experts see chance, Arab News By FREDRIK DAHL | REUTERS Oct 3, 2011 VIENNA: An Iranian attempt to revive a nuclear fuel deal that fell apart in 2009 has drawn skepticism from the United States, even though two Western think-tanks urged Washington and its allies to pursue the proposal. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Cook Islands must develop renewable energy

The Cook Islands lacks major natural resources and regularly experiences natural disasters. Climate change spurred on by rapidly increasing levels of greenhouse gases is expected to heavily impact the region, with salt intrusion into ground water from rising seas a major concern.

Renewable Energy An Imperative For The Cook Islands, Renewable Energy News, by Energy Matters, 4 Oct 11 The Cook Islands, Japan and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat have stated renewable energy is no longer an optional energy solution for the Pacific region, but an imperative.

Speaking at a signing ceremony for the Rakahanga $1m PV Project, a project designed to reduce the need for generator fuel, Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon Henry Puna, the Forum Deputy Secretary General and Ambassador of Japan said the region must invest heavily in renewable energy – and that investment must be backed by strong political will. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, OCEANIA, renewable | Leave a comment

UK Govt sacks Nuclear Submarine Medics, While Spending Up Big on Weapons

Submariners sacked at sea despite MoD promise, Swathes of sailors on submarines have been sacked at sea despite Ministry of Defence promises that no servicemen would be made redundant. Daily Telegraph, By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent :04 Oct 2011

A fifth of submarine medics serving on board Trident nuclear deterrent and hunter killer submarines have been axed, including one who cared for the wounded on the HMS Astute after a crewman went on the rampage. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | UK, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Last parade for dwindling number of Wales’ nuclear veterans

Nuclear test veterans march in Risca, South Wales Argus 3rd October 2011 A PARADE to honour nuclear test veterans took place for the final time in Risca on Sunday.The march by members of the Welsh branch of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association has been staged in Risca since 1993.

But dwindling numbers of veterans meant this year would be the last parade. Islwyn MP Chris Evans joined people from Risca and across the UK for the parade to remember the thousands of servicemen who were involved in the weapons testing programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

Many suffered serious health problems as a result of the programme. Mr Evans said: “It was an honour to join the parade. We owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans and this ceremony honours the men who have subsequently died because of their involvement in nuclear testing.

“I feel very strongly that these veterans deserve justice and I have tabled several parliamentary questions on this issue – it is important that we never forget their cause.”http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/9284815.Nuclear_test_veterans_march_in_Risca/

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

USA nuclear companies up against India’s Nuclear Liability Law

India-U.S. Nuclear Growth May See More Delays, WSJ, By ERIC YEP MUMBAI – U.S.-based companies hoping to cash in on India’s plans to increase its number of nuclear reactors could face more delays despite the government’s efforts to bring the country’s liability rules for nuclear accidents in line with global norms.

U.S. companies had expected big contracts to flow from India’s nuclear expansion after a New Delhi-Washington agreement in 2005 and a subsequent waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group on the transfer of nuclear technology to India.

But last year India’s parliament passed a liability law making both equipment suppliers and reactor operators liable to accident compensation claims, stalling the entry of companies like GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse Electric Co. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, India, USA | Leave a comment

2,000 organisations meet in Geneva for nuclear weapons abolition

Wright urged civil society groups to challenge nuclear weapons on the basis of international humanitarian law, to divest from companies involved in the production of nuclear armaments, and to challenge the nuclear-weapon states directly because they have legal obligations to pursue nuclear disarmament, but are modernizing their arsenals instead……

after years of little progress, support for abolishing nuclear weapons is growing.

Imagining a world without nuclear weapons, Ekklesia By Jonathan Frerichs, 3 Oct 2011 Ask anyone if they can imagine a world without nuclear weapons, and as polls indicate, most will say they can. This is true even in countries that possess nuclear weapons according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons or ICAN, a new civil society initiative dedicated to the hope of a nuclear free world.

However, governments that possess nuclear weapons send a different signal. Their policies and expenditures say that “well…perhaps someday…but certainly not in our lifetimes”.

Still a coalition of some 2,000 organizations that want to abolish nuclear weapons met in Geneva on 16 September 2011. The programme included a panel of civil society representatives hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to examine prospects for nuclear disarmament. Continue reading →

October 4, 2011 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment