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A military strike on Iran could be more catastrophic than accepting a nuclear Iran

The Gathering Storm: A pessimistic prognosis for 2012 A military attack on Iran, by either Israel or the U.S., might lead to no less catastrophic consequences than a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran. Haaretz, By Chemi Shalev, 30 Dec 11 “….. with Israel and Iran’s nuclear programs, it is a clear and present danger visible to all, discussed and dissected day
in and day out in newspapers, think tanks and intelligence forums throughout the world. Therefore, let’s dispense with looking back at 2011, and concentrate on the day of reckoning that will arrive, by all indications, over the course of 2012……..

Israel and the U.S. will soon be called upon to decide between a preemptive military strike and coming to terms with Iran as the world’s tenth nuclear power….. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Conflict between Iran, USA, Israel unlikely, despite sabre rattling

Iran’s nuclear issue escalates, but unlikely into conflict, On Dec. 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive defense bill, which requests new sanctions on Iran, targeting foreign financial institutions that do business with the Islamic republic’s central bank. BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) –– Iran’s nuclear issue has escalated again recently with the West mulling sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank and its crude exports, but the seeming saber-rattling on the part of both sides is unlikely to evolve into an imminent conflict. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

North Korea developing uranium tipped missiles

North Korea closer to nuclear-tipped missile: US expert Business Recorder DECEMBER 29, 2011 North Korea likely is closer to mounting nuclear warheads on its ballistic missiles than generally reported, possibly only one or two years away, the US Congress’s former top expert on the issue has concluded.

Larry Niksch, who tracked North Korea for the non-partisan US Congressional Research Service for 43 years, concludes in a new paper that the North probably would need as little as one to two years to miniaturise and mount a nuclear warhead atop its medium-range Nodong
missile once it has produced enough highly enriched uranium as the warhead’s core fuel.

A North Korea armed with nuclear-tipped missiles would rattle East Asia and present new policy and military challenges to the United States and its allies….. Its nuclear and missile capabilities are once again in the spotlight as power passes to North Korea’s designated young leader, Kim Jong-un, after the December 17 death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

Pyongyang already may have produced enough highly enriched uranium (HEU) for a warhead or be close to doing so, Niksch and experts such as Siegfried Hecker, the former head of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, said in interviews with Reuters….. http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/single/599/172/1265893/

December 30, 2011 Posted by | depleted uranium, North Korea | Leave a comment

Renewable energy: Germany shows the way in new industrial revolution

Feldheim has zero unemployment ..

the technology already exists to allow people to be energy self-sufficient.

All eyes on German renewable energy efforts SF Gate, By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press, December 29, 2011 “……Feldheim, a village of just 145 people, is already putting into practiceGermany’s vision of a future powered entirely by renewable energy……

In June, the nation passed the 20 percent mark for drawing electric power from a mix of wind, solar and other renewables. That compares with about 9 percent in the United States or Japan — both of which rely heavily on hydroelectric power, an energy source that has long
been used.

Expanding renewables depends on the right mix of resources, as well as government subsidies and investment incentive — and a willingness by taxpayers to shoulder their share of the burden. Germans currently pay a 3.5 euro cent per kilowatt-hour tax, roughly euro157 ($205) per year for a typical family of four, to support research and investment in and subsidize the production and consumption of energy from renewable sources.

That allows for homeowners who install solar panels on their rooftops, or communities like Feldheim that build their own biogas plants, to be paid above-market prices for selling back to the grid, to ensure that their investment at least breaks even……

Key to success of the transformation will be getting the nation’s powerful industries on board, to drive innovation in technology and create jobs. According to the Environment Ministry, overall investment in renewable energy production equipment more than doubled to euro29.4
billion ($38.44 billion) in 2011. Solid growth in the sector is projected through the next decade.

Some 370,000 people in Germany now have jobs in the renewable sector, more than double the number in 2004, a point used as proof that tax payers’ investment is paying off…… Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Germany, renewable | Leave a comment

Growth in UK jobs with steep increase in renewable energy

UK renewables climb steeply delivering jobs renews Europe, 29 December 2011 Renewable energy consumption in the UK increased 27% in the three years to end-2010 with plans announced in 2011 for £2.5bn of investment to continue the capacity build.

The government today published an update on progress to source 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. A report to the European Commission showed that the UK achieved a 27% increase in renewable energy consumption from 42.6TWh in 2008 to 54TWh
in 2010 – representing 3.3% of total energy consumed.

Wind generation increased by 46% from 7TWh in 2008 to 10.2TWh in 2010 and in 2010 achieved 5GW of offshore and onshore wind capacity. There was a threefold increase in the use of biofuels in transport from 1% of total road transport fuel supply in 2007/8 to 3.33% in 2010.

Latest research from DECC shows that so far this financial year, companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country, DECC said.

Energy secretary Chris Huhne   said there was mounting evidence of the economic benefits of renewable energy: “Renewable energy is not just helping us increase our energy security and reduce our emissions. It is supporting jobs and growth across the country, and giving traditional industrial heartlands the opportunity to thrive again…. http://renews.biz/story.php?page_id=74&news_id=1171

December 30, 2011 Posted by | renewable, UK | Leave a comment

Huge fire on Russian nuclear submarine

Massive fire enguls Russian nuclear sub, 9 News, 30 Dec 11 Fire engulfed one of Russia’s biggest nuclear submarines while it was being repaired Thursday, sending flames and smoke billowing into the sky, but officials said all weapons had been removed and no radiation leak
was reported.

Emergency workers launched a massive operation to douse the flames after the blaze broke out on the 11,740-tonne Yekaterinburg while it was docked in the the northern Murmansk region near Russia’s border with Norway…… http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8396466/massive-fire-enguls-russian-nuclear-sub

December 30, 2011 Posted by | incidents, Russia | Leave a comment

USA city Ithaca goes 100% renewable energy

Ithaca Moves to 100% Renewable Energy (VIDEO) http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=9163128 Joe Melillo December 29, 2011 Ithaca (WENY) – The city of Ithaca will now be powered completely by renewable energy and moving the community one step closer to its goal of reducing the carbon footprint 20 percent by 2016. Nothing will change for people living in the city. From now on all the electricity used by the city will be from a renewable energy source. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | renewable, Resources -audiovicual, USA | Leave a comment

Ugly corporate tactics to get rid of safety conscious nuclear regulator Jaczko

What’s unfolding at the NRC is a textbook example of a little-discussed corporate tactic that is employed against public officials in extreme situations. 

Do what industry wants, and benefit both professionally and personally. But when carrots aren’t enough, corporations have sticks to swing, too.

“This is the ugly underbelly of large corporate lobbying,” 

Nuclear Power Play: Ambition, Betrayal And The ‘Ugly Underbelly’ Of Energy Regulation Huffington Post, by Ryan Grim, 30 Dec 11WASHINGTON — A feud at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where five presidentially appointed commissioners oversee the safety of the nation’s nuclear power reactors, has broken out into full public view, with Chairman Gregory Jaczko’s fellow commissioners assailing his character and management style, both in a letter made public earlier this month and in the resulting testimony before Congress.

Republicans have begun calling for Jaczko’s ouster. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | Leave a comment

Safety worries about cracks in Davis Besse nuclear reactor

Nuclear regulators plan January meeting to talk about probe into cracks found at Ohio reactor Washington Post, By Associated Press: December 29 TOLEDO, Ohio — Federal regulators will reveal more details next month about cracks found in the concrete shell of a nuclear reactor in Ohio.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled a Jan. 5 public meeting where it will also discuss the reasons behind allowing the plant near Toledo to reopen. The Davis-Besse (BEH’-see) nuclear plant began producing electricity again in early December, less than two
months after the cracks were discovered. Regulators allowed FirstEnergy Corp. to restart the plant after saying the company provided reasonable assurance that the cracks don’t pose a threat. Regulators say they also did their own checks.

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich (koo-SIN’-ich) criticized the decision, saying that it’s still not known what caused the cracks orwhether it’s a bigger problem…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nuclear-regulators-plan-january-meeting-to-talk-about-probe-into-cracks-found-at-ohio-reactor/2011/12/29/gIQAh1P4OP_story.html

December 30, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Japan’s mothers using social media to pursue concerns about radiation

Can Web-savvy activist moms change Japan? Times of India AP | Dec 29, 2011  TOKYO: Japan’s nuclear crisis has turned Mizuho Nakayama into one of a small but growing number of internet-savvy activist moms.

Worried about her 2-year-old son and distrustful of government and TV reports that seemed to play down radiation risks, she scoured the Web for information and started connecting with other mothers through Twitter and Facebook, many using social media for the first time.  Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Japan, media | 1 Comment

Japan in no position to encourage India on nuclear power development

Dont review nuclear ties with India: Activists IBN Live 30 Dec 11 TIRUNELVELI: Recalling the Hiroshima bombing and Fukushima disaster, senior citizens living in Koodankulam have appealed to the Japanese Prime Minister not to review the civil nuclear cooperation negotiations with India.

In view of the Japanese Premier’s visit to India, senior citizens from Koodankulam and Idinthakarai participated in a relay fast, that entered the 72nd day at Idinthakarai on Wednesday.
The senior citizens affixed their signatures on a letter addressed to Japanese PM Yoshihiko Noda. PMANE functionary M Pushparayan said the letter was sent to the Noda’s office as well as the country’s embassy in Delhi.

�In the letter, they stated, “We have seen how your country has suffered from both nuclear weapons and nuclear disasters. ‘Hiroshima to Fukushima’ devastation has taken a heavy toll on your country, although you are scientifically more capable, technologically
superior, and financially better than most countries in the world…

India, is not in a position to face a Hiroshima or a Fukushima… Your government has just found out that it will take around 40 years and cost $14.6 billion to decommission the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Our country, which is fighting the poverty and misery of hundreds of millions of people, cannot just afford this…

While we value our country’s socio-economic-political relations with your country, we
definitely do not appreciate any civil nuclear cooperation with Japan or anyone else, for that matter. While you yourself are struggling to contain the damage from the Fukushima disaster, you have no moral legitimacy to sell this dangerous technology to other nations. Hence, we request you not to revive the civil nuclear cooperation negotiations,” the letter said…
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dont-review-nuclear-ties-with-india-activists/216008-60-118.htm

December 30, 2011 Posted by | general | 1 Comment

Uranium’s radiation danger: Port Hope and Huntington

“Contrary to statements provided by federal government agencies, no level of radiation is safe and it is cumulative — each dose adds to the risk of cancer. Children are 10 to 20 times more radiosensitive than adults, and fetuses are extremely sensitive,”

Port Hope Uranium Plant Contamination Circumstances Contain Similarities to Huntington’s Buried Uranium Plant, December 29, 2011  BY TONY RUTHERFORD HUNTINGTON NEWS Port Hope has a water treatment plant supplying its drinking water. Incredibly, adjacent to this water treatment plant, is a huge factory which emits uranium gas and dust into the air and Lake Ontario. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | Canada, environment, Uranium | 1 Comment

Nuclear power industry winding down world-wide

Is Nuclear Power Being Phased Out? Aol Energy, By , December 8, 2011 Nuclear is not so hot these days. The percentage of nuclear electrical generation worldwide is shrinking as countries slow or halt new construction and in some cases even close existing plants in favor of other types of power, according to the latest Vital Signs Online (VSO) report released by the Washington DC-based think tank Worldwatch Institute. Although nuclear provided 6% of the world’s energy in 2001, it constituted only 5% of the world’s energy portfolio in 2010.

While the Fukushima reactor meltdown has had a large impact accelerating the trend of nuclear retirements, nuclear power’s growth has also been slowing in recent years because it is very expensive to build and there have long been public concerns about its safety.

“Not only is nuclear too risky from a health and security point of view, it’s also just too expensive,” said Director of Worldwatch’s Climate and Energy program, Alexander Ochs. “Whereas renewable energy sources are growing at rates of up to 70% and more on an annual basis, nuclear energy is the only major energy technology experiencing negative growth.”

The report found that world nuclear capacity fell from 375.5 GW at the end of 2010 to 366.5 GW in 2011. Only four countries added new nuclear between 2009 and 2010: The Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and the United States.

And in 2011, only two countries, India and Pankistan, are constructing new reactors. During the first 10 months of 2011, 13 nuclear reactors were closed globally, reducing the world’s total from 441 in the beginning of this year to 433 currently…..

December 30, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, business and costs | Leave a comment

Safety failures mean that Indian Point nuclear plant should not be relicensed

“These failures mean that the relicensing of Indian Point cannot proceed,”

Is Indian Point Nuclear Plant Safe For Another 20 Years? Aol  Energy By  December 29, 2011  “….controversy following the Fukushima disaster is starting to impact operations at existing nuclear units as well as permitting for proposed facilities.

Particularly controversial has been upstate New York’s Indian Point nuclear plant run by Entergy in Buchanan, New York. As the plant reaches its fortieth year and Entergy applies for a new 20-year license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, several key stakeholders are trying to block the way. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | safety, USA | 1 Comment

Virginia business and medical professionals concerned about uranium mining

the group is different from environmental groups in that it comprises business, medical and health professionals who are concerned about potential health impacts from uranium mining.

Coalition forms to address uranium concerns By: TARA BOZICK | GoDanRiver.com December 29, 2011 Halifax County area business owners and other professionals formed The Virginia Coalition on Tuesday in an effort to keep the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia.

Many felt the socioeconomic reports and National Academy of Sciences study on uranium mining released this month didn’t allay concerns about potential health risks. The General Assembly could take up the issue of whether to allow uranium mining next session, although
opponents and local lawmakers would like to wait until 2013. Continue reading →

December 30, 2011 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

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