2012 March 16 « nuclear-news

140 nuclear reactors now dead, but only 17 buried!

Intermediate-level waste, contrary to its name, is even more of a problem because it may require deep ground burial alongside the high-level spent fuel

In 1976, a British Royal Commission said no more nuclear power plants should be built until the waste disposal problems were resolved. Thirty-five years on, nothing much has changed.

How to dismantle a nuclear reactor, New Scientist, 15 March 2012 by Fred Pearce By the start of 2012, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 138 commercial power reactors had been permanently shut down. At least 80 are expected to join the queue for decommissioning in the coming decade – more if other governments join Germany in deciding to phase out nuclear power following the Fukushima disaster in Japan last year.

And yet, so far, only 17 of these have been dismantled and made permanently safe. That’s because decommissioning is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, decommission reactor, Reference | Leave a comment

The damaging impact of Indian Point Nuclear Plant on river fish

NRC Finds New Environmental Data on Indian Point, Scarsdale, by Jessica Glenza BUCHANAN, N.Y. 15 March 12, – New environmental impact data of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants’ effect on Hudson River aquatic organisms prompted the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to begin a supplemental environmental impact statement. The supplement is in addition to the impact statement already required for the two reactors’ license renewal proceedings.

The NRC cited three reasons for the supplemental statement; new data provided by Entergy regarding how many fish are killed or trapped against cooling water intakes, the thermal plume created by warm water ejected from the plant into the Hudson River and new developments with regard to endangered species.

“It’s not that uncommon for us to do a supplemental environmental impact statement, these reviews can take years,” said Neil Sheehan, spokesperson for the NRC about reviews for license renewal. “The listing of the Atlantic sturgeon is obviously a very new piece of information.”

In January, the National Marine Fisheries listed Hudson River Atlantic sturgeon populations as endangered. Data provided by Entergy refers to “impingement” and “entrainment” of fish in the once-through cooling water intakes. “Impingment” refers to the trapping of fish against intake screens, “entrainment” refers to smaller fish that go through the intake’s traveling screens and are killed in the plants’ cooling systems, which use up to 2.5 billion gallons of river water per day….. http://www.thedailyscarsdale.com/news/nrc-finds-new-environmental-data-indian-point

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, USA, water | 1 Comment

Increasing danger of nuclear terrorism

Nuclear Terrorism: A Clear Danger, NYT, By KENNETH C. BRILL and KENNETH N. LUONGO, March 15, 2012 Terrorists exploit gaps in security. The current global regime for
protecting the nuclear materials that terrorists desire for their ultimate weapon is far from seamless. It is based largely on unaccountable, voluntary arrangements that are inconsistent across borders. Its weak links make it dangerous and inadequate to prevent nuclear terrorism. Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety | Leave a comment

Warning to rare earths company about its radioactive wastes problem

“Where exactly is ‘abroad’? Identify and prove to us which country outside of Malaysia is willing to accept this massive [volume of] toxic waste.

AELB says will close Lynas plant if waste agreement broken http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/aelb-says-will-close-lynas-plant-if-waste-agreement-broken The Malaysian Insider, March 15, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR, The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) assured Malaysians today it will shutter Lynas Corporation’s rare earth plant in Kuantan if the Australian mining firm violates conditions on the disposal of radioactive material.

According to Star Online, the regulator reminded at its weekly media briefing today that that firm had already struck an agreement with local authorities here for it to return any radioactive waste to Australia if it fails to set up a permanent disposal facility here. Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Malaysia, politics, Uranium | Leave a comment

Bullying of whistleblowers at Australia’s nuclear reactor

In their statement to Comcare’s investigator, Mr Howe and Mr Bourke said that while they had been reinstated, they were still being harassed.
The case follows that of David Reid, a former staff-elected health and safety officer who was suspended in June 2009 and sacked last June. He had also raised concerns about contamination in the ARI.

Lucas Heights nuclear reactor bullying exposed, BY: LEIGH DAYTON, The Australian March 16, 2012 ADMINISTRATORS at Australia’s only nuclear reactor facility used findings of an inaccurate, biased and partially fabricated in-house report as the pretext to suspend – and recommend the dismissal of – two employees who raised health and safety concerns over the mishandling of radioactive materials. Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, civil liberties | Leave a comment

Iran offers full transparency in return for nuclear power assistance

VIDEO Iran Official Offers ‘Permanent Human Monitoring’ of Nuclear Sites http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/iran-official-offers-human-monitoring-nuclear-sites/story?id=15930677#.T2Ow4cWPX_M abc News, 15 March 12, A high-level advisor to Iran’s supreme leader said his country is ready to allow “permanent human monitoring” of its nuclear program in exchange for Western cooperation but also warned Iran is prepared to defend itself against military strikes.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, who serves as Secretary-General of Iran’s Human Rights Council and key foreign policy advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, said the West should sell Iran 20 percent enriched uranium and provide all the help that nuclear nations are supposed to provide to countries building civilian nuclear power plants. He also said the U.S. and the West should accept his country’s right to continue what Iran calls its peaceful nuclear program.

In return for cooperation from the West, he said, Iran would offer “full transparency.”…..
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/iran-official-offers-human-monitoring-nuclear-sites/story?id=15930677#.T2Ow4cWPX_M

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

USA’s nuclear safety regulations inadequate

Chief Nuclear Regulator Admits Safety Goals Are ‘Insufficient’, Aol Energy, By Margaret Ryan, March 15, 2012 US nuclear safety goals are insufficient, and don’t address effects like those seen after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, the head of the US nuclear regulator says. Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Malaysians not impressed by Australian rare earths company Lynas

Four government ministries have been roped in to help Lynas find a suitable storage site in the country is not only amusing but downright deploring. The statement by the international trade and industry minister that the radio active wastes will be disposed of overseas, even though it may break international laws is really not very assuring.

Lynas cannot continue to hide behind the Malaysian government’s skirt in its operations

Lynas Corp’s absurd publicity stunts — The Malaysian Insider, Iskandar Dzulkarnain March 14, 2012 ”….what can the Penang CM do to alleviate the current controversy surrounding the Lynas rare earth plant? Would his personal opinion or intervention buy over the thousands of critics who are against the existence of the Rare Earth Plant in Pahang State?

Isn’t it more appropriate to meet with Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Pakatan Rakyat who is against the controversial project based on allegations that the Australian miner has not given enough assurances on how it will handle the low-level radioactive waste that will be produced at the refinery? Continue reading →

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Malaysia, opposition to nuclear, Uranium | Leave a comment

India’s planned new nuclear power program stalled

Nuclear power capacity failed to rise: Report , Mar 15, 2012, Chenna : IANS Even though the generation of nuclear power increased by 33 percent this fiscal, no capacity was added against a target of 2,000 MW, the Economic Survey said Thursday…. The anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) agitation has spooked the addition of 2,000 MW new atomic power capacity addition this year.

Atomic power plant operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is building two 1,000 MW reactors with Russian technology at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district, around 650 km from here. Villagers who have safety concerns have been protesting against the
plant. They are also concerned about the long-term impact of the nuclear plant on the population. Their agitation, spearheaded by People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, has put a stop to the project work, delaying the commissioning of the first unit by several months.

In September, the Tamil Nadu cabinet passed a resolution asking the central government to stop all project related work till the fears of the locals about the plant were allayed….
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_nuclear-power-capacity-failed-to-rise-report_1662875

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

South Koreans becoming more doubtful of nuclear energy

Reactor blackout fans nuclear safety concerns, Korea Herald, By Shin Hyon-hee 2012-03-15 The government came under pressure as a soaring number of Koreans arecasting doubt on atomic energy after plant operators were found to have attempted to conceal power loss at a nuclear reactor in Busan.

Despite no damage or radiation leakage, the accident infuriated the public and anti-nuclear protesters. They raised questions over the public workers’ integrity and whether they are prepared for a longer outage that could result in a disaster like that seen in Japan…..
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20120315001261

March 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

No end of problems for San Onofre nuclear power plant

San Onofre’s Unit 3 reactor shut indefinitely while US regulators probe tube problems Washington Post, By Associated Press, March 15 LOS ANGELES — A nuclear reactor on the California coast will remain shut down indefinitely while a team of federal inspectors determines why several relatively new tubes became so frail that tests found they could rupture and release radioactive water, a federal official said Thursday….

The Unit 3 reactor at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, located about 45 miles north of San Diego, was shut down as a precaution on Jan. 31 after a water leak from another tube in a massive steam generator. Traces of radiation escaped, but officials say there was no danger to workers or neighbors.

Since then, investigators have been looking into excessive wear found on steam generator tubes in the seaside plant and its twin, Unit 2, which has been off line for maintenance and refueling. The two huge steam generators at Unit 2, each containing 9,700 tubes, were replaced in fall 2009, and a year later in Unit 3 as part of a $670 million overhaul.

The NRC dispatched a special, five-member team to Unit 3 on Thursday after pressure tests showed three of the metal-alloy tubes had become so degraded that they could rupture under some circumstances. Such ruptures can require a plant to shut down, if spewing water reaches 150 gallons a day……
San Onofre’s Unit 1 reactor operated from 1968 to 1992, when it was shut down and dismantled. The utility’s plan to ship the 600-ton reactor vessel on a 15,500-mile voyage around South America to a disposal site in South Carolina was thwarted and it remains at San Onofre, encased in concrete and steel….
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-regulators-to-investigate-tube-failures-at-califs-san-onofre-nuclear-power-plant/2012/03/15/gIQAn3lIES_story.html