nuclear-news

The week in nuclear news

Christina Macpherson's websites & blogs

Fukushima .  In nuclear reactor No. 2 radiation has reached a lethal 73 sieverts per hour, too high for robots, endoscopes and other devices to function properly, and the water level is very low. Tepco has not been able to gauge the water depths and radiation levels of the containment vessels for reactors 1 and 3, as, unlike unit 2, there is no access.

Japan postpones decision on restarting its nuclear reactors, especially as climate predictions warn of 34 metre tsunamis in the future. 84% of Japanese do not believe government assessments that the reactors are safe. Credibility of stress tests in question, on revelations of big donations by nuclear corporations to Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency. Japan trying to sell nuclear technology to UK.

Nuclear powered drones. After huge expense in planning these, USA government halts development due to safety concerns, but military lobby still wants them.

South Korea deports 3 visiting Greenpeace members, due to their anti nuclear opinions.

India developing bigger nuclear arsenal, including  nuclear submarine leased from Russia.

Nuclear costs UK in difficulties, with lack of investment for its new nuclear plans, as 2 firms pull out. Licenses obtained in USA for 2 new nuclear reactors in South Carolina, but spiralling costs cast doubt on their future anyway.

April 4, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes