nuclear-news

Nuclear News Highlights of the Past Week

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Global data reports that half of the existing nuclear reactors will be closed down by 2030

Japanese P.M. about to authorise restart of 2 nuclear reactors, although safety measures not fully ready before 2015. This puts him at political risk, as the public opposes the restart. Japanese government not yet able to agree on a new nuclear regulatory structure.  Govt and media focus on idea of restarting nuclear industry, while experts say that Fukushima plant is still critical.   Shareholders meetings of utility companies might impede nuclear restart.

USA  federal appeals court on   threw out a rule allowing plants to store spent nuclear fuel onsite for decades after they’ve closed, and rules that the NRC cannot license or relicense any nuclear power plant until after a lengthy process of examining risks of wastes. San Onofre nuclear plant to remain closed throughout summer, due to safety issues.  USA’s new Vogltle nuclear plant already $1 billion overrun in costs, and construction has only just begun.USA has so far in 2012 its warmest year on record.   Much angst as Nuclear Regulatory Commission gets rid of its safety conscious chairman, is choosing  a new one.

UK to shut down its Sell;afield nuclear reprocessing plant – not economic to maintain. UK has no plan for disposal of nuclear wastes. Construction on the UK’s national nuclear waste dump, to be built deep underground, is expected to start in 2075, though a location has not yet been chosen.

France.  In the struggle against South Korea, USA,, etc for nuclear export contracts, France’s  government owned AREVA offers prices for nuclear technology that are below AREVA’s costs.

India. government violates civil rights of anti nuclear protestors – even to the point of treating them as mentally ill.  Strong opposition to uranium mining by villages in  Mahbubnagar district.

June 14, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes