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The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

USA: Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “Waste Confidence Rule” – a matter of faith, not science

the NRC is now contending that the spent fuel can be stored safely “until a depository was needed” or “realized.”

the June 8 Appeals Court decision  said that “the commission’s evaluation of the risks of spent nuclear fuel is deficient in two ways:

First, in concluding that permanent storage will be available when necessary, the commission did not calculate the environmental effects of failing to secure permanent storage — a possibility that cannot be ignored.

Second, in determining that spent fuel can safely be stored on site for 60 years after the expiration of a plant’s license, the commission failed to properly examine future dangers and key consequences.”

Nuclear plant relicensing opponents challenge NRC, SeaCoastonline By Shir Haberman, June 21, 2012 SEABROOK — For the second time in two months nuclear safety groups have filed a federal action against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for allegedly failing to appropriately fulfill its role as the protector of public health and safety. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Hawkish American want preparation for military attack on Iran’s nukes

As nuclear talks fail, U.S. experts urge Obama to weigh military option on Iran http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/focus-u-s-a/as-nuclear-talks-fail-u-s-experts-urge-obama-to-weigh-military-option-on-iran.premium-1.440077 Senators send letter to U.S. President, advising cut of diplomatic push to end standoff; American ex-official: We need the third track, a visible preparations for a military option. By Natasha Mozgovaya      21.06.12

American officials and experts urged U.S. President Barack Obama this week to take a tougher stance on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, with some advising the administration to provide Israel with the arms needed for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. -……..subscription only

June 22, 2012 Posted by | USA, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Suspend nuclear talks until sanctions against Iran are lifted

Iran to suspend nuclear talks until sanctions are lifted: website http://www.iranwpd.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3735:iran-to-suspend-nuclear-talks-until-sanctions-are-lifted-website&Itemid=65 June 21 – An Iranian website close to moderate circles of the ruling establishment in Iran suggests suspending negotiations with the major world powers over country’s nuclear program until the sanctions are
lifted.
The website baztab.net which for its critical stance against the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is filtered, suggests that the West would continue talks with Iran to the very end and would use it to “persuade the public opinion of its peaceful intentions, saying it has been trying to settle its dispute with Iran through diplomatic ways however it remained no other alternative but attacking Iran.”
Baztab believes there would be no benefit to Iran to negotiate but also suffer from sanctions, “especially when it is also downgraded to experts’ meeting.”
“We have to change the game,” proposes the website adding: “Iran has to tell 5+1 and Catherine Ashton that in case of implementation of the sanctions against the central bank and seizing of oil purchase by EU, talks would be suspended.”

On June 28, the US will instate sanctions on companies working with Iran’s central bank; days later, on July 1, the European Union will launch an embargo on Iranian oil, which could knock out a third of the country’s revenue.

June 22, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Malaysia sets special radiation standards for rare earths plant to get Lynas off the hook

 the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has arbitrarily set its own safety standards for radiation exposure, which is not in accordance with international standards.

The AELB standards would be used to exempt and clear Lynas’ radioactive wastes for reuse and recycle. The exposure to radioactive waste was one of the causes that led to high levels of lead poisoning and other severe health complications of the people in Bukit Merah.

TOL sell-out by PSC: The final smirk from Lynas , Malaysia Chronicle,  by  Charles Santiago, 19 June 2012 “…….Health over investment?  The PSC has outlined a guideline to look into health measures for the people, wording it to say that this was undertaken to arrest the fears of the public. Severe birth defects, eight leukemia cases over five years in a community of 11,000, tears and anguish of the poor people from a largely shoe-making community – these are not news headlines. Neither is it the plot of a movie.

These are the consequences of carelessly allowing the Asian Rare Earth factory to be built in Bukit Merah, Perak in 1982. When Mitsubishi Chemical started operating its rare earth factory, the villagers complained of choking sensation, pungent smell, coughs and colds.

The community also saw a sharp rise in the cases of infant deaths, congenital disease, leukemia and lead poisoning. Thirty years later, it has not wiped out the memories and heartache of the villagers who lost their children and loved ones. Only the government is feigning ignorance. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | Malaysia, politics | Leave a comment

Investigation of San Onofre nuclear plant – decision about this to be delayed

 

Calif. regulators delay decision on possible probe at troubled San Onofre nuclear plant, WP,  By Associated Press,   June 20 LOS ANGELES — State utility regulators are postponing a decision on whether to launch an investigation into the troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant, an agency spokesman said Wednesday. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

EBay’s revolutionary new renewable energy powered data centre

eBay Commits to Renewable Energy for Next Data Center PC Magazine, By Stephanie Mlot June 21, 2012  EBay is continuing its green business initiatives by building the next phase of the company’s data center primarily using renewable energy.
In partnership with Bloom Energy, eBay will build the country’s largest non-utility fuel cell installation. Though renewable energy typically supplements an electric grid, eBay is building the energy source into its core, incorporating 30 Bloom Energy servers into the
new center’s architecture.
“We believe the future of commerce can be greener,” eBay president and CEO John Donahoe said in a statement. The six-megawatt Bloom installation is being designed and engineered
as part of eBay’s expanded data center in Utah, and will be installed a few hundred feet from the building. Expected to be fully functional by mid-2013, each of the 30 energy servers will generate 1.75 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, a press release said….. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406136,00.asp

June 22, 2012 Posted by | decentralised, USA | Leave a comment

Japan’s new “national security” amendment could pave way for nuclear weapons development

 “Is this intended to pave the way for (Japan’s) nuclear armament?”..

‘National security’ amendment to nuclear law raises fears of military use   June 21, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Supporters of an amendment quietly slipped into Japan’s nuclear power law saying it should contribute to “national security” are denying it could provide cover for military use of nuclear technology.

The provision, which says nuclear safety should be guaranteed not only to defend lives, people’s health and the environment but also to “contribute to Japan’s national security,” became part of the Atomic Energy Basic Law on June 20.

Critics say the change to the 1955 basic law, known as the “constitution” of nuclear energy use in Japan, was made without proper debate on the sidelines of political maneuvering in the Diet.

However, it could have far-reaching consequences for Japan’s nuclear stance and heighten international concern about the nation’s nuclear recycling program of extracting plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | Japan, politics | Leave a comment

USA and Israel launch ‘cyberwar’ against Iran’s nukes

Iran Says U.S., Allies Launched ‘Massive Cyber Attack’ Against Nuclear Facilities, NPR 21 June 12,  Iran’s intelligence minister says his country has uncovered a “massive cyber attack” he says was launched by the United States, England and Israel to coincide with nuclear negotiations that happened in Moscow. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | Iran, weapons and war | Leave a comment

“Contracts For Difference” – the UK’s sneaky way to publicly subsidise nuclear power

‘Contracts for Difference’ are intended to provide support to low carbon technologies to aid their development and market viability. However, any subsidies that go towards nuclear energy from this source will lead to a corresponding reduction in the funds available for
developing new renewables technologies.

“It would be pure sophistry to try and claim that because the funds go directly from the customer to energy companies without entering the Treasury bank account, it is not a public subsidy. 

Committee must be recalled over nuclear subsidies, 20/06/2012  Following evidence from Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey MP, SNP members of the Scottish Parliament Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee have written to the rest of the committee calling for it to be recalled.

New nuclear power stations planned by the UK Government could cost Scottish consumers billions of pounds. Concern has been expressed by industry figures such as in evidence to the House of Commons Energy & Climate Change Committee from Ian Marchant of SSE. Renewables industry representatives have expressed concern that the Department for Energy and Climate Change intends to use ‘contracts for difference’ to subsidise a new generation of nuclear energy. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | politics, secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | Leave a comment

Ionising radiation – the big cancer hazard for space travellers

Mission to Mars: The Radiation Problem. Smithsonian.com, 20 June 12,  Would you go on a mission to Mars? The Dutch startup company Mars One is planning to establish the first Mars colony in 2023, starting with four individuals and adding more people every two years, funded by turning the whole endeavor into a reality TV show.

It’s just the latest plan to colonize the Red Planet, but I’m doubtful it will happen. There’s the expense, for sure, and the trials of trying to convince anyone to go on a one-way journey with just a few other strangers (what if you don’t get along? It’s not like you can leave). And then there’s the radiation problem.

Out in space, there are gamma rays from black holes, high-energy protons from the Sun, and cosmic rays from exploding stars. Earth’s atmosphere largely protects us from these types of radiation, but that wouldn’t help anyone traveling to Mars. They would be exposed to dangers that include neurological problems, loss of fertility and an increased risk of cancer…..  A 2005 study found even more to worry about—the radiation would be high enough to cause cancer in 10 percent of men and 17 percent of women aged 25 to 34 if they were to go to Mars and back.

The easy solution would seem to be to shield the vessel that carries the humans to Mars, but no one has figured out how to do that. When the thin aluminum currently used to build spacecraft is hit with cosmic rays, it generates secondary radiation that is even more deadly. … http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/06/mission-to-mars-the-radiation-problem/

June 22, 2012 Posted by | 2 WORLD, Reference, technology | Leave a comment

UK Labor not all welcoming nuclear submarines for Wales

Labour split on nuclear policy for Wales? Wales Online, By David Williamson   Jun 21, 12   Labour MPs Martin Caton (Gower) and Paul Flynn (Newport West) have signed a Plaid Cymru-sponsored Early Day Motion attacking First Minister Carwyn Jones’ statement that nuclear submarines would be “more than welcome” in Wales….
http://blogs.walesonline.co.uk/devolution/2012/06/labour-split-on-nuclear-policy.html

June 22, 2012 Posted by | politics, UK | Leave a comment

Possible sabotage, police investigate explosives at Swedish nuclear power plant

Explosives found at nuclear plant, Herald Sun,  AP June 22, 2012 SWEDEN’S nuclear power plants were on alert after a truck with explosives was discovered at one plant. Sweden raised the security alert for the country’s three nuclear power plants after explosives were found on a truck at the southwestern Ringhals atomic power station. Police said they were investigating possible sabotage. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | incidents, Sweden | Leave a comment

Despite previous radioactive spills, Point Lepreau nuclear reactor will not be fully monitored

Point Lepreau has been out of service since March 2008 for a major refurbishment designed to extend the life of the reactor by 25 years. It is scheduled to reopen this fall, three years behind schedule.

Nuclear watchdog unable to closely monitor Point Lepreau Limited resources prevent full oversight, says senior staffer CBC News Jun 21, 2012  Senior staff at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission say the regulatory body is unable to monitor the refurbishment and pending restart of New Brunswick’s Point Lepreau nuclear generating station as closely as it would like. He was answering questions about a recent heavy water spill at Lepreau, which is located in west Saint John. Continue reading →

June 22, 2012 Posted by | Canada, safety | Leave a comment

Countering the cacophony of crap against renewable energy

Renewable Energy Industry Pushes Back Against Bad Press Fox News, June 20, 2012 A new informational website called energyfactcheck.org   and launched Wednesday by one of the industry’s top Washington boosters will target reporters, political decision-makers, and anyone else willing to listen to the pitch that the industry is viable, despite some failures.

“The perception, because of the lack of fact-based information out there, is that we’re some fleeting, fly-by-night, government-dependent entity,” said Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, a retired Navy officer and chief executive of the American Council on Renewable Energy, the nonprofit that is maintaining the new website.

“The fact is that we have real companies making real profits and making investments in renewable energy for all the right reasons.” Continue reading →

June 21, 2012 Posted by | Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

Japan’s new nuclear regulator to be back in bed with the nuclear industry?

the regulator could have a nuclear-industry friendly stance if the pro-business opposition party, the Liberal Democratic Party, comes into power in the next general elections, which could take place as early as autumn, or by September 2013 at the latest.

Fukushima Watch: Back-Pedaling on Reactor Age Limits? By Mitsuru Obe http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/06/20/fukushima-watch-back-pedaling-on-reactor-age-limits/ While Japan was transfixed by the drama of restarting nuclear
reactors, another potentially big shift on the atomic-energy front was taking place quietly in the wings.

Japan’s ruling Democratic Party of Japan last week acceded to opposition party requests to retract a plan that would set an age limit of 40 years on nuclear reactors. The DPJ now says that the age limit, which had previously been included in the new nuclear safety bill under deliberation in parliament, will be decided instead by the country’s new regulator, which is to be established as early as this autumn.

The rule, which would limit the length of time a reactor could stay in operation to 40 years, was proposed in December, following concern that aged equipment contributed to the March 2011 meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The three reactors that spun out of control
were all built during the 1970s. Nuclear crisis minister Goshi Hosono said at the time the rule was proposed that “reactors will basically have to be decommissioned after 40 years of operation.” Extending the life beyond 40 years would be allowed in exceptional circumstances
only, he said.

The bill, with the 40-year age limit excised, swiftly cleared Japan’s lower house last Friday, and is expected to pass the opposition-dominated upper house on Wednesday. Industry minister Yukio Edano Friday bemoaned the change, saying “We wanted to have the bill
passed as was originally proposed by the government.” Continue reading →

June 21, 2012 Posted by | Japan, politics | Leave a comment

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