nuclear-news

Nuclear news for the past week

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

USA.  The hurricane and storm surge has shut 3 nuclear plants.  At least 10 nuclear reactors along the East coast experienced problems, with the “Sandy” hurricane.  Gas fires are raging 10 miles away from Oyster Creek nuclear plant. Oyster Creek’s reactor was offline for fueling and maintenance. What regulators don’t add, however, is that the reactor still needs cooling for residual decay heat, and that the fuel pool likely contains more fuel and hotter fuel as a result of this procedure, which means it is even more at risk for overheating. And, perhaps most notably, with the reactor shutdown, it is not producing the electricity that could be used to keep water circulating through the spent fuel pool.   At the Salem nuclear plant  a wave also took out 5 of the 6 critical water pumps. Salem is still operating on emergency cooling systems.

USA elections: “Sandy” hurricane has had a devastating effect on USA’s East coast ,. It has prompted Americans to think about climate change.  New York’s Mayor Bloomberg has announced his support for Obama, in view of Obama’s efforts to act on global warming, and in promotion of renewable energy, in contrast to Romney’s climate denialism.

UK. Energy Minister John Hayes announced that new  nuclear reactors may get government subsidy, (despite  Govt’s promises to the contrary). Japanese company Hitachi desperate for sale of nuclear technology, so will take over the UK’s nuclear project. Meanwhile trade association  Renewable UK. reported on new research, showing rapid rise in renewable energy, with wind set to outdo nuclear energy by 2015.

UK will not take part in pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Europe. Nuclear energy on the downward slide, with Finland’s Fennovoima project the latest nuclear project likely to go down the drain.

India. Arrests of anti nuclear activists continue.  Despite repression, and the barring of activists, including Australian film-maker David Bradbury)  entering Tamil Nadu area, still 1000 protested again against Kudankulam nuclera power plant. India is going to waive its Nuclear Liability law, for the purchase of nuclear technology from Russia. Attorney General G E Vahanvati not happy with this decision.

Japan. Things are not getting any better for communities still living in radiation contaminated areas of Fukushima. A former Tepco worker is taking legal action against the company, for its negligence in not warning Fukushima emergency  workers of their radiation danger. TEPCO to make all its employees work for periods at Fukushima each year.

Taiwan: Economics committee wants Taipei’s Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao District transformed into a gas power plant

New books launched    –    www.freshcurrents.org ‘Fresh Currents’ charts the way to, and from, Fukushima, for Japan and the world       Nuclear Roulette: The Truth about the Most Dangerous Energy Source on Earth i

November 2, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes