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The nuclear week that was

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Japan remains the centre of concern. The news coming out of Japan is not good. As they approach elections, the major parties waver, and now support continuing nuclear power. But the public and minor parties are not convinced.  Emigration from Japan is increasing, particularly among young adults, with the news of continuing radiation from Fukushima – both on land , (in the soil at Tokyo) and in the sea, and in seafoods.  The government and Tepco deny this, but the evidence is provided by  Tokyo University, and U.S.’s Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a respected research group, among other reputable sources.  More than 42% of 57,000 tested Fukushima children have thyroid nodules or cysts.

South Korea‘s nuclear waste storage is nearly full. They do not know what to do with it, but like all the nuclear proponents, it doesn’t occur to them to stop making the stuff.

Iran continues to enrich uranium, regardless of the economic sanctions against it. Meanwhile fears of an Israeli attack on Iran are rising, to add to the Middle East’s tension, with the conflict going on between Israel and Palestine.

Egypt‘s nuclear power plans are hampered by a determined and growing anti nuclear protest movement.

Europe. Concern is growing over the need to get rid of aging nuclear reactors, and the realisation that this “decommissioning” (lovely euphemism, isn’t it?)  will be hugely expensive.    Shut-down nuclear reactors are just another facet of the looming nuclear waste problem for UK,  Jap, USA, – everybody really, who has the toxic monsters.

 

November 21, 2012 Posted by | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Anti nuclear political parties getting organised in Japan

Ozawa, Kamei to fight election on anti-nuclear line, November 20, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Two veteran politicians hoping to draw support for their small parties are drawing a line in the sand against nuclear power, a key issue in the Dec. 16 Lower House election.

Ichiro Ozawa, who leads People’s Life First, plans to capitalize on the issue to differentiate his party and draw support away from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party.

People’s Life First, mainly consisting of DPJ defectors, calls for moving away from nuclear power in 10 years in its basic platform.  Continue reading →

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

Postponed to Nov 30 – Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting about troubled San Onofre plant

Breaking: NRC Reschedules Edison Meeting http://www.sanclementetimes com/blog/2012/11/20/breaking-nrc-reschedules-edison-meeting/   EYE ON SC, NEWS HEADLINES | NOVEMBER 20, 2012  By Jim Shilander
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced a new date and location for its meeting with officials at Southern California Edison to discuss the company’s confirmatory action letter responding to the NRC’s inspection of the steam generator tubes at both units of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The meeting is now scheduled for November 30, from 6-9 p.m at the Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills

The meeting had originally been scheduled for November 16 in Dana Point, but the venue was not secured, and the meeting was delayed so that a new venue could be found.

According to the NRC’s news release, the meeting will include a technical presentation by SCE on the basis, methodology, and conclusions of their efforts to identify the causes of the unexpected steam generator tube wear, the corrective actions taken to address those causes, and the basis for continued safe operation of Unit 2.

The public would be able to interact with NRC officials after the business portion of the meeting.

The NRC is encouraging the public to primarily view the event via webcast, due to the limited capacity (400 people) of the venue.

November 21, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

South Korea plans to keep making the stuff- but no idea where to put nuclear wastes!

South Koreans to ponder where to store nuclear waste http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/20/us-nuclear-korea-idUSBRE8AJ0CP20121120 By Meeyoung Cho SEOUL Nov 20, 2012  (Reuters) – South Korea is to hold public consultations on where to store waste nuclear fuel as storage capacity at its reactors is reaching full capacity, the government said on Tuesday.

The plan to set up an independent consultative body comes as South Korea grapples with its worst nuclear crisis ever after forged certificates were used by parts suppliers to the nuclear industry, causing stoppages at two reactors as the bitter Korean winter draws near.

The government has been criticized for a lack of transparency over safety for its nuclear programme and for the dual supervisory and promotion roles of its regulators.  Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | South Korea, wastes | Leave a comment

Australian Senator puts searchlight onto government’s messed up nuclear waste dump plan

21 November 2012. A new earthquake hazards map produced by Geoscience Australia reveals Tennant Creek – near the proposed site for a nuclear waste dump – is an area of high earthquake risk. Report: http://www.ga.gov.au/earthquakes/

Following revelations that an alternative site for the waste dump was under active consideration, Australian Greens spokesperson for nuclear policy Senator Scott Ludlam noted the Federal Government appeared increasingly desperate on the issue.

“The Government is now scrambling to solve a mess of its own creation, repeating the same errors as before.  Parking Australia’s radioactive waste on Muckaty station, far from centres of technical expertise and against the wishes of local people, that’s bad enough.  Doing it in an earthquake zone compounds the offence.

“What we need is an independent commission with the technical expertise to find a world’s best standard solution for Australia’s inventory of radioactive waste.  What we’re getting is a shed with two security guards, stuck on a site chosen by politicians – which happens to be in an earthquake zone.”

Senator Ludlam today put extensive questions through the Senate to Minister Martin Ferguson on what consultation is underway for selecting an alternative site:  http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/questions-notice/questions-relating-site-selection-nuclear-waste

Senator Ludlam’s speech yesterday asking why questions asked one month earlier had not been answered:  http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/speeches-parliament/unanswered-questions-notice-regarding-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump And answers received today:  http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/sqon2389_answer.pdf

November 21, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, wastes | Leave a comment

Anxiety over radiation causes young Japanese to emigrate

Foreigners tended to assume Japan had bounced back from the triple disaster, and in some areas that was true. But many Japanese now had, for the first time, a deep distrust of their government. The extent of the radiation release from the Fukushima plant, and the barrage of significant aftershocks, have been sources of stress for the Japanese

 a woman in her early 40s, said she wanted to take her family to Australia or New Zealand because of the danger of radiation from the Fukushima disaster and the prospect of another quake.

 some radiation-conscious and well-researched New Lifers have even questioned Australia as a destination because it has a nuclear reactor

Quake, nuke, economy fears chase Japanese overseas BY: RICK WALLACE, TOKYO CORRESPONDENT  The Australian November 20, 2012  NEW figures reveal the number of Japanese leaving their homeland for a life abroad has more than tripled in the wake of last year’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. The number of Japanese living abroad jumped by more than 40,000 in the year to October last year, according to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs figures – more than three times the normal rate of growth.

Next year the number is likely to climb further, Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | Japan, politics, social effects | Leave a comment

Ocean food chain irreparably damaged by Fukushima radiation

The ocean, food chain, and Japan’s fishing industry have all been irreparably damaged by the Fukushima crisis, and that damage is still ongoing. The Japanese government and TEPCO’s excuses are only wasting time that should be put towards finding a solution.

TEPCO, Japanese government denying Fukushima radiation reaching ocean
fish http://japandailypress.com/tepco-japanese-government-denying-fukushima-radiation-reaching-ocean-fish-2018691 By Adam Westlake  /   November 20, 2012 In what must the most dumbfounding state of denial seen in modern times, both the Japanese government and utility Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) are disputing the recent study that showed radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant is leaking into the ocean.

18 months after the March 2011 nuclear disaster, the U.S.’s Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a respected research group, reported that 40% of the fish caught off the
coast of Fukushima were still testing positive for radioactive contamination above the government’s safety own limits. Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | Japan, oceans, spinbuster | 1 Comment

Australia kow tows, joining USA’s aggressive military stance in Asia Pacific

why is the Australian government co-operating in United States planning for the military containment of China? There is no threat to Australia

Stirling naval base south of Perth is set to become a major base for US operations in the region although details are not yet confirmed. Some reports suggest that US nuclear submarines may be based in Stirling.

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) was set up recently with the expressed aim of organising against this gathering rush by the Australian government further into an unquestioning and subservient relationship with the US and its arms corporations.

AUSMIN confirms Australia’s subservience to US military, The Guardian, Denis Doherty, 20 Nov 12, AUSMIN, the annual talks between the Australian and US foreign and defence ministers, have come and gone for another year and the agreement reached makes depressing reading for Australians who want to live in peace and prosperity.

The AUSMIN communiqué outlines plans for the future benefit for US corporations at the expense of the people of
the Indo Pacific region. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta and their Australian counterparts Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Defence Minister Stephen Smith met for the AUSMIN talks on November 14 in Perth.

Before AUSMIN, elements of the US government leaked that the US was unhappy with Australian cuts to the military budget. The Guardian pointed out that this was bullying and asked how much does the US want? According to Minister Smith, Australia is already the second largest per capita spender on the military in the world. Australia spends $1.3 billion per annum on the Afghan war and provides almost 50 bases plus training areas for the US military at no cost.

Containing China The AUSMIN communiqué’s sweet language disguises the iron fist within.  Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Iran continuing with uranium enrichment program

Iran nuclear work at constant pace despite sanctions -IAEA
* Iran stockpiling enriched uranium despite economic isolation

* U.N. nuclear chief sees “quite constant” enrichment pace

* Six world powers to discuss strategy towards Iran in Brussels

* New meeting may take place before end-year – Western official

By Alexandria Sage and Fredrik Dahl

PARIS/VIENNA, Nov 20 (Reuters) – Iran is enriching uranium at a
constant pace and international sanctions aimed at making Tehran
suspend the activity are having no visible impact, the U.N. nuclear
watchdog chief said in unusually blunt remarks on Tuesday.

The point made by Yukiya Amano, director-general of the International
Atomic Energy Agency, reinforced the view of many analysts that
increased Western economic pressure on Iran has failed to make it
change its nuclear course.
He spoke a day before senior officials from six world powers were to
meet in Brussels to weigh strategy towards Iran amid signs of a
renewed push to resolve the dispute diplomatically after U.S.
President Barack Obama’s re-election.

World powers, which first ushered in U.N. sanctions on Iran back in
2006, are concerned Israel may try to bomb Iranian nuclear sites
without a peaceful resolution to the row soon…..
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/20/nuclear-iran-idUSL5E8MKA6720121120

November 21, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

United Arab Emirates raising loans for $30 billion nuclear power plant program

UAE Nuclear Power Corp. to raise $2 bln in loans http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Middle-East/2012/Nov-20/195569-uae-nuclear-power-corp-to-raise-$2-bln-in-loans.ashx#axzz2CsdUajHi November 20, 2012 Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp., which is building the Gulf Arab region’s first nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, is raising $2 billion from bank loans to finance construction, according to two bankers familiar with the plan.

The 20-year facility being raised by the government-owned company pays interest of 175 basis points, or 1.75 percentage points, above the London interbank offered rate, according to the bankers, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The interest rate will rise over the loan’s life to 260 basis points above the benchmark, the bankers said. Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | business and costs, United Arab Emirates | Leave a comment

AUDIO: Japan’s government and Tepco deny Fukushima radiation affecting

Audio :Japan government, TEPCO deny Fukushima radiation tainting fish http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/japan-government-tepco-deny-fukushima-radiation-tainting-fish/1049052   20 November 2012, It was the largest radioactive contamination of the sea in history but Japan’s government is disputing a study by a respected international research group suggesting that radiation from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is still entering the food chain.

Japan government, TEPCO deny Fukushima radiation tainting fish (Credit: ABC) Last month the US-based Woods Hole Institution revealed that about 40 per cent of the fish caught off Fukushima is contaminated with radioactive caesium which is above the government’s own limit.

But Japan’s Fisheries Agency says the contamination is sinking deeper into the seabed and is not entering the food chain, while the nuclear plant operator TEPCO denies any tainted water is leaking from the facility.

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

Call for INDEPENDENT radiation monitoring in Lanyu (Orchid Island)

Thirty years after the storage facility was built without prior consultation and communication with Lanyu residents, the government has yet to conduct a complete investigation of nuclear radiation on the island

The council was accused of malpractice concerning nuclear waste repackaging in Lanyu last month.

Groups urge Lanyu radioactivity checks, Taipei Times, 20 Nov 12, DODGY TESTS:The Atomic Energy Council said that the devices used in previous radioactivity checks by Japanese experts had been affected by electromagnetic waves By Chris Wang and Lee I-chia   Staff reporters Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers and several academics yesterday told a press conference that the nuclear radiation level in Lanyu (蘭嶼), also known as Orchid Island, was a serious concern and demanded a complete investigation into potential radiation threats on the island. Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | environment, Taiwan | Leave a comment

Malaysians and Australians protest Lynas rare earths processing plans

Protesters rallied outside the Lynas AGM to voice their opposition to the miner’s processing plant. Source: AAP http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/activists-protest-miner-lynas-agm/story-fn3dxiwe-1226520502080  20 Nov 12, PROTESTERS outside the annual general meeting of rare earths miner Lynas in Sydney have vowed to maintain their opposition to the company’s controversial Malaysian plant.

The small band of 19 Malaysians flew to Australia over the weekend to stage Tuesday’s demonstration against the company’s rare earths processing plant currently under construction near Kuantan on the country’s east coast. Continue reading →

November 21, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA | Leave a comment

Australia joins in USA’s militarisation of space

AUSMIN confirms Australia’s subservience to US military, The Guardian, Denis Doherty, 20 Nov 12,”…..In the AUSMIN talks Australia has agreed to establish a space surveillance station which has the aim of detecting space debris. It will be established at the US North West Cape facility in WA. Efforts to stop space debris hitting commercial satellites are welcome. However, the station will also have the capability to gather intelligence to target other satellites and will be configured to provide an interface for anti-satellite warfare.

In its headlong drive to control the planet, the US is also working to control space – and Australia is complicit in this.

Space should be used for the benefit of all humanity and Australia should promote the UN resolution on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS)….. http://www.cpa.org.au/guardian/2012/1574/06-ausmin-confirms.html

November 21, 2012 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, weapons and war | Leave a comment

AUDIO: Damaged Fukushima reactor No 3 cannot support cover

Gundersen: Cover at Fukushima Unit 3 looks like a mall superstore — Reactor building so severely damaged it can’t support structure (AUDIO)
http://www.fairewinds.org/content/fairewinds-podcast      http://enenews.com/gundersen-cover-fukushima-unit-3-looks-like-mall-superstore-reactor-building-severely-damaged-support-structure-audio November 19th, 2012
Follow-up to: Tepco to construct bulbous cover over Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 (PHOTO)Fairewinds Podcast, Nov. 18, 2012:

Nuclear Expert Arnie Gundersen, Fairewinds Energy Education:  Unit 3 is entirely different than Unit 4 […] they built something that looks like a superstore in a mall, it could easily look like a retail outlet […]

It’s not connected at all to the reactor building or the containment building […]

The real problem is Unit 3 is so severely damaged that it can’t handle the weight of the 100 ton canister, there’s no place in Unit 3 that would be strong enough to brace that heavy crane […] I think Tepco is going to say that the reactor building on Unit 3 has been so damaged that we can’t find a place to brace the heavy duty cranes, and therefore we have to span the whole structure […] Now it’s absolutely obvious that Unit 3 has been so damaged by the explosion that it can’t handle the weight of the larger cask. Now, they’re not telling people that, but clearly that’s what the drawings show.

Host Kevin Hurley: Is this going to slow down the removal of fuel?

Gundersen: Absolutely.

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

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