2013 May 01 « nuclear-news

A Short History of Nuclear Folly – book and audio

AUDIO –– ‘A Short History of Nuclear Folly’ and the lasting effects of the nuclear arms race

http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/04/30/31559/a-short-history-of-nuclear-folly-and-the-lasting-e/

Book ‘A Short History of Nuclear Folly’ and the lasting effects of the nuclear arms race Jacob Margolis with Michelle Lanz | Take Two | April 30th, 2013, Though Russia and the U.S. are working together when it comes to investigating the bombing suspects in Boston – their relationship wasn’t always so amicable. Even today we have our problems.

Back in the 1980s there was always the threat of mutually assured nuclear destruction. Many people probably remember a time when, as schoolchildren, they were trained to hide under their wooden desks during nuclear blast drills. Had a blast actually happened they’d essentially be hiding under kindling, but that’s beside the point.

Before the threat of World War III, however, countries at the forefront of the nuclear arms race had to test these new weapons of mass destruction. The United States in particular tested weapons across the West, and radiation is still found in places like Nevada and Utah today. They treated Earth as their own nuclear testing playground, but that process could have a nasty effect on the environment.

In Rudolph Herzog’s new book, “A Short History of Nuclear Folly: Mad Scientists, Dithering Nazis, Lost Nukes and Catastrophic Cover-ups,” he traces the history of the nuclear race and what effects it has on the world today.

Interview Highlights:….http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/04/30/31559/a-short-history-of-nuclear-folly-and-the-lasting-e/

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | resources - print, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

Non operational San Onofre nuclear plant costing $millions

Costs for idling California nuclear plant soar above $550M Fox news, April 30, 2013 LOS ANGELES – Costs tied to the idling of California’s San Onofre nuclear power plant have climbed to $553 million, while the majority owner raised the possibility Tuesday of retiring the plant if it can’t get one reactor running later this year.

The plant between San Diego and Los Angeles has not produced electricity since January 2012, when a tiny radiation leak led to the discovery of unusual damage to hundreds of tubes that carry radioactive water.

Edison International — the parent company of operator Southern California Edison — reported Tuesday that $109 million has been spent through March 31 on repairs and inspections, while $444 million was needed for replacement power…. The problems at San Onofre center on steam generators that were installed during a $670 million overhaul in 2009 and 2010. After the plant was shut down, tests found some generator tubes were so badly eroded that they could fail and possibly release radiation, a stunning finding inside the nearly new equipment.

The generators, which resemble massive steel fire hydrants, control heat in the reactors and operate something like a car’s radiator. At San Onofre, each one stands 65 feet high, weighs 1.3 million pounds and has 9,727 U-shaped tubes inside, each 0.75 inch in diameter. Hundreds of the tubes have been taken out of service because of damage or as a preventative step. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/30/costs-for-idling-california-nuclear-plant-soar-above-550m/#ixzz2S5Daz1Of

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | Leave a comment

Oak Ridge Nuclear weapons protestors soon to face trial

Trial Begins For Protesters Who Broke Into Nuclear Complex http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/180116785/trial-begins-for-protesters-who-broke-into-nuclear-complex by MATT POWELL April 30, 2013 Jury selection begins next week in the trial of three nuclear protestors who broke into the Y-12 Nuclear Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., last summer. The Department of Energy facility houses the nation’s stockpile of highly-enriched uranium. The break-in was significant in some unexpected ways.

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Japanese power companies post $16 billion loss

Electricity companies post $16 billion loss as nuclear reactors remain offline HTTP://JAPANDAILYPRESS.COM/ELECTRICITY-COMPANIES-POST-16-BILLION-LOSS-AS-NUCLEAR-REACTORS-REMAIN-OFFLINE-0128034 MAY 1, 2013 by IDA TORRE THEY ONCE WERE THE MIGHTIEST ENTITIES IN JAPAN, BUT NOW POWER UTILITY COMPANIES ARE FACING A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR OF COMBINED LOSSES OF 16 BILLION DOLLARS, AMIDST THE DELAYS IN THE RESTART OF THEIR NUCLEAR REACTORS, PLUS THE RISING COSTS OF IMPORTING FOSSIL FUEL DUE TO THE WEAKER YEN. NOW THEY WOULD HAVE TO EITHER RAISE CONSUMER PRICES OR SEEK FURTHER GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE JUST TO KEEP AFLOAT. Continue reading →

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Japan | Leave a comment

Groups band together to fight uranium mining near Grand Canyon

While uranium and radium are naturally-occurring radioactive materials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that once they are exposed or concentrated through mining, they become technologically-enhanced in such a way that renders them radioactive and capable of contaminating the surrounding soil and water.

Uranium Mine Just South Of Grand Canyon To Proceed Despite Ban By President Barack Obama http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1673/20130430/uranium-mine-south-grand-canyon-proceed-despite-ban-president-barack.htm By Tamarra Kemsley Apr 30, 2013 Uranium mining company Energy Fuels Resources announced its plans to reopen its mine situated six miles south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance, citing a ban imposed last year by President Barack Obama as void.

The company was given federal approval by the U.S. Forest Service who conducted an environmental study on the site more than 25 years ago in 1986.

In response, several groups, including the Grand Canyon Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and Havasupai Tribe, have banded together to file suit against Forest Supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest Michael Williams as well as the Forest Service as a whole.

The plaintiffs cite the group’s failure to comply with environmental, mining, public land and historic preservations laws in giving the mine a green light, arguing that since the completion of the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in 1986 “significant new information and changed circumstances have emerged concerning the Mine’s operations and adverse environmental impacts.”

Despite such developments, the plaintiffs state the Forest Service “decided not to ‘supplement’ the 1986 EIS” or “require a modification” of the plan of operations put forth more than two decades ago. Among the developments that have occurred since the mine was first approved is the regulation of radon gas, a substance the plaintiffs fear will pollute the area should the mine go forward.

Since 1879, the EPA reports, uranium mine workers began being diagnosed with lung diseases, including cancer and that workers today are directly exposed to radiation hazards.

According to The Guardian, the energy company’s spokesman has publicly disputed these claims, stating that the Forest Service “looked at that review with modern eyes” in determining once again that the regulations were adequate. He further pointed out that the mines are “tiny,” accounting for about 20 acres total.

However, as The New York Times reports, the Department of Energy and other agencies have evaluated nearly 700 mine sites in need of remediation – a project costing the government hundreds of millions of dollars and that some complain has been largely ineffective.

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, Uranium, USA | 1 Comment

NRC rules against Texas nuclear plant expansion

NRC shoots down Texas nuclear plant expansion, Dallas News.com By James Osborne April 30, 2013 Plans to build two new reactors at the South Texas Project nuclear facility outside Bay City hit a road block Tuesday.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled that a partnership between NRG and Toshiba Corp. through the holding company Nuclear Innovation North America violated a U.S law prohibiting foreign control of nuclear power plants.

“At this point NINA from our perspective is foreign owned, controlled or dominated,” said NRC spokesman Scott Burnell. “Until such time as NINA can come up with a different corporate ownership structure we would not be able to approve their license.”…… http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/nrc-shoots-down-texas-nuclear-plant-expansion.html/

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | Leave a comment

Republican-led House Florida House keeps nuclear upfront fees

Florida House rejects attempts to repeal nuclear fees Tampa Bay Times, Mary Ellen Klas, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Tuesday rejected attempts to repeal a controversial state law that allows utility companies to charge customers for nuclear power plant development in advance of construction.

The Republican-led House modified SB 1472 to add new hurdles to the unpopular nuclear cost recovery act but voted down amendments that would have required the companies to disclose how much of the monthly bill was going into the planning costs among other amendments.

They also rejected an amendment to put the so-called “nuclear cost recovery act” to a voter referendum, an amendment that would ban any development on a nuclear plant until there is a permanent disposal site for nuclear waste, and an amendment to repeal the proposal….. Since the act took effect in 2006, Progress Energy has charged customers more than $1 billion to expand the now-crippled Crystal River nuclear power plant and to start developing a new plant in Levy County….. Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, urged the House to reject the compromise language added to the House bill, saying it will allow utility companies to continue to profit from customers paying the nuclear fee even if the plant is never built.

“We weakened the bill,” he said. “Now what do utility companies have to be concerned about?”

A final vote on the bill is expected later this week. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-house-rejects-attempts-to-repeal-nuclear-fees/2118425

May 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | Leave a comment

Next Entries »