nuclear-news

The week that was, in nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Fukushima has to be the top story, no matter how earnestly the mainstream media ignores it.  The critical problem remains the constant flow of groundwater into the reactors, and the storage of this radioactive water in many tanks, now holding the equivalent of 112 Olympic-size pools. Tepco is clearing the nearby forest for more tanks, and is deliberating about emptying the radioactive water into the Pacific. Reports are coming in that the ground under Reactor No 4 is sinking – posing the danger of it collapsing.

Other reports tell of the quite heroic work of people saving and caring for animals in the evacuated area. One particular horseman, Tokuei Hosokawa, just won’t leave his horses – many of them sick – he cares for them until they die.

A very sad report on the psychological aspects of Fukushima – discrimination and fear add to the very real anxiety about ionising radiation. Fukushima’s children may face the discrimination still experienced by the atomic bomb survivors – the  hibakusha.

Japan’s govt now planning to redevelop the (previously failed) Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing facility, which can produce nine tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium annually, or enough to construct up to 2,000 bombs. This raises the question of Japan developing nuclear weapons in the future.

Japan’s “transition towns” –  a more optimistic story. Towns like Fujino are becoming popular – where communities are switching to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

USA Sister Megan Rice, 83, and her 2 elderly companions found guilty of  ”intent to injure national security” when they broke into Oak Ridge nuclear weapons facility, with their prayers and flowers. They might be sentenced to 30 years’ gaol.

UK. latest survey shows the increasing popularity of solar and wind energy.

May 9, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes