nuclear-news

The week in nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

USA. Senator Boxer reveals deceptions by  Southern California Edison regarding San Onofre nuclear power plant, and calls for  a criminal investigation.  The nuclear industry watches in trepidation. Closed down since January 2012, San Onofre could be the most significant ninepin to fall, and set the whole USA nuclear industry going down.   Navajo Nation will prevent the transport of uranium in Arizona.

Wastes: More concerns expressed about nuclear waste storage at Hanford, at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, in Michigan which is close to Canada;’s proposed waste dump near Lake Huron.

And – for the first time that I’ve ever seen, four USA State Attorneys General are petitioning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Among other things they are suggesting, as an option for nuclear waste management –“ not allowing further production of spent fuel until there is a safe and environmentally acceptable permanent waste repository”

Japan‘s Prime Minister Abe, under huge pressure from corporations Hitachi, Toshiba  Mitsubishi  General Electric, Westinghouse  Areva has decided to put economic priorities above safety, and go allout for nuclear power. Still the Nuclear Regulator is insisting on strict conditions regarding earthquake risks, before restarting reactors.  Abbe is travelling about, marketing Japan’s nukes to Turkey and Middle Eastern countries.

Fukushima – critical state continues.  Japanese officials raised the level of acceptable radiation doses for evacuees of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to avoid increasing costs for compensation, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on Saturday.

Russia is not having success in its effort to market its Baltic Nuclear Power Project to European countries. is unable to get investment for this. Russia’s  particular nuclear reactor model VVER-1200 is regarded by many Europeans as unsafe.

Uranium. Niger is pretty much in  a state of war. Suicide bombers killed 20 people at a uranium plant, and French Special Forces are there to protect AREVA”s uranium projects.  Uranium markets remain gloomy – but all are pinning their hopes on China – even though China has significantly slowed down its nuclear power program.

May 30, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes