nuclear-news

Snapshots of the latest nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Iraq. A 2012 World Health Organization study on congenital birth defects in Iraq  has still not been released to the public. Why not?

USA. California’s San Onofre nuclear power plant to stay closed permanently. The closure of this plant, near to 60 million people,  is a landmark event for the (lack of?) future of the nuclear industry.  It follows fast on 3 other USA nuclear plants shutting down.  The reasons for these closures are economic. But in the case of San Onofre, it is largely the result of a sustained, well organised, and well supported citizen campaign. Huge radioactive waste problems remain at San Onofre.  Decommissioning will take 50 years.Also a big challenge to supply electricity by other means – especially renewable energy.

Japan’s Prime minister is on a drive to export Japan’s nuclear technology, to Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey. Middle East  – anybody really. Meanwhile his wife, Akie, has spoken out against nuclear power, and in favour of Japan exporting clean energy technology.

Fukushima. Grim  news coming out about shortage of workers for the Fukushima cleanup. Experienced workers are reaching their radiation dose limit. Radiation cleanup workers prefer work elsewhere. If Japan goes ahead with nuclear power, and exporting nuclear technology, the Fukushima shortage will become even more critical. Cleanup will take 50 years at the very minimum.

India. Nuclear power plans for Kovvada and surrounding villages have stalled, due to huge opposition from local villagers.

June 12, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes