The “disorderly exit” of uranium from the share market
Uranium spot price sinks amid ‘disorderly exit’ Financial Post Peter Koven 13/07/29
Over the past few years, the uranium spot price found support whenever it fell to US$40 a pound. But not this time.
Uranium has plunged 14% over the last two months, and now sits at US$34.50 a pound after dropping another US$1.50 last week. It’s the lowest level since 2006.
“It appears that by the end of last week, a disorderly exit from the spot market was underway,” TD Securities analyst Greg Barnes said in a note…..
Despite government propping up, the nuclear industry is failing globally
Nuclear Power Is Being Abandoned Worldwide Nuclear Power Is Being Abandoned Worldwide | Global By Washington’s Blog Global Research, July 27, 2013
Even though the American government has done everything possible to encourage nuclear power – bywholly subsidizing nuclear power, reducing safety standards after Fukushima, forcing Japan to re-start its nuclear program, covering up the severity of the Fukushima accident, raising acceptable radiation limits and agreeing to buy radioactive Japanese seafood – the number of nuclear plants worldwide and percentage of electricity provided by nuclear is declining.
The Economist reports:
The [nuclear] industry’s role in electricity production is continuing to decline, according to this year’s World Nuclear Industry Status Report, a compendium of analysis and data by the activist and expert Mycle Schneider. The number of reactors peaked in 2002 at 444, compared with 427 today. The share of electricity they produce is down 12% from its 2006 peak, largely because of post-Fukushima shutdowns in Japan. As a proportion of all electricity generated, nuclear peaked in 1993 at 17% and has now fallen to 10%. The average age of operating plants is increasing, with the number over 40 years old (currently 31 plants) set to grow quite rapidly.
This is no loss. Nuclear power is expensive and bad for the environment. And – no matter what you may have heard – it does not help reduce carbon dioxide.
But the answer is not fossil fuels, either … it is decentralization
Duke Energy scraps plan to build Florida nuclear powerplant
Duke Energy won’t build Fla. nuclear plant News Observer August 1, 2013 By MITCH WEISS and TAMARA LUSH — The Associated Press ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Duke Energy is scuttling plans to build a $24.7 billion nuclear power plant in a small Gulf Coast county in Florida, the company announced Thursday.
In a news release sent late in the afternoon, Duke officials said the company made the decision because of delays by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in issuing licenses for new plants, and because of recent legislative changes in Florida. The proposed plant — and how the company was raising money for it — have been debated for some time in Florida.
Duke Energy Corp. has been charging its customers nuclear cost recovery fees for the two, planned 1,100-megawatt nuclear units in Levy County. Through these fees, Duke customers have paid $1.5 billion for the plant so far.
Florida State Rep. Mike Fasano, R-Pasco County, said Thursday that he wasn’t surprised by Duke’s announcement.
“I’ve been saying for years that Duke had no intention of building these power plants yet they continue charging the customers for it,” Continue reading
Plan to subsidise nuclear power is prohibited under European rules
-
EU Commission intends state aid for nuclear power FT.com July 29, 2013 11:11 pm
Andrea Carta. Sir, Your report on the European Commission’s plans to allow direct state aid for nuclear power (“EU to allow state aid for nuclear power”, July 20) has prompted a somewhat confusing reply from the commission. Antoine Colombani, the EC spokesman for competition, goes to great lengths to argue (“EU rules do not prohibit state aid for nuclear power”, Letters, July 23) that the commission is still sitting on the fence on the issue, but his claims are flawed
Under EU competition rules, state aid is prohibited and only justified if it supports a common EU interest. The leaked commission guidelines on state aid describe subsidies to nuclear energy as a “common EU objective”. Given the divergence of policies on nuclear power in Europe, this definition can only be interpreted as a signal that the commission intends to carve out specific state aid provisions for nuclear power. Reactions to the leak from Germany and Austria’s leaders confirm this reading.
In the absence of guidelines on state aid for nuclear power, EU member states need to prove that aid measures clearly meet a common EU interest and that the aid is necessary – something they may struggle to do. In this respect at least, the leaked new guidelines would leave the commission little alternative but to find in favour of any future applications for state aid for nuclear power.
The subsidised construction of nuclear plants would perpetuate the fragmentation of the EU energy market, exacerbating the clash between inflexible and wasteful energy from nuclear power and flexible energy from renewables. It threatens investments in smarter interconnection between different parts of the power grid, capable of integrating renewable energy sources. And it could pit the UK against Germany in a battle for Europe’s energy future.
Kanagawa’s malformed beetle larvae, Fukushima
“Larvae of beetles were all malformed and died in a few days in Kanagawa” [Express] “Larvae of beetles were all malformed and died in a few days in Kanagawa” | Fukushima…
When the larvae got out of the soil recently, they were terribly malformed and died soon. The larvae of another child were also malformed and died soon. Probably there are more unreported.
Radiation level as high as in 2011 at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
Fukushima radiation levels as high as 2011, RT July 27, 2013 Water samples taken at an underground passage below the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant contain alarming levels of radiation which are comparable to those taken immediately after the catastrophe.
According to a Saturday statement by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the tested water contains 2.35 becquerels of cesium per liter, and the radioactive water is now seeping into the sea. The findings were also evident from samples taken within a 50-meter radius around the plant.
Nuclear fusion faces financial and scientific gloom
Fusion Energy Quest Faces Boundaries of Budget, Science Tim Folger For National Geographic July 26, 2013 Part of our weekly “In Focus” series—stepping back, looking closer.
A large banner hangs from the front of the stadium-size building that houses the world’s most powerful array of lasers: “Bringing Star Power To Earth.”
For the past four years, physicists at the National Ignition Facility, or NIF, in Livermore, California, have been trying to harness nuclear fusion, the same reaction that powers the sun and the stars. Supporters of the $3.5 billion facility believe that a successful outcome to the experiments could help usher in an era of nearly limitless energy. But the ambitious fusion research program at NIF now faces an uncertain future, both politically and scientifically………. Continue reading
Electricity utilities: some fight, others join – the solar energy revolution
Fight looming in Taiwan over referendum on nuclear power
Showdown looms in legislature over nuclear plant vote, Focus Taiwan 2013/08/01 Taipei, Aug. 1 (CNA) Leaders of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) caucus in the Legislative Yuan vowed Thursday to push for a vote on holding a referendum to decide the fate of Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant, as opposition lawmakers prepared to block the procedure.
DPP caucus whip Wu Ping-jui said his caucus made a decision to enter the floor early in order to occupy the podium overnight. Wu said his colleagues will not “give an inch” if a motion is called Friday, as announced by the KMT majority…………
Meanwhile, as a showdown loomed in the Legislature, activists stepped up their anti-nuclear protests around Taipei Thursday……
It mentioned the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan as an example, saying that compensation for the 2011 disaster has so far reached 2.64 trillion yen (US$26.77 billion). The nationalization of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. means that taxpayers have to cover the losses, it added.
Taipower, on the other hand, would not be able to cover such losses, the groups said……….. http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201308010027.aspx
Nearly 1000 radioactive cars reached Russia from Japan
Radiation-Contaminated Japanese Cars Still Concern – Russian Customs . VLADIVOSTOK, August 1 (RIA Novosti) – Japanese cars contaminated with radiation in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster is still a concern regarding the importation of such vehicles to Russia, a customs official said Thursday.
According to Russian customs, more than 930 radiation-contaminated vehicles from Japan have been detected at far eastern Russian ports since a magnitude-9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant in central Japan…….
A representative of Russia’s federal consumer-protection watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, told RIA Novosti that it is easier to send such cars back to Japan than to spend money on their decontamination…….http://en.ria.ru/business/20130801/182537097/Radiation-Contaminated-Japanese-Cars-Still-Concern–Russian-Customs.html
Malawi’s losses due to unfair uranium deal with Paladin Energy
Malawian dies on duty at Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga, By Nyasa Times Reporter July 31, 2013
| “………The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the company which is already facing mounting criticism following reports the country was losing out from the favourable tax regime agreed with the company by the former administration of late President Bingu wa Mutharika. |
Last week, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier de Schutter, also reiterated that Malawi was losing out due to tax incentives given to Paladin……..
As a result of tax incentives, one estimate suggests that Malawi may lose between US$ 205 million and US$ 281 million over the 13 years of the project.
But the current government of Joyce Banda has indicated it has started negotiations with the company to have the agreement reviewed. http://www.nyasatimes.com/2013/07/31/malawian-dies-on-duty-at-kayelekera-uranium-mine-in-karonga/
Western leaders’ hypocrisy on uranium investment scandals in Africa
Malawi gov’t and Paladin: Act on Kayelekera uranium raw deal now! By Veronica Maele-Magombe Nyasa Times, By Veronica Maele-Magombe July 30, 2013 “……one cannot underestimate the ‘politicking’
surrounding foreign investment. There is the brainwashing and fear
that African leaders endure in their struggle to appease donors who
are sometimes capable of clamping on aid or trade deals if a poor
country like Malawi is ‘hostile’ to western investors. In the un-coded
diplomatic language of foreign investment it means, treat business
clients from the west well and we will handle your aid and loan
cheques accordingly.
Western leaders have continued to hypocritically talk about fair trade
and dealings with Africa whilst winking an eye to their investors.
And, tightening the shackles of neo-colonialism on their behalf has
been IMF – convincing poor countries to lure foreign investor with a
portfolio of incentives. Just last year, IMF advised poor Gambia to
reform its tax system so that the country avoids discouraging foreign
investors with many taxes. Resident Representative, Meshack Tunee,
noted: Continue reading
China’s $323 billion renewable energy program
China outlines renewable energy splurge July 30, 2013 http://www.smh.com.au/business/carbon-economy/china-outlines-renewable-energy-splurge-20130730-2qx92.html#ixzz2amhMZ8XK
China may invest another 2.3 trillion yuan in key energy- aving and emission-reducing projects, Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said Tuesday at a conference in Beijing. China stands by its pledge to cut carbon emissions per unit of economic output by as much as 45 per cent before 2020 from 2005 levels, he said.
The increased reliance on renewable sources of energy fits with efforts by China, the world’s biggest carbon emitter, to help mitigate the effects of pollution blanketing its major cities. Along with renewables investments, the environment ministry is considering stricter controls on vehicle and industry pollution.
The government aims to have 100 gigawatts of wind-power installed capacity and more than 35 gigawatts of solar power by 2015, Xie reiterated today. China’s targets have encouraged companies including China Petrochemical Corp., also known as Sinopec Group, to strengthen their commitment to protect the environment.
Sinopec Monday said it will invest 22.9 billion yuan on an environmental protection plan.
China asked seven cities and provinces last year to put in place regional caps and pilot programs for trading emission rights.
The country will gradually expand the regions falling under its carbon trading pilot program starting from 2015 in order to explore the potential for a national system, Xie said.
Terminal state of uranium prices!
Uranium Nearing Terminal Velocity 9 News Finance By Andrew Nelson, 30 July 13 The steady and significant retreat of the uranium price over the month of July gathered even more pace last week. Volumes were steady, with six transactions involving around 700,000 pounds of uranium being reported, but the spot uranium price still fell 5% over the five days.
We are now looking at levels last seen in November 2005. This was just before that time everyone thought uranium would make for a great investment, pushing the price up to US$138 a pound by June 2007. The GFC interrupted, then we had the Fukushima incident in March 2011 and uranium has been moving steadily south ever since……
Communities’ Inheritance of radioactive trauma
The Inheritance of Trauma: Radiation Exposed Communities Around the World The Inheritance of Trauma: Radiation Exposed Communities Around ... HNN Huntingtonnews.net Monday, July 29, 2013 There have been over 2,000 nuclear weapon tests since 1945. Tests have been conducted on every continent except South America and Antarctica. Many nuclear weapons were tested above ground spreading large amounts of radioactive fallout across communities located downwind from the various test sites. Additionally, the production of materials for nuclear weapons has also contaminated large areas near to weapon production facilities. Accidents at nuclear power plants have also contaminated communities and made large areas uninhabitable for the foreseeable future.
Here in Japan where we are still in the early stages of understanding the impacts of the Fukushima nuclear meltdowns on the people and the environment of Tohoku and Japan as a whole, the lessons of previous historical exposures of communities to radiation offers lessons and warnings of the challenges only now unfolding. Jacobs will discuss how the presentation of these challenges as unprecedented and therefore unknowable and unforeseeable is typical of the management of exposed communities.
-
Archives
- June 2023 (119)
- May 2023 (344)
- April 2023 (348)
- March 2023 (308)
- February 2023 (379)
- January 2023 (388)
- December 2022 (277)
- November 2022 (335)
- October 2022 (363)
- September 2022 (259)
- August 2022 (367)
- July 2022 (368)
-
Categories
- 1
- 1 NUCLEAR ISSUES
- business and costs
- climate change
- culture and arts
- ENERGY
- environment
- health
- history
- indigenous issues
- Legal
- marketing of nuclear
- media
- opposition to nuclear
- PERSONAL STORIES
- politics
- politics international
- Religion and ethics
- safety
- secrets,lies and civil liberties
- spinbuster
- technology
- Uranium
- wastes
- weapons and war
- Women
- 2 WORLD
- ACTION
- AFRICA
- AUSTRALIA
- Christina's notes
- Christina's themes
- culture and arts
- Fuk 2022
- Fuk 2023
- Fukushima 2017
- Fukushima 2018
- fukushima 2019
- Fukushima 2020
- Fukushima 2021
- general
- global warming
- Humour (God we need it)
- Nuclear
- RARE EARTHS
- Reference
- resources – print
- Resources -audiovicual
- World
- World Nuclear
- YouTube
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
nuclear-news 