2013 October 11 « nuclear-news

Ionising radiation and anti-science

Plenty of funding is available. The USA’s Department of Energy funds programs worldwide, (including in Australia) to research dodgy science about the safety ‒ even alleged benefits ‒ of low level ionising radiation. Nuclear physicists and others, quite inexpert in this field, pronounce solemnly about non-hazardous nature of low dose radiation.

The anti-science about ionising radiation Independent Australia Some people would have you believe that low level ionising radiation is perfectly safe; this is a sinister and troubling fallacy, says Noel Wauchope. 10 Oct 13 DENIAL OF THE HEALTH EFFECTS of ionising radiation is the latest of the lies against science……….none of these motivations would get “airplay” ‒ would prevail, if it were not for the money motive, – that’s the impetus behind public relations people, consultants, journalists, commentators, TV producers, film-makers, and so on who are paid by think tanks that are fronts for polluting industries and billionaires like the Koch Brothers. And don’t let’s forget the scientists and science media who are paid by governments that are financially beholden to polluting corporations and to the military industrial complex.

There is extensive literature in books and on the Internet about the campaigns of science denial regarding asbestos, tobacco and climate change. These are global campaigns, Continue reading →

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, spinbuster | Leave a comment

See Richard Wilcox’s photo journal of Fukushima’s forbidden land

Forbidden Land Of Fukushima – A Photo Journal Richard Wilcox, Ph.D. http://www.activistpost.com/2013/10/forbidden-land-of-fukushima-photo.html
Activist Post In July of 2013, journalist Yoichi Shimatsu and I made a trip to the vicinity of the wrecked reactors at Fukushima nuclear power plant no. 1 (FNPP#1). We traveled through the area which had been devastated by the March 11, 2011 tidal wave and subsequent nuclear meltdowns that occurred at FNPP#1. We were as close as nine or ten kilometers away from the actual reactors and I measured over 0.5 microsieverts per hour background radiation on my dosimeter……

On the way to the beach where radiation is irreversibly deposited in the coastal sediments:

Most of radiocesium in the coastal sediments is incorporated into lithogenic fractions, and this incorporation is almost irreversible. Accordingly, the biological availability of sedimentary radiocesium is relatively low, but continuous monitoring of radiocesium inmarine biota is highly recommended because significant amounts of radiocesium have been accumulated in the sediment…….

Near Hirano we saw thousands of huge sacks of low level radioactive waste piled under a bridge……..

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

USA’s nuclear ‘renaissance’ wel; and truly fizzled out

Nuclear power: why US nuclear ‘renaissance’ fizzled and plants are closing Four nuclear plants have closed this year and dozens are at risk of early retirement, as the industry faces low-cost competitors and renewed doubts about the wisdom of nuclear power. Christian Science Monitor, By David J. Unger, October 10, 2013 A funny thing happened on the way to a nuclear renaissance: For the first time in 15 years, operating nuclear plants are being forced to close, and energy companies are scuttling plans for new plants and upgrades to existing ones. In addition to four closures of nuclear plants so far this year, two other US nuclear plants are at a crossroads, and dozens more at risk of early retirement.

It points to the thwarted promise of a nuclear industry that 10 years ago seemed on the verge of revival, until derailed by cheap energy alternatives, listless energy demand, and renewed safety and regulatory concerns, especially after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident……

both public opinion and market forces are working against the renaissance that industry backers have been predicting. Continue reading →

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | 1 Comment

Higher radiation levels in sea near Fukushima

Radiation levels in harbour off Fukushima hit two-year high Australia Network News 10 Oct 2013 Radiation levels in harbour seawater beside one of the damaged Fukushima reactors spiked this week to the highest level in two years.

The operator of the crippled Japanese nuclear plant, TEPCO, says Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 readings on Wednesday jumped 13 times the previous day’s reading.

The readings were taken in the harbour right next to the Fukushima plant, hundreds of meters from the port entrance that connects to the Pacific Ocean.

Radiation from water leaking from the facility is mostly confined to the harbour around the plant, officials have said……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-10/an-radiation-levels-in-harbour-off-fukushima-hit-two-year-high/5015082

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2013, Japan, oceans | 1 Comment

Ontario decides against new nuclear reactors

Ontario backs away from plans to buy new nuclear reactors ADAM RADWANSKI The Globe and Mail, Oct. 10 2013, Ontario’s government will shelve plans for a major new investment in nuclear power, according to industry and government sources.

Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals have decided against spending upwards of $10-billion to buy two new nuclear reactors as had been planned when Dalton McGuinty was premier, and will commit only to refurbishing existing ones, the sources told The Globe and Mail. The decision appears to be the latest blow to the nuclear industry, which is already facing a decline in international demand, safety concerns after 2011’s earthquake-induced meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant, and the emergence of comparatively cheap natural gas. As the most nuclear-reliant province in Canada and the only one with plans to acquire new reactors, Ontario had been held up as a source of hope for prospective builders, including Candu Energy Inc., the once-mighty division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited that is now a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin.

As a result of the change in plans, nuclear power – which accounted for 56 per cent of Ontario’s total energy supply in 2012 – could end up with a somewhat smaller share of the supply mix. At the same time, the decision reflects stagnant demand due largely to the struggles of the province’s manufacturing sector.

Ruling out a nuclear procurement in the foreseeable future, rather than just putting one off as Mr. McGuinty did when a potential deal fell through four years ago, also appears aimed at serving Ms. Wynne’s political goals……..http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-backs-away-from-plans-to-buy-new-nuclear-reactors/article14793803/

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, politics | Leave a comment

High radiation levels remain in parts of Fukushima’s evacuated areas

Greenpeace critical of Japan radiation Sky News, 10 Oct 13 Japan’s efforts to scour areas around Fukushima have been insufficient, pressure group Greenpeace said Thursday, as the government considers letting some residents return to homes near the crippled nuclear plant.

The environmental group said tests it had carried out inside the original 20-kilometre no-go zone around the plant showed that high levels of radiation remain.

Local and national officials are mulling lifting the exclusion order in parts of Tamura city, allowing people to return to homes they abandoned more than two and a half years ago. They cite lowered pollution levels in the wake of large cleaning operations.

A recent Greenpeace survey found that decontamination programmes have been effective for houses and many parts of major routes in the city.

But some lesser-used public roads, large areas of farmland and mountain areas still have high contamination levels, said Jan Vande Putte, Greenpeace radiation protection adviser.

He said the cleaned houses and roads were like ‘islands’ and ‘corridors’ in an otherwise polluted region.

It would be ‘unrealistic’ to ask residents to stay off contaminated roads and farmland, he said.

‘They can be exposed to high levels of radiation’ if they returned home, he said.

Decontamination ‘is a sticky problem. It is very difficult’, he told a press briefing……. http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=913978

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Fukushima 2013, Japan | Leave a comment

Only nuclear-free Chinese ships to enter New Zealand ports

China assures ships are nuclear free New Zealand Herald, By Audrey Young @audreyNZH Oct 11, 2013 China has given a guarantee to the Government that its three ships visiting Auckland today comply with New Zealand anti-nuclear law, Prime Minister John Key says.

He said he signed off the paper work – required under New Zealand’s anti nuclear legislation – a week or 10 days ago that says he is satisified it complies.

He also reiterated that the United States would be welcome if its ships met the criteria of being neither nuclear powered or armed.

A Chinese destroyer, a frigate and a supply ship are due to arrive in Auckland today……..

The United States policy has long had a policy of neither confirming nor denying nuclear weaponry or capability and China’s willingness to vouch for its ships is in stark contrast.

New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy first promoted by the Labour Government in 1984 eventually led to a suspension of the Anzus security alliance that New Zealand had with the United States and Australia. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11138519

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | China, New Zealand, politics international | Leave a comment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission sends 90% of regulators off work

90% Of America’s Nuclear Regulators Forced To Take Leave Of Absence http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/10/almost-all-of-americas-nuclear-regulators-are-about-to-be-furloughed/ ADAM CLARK ESTES 11 OCT 13 That US government shutdown is still causing all kinds of problems, and this one’s a doozy. Starting tomorrow, some 90 per cent of the workers who watch over America’s 100 nuclear reactors will be furloughed. Since these guys are sort of the first line of defence in a nuclear disaster, that’s really bad news.

Thankfully, a few of the nation’s nuclear regulators will stick around to sound the alarms if something bad happens. To be exact, 300 “resident inspectors” from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will remain on the job to keep an eye on the 63 different nuclear power plants across the country. That is very much a skeleton crew, however, considering that 3600 employees will not be going to work. They will call in more employees if there’s an emergency, but it’s unclear how many.

The NRC wants you to know that everything’s going to be OK though. “We are going to make sure that we continue our oversight of the plants because the resident inspectors will be on duty, and we are prepared to respond to an emergency on short notice,” NRC spokesman Eliot Brenner told the press. NRC chairman Allison Macfarlane expressed a similar sentiment in a blog post saying that the agency “must… err on the side of safety and security.” No duh.

But obviously people get a little shaken up when it comes to messing around with nuclear power. Ed Lyman with the Union of Concerned Scientists said it best: “Yes, I am worried.” Then again, those guys are always worried. [CNN]

October 11, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment