2013 November 29 « nuclear-news

How spin about wind farms can make you sick

The results showed that the experience of symptoms and mood during exposure to audible windfarm sound and infrasound was influenced by the type of expectations provided before exposure periods.

The onus falls on the media to report on health fears about wind farms cautiously, particularly given strong evidence that it is the discussion itself that may be creating and perpetuating health complaints.

Wind turbines don’t make you feel sick or healthy, but spin can http://theconversation.com/wind-turbines-dont-make-you-feel-sick-or-healthy-but-spin-can-20845 Fiona Crichton PhD candidate in psychological medicine at University of Auckland 29 Nov 13

Despite at least 19 reviews of the scientific evidence universally concluding that exposure to wind farm sound doesn’t trigger adverse health effects, people continue to report feeling unwell because they live near wind turbines.

We’ve known for some time that exposure to negative messages about wind farms makes people more likely to report feeling sick after exposure to turbines. And new research, published by my colleagues and I this week in the journal Health Psychology, shows positive messages about wind farms may have the opposite effect – improve perceptions of health.

Infrasound

Speculation in the media and on the internet often attributes the symptoms to sub-audible sound produced by operating wind farms (infrasound). But the reality is that infrasound (sound below 16 hertz) is consistently present in the environment and is caused by wind, ocean waves and traffic. Importantly, research demonstrates there is nothing unusual about the levels of infrasound produced by wind farms. Continue reading →

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, psychology - mental health, renewable | Leave a comment

India’s Jaitapur nuclear power plans hit financial problems

Plans for Western India Nuclear Project Hit Hurdle -Official By Saurabh Chaturvedi MUMBAI--India’s plans for setting up one of the country’s biggest nuclear power projects in its western region have been hampered due to a rise in the cost of equipment to be secured from French supplier Areva S.A. (AREVA.FR), a senior Indian government official said Thursday.

India’s state-owned monopoly Nuclear Power Corp. had signed an initial pact with Areva in 2010 for the supply and installation of equipment needed for building two nuclear power reactors of 1,650 megawatts each at Jaitapur in the western state of Maharashtra. The plan is to eventually build a total of six reactors with a combined capacity of 9.9 gigawatts, which would be the biggest nuclear power complex in India at a single location.

But the cost of the equipment has risen due to the higher cost of borrowing as well as a slide in the rupee’s value against the U.S. dollar this year, which would more than double the cost of electricity generation from an initial estimate of about 4 rupees (6.4 U.S. cents) per unit.

“The price of electricity from the project once it becomes operational can not be more than 6.50 rupees,” said R.K. Sinha, chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, the country’s top nuclear policy making body. “Negotiations are still on.”

An Areva India executive, who declined to be named, said negotiations on the sale of the equipment are still under way, while Areva India chairman and managing director Erwan Hinault didn’t immediately respond to emailed queries.

Nuclear Power Corp. had earlier expected to sign an agreement with Areva for the supply of equipment for the first two reactors by end-2012, but negotiations remained inconclusive. Global nuclear equipment companies such as Areva, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse Electric Co. have been keen to capitalize on India’s plans to spend billions of dollars to boost its nuclear power capacity. More than half of India’s 228 gigawatts of total power generation capacity is based on coal, which is in short supply…. http://online.wsj.com/article/DN-CO-20131128-003020.html?dsk=

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, India | Leave a comment

USA Renewable Energy Data Book Now Available

Renewable Energy Data Book Now Available http://eponline.com/articles/2013/11/28/renewable-energy-data-book-now-available.aspx The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new renewable energy data book that assesses U.S. energy statistics for 2012, including renewable electricity, worldwide renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and data on specific technologies. Nov 28, 2013

“The 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book is filled with information-packed charts and graphics, which allows users, from analysts to policymakers, to quickly understand and summarize trends in renewable energy — both on a U.S. and global scale,” said NREL Energy Analyst Rachel Gelman.

According to the data book, renewable electricity represented 14 percent of total installed capacity and more than 12 percent of total electric generation in 2012. Installed renewable electricity capacity is more than 163 gigawatts (GW). The installed global renewable electricity capacity, including hydropower, doubled between 2000 and 2012, and represents a significant and growing portion of the total energy supply both globally and in the U.S.

In 2012, wind energy and solar photovoltaics (PV) were two of the fastest growing electric generation technologies in the U.S. Cumulative installed wind energy capacity increased by nearly 28 percent and cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity grew more than 83 percent from the previous year. Renewable electricity accounted for more than 56 percent of all new electrical capacity installations in the U.S.— major increase from 2004 when renewable electricity installations captured only two percent of new capacity additions.

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | resources - print, USA | Leave a comment

7 die in earthquake near to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor

Iran Earthquake Near Nuclear Plant Kills ‘Seven’ http://news.sky.com/story/1175142/iran-earthquake-near-nuclear-plant-kills-seven 28 Nov 13 The epicentre lies 35 miles from the Bushehr nuclear plant, where concerns have been expressed in the past about possible leaks A 5.7-magnitude earthquake near an Iranian nuclear plant has killed seven people and injured 30, according to reports.

The quake’s epicentre was near Borazjan, around 60km (35 miles) from Bushehr, where Iran has its Russian-built reactor.

Emergency Response Chief Hassan Qadami told IRNA news agency: “So far, there are seven dead and 30 injured receiving hospital treatment.” Iran stands on several seismic fault lines. A massive quake in December 2003 struck the southern city of Bam, killing 26,000 people and destroying its ancient mud-built citadel.

Iran’s Arab neighbours across the Gulf have often raised concern over the reliability of the Bushehr plant and the risks of radioactive leaks in case of a major quake.

But Iran and Russia insist it respects international standards under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog.

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | incidents, Iran | Leave a comment

Iran nuclear deal supported by most Americans

War-weary Americans back Iran nuclear deal by 2-to-1 margin The Raw Story, By Agence France-Presse Thursday, November 28, 2013 Americans back a newly brokered nuclear deal with Iran by a two-to-one margin and are very wary of the United States resorting to military action against Tehran even if the historic diplomatic effort fails, a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed.

According to the survey, 44 percent of Americans support the interim deal reached Sunday between Iran and six world powers in Geneva, and 22 percent oppose it. The findings come as good news for President Barack Obama, whose approval ratings have dropped in recent weeks, largely due to the botched rollout of his flagship healthcare reform law, the Affordable Care Act. Even if the Iran deal fails, 31 percent think the U.S. should launch further diplomacy, while 49 percent would want to then increase sanctions. Only 20 percent would want U.S. military force to be used against Iran.

The survey’s results suggest that a war-weary U.S. public could help bolster Obama’s push to keep Congress from approving new sanctions that would complicate the next round of negotiations for a final agreement with Iran.

While indicating little trust among Americans toward Iranian intentions, the survey also underscored a strong desire to avoid new US military entanglements after long, costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “This absolutely speaks to war fatigue, where the American appetite for intervention — anywhere — is extremely low,” Ipsos pollster Julia Clark said. “It could provide some support with Congress for the arguments being made by the administration.”…… http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/28/war-weary-americans-back-iran-nuclear-deal-by-2-to-1-margin/

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Utah nuclear power plant wins approval for diversion of water

State engineer’s water rights for nuclear plant upheld by judge KSL.com Utah, By Amy Joi O’Donoghue November 27th, 2013 SALT LAKE CITY — State Engineer Kent Jones rightfully applied Utah law when he approved the diversion of water from the Green River for use in a proposed nuclear power plant, a judge ruled Wednesday.

“We expected this to be the case. The state engineer obviously spent two years looking at it,” said Aaron Tilton, whose company, Blue Castle Holdings, is proposing the twin-reactor plant in Emery County.

Tilton added that the judge rightfully weighed the merits of Jones’ decision within the context of what state law dictates.

“You got to look at the totality of everything that we have done and the way the law was applied. If we interpreted the law the way HEAL Utah wanted, nobody’s water rights would be approved,” he said.

The decision was blasted by HEAL Utah and other environmental groups that contended Jones’ decision was illegal because there was no demonstration by Blue Castle that the project is economically feasible or the water use is sustainable.

“It’s baffling that this project continues to stumble forward,” says HEAL Utah’s policy director, Matt Pacenza.

But 7th District Judge George Harmond said HEAL Utah and the other environmental groups failed to prove their case, and there was no lawful basis to deny the water use………http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=27813730&fm=most_popular

November 29, 2013 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, water | Leave a comment

Next Entries »