Very slowly, the world moves away from nuclear weapons
The long slog toward a nuclear-free world http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-long-slog-toward-a-nuclear-free-world/2014/01/13/0071b0c2-796c-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html By Editorial Board, January 13 EFFORTS BY Iran and North Korea to acquire nuclear weapons have been at the forefront of diplomacy and international concern over the past few years, and justifiably so. Neither country has been convincingly stopped, although Iran is negotiating. Elsewhere, though, there has been progress toward preventing nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands. Continue reading
Japan’s energy and nuclear program delayed, as public anti nuclear sentiment rises
As Nuclear Concerns Rise, Japan Delays Energy Plan WSJ, By MARI IWATAThe Japanese government has delayed a planned announcement on the country’s long-term energy strategy amid signs of rising public concern about a return to nuclear power.
“We are hoping to proceed as soon as possible, but we have received about 19,000 public comments,” said industry minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday in a regular post-Cabinet meeting press conference. “We shouldn’t decide on it too hastily,” he said.
The draft of the new energy plan, disclosed in early December, calls nuclear power a way to “stabilize Japan’s energy supply-demand structure.” The pro-nuclear stance overturns a plan by the previous government to phase out nuclear power, a decision taken after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The plan under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration was due to be announced in mid-January.
“We also have to think more about nuclear waste,” Mr. Motegi said, touching on one of the concerns among anti-nuclear activists over what Japan will do with itsgrowing stockpile of spent nuclear fuel. He also said the strategy will not discuss the issue of whether Japan should build any new nuclear plants.
Despite the continued popularity of the pro-nuclear Mr. Abe, polls show a majority of the nation remains against the use of nuclear power. In a poll conducted Jan. 4-5 by major broadcaster Fuji television, 52% of 1,000 respondents said they support Mr. Abe’s cabinet, but 60% of them said they oppose restarting any of Japan’s 50 currently idled nuclear reactors……http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2014/01/14/as-nuclear-concerns-rise-japan-delays-energy-plan/
Two former Japanese Prime Ministers against nuclear power
Japan’s Koizumi backs fellow ex-PM in opposing nuclear power TOKYO First Post,15 Jan 14 (Reuters) – Two former Japanese prime ministers challenged incumbent Shinzo Abe’s pro-nuclear power policy on Tuesday, with charismatic Junichiro Koizumi backing ex-premier Morihiro Hosokawa’s bid to become Tokyo governor on a platform opposing atomic energy. Hosokawa’s candidacy could turn the local election into a referendum on Abe’s energy policies and boost the anti-nuclear movement, which has lost momentum after a surge following the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, the world’s worst nuclear accident in 25 years…….
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists calls on world leaders to act on climate change, nuclear weapons
Top scientists ask UN leaders to act on nuclear weapons, climate change Bulletin of the Atomic 
Scientists: It is still 5 minutes to midnight—and much too close to doomsday CHICAGO — The Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists today called on the United States and Russia to restart negotiations on reducing their nuclear arsenals, to lower alert levels for their nuclear weapon and to scrap their missile defense programs.
The Board also implored world leaders to take immediate action to combat climate change as it announced that the minute hand of the Bulletin’s iconic Doomsday Clock will remain at five minutes to midnight because “the risk of civilization-threatening technological catastrophe remains high.”
The Board’s annual announcement on the status of the Doomsday Clock was addressed this year to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and members of the UN Security Council. In the announcement, the Bulletin’s Board of leading science and security experts acknowledged that 2013 included positive developments in negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program and in the production of renewable energy.
But, the Board noted, those developments came within a “business-as-usual” context that has stalled efforts to shrink nuclear arsenals and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions. And beyond the threats of nuclear weapons and climate change lie a host of emerging technological dangers—including cyber weapons and killer robots—that further endanger humanity, the Board said…….
he Bulletin’s science and security experts focused on the failure of world leaders to take action that would reduce the possibility of catastrophe related to nuclear weapons and climate change……..
HOW THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK WAS SET
The January 14, 2014 Doomsday Clock decision followed an international symposium held in November 2013 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC. The Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in consultation with the Governing Board and the Board of Sponsors, which includes 18 Nobel Laureates, reviewed the implications of recent events and trends for the future of humanity with input from other experts on nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, climate change, and emerging threats. The Clock hand has been moved 20 times over the past 65 years, since its appearance in 1947 on the first cover of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Click HERE for the Science and Security Board’s Clock announcement.
Click HERE to watch video of the November Doomsday Clock symposium.
Read more at http://americanlivewire.com/top-scientists-ask-un-leaders-act-nuclear-weapons-climate-change/
End Iran sanctions, there is no nuclear weapon threat from Iran – says Dubai
Dubai Calls for End to Iran Sanctions, Says no Nuclear Threat (includes video) http://www.juancole.com/2014/01/sanctions-nuclear-threat.html By Juan Cole | Jan. 14, 2014 Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum of Dubai has called in a BBC interview for an end to economic sanctions on Iran if the civilian character of their nuclear enrichment program can be proved. He pointed out that the sanctions also inflict economic pain on the United Arab Emirates, a major financial center attempting to recover from the 2008 global crash.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader and religious guide, has repeatedly affirmed that making, stockpiling and using nuclear weapons is forbidden in Islamic law because WMDs indiscriminately kill large numbers of non-combatants. In the medieval Islamic law of just war, fighters must avoid killing women, children and male non-combatants.
Ahmadinejad’s successor as president, Hassan Rouhani, is even more of a nuclear dove, and his agreement to reduce Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to 19.75%, initially developed to fuel its medical reactor for isotopes useful in combating cancer, is a good indication of his lack of interest in weaponizing the enrichment program.
The Iranian allegation to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum that nuclear weapons are useless as offensive weapons is correct, and this principle is recognized in Security Studies.
Renewable energy a great job provider in Scotland
Renewables Sector Employs 11,695 People In Scotland ,Renewable Energy News, 15 Jan 14, A survey commissioned by Scottish Renewables has found Full Time Employment (FTE) among participating companies has reached 11,695.The result is an increase of 5% over last year’s study and is a higher employment growth rate when compared to the Scottish economy as a whole.
The sector with the most workers by far is wind energy; with 3,397 persons employed on a full time equivalent basis in the onshore wind sector and 1,842 in offshore wind activities.
Solar has a long way to go to catch up, with just 353 persons.
The good renewable news in Scotland seems as though it will continue. 54% of firms stated they envision increasing their staffing levels during the next 12 months and just 1.6% felt their employment levels would decrease.
The majority of employment is in Scotland’s Central Belt – the area of highest population density within the country…….http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4124
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will highlight transformative role of renewable energy
IRENA to Highlight Transformative Role of Renewable Energy 4 Traders Abu Dhabi, 14th Jan. 2014 Renewable energy is transforming the global energy system, the International Renewable Energy Agency /IRENA/ will highlight at the Agency s Fourth Assembly, setting the stage for this year s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week /ADSW/. Showcasing the Agency s original research and policy advice, IRENA will present “REmap 2030”, a roadmap for doubling the global renewable energy share by 2030. The transformative socio-economic impact of renewable energy will be the focus of theIRENA Renewable Energy Jobs Conference. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development /ADFD/, IRENA will announce funding of transformative, innovative and replicable renewable energy projects in developing countries.
“Renewable energy is the driving force in the global energy transition, and Abu Dhabi is emerging as a clean energy hub where the world s renewable energy leaders convene to discuss the path forward,” Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA s Director General said. “IRENA research provides analysis and data, as well as policy recommendations for this energy transition, and has become a partner of choice for leading countries and companies in the renewable energy space.”
The “REmap 2030” report argues that renewable energy can and must play a vital role in overcoming the energy challenges of the 21st Century. The study maps out a path to doubling the global share of renewable energy with technology options that exists today. This includes widening energy access and strengthening energy security, as well as analysing the adverse effects of inaction. “REmap 2030” will be published on January 19.
The IRENA Renewable Energy Jobs Conference in Abu Dhabi gathers experts, practitioners, academics and other stakeholders from the public and private sector. The first conference of its kind, it focuses on sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices on the social and economic benefits of renewable energy, particularly job creation. Ahead of the conference, IRENA launches a major new report on this topic, Renewable Energy and Jobs. The Renewable Energy Jobs Conference will take place on January 21 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center /ADNEC/……..http://www.4-traders.com/RENEWABLE-ENERGY-HOLDINGS-4005058/news/Renewable-Energy-Holdings-Plc–IRENA-to-Highlight-Transformative-Role-of-Renewable-Energy-17810603/
USA Congress about to scuttle Iran nuclear deal?
s Congress about to kill Iran nuclear deal against Obama’s wishes?(+video) Congress appears to be moving toward approving new sanctions against Iran with a veto-proof majority, potentially undermining the interim nuclear deal now being implemented. Christian Science Monitor, By Howard LaFranchi, Staff writer / January 13, 2014 Sen. Robert Menendez (D) of New Jersey,, has been a leading voice in the push to pass new sanctions against Iran. WASHINGTON
President Obama is warning Congress against steps that could scuttle a deal that he says is the best chance to peacefully stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But a dubious Congress appears close to taking veto-proof action to approve new economic sanctions on Iran – a step the United States has specifically agreed not to take in the nuclear accord with Iran, and one which officials from countries that are party to the agreement say would likely doom diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Continue reading
Deadly levels of radioactive cesium found in fish caught off Fukushima
Fish testing at 124 times over radiation limit caught off Fukushima, Rt.com Fish with deadly levels of radioactive cesium have been caught just off the coast of Fukushima prefecture, as scientists continue to assess the damage caused to the marine food chain by the 2011 nuclear disaster.
One of the samples of the 37 black sea bream specimens caught some 37 kilometers south of the crippled power plant tested at 12,400 becquerels per kilogram of radioactive cesium, making it 124 times deadlier than the threshold considered safe for human consumption, Japan’s Fisheries Research Agency announced. ……..
Professor Chris Busby from the Scientific Secretary of the European Committee on Radiation Risk and a member of the UK Department of Health Committee Examining Radiation Risk for Internal Emitters (CERRIE), says that despite a high level of radiation in the marine food chain, Japan so far is the only one dealing with a direct threat.
“The concentrations of radionuclides, which are going to the Pacific or have been injected to the Pacific, by the time they get to the US, and to China and to South East Korea and so on will not be enormously high,” Busby told Voice of Russia.
Yet the scientist warned that nuclear contamination of Japan could result in 400-800 extra cancer cases in Japan in the next fifty years. “We’ve already seen some effects in infant mortality and thyroid cancer in Japan,”Busby said. “So I think this is just going to get worse. I think we are going to see a major effect on the general health of the Japanese population in Northern Japan. There’s going to be a decrease in the birth rate and an increase in the death rate.”
In the meantime, TEPCO, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear site, reported radiation levels 8 times government safety guidelines. TEPCO told press that the predominant reason behind the sharp increase in radiation at the plant was X-rays coming from storage tanks holding radioactive water that has been leaking from the Fukushima facility. http://rt.com/news/fukushima-fish-cesium-radiation-548/
State of inside nuclear reactors and melted fuel at Fukushima is unknown
Japan TV: ‘State’ of Fukushima melted fuel unknown — Asahi: They “still do not know exactly what is going on inside” — U.S. NRC: Increased radioactive leaks at plant are “traveling underground to sea” (VIDEO) http://enenews.com/japan-tv-fukushima-melted-fuel-in-unknown-state-asahi-no-one-knows-whats-going-on-in-the-reactors-nrc-contamination-leaks-out-into-soil-and-is-traveling-underground-to-the-sea-video
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission document on ‘Water Situation at Fukushima’ as of Sept. 20, 2013 (.pdf link here): Over the past three months, radiation measured within the plant site […] has been increasing. The increase in radiation in the water is caused by contaminated water traveling underground to the sea. Sources of the contaminated water include […[ continued cooling of the damaged cores leaking directly from the reactor buildings. […] contaminated water leaks out of the basements into the soil and the groundwater, despite the outside water table being higher. This contaminated water includes radioactive cesium, strontium, and tritium. Cesium moves very slowly in groundwater, since the soil adsorbs (holds on its surface) the Cesium. Strontium is adsorbed less than cesium and moves faster […] TEPCO has plans to impede the flow of groundwater.
NHK,, Jan. 12, 2014: A Japanese research institute on nuclear decommissioning will ask 3 non-Japanese experts for advice on scrapping reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi […] The organization has been soliciting technological assistance in Japan and abroad. […] Under the present plan, removing nuclear fuel debris from the reactors will start as early as in the first half of 2020. How that will be done is yet to be decided as not much is known about the exact state of the damaged fuel that will require sophisticated technologies to remove.
See also: Radiation Expert: Fukushima plant “out of control” — Nuclear fuel “is now in the ground… no way they can get at it” — “Will just wash uranium out to sea” — Pollution of Pacific Ocean to continue more or less forever (AUDIO & VIDEO)
Increasing radiation levels at stricken Fukushima nuclear plant
FUKUSHIMA WATER TANK RADIATION RISEShttp://fukushimaupdate.com/fukushima-water-tank-radiation-rises/via NHK / January 10, 2014 /Nuclear regulators will discuss measures to prevent the increase of radiation levels around the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant.
The level of radiation at the plant’s border rose to more than 8 milisieverts in annualized figures in December, from less than 1 milisievert in March in the same year. The regulators say that’s due to the increasing number of storage tanks for radioactive water at the plant. There are now about 1,000 tanks at the site.
They explained that the water basically emits beta-rays, which are too weak to penetrate the steel tanks. But they say, when beta-rays hit metals, stronger X-rays come out of the tanks, affecting the environment
At long last, Port Hope’s radioactive trash problem is being addressed
Port Hope properties tested for radiation http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2014/01/13/port_hope_properties_tested_for_radiation.html About 450 Port Hope homeowners have had their soil sampled and properties tested in the first phase of the biggest radioactive cleanup in Canadian history. By: Raveena Aulakh Jan 13 2014 About 450 Port Hope homeowners have had their soil sampled and properties tested for radon and gamma radiation in the first phase of the biggest radioactive cleanup in Canadian history.
Some 1.2 million cubic metres of contaminated soil — enough for 500 Olympic-size pools — will be entombed in a storage facility. A waste-water treatment plant at the site is close to completion, said Judy Herod of Port Hope Area Initiative, the agency in charge of the cleanup.
“We are still on schedule to complete (cleanup) by 2022,” she said.
The 450-plus homeowners whose properties were tested have yet to receive the results. Radon gas levels were measured inside their homes while bore hole drilling outside yielded soil samples.
More than 5,000 private and public properties will undergo such testing to identify places which need remediation, said Herod.
The $22-million waste water treatment plant will be operational this summer. A tender for construction of the mammoth waste storage facility is being prepared. Port Hope, the picturesque lake town about 110 kilometres east of Toronto, is riddled with low-level radioactive waste, a product of radium and uranium refining at the Cameco refinery, the former Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. Crown corporation, from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Contaminated soil used as fill was identified as a health hazard in the ’70s but it took decades to find a long-term solution.The waste, from all over the town, will be dug up and trucked to the storage facility north of town, where it will be sealed and monitored. When Ottawa approved the cleanup 13 years ago, the cost was pegged at $260 million. It has since ballooned to $1.28 billion.
“It was understood that estimates made at that time would need to be reviewed after the planning phase was completed,” said Joshua Kirkey, a spokesman for the Natural Resources ministry, adding the cleanup cost is “in line with similar cleanups that have taken place internationally.”
UK Council takes up the cause of atomic bomb test veterans
Nuclear test veterans’ case backed by council Shields Gazette, 14 Jan 14 CRUSADING South Tyneside Council has taken up the cause of nuclear test veterans who were exposed to radiation in the Pacific back in the 1950s. A motion is to go before a meeting of the borough council on Thursday calling on the Government to acknowledge its debt to the servicemen.
It also urges Prime Minister David Cameron to establish a £25m benevolent fund to provide assistance for these veterans and their descendants in need.
Both the borough’s MPs, Stephen Hepburn in Jarrow and Emma Lewell-Buck for South Shields, are being asked to support the campaign. And the authority is to write to the Government’s defence secretary, Philip Hammond, urging him to heed their plea.
Today, the intervention was enthusiastically welcomed by nuclear test veteran John Taylor, 76, of Carnegie Close, South Shields.
Mr Taylor has battled for justice for years as one of the 1,000 British ex-servicemen who were exposed to radiation.
Wearing little or no protective clothing, he witnessed three nucl.ear explosions between July and September 1957, during Operation Antler……..http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/nuclear-test-veterans-case-backed-by-council-1-6371471
Radiation monitoring by helicopter, over Baltimore
Helicopter over Baltimore to monitor radiation http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/helicopter-over-baltimore-to-monitor-radiation/2014/01/14/3eef0586-7d4d-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html By Associated Press, January 14 BALTIMORE — The National Nuclear Security Administration says a helicopter will fly over Baltimore to measure naturally occurring background radiation.
The NNSA says the twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter may be seen flying at low altitudes Wednesday and Thursday. It will be equipped with radiation sensing technology and can fly at speeds of up to 80 mph. The flyovers are a part of a research project sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. The background data will be used by to improve aerial radiation measurement capabilities.
South Korea pulls back on its nuclear power program
South Korea cuts target for nuclear power Ft.com By Simon Mundy in Seoul 14 Jan 14 Seoul has drastically reduced its long-term target for nuclear power generation, adding to the pressure on the South Korean nuclear industry amid a major corruption scandal……
nuclear power’s reduced share of the future energy mix reflects increased popular opposition to nuclear power following Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi disaster almost three years ago, as well as recent allegations of large-scale corruption in South Korea’s domestic nuclear sector.
Last year three of the country’s 23 nuclear reactors were shut down after investigators found that safety certificates had been forged for thousands of components – in many cases, allegedly, because of bribes paid to nuclear plant designers.
The chief executive of Kepco, the national electricity company that is the monopoly provider of nuclear power, resigned as the scandal gathered pace in November 2012.
The revelations have thrown the spotlight on a tightly knit domestic industry that some local media dubbed the “nuclear mafia”, and raised fears of power cuts as energy usage surged last summer.
Despite Seoul’s efforts to present a show of confidence in its nuclear power sector, the domestic scandals threaten South Korea’s efforts to win contracts for building plants abroad, said Lee Won-hee, a researcher at Samsung Economic Research Institute.
A consortium led by Kepco subsidiary KHNP is waiting to hear whether it has won a tender to build a reactor in Finland, while Seoul is also hoping to win similar contracts in Turkey, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia…….http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4e8c1872-7cf7-11e3-81dd-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2qTvZkY9R
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