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Nuclear power would come in far too late to affect global warming

NuClear News August 14 “……..Tackling Climate Change Quickly
When it comes to tackling climate change, early reductions in carbon emissions are much more
beneficial than reductions just prior to 2050 because this will mean a much more dramatic cut
in cumulative emissions by 2050. Unlike nuclear power most renewables can be installed in a
very short period of time.
For instance, while Hinkley Point C won’t be able to contribute to energy security and reducing
dependence on fossil fuels for another ten years, the solar industry could deliver the same
amount of electricity every year as is expected to be produced Hinkley Point C within 24 months
and at a comparable cost, according to Mark Turner, a director of Lightsource Renewable
Energy. Solar could provide energy security quickly, reduce electricity bills and protect the
environment at the same time. Turner says that while solar power will not be the entire solution
it could provide quite a large percentage of the energy mix completely free from the vagaries of
the global fossil fuel markets. (15)
global-warming-nuke2
Nuclear supporters tend to argue that without an energy storage breakthrough renewables
cannot provide the same level of base load power as nuclear. (16) The argument that renewable
energy isn’t up to the task because “the sun doesn’t shine at night and the wind doesn’t blow all
the time” is overly simplistic. There are a number of renewable energy technologies which can
supply baseload power. The intermittency of other sources such as wind and solar photovoltaic
can be addressed by interconnecting power plants which are widely geographically distributed,
and by coupling them with peak-load plants such as gas turbines fuelled by biofuels or natural
gas which can quickly be switched on to fill in gaps of low wind or solar production. Numerous
regional and global case studies – some incorporating modelling to demonstrate their feasibility
– have provided plausible plans to meet 100% of energy demand with renewable sources. (17…….) http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo65.pdf

August 7, 2014 Posted by | climate change, UK | Leave a comment

Nuclear power is by no means “emissions free”

global-warming-nuke2Nuclear power is hardly ’emission free   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/08/05/nuclear-power-hardly-emission-free/13605607/ Dennis Harbaugh,  Once again the Register has published a predictable essay by Carolyn Heising, where she trots out the same old line explaining how nuclear power is this country’s energy savior (“Climate Needs New Support for Nuclear Power,” July 27). Since she is an Iowa State University professor of nuclear engineering, this is no surprise. It’s her job.

It’s inexcusable, however, for her to continually describe nuclear power as “emission-free”. Nuclear power creates plenty of emissions, many of the fatal variety. In addition, each year nuclear power creates 2,000 metric tons of high-level radioactive waste and 12 million cubic feet of low-level radioactive waste in the U.S. alone.

One significant nuclear power accident in Iowa could wipe out millions of acres of productive farmland and endanger thousands of residents. Nuclear power is a dangerous gamble for Iowa, and it’s a risk that insurance companies absolutely will not take. When Heising can produce a single private insurance company willing to insure a nuclear power plant, then we can talk about nuclear power.

Until then, Iowa needs to continue to require investor-owned utilities to produce or buy 105 megawatts of truly renewable energy annually, without nuclear power.

August 7, 2014 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Tanzanian government warned on the dangers of uranium mining

Tanzania Cautioned On Uranium All Africa 5 August 14 Dar es Salaam — The government has been advised to ensure it has in place a comprehensive safety policy on uranium that will guide the extraction, storage and transportation of the mineral. The advice comes as the government is encouraging serious investment in this mining sub-sector.

 Aidan Mhando, a mineral extraction inspector, said the mining of uranium is a very dangerous and it is vital that the government ensures that it has in place safety measures that will secure public safety. The views came up during a stakeholders meeting held in Arusha last week……..

John Kaaya, an Arusha-based resident, called on the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) and other related authorities to increase public awareness on the subject, particularly over the risks that are posed by uranium extraction……http://allafrica.com/stories/201408050124.html

August 7, 2014 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Delay in plans to restart Sendai nuclear reactors

radiation-sign-sadRestart of Sendai reactors unlikely before winter Japan Times 5 Aug 14 Kyushu Electric Power Co. said Tuesday it won’t be able until late September or October to submit documents necessary for regulatory safety checks of two of its nuclear reactors.

This means it is unlikely that reactors 1 and 2 at the nuclear power station in Sendai, Kagoshima Prefecture, will be restarted before this winter.

Kyushu Electric initially planned to submit the documents, including specific steps to deal with accidents, in late May.

It is expected to take at least several months after the documents are submitted before all required procedures for restarting the reactors can be completed…….http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/05/national/restart-of-sendai-reactors-unlikely-before-winter/#.U-MNaONdUnk

August 7, 2014 Posted by | business and costs, Japan | Leave a comment

Ten top PR firms refuse to work with climate chnage deniers

climate-denialistsWorld’s top PR companies rule out working with climate deniers
Ten firms say they will not represent clients that deny man-made climate change or seek to block emisson-reducing regulations  and   theguardian.com, Monday 4 August 2014 Some of the world’s top PR companies have for the first time publicly ruled out working with climate change deniers, marking a fundamental shift in the multi-billion dollar industry that has grown up around the issue of global warming.

Public relations firms have played a critical role over the years in framing the debate on climate change and its solutions – as well as the extensive disinformation campaigns launched to block those initiatives.

Now a number of the top 25 global PR firms have told the Guardian they will not represent clients who deny man-made climate change, or take campaigns seeking to block regulations limiting carbon pollution. Companies include WPP, Waggener Edstrom (WE) Worldwide, Weber Shandwick, Text100, and Finn Partners.

“We would not knowingly partner with a client who denies the existence of climate change,” said Rhian Rotz, spokesman for WE.

Weber Shandwick would also not take any campaign to block regulations cutting carbon emissions or promoting renewable energy. “We would not support a campaign that denies the existence and the threat posed by climate change, or efforts to obstruct regulations cutting greenhouse gas emissions and/or renewable energy standards,” spokeswoman Michelle Selesky said…… http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/04/worlds-top-pr-companies-rule-out-working-with-climate-deniers

August 7, 2014 Posted by | 2 WORLD, climate change | Leave a comment

Callaway Nuclear Reactor – Radioactive Tritium, Cobalt 60 Found in Monitoring Well

Radioactive Tritium, Cobalt 60 Found in Monitoring Well Near Callaway Nuclear Reactor CBS St Louis, 
Kevin Killeen August 4, 2014 ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Ameren Missouri claims there is no threat to drinking water in the area after it found radioactive Tritium and Cobalt 60 in a monitoring well near the Callaway nuclear reactor it owns and operates……..Ed Smith, of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, says the contaminents were found at levels above what is considered safe for drinking water, and anyone with a groundwater well in the area should have it tested right away.

“Groundwater doesn’t know boundaries,” Smith says. “So if the contamination happened on Ameren’s property, it could very well move off site.”…..http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/08/04/radioactive-tritium-cobalt-60-found-in-monitoring-well-near-nuclear-reactor/

August 7, 2014 Posted by | incidents, USA | Leave a comment

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