2014 October 10 « nuclear-news

USA’s Nuclear regulator to make investigations less independent?

Senators cite concerns with nuclear investigations, Houston Chronicle KEVIN FREKING, ASSOCIATED PRESSOctober 9, 2014 WASHINGTON (AP) — Two U.S. senators have told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they are troubled by reports of an agency reorganization that would make safety investigations less independent. The NRC said no such reorganization is in the works.

Currently, investigations of nuclear plants and other NRC license holders are conducted through an independent office established in 1982. Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts said in a letter to NRC Chairman Allison Macfarlane on Thursday that they have been told the NRC’s general counsel is recommending changes that would in effect place it in charge of every stage of an investigation and limit the types of investigations the independent office could undertake.

“This proposal removes the independence that is essential to an effective investigative office,” the senators wrote……..The lawmakers called on the NRC to provide all correspondence, including notes and emails that discuss a reorganization of the office. They also say a congressional hearing will be held in December that looks into a possible reorganization.

Earlier this week, an NRC inspector general concluded that the agency had missed opportunities to spot potential troubles that led to the installation of faulty machinery in a Southern California nuclear power plant. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Senators-cite-concerns-with-nuclear-investigations-5812466.php

October 10, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | Leave a comment

2015 Global investor summit on renewable energy – India

India to host global investor summit focused on renewable energy in 2015 Blue & Green October 6th, 2014 By Ilaria Bertini India is set to host a meeting of international investors willing to pour billions into realising the country’s great clean energy potential, after India’s energy minister promised to turn the nation into a ‘renewable superpower’.

In February, the Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet and Expo – ‘RE-INVEST’ will take place in New Delhi, with the aim of raising finance for India’s renewable energy projects.

The initiative was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which was created after the election of prime minister Narendra Modi.

Modi pledged to boost India’s solar sector, in order to capitalise the country’s 300 sunny days each year, and bring electricity to the 400 million Indians currently without reliable power. He also unveiled plans to build the world’s largest floating solar array.

The summit hopes to attract large-scale investment – quantified as around $35 billion (£21bn) per year – and it will be held each year for the next five years, or until 900 MW of clean energy capacity has been developed.

So far, the World Bank has announced a $775 million (£452m) investment in Indian renewable energy sector…….http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/2014/10/06/india-to-host-global-investor-summit-focused-on-renewable-energy-in-2015/

October 10, 2014 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment