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Armenian Communities Concerned over Radiation near Uranium Mines

Communities Concerned over Radiation near Uranium Mines Asbarez.com BY KARINA MANUKYAN 6 Nov 14  YEREVAN (ArmInfo.am)—The development of uranium ore-containing mines in Armenia is fraught with big environmental problems, Inga Zarafyan, Head of EcoLur, an environmental advocacy group, has told ArmInfo. Zarafyan says some legislative amendments in the country have enabled mining companies to gain profits even from deposits that were regarded as unprofitable before.

Uranium extraction operations may have a potential health impact on the local communities, the environmentalist says. Zarafyan warns about the high level of radon at the areas near the deposits that have been operated for a long period of time already. Operation of all these deposits is accompanied by dangerous emissions of radioactive waste, she explains.

Earlier in October, environmentalists warned about the exploration of the Azatek deposit located in Vayots Dzor region, which, as they claimed, contains uranium. According to EcoLur, expeditions in the 1960s and 1970s also indicated the presence uranium ore in the area.

Meanwhile, Zarafyan complained about the lack of official data on the risks of operation on radioactive deposits. “No one cares for the issue, unfortunately. Mining companies are silent, as it is not within their interests to speak of the risks. As for the Government, its silence is in favor of some officials who back those companies,” Zarafyan said.

Meanwhile, the situation has been exacerbated. A few years ago an Armenian-Russian Mining Company conducted uranium exploration in Armenia. Rosatom provided 3 million euros to that end. ……..http://asbarez.com/128649/communities-concerned-over-radiation-near-uranium-mines/

November 8, 2014 Posted by | environment, EUROPE | Leave a comment

USA MidWest can get 40% or more of its electricity from wind and solar energy

renewable-energy-picture40% Renewable Energy Integration No Trouble For Midwest Clean Technica November 7th, 2014 by   A new study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce in coordination with the Midwest regional independent grid operator Mid-continent Independent System Operator (MISO) has found that the state of Minnesota could obtain 40% or more of its electricity from wind and solar energy without suffering any grid reliability issues.

The report, which builds on real-world situations like the states of Iowa and South Dakota generating more than 25% of their energy from wind during 2013, is another splash of cold water in the faces of those who attempt to dismiss renewable energy as being somehow impractical.

Minnesota currently derives 16% of its electricity from wind and solar energy, which means an increase to 40% would not only be a boost to the renewable energy industry, but would push the state towards 70% of its emissions reductions required from existing power plants under the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

The primary finding from the report (PDF) is that “the addition of wind and solar (variable renewable) generation to supply 40 percent of Minnesota’s annual electric retail sales can be reliably accommodated by the electric power system.”

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) made the following statement in the wake of the report:…….  http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/07/renewable-energy-integration-trouble-midwest/

November 8, 2014 Posted by | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

South Africa’s Cabinet not informed on nuclear agreements signed with France and Russia

secret-dealsflag-S.AfricaCabinet still not briefed over nuclear agreements — Radebe, Business Day Live   BY PAUL VECCHIATTO, 07 NOVEMBER 2014, THE Cabinet, the government’s highest decision-making body, has not been briefed on the nuclear framework agreements signed with France and the Russian Federation……..Business Day, Sunday Times and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution will together make an application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) requesting evidence of a record of decision to forge ahead with nuclear power plants.

The application will also request information on the protocols and processes followed prior to the signing of the agreements as well as for documentation on any affordability study into the commissioning of nuclear power plants.

An earlier PAIA application by the Sunday Times to the Presidency, Parliament and the Department of Energy for access to the framework agreement SA signed with Russia two months ago, was refused this week by the Department of Energy. The department said the release of the agreements would compromise the delicate negotiations that SA was holding with other countries.

The department said the agreements contained sensitive scientific and commercial information.

The Sunday Times now has 60 days to lodge an appeal on its first application with the department in order to change its decision.

The opaqueness of the decision to build nuclear reactors has caused consternation among observers, the suspicion being that the government has already struck a secret deal with the Russian Federation.

It is believed that the Cabinet has not made a formal decision to procure nuclear power stations, yet Department of Energy officials have insisted on several occasions “that a procurement will take place”.

Director of the council, Lawson Naidoo, said clarity was needed on the decision-making process to establish whether proper governance was followed. “I don’t understand how an international agreement can be signed (by the minister) without the approval of Cabinet. How does a minister get the authority to sign without the approval of Cabinet?”…….http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/energy/2014/11/07/cabinet-still-not-briefed-over-nuclear-agreements–radebe

November 8, 2014 Posted by | politics international, secrets,lies and civil liberties, South Africa | Leave a comment

Thorium reactors have very little relevance to strategies for dealing with nuclear waste

Thorium-pie-in-skyThorium nuclear reactors are unlikely to take over from uranium ones, and are considered irrelevant to strategies to deal with nuclear wastes ,The Engineer finds 27 October 2014 “……..The Cambridge research will explore the pros and cons of different fuel combinations, including thorium, plutonium and the main material the designers are focusing on, uranium silicide, which is more power dense and so more cost-effective than the uranium oxide currently used.

Parks said that because the I2S is an evolution of existing light water reactor designs it could be brought to market more quickly than other reactors proposed for use with a thorium fuel-cycle, suggesting it could even be deployed within a decade and be installed in old nuclear power stations such as Sizewell B.

However, he also admitted that with current uranium stocks there was no major economic necessity to move to a thorium fuel-cycle at the moment and that such a transition would only happen if the government committed to thorium through a long-term flagship research project.

A paper published by the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory in March 2012 found that ‘the thorium fuel cycle at best has only limited relevance to the UK as an alternative plutonium disposition strategy and as a possible strategic option in the very long term,’ and recommended ‘a low level of engagement in thorium fuel cycle R&D’.”

November 8, 2014 Posted by | UK, wastes | Leave a comment

Developments towards India’s first offshore wind project

MOU signed for the first ever Indian offshore wind project, Renewable Energy Magazine Robin WhitlockThursday, 06 November 2014 A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed to establish a Joint Venture Company for India’s first demonstration offshore wind power project along the Gujarat coast…….Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s message in the US was loud and clear that renewable energy is the way to go, it dovetails world’s concerns about climate change and it clearly enhances India’s energy security. Considering the country’s 7600 km long coastal line , Shri Goyal added that the opportunities for scaling up are humongous. The Minister also suggested for building partnership with Defence, Coast guard and Shipping to ensure seamless and time bound approval process…….Onshore wind power development is the fastest growing renewable energy option in India and has now reached a commercial stage with more than 22 GW of installed cap acity supported by funding from private investment. The country has around 7,600 kilometres of coastline, offering a huge potential for offshore wind power development. To this end, the Ministry has now taken the initiative by announcing a Draft National Offshore Wind Energy Policy as well as preparing a Draft Cabinet note on National Offshore Wind Energy Policy which will be circulated for inter-ministerial comments.http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/article/mou-signed-for-the-first-ever-indian-20141106

November 8, 2014 Posted by | India, renewable | Leave a comment

Worrying outlok for USA, as Climate Change Denier likely to head senate environment committee

Prominent climate change denier likely to head US senate environment committee, SMH, Tom Hamburger,November 6, 2014If approved, Inhofe would replace Chairman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., an avowed environmentalist, producing one of the most stark post-election changes in the Capitol. Committee assignments will not be made until Senate party caucuses meet in Washington after the election recess………

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/promiment-climate-change-denier-likely-to-head-us-senate-environment-committee-20141106-11hlai.html#ixzz3IWPyO9xk

 

 

November 8, 2014 Posted by | environment, politics, USA | Leave a comment

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