nuclear-news

US Nuclear Reactor Effluent Comment Deadline for 11.59 PM Eastern (DC-NY) Time, TONIGHT, October 1st: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NRC-2014-0044

Summary of some noteworthy points re tonight’s “Nuclear Effluents” comment deadline (A longer, better documented version, is here: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/us-nuclear-reactor-effluent-comment-deadline-11-59-pm-oct-1st-us-eastern-time-dc-ny-and-related-comment-deadlines-in-november/)

This comment period should be extended. The timing undermines its stated objective of bringing it into line with the ICRP: “The NRC staff cautioned, however, that the NRC should not initiate a rulemaking to better align with these ICRP Publication 103 recommendations until the ICRP publishes its updated dose coefficients and other supporting information“, (Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 85 / Monday, May 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules p. 25239)

The stated objective of the comment period is: “input from stakeholders on the development of a regulatory basis for the NRC’s regulations governing radioactive effluents from nuclear power plants. The regulatory basis would support potential changes to better…

Observations:

¶ “Mining and Burning Coal Draws Tourists in Germany” While Germany’s Energiewende, or “energy transition,” will result in the near-term closure of its hard coal mines, the lignite mines will keep operating for a few more decades. This is a sore spot for environmentalists who points to environmental loss. [89.3 WFPL]

The Garzweiler II lignite mine. Click on the photo to see the relative size of the wind farm on the mine’s far edge. Photo by Erica Peterson | wfpl.org

World:

¶ A new survey conducted by ComRes for the UK’s Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit concluded that the majority of British adults believe that climate change is both happening and mainly caused by human activities. Notably, the percentage who believe this increased dramatically since 2014, rising from only 53% to 61%. [CleanTechnica]

¶ Vestas, the Danish wind energy giant, announced that it had received…

Opinion:

¶ “People Power Just Defeated Shell in the Arctic. Here’s How You Did It” Years ago, Shell paid billions of dollars for the right to drill for oil in the Arctic. Now, the company is pulling out and has no plans to go back. It is a huge victory for everyone who took action, whether writing a letter or climbing a giant skyscraper in protest. [RYOT]

Protesters hang from bridge in Portland, Oregon, to block oil rig exit. AP Photo/Don Ryan

World:

¶ Deutsche Bank analysts say China may increase its 2020 solar power target to 150 GW from the current target of 100 GW. China also proposes a competitive power dispatch that prioritizes the emissions-free, near-zero marginal dispatch cost of renewables, which would reduce carbon emissions by 200 million tonnes per year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ Mining giant Rio Tinto has switched on a…