2016 March 09 « nuclear-news

No need for nuclear power in Japan – former Japan PM Naoto Kan

Five years after Fukushima disaster, there’s no need for nuclear power, says former Japan PM Naoto Kan CNBC by Leslie Shaffer | Interview by Akiko Fujita 6 Mar 2016 As the fifth anniversary of Japan’s massive earthquake and nuclear disaster approaches, the country’s former prime minister said it was time to do without nuclear power.

“If you look at the reality of these last five years, Japan spent two years without a single nuclear plant on line. There are now a few active reactors, but still, that’s only a handful,” Naoto Kan, who was prime minister when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, told CNBC. His comments were translated from Japanese.

“These five years have demonstrated that we can secure enough power without nuclear plants. That’s why I believe we should stay away from the large risk posed by nuclear plants and focus instead on renewable energy by changing our sources of power,” Kan added.

Kan isn’t alone in his opposition to nuclear power; opinion polls have showed that a majority of Japanese people agree. But he blamed the current ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party the recent restart of four reactors, which had been shuttered in aftermath of the disaster. Kan is a member of the Democratic Party of Japan……….http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/06/five-years-after-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-nuclear-power-not-needed-former-japan-pm-naoto-kan-says.html

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Trudea called upon to fix Canada’s nuclear law and oversight

Groups urge Trudeau to fix Canada’s nuclear law and oversight, National Observer By Mike De Souza March 8th 2016 Canada needs to fix its nuclear safety law and put a stop to internal political strategizing by its industry watchdog that is putting public safety at risk, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was told in an open letter released on Tuesday.

Fourteen groups, led by Greenpeace Canada, wrote in the letter that Trudeau should use the upcoming fifth anniversary of the Japanese Fukushima disaster to launch a full parliamentary review of the law, the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The groups released the letter along with a federal strategy document showing that staff at the watchdog were recommending that management consider the “political environment” in 2015 prior to developing any changes needed to improve nuclear oversight.

Greenpeace Canada said this indicates there was political strategizing by the watchdog, theCanadian Safety Nuclear Commission, and demonstrates why the Liberal government has to clean up Canadian nuclear oversight………

All 14 groups, including MiningWatch Canada, EcoJustice and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, said that Japan and the European Union have increased the independence and transparency of their nuclear watchdogs in the wake of the disaster. But the groups argued that the previous federal government, led by former prime minister Stephen Harper, failed to keep pace with the other jurisdictions to prepare the country for any similar disaster in Canada.

“While the (Canadian watchdog) carried out a review of the technical failures that led to radioactive releases at Fukushima, it did not consider how institutional failures and industry-led regulation caused the accident,” said the letter to Trudeau. “This should be addressed as part of a public review process leading to the modernization of the (law).”…..

Greenpeace Canada nuclear analyst Shawn-Patrick Stensil said Trudeau needs to put a stop to the commission’s internal strategizing.

“In public the CNSC says Canada’s nuclear safety laws are fine, but behind closed doors they’re strategizing on how to amend the law without public input,” Stensil told National Observer. “If they’re not being honest with the public about things like this what else are they trying to hide? This is why Trudeau should clean house at the CNSC.”……..http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/03/08/news/groups-urge-trudeau-fix-canadas-nuclear-law-and-oversight

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, safety | Leave a comment

Germany 2016: Expanding renewables, stagnating decarbonisation

nu Clear News, Mar 16 . “……….Despite some short-term market and industry disruptions, the Energiewende policy has been largely successful in achieving its stated goals, and public support remains strong. As reported in a January 2016 by Agora Energiewende, a Berlin-based energy think tank from 2012 to 2015, public sentiment in Germany has been strongly supportive of the Energiewende, with 90% saying it is important or very important.

Germany added more renewable energy than ever before in 2015 – 32TWh. While solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is slowing (only about 1.5 GW were installed last year), wind experienced record growth of 50% year over year. The big growth by percentage was in offshore wind, where power generation jumped from just 1.4 TWh in 2014 to above 8.1 TWh in 2015 as the first of several large “windparks” came online. Throughout 2015 dozens of similar large windfarms were under construction in the North Sea, and even more capacity will come online throughout 2016. The current Government wants the renewable share to reach 40-45% by 2025 and between 55-60% by 2035.

Today renewables are on target to exceed the first milestone, so amendments to the renewable energy laws are being introduced which will rein in onshore wind and solar. As more offshore wind comes online in 2016, the entire energy sector is being re-evaluated. Unlike solar and onshore wind which is mostly owned by small companies and communities or co-operatives, offshore wind is being developed by large companies – probably the same fossil fuel companies that originally bet against renewables – the same ones now exporting excess coal-fired electricity abroad.

This means the rate of renewable growth is likely to be cut by two-thirds over the next decade, and taking a leaf out of David Cameron’s book, feed-in tariffs will be replaced by auctions next year. Merkel’s Government seems to be hoping that a large chunk of the difference between today’s 30% renewable share and the 2025 40-45% target will be met by large offshore wind farms – German citizens are being shut out of future growth.

Far from going really badly, as Lord Howell suggests, the transition to renewables in Germany has been going too well. The prospect of more and more communities declaring energy independence is too much for the big energy companies to endure. They are now moving to consolidate their influence on the future direction of the Energiewende. They will fight to stop a renewable target of 80% for 2050 being implemented and they will fight to be allowed to continue exporting coal-fired electricity despite German commitments to tackling climate change. (4) References….. http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo83.pdf

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, Germany, renewable | Leave a comment

Japan’s Nuclear Regulator urges vigilance, has doubts on efficacy of underground ice wall around Fukushima

Japan’s nuclear watchdog chief urges safety vigilance by government, utilities, Japan Times, KYODO MAR 8, 2016 The head of the Nuclear Regulation Authority is urging the government and utilities to redouble their vigilance to ensure reactor safety, warning them not to drop their guard simply because units have cleared the NRA’s tough safety screening.

NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka, chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, said passing the screening is “not enough” during an interview Monday ahead of Friday’s fifth anniversary of the Fukushima No. 1 disaster……..

The NRA chairman said the situation at Fukushima No. 1 is calm, with cleanup work making steady progress.

But he expressed doubts about the efficacy of an underground ice wall that Tepco has built around reactor buildings to prevent groundwater from flowing into their basements.

The wall “will not essentially help reduce the risk” of an increase in toxic water, he said……http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/08/national/japans-nuclear-watchdog-chief-urges-safety-vigilance-government-utilities/#.Vt80nX197Gh

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, safety | Leave a comment

Control rod trouble in Japan’s Niigata nuclear reactor

Niigata nuclear reactor has control rod trouble http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/115579.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter NHK –– MAR 09

The operator of a nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast says a control rod in an offline reactor has moved unexpectedly.

Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, says the trouble occurred soon after 2 PM on Tuesday at the No.5 reactor of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture.TEPCO officials say an alarm indicated that one of the reactor’s 185 control rods moved out of its normal position.

They say workers were at the time manipulating valves related to the control rods as part of regular inspections, but did not operate the rods. They also say the rod returned to its normal position after about a minute.

TEPCO says the trouble caused no nuclear fission chain reaction and does not affect the surrounding area.

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Britain’s nuclear power project plans in turmoil

EDF turmoil exposes Britain’s reliance on Hinkley nuclear plan, Reuters, 8 Mar 16 LONDON | BY KAROLIN SCHAPS Management upheaval at EDF (EDF.PA) has exposed Britain’s reliance on the French energy group’s ability to deliver a planned 18 billion pound nuclear power plant in southwest England.

EDF CFO Thomas Piquemal quit on Monday in protest over the balance sheet risk posed by the Hinkley Point C project, one of a series of expensive challenges that the debt-laden and state-controlled group faces..

EDF and the British and French governments are saying the project remains on track, but turmoil at the top of EDF could mean a further delay to a plan that is already two years behind schedule……..

When Hinkley Point was announced in 2013, nuclear reactor maker Areva (AREVA.PA) was meant to take a 10 percent stake in the project. EDF has since initiated the takeover of Areva’s struggling reactor business, leaving the French energy giant with a hefty 66.5 percent majority stake.

China‘s General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) has agreed to buy into one third of the project.

The departure of CFO Piquemal was linked to his unwillingness to take on too much risk for a group that has net debt of over 37 billion euros (£29 billion), according to a source close to the matter.

“Piquemal was not the only one in the executive committee to have doubts about Hinkley Point C,” the source said………http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-nuclear-edf-hinkley-idUKKCN0WA1PQ

March 9, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

The IAEA tries to cover up another nuclear health issue in Europe!

Update The real problem is for children and pregnant women near the Ringhals NPP who were under the more dense plume.

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Posted by Shaun McGee

Posted to http://www.europeannewsweekly.wordpress.com

Over the course of the last week Ringhals nuclear power plant in western Sweden has been releasing a variety of isotopes including;

Iodine 131, Cesium 134 and 137, Cobalt 60, Beryllium 7, Cerium 144, Tellurium 132

Source; http://eurdepweb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EurdepMap/Default.aspx

The spike that was recorded on the top right graph registered at 0.8 mcSv/h but there were gaps in the record as you can see for the days previous to that. This is indicative, I believe, of higher spikes that have been covered up by the IAEA in Germany who have access to the EURDEP main frame.

The graph on the bottom right is a reading from Finland that has a gap that hides another peak a couple of days ago.

It is interesting to note that the nuclear regulatory and monitoring group STUK from Finland released a press release on the 8th March 2016 after the radioactive plume had passed. and the small amount left in the air was measured and reported publicly. In the press release they deny knowledge of the source of the plume although they have access to the more comprehensive monitoring system that is not available to the public. The press release with the frightening headline is here; http://www.finlandtimes.fi/health/2016/03/08/25649/Huge-radioactive-cesium-detected-in-Helsinki . Also, they do not mention Iodine 131 that was present in similar amounts nor do they mention the types of other isotopes that their system also measures.

The real problem is for children and pregnant women near the Ringhals NPP who were under the more dense plume. Ian Fairlie proved that these releases cause leukemia in children and other scientists like Christopher Busby would claim that there would be other health effects from these dense plumes on the population affected, both adult and children. Because the plume was occurring for nearly a week, we could assume that the downwind areas might have been Denmark, Norway, and Sweden with Finland hit to a lesser degree (At least STUK did report this nuclear incident) depending on the wind directions.

Germany would normally warn locals that a release was going to happen so people would be able to move away for a day or two until the plume dissipated. As this release from Sweden went on for a week it is likely that Ringhals NPP had some problems and this might not have been a simple refuel or SCRAM situation.

On the anniversary of Fukushima, it is obvious that European nuclear interests have tried to cover this situation up. But that didnt work this time.

Say No To Nukes! Say YES to Wind Solar! Protect our children!

I have reported this extra information to the Finland Times so that they can update the story for better accuracy (2nd attempt 🙂 )

Screenshot from 2016-03-09 03:29:52

UPDATE;

Swedish cover up off nuclear accident/fault ??
just a quick update on my article on the Ringhals NPP in Sweden.. I contacted someone via the STUK site as to why the radiation monitor was showing signs of switch offs etc and i did not get a response yet but instead the data was deleted from the other nearest Gottenburg monitor Eurdep.. Hmm? They are trying to blame the Russians and probably dont want RT to get hold of this info
here is the email i sent last week ,,

Dear Mr Leppänen
Due to the recent report in the Finland Times i decided to check the EURDEP mapping system to see if the report was true or not.
I found that the report was true and decided to do due diligence and checked to see if other isotopes might be present.

Using the Tool tip function yesterday I found that there was a similar amount of Iodine 131 to cesium 137 and other isotopes such as Cs 134, Cobalt 60, Beryllium 7, Cerium 144, Tellurium 132. That was all the isotopes present I could find.

I then set Eurdep to maximum and found that the nearest monitor to Rhinghals MPP in Sweden had just had a high peak to some 0.8 mcSv/h (800 nSv/h Gamma) .. On checking further it became apparent that the monitor had had data deleted going back to December 2015.

I might also point out that the monitor showed a higher level of radiation by some 15 – 20 percent (approx) after the peak that can still be seen today. I then decided to see if any activity had been seen on any other monitors that showed activity over the last week and found some corroboration in Stavanger and List in Norway (though the Eurdep map had been disconnected for Norway for some reason i accessed more accurate files from the Radnett monitoring system direct. Also gaps in the data for today on a Latvian monitor.

Then i checked the weather reports for the previous week and found that prior to the report the wind was from the west and south and only changed to coming from the east on the day of the Finland Times article. And I might point out that they said STUK were still investigating the source of the cesium. Then the story was picked up in Cyprus and that article mentioned the wind coming from the east as a possible source of contamination and no mention of the equal quantity of Iodine 131 from either article, nor any other isotopes.

I can supply screenshots of my findings but are aware that you would have access to the non public and more detailed EURDEP mapping system.
Now the isotopes are not available on the public mapping system.

As a concerned citizen, I wonder if you could clarify the situation?
My understanding is that Rhingals NPP appears to have multiple releases, possibly over some months. The iodine 131 means that the contamination is from a working reactor and the above information i have garnered points to the longevity and direction of the contamination.

Sorry to have bothered you but it is in the public interest and following Prof Ian Fairlies Peer reviewed paper on Child leukemia in children around NPP`s caused by large spikes of condensed release gases, that this situation be looked at in the interests of transparency and as a point of public safety.
Please feel free to ask me for any further information on any of my findings or thoughts on the matter.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
Shaun McGee

Picture of recent eurdep map with all above data deleted from the Gottenburg radiation monitor after the email was sent ;

Screenshot from 2016-03-14 00:21:06.png