nuclear-news

To October 8th – the week in Climate and Nuclear news

Investigative journalism this week – yes, it still can happen. This time, it’s the Washington Post, revealing the scandalous origin of the rare earths that we use so prolifically in all our new gizmos – from mobile phones to wind turbines.Cobalt mining in the Congo. Graphite mining in China.

CLIMATE. Earth is locked into’ Temperatures Not Seen in 2 Million Years.  Climate change could become self perpetuating- danger in Indonesia’s peatlands, and fires. Much higher methane emissions from fossil fuels – previously were underestimated.  Climate change could bring megadroughts to California. Next month, Paris climate agreement will enter into force.

NUCLEAR. 

UN court rejects Marshall Islands nuclear arms lawsuit.

USA.

• Hurricane Matthew could endanger Florida’s nuclear reactors.
• Fermi 1 nuclear accident remembered in protest rally- ‘We almost lost Detroit’ 
• Coalition of New York groups call on State to scrap upstate nuclear subsidies.
• America’s nuclear industry at stalemate, because of its stranded wastes.  Federal compensation wanted by town of Rowe, for hosting stranded nuclear wastes.
• Neither Trump nor Clinton give a clear answer on pre-emptive nuclear strike policy.  USA Vice Presidential candidates in debate – avoid climate change and energy.  Donald Trump vacillates about nuclear waste dumping, and Yucca Mt plan.
• CLIMATE. In USA, Republicans are rejecting reality on climate change – Pew survey. US Dept of Energy spells out good news on wind and solar power’s phenomenal rise.

Diplomacy Is Over As Russia and The U.S. Face Off.

RUSSIA has suspended its nuclear and energy research agreement with the United States.

JAPAN. Nuclear cash cow Monju now a liability for residents as plant faces ax.   Japan’s nuclear regulator caves to industry interests yet again–Gives nearly 40 year old reactor a green light before the aging safety review even completed.

Fukushima. Japan Grapples with Cost of Scrapping Fukushima Plant. Tepco Threatens To Declare Bankruptcy; Dismantling Unit 1.  Tainted Water Grows at Fukushima N-Plant despite Ice Wall.

UK.  Building to Start on New Nuclear Submarines as UK Government Announces £1.3 billion Investment. Britain sited 2 nuclear power plants on eroding shingle beach.  So far, in 2016, solar energy is outstripping coal power in UK.

FRANCE. In northern France thousands protest against nuclear power. Tribulations of the nuclear industry, as serious safety flaws found in EDF’s nuclear reactors.

IRAN. U.N. atomic agency chief says Iran sticking to nuclear deal.

NIGER. Tuareg Activist Takes on AREVA: Uranium Mining in Niger.

October 7, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes