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Europe Needs to Take Prompt Action to Identify the Origin and Implement Safety Measures For Mysterious Radioactive Discharges

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Earlier in the year there was a mysterious radioactive iodine discharge impacting Europe and the origin never officially identified. From end September into early October there was yet another mysterious radioactive discharge impacting Europe – this one Ruthenium 106. Why have no measures been taken? Why does the source(s) remain a mystery? Why are people not notified and warned in a timely manner so as to minimize exposure?

IRSN France info-graphic

Over a month ago (Oct. 5th), CRIIRAD Association-Lab, located in France, raised the alarm about the Ruthenium 106 (radioactive) discharge impacting Europe and the risks run by those close to the discharge location, but in vain. They underlined the importance of looking for the source of the discharge. If the installation is unaware then they can’t put in place protective measures; if it is a cover-up, that’s an even bigger problem, as they point out. The 300 Terabecquerels estimated…

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November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Russia: “Left To Die As Guinea Pigs” – Tatar Village Struggles On, 60 Years After Nuclear Catastrophe

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“People don’t know what to eat and how to survive,’ Ismagilova says. ‘They have been left here to die as guinea pigs… In 1957, the village had about 4,000 residents; in 2010, just 423. The village had two distinct parts: a mostly Tatar part, which was not evacuated, and a mostly Russian part, which was. Some locals say they were used in an experiment on the effects of radiation. The village has eight cemeteries. Seven of them are a resting place for residents who died of cancer. Children here are often born with cancer and die before reaching adulthood.” (RFERL, 28 Sept. 2017)

2000 pregnant women were cleanup workers after the 1957 Mayak disaster. Were they ethnic Tatars?

The original article has photos, but it is easier to read first without the photos.
From RFERL: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nuclear-mayak/28755780.html
“Left To Die As Guinea Pigs’: Tatar Village Struggles…

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November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“I WANT YOU TO PAY” SAYS JOHN WOODCOCK MP —

John Woodcock MP has announced that he wants the public to pay for a new cancer factory in Cumbria. The money to pay for new reactors on greenfields (being called Moorside) near Sellafield ‘should come out of the public purse’ he says. As the situation stands with China and South Korea in the running for […]

via “I WANT YOU TO PAY” SAYS JOHN WOODCOCK MP —

November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

US Atomic Veterans Who Helped Out During Fukushima – Lawsuit Against TEPCO For Radiation Exposure (USS Ronald Reagan)

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“On the afternoon of March 12, the day following the earthquake, Plaintiffs arrived off the coasts of Fukushima Prefecture aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan and other vessels to provide humanitarian aid. Plaintiffs allege that TEPCO promulgated false information regarding the extent of the damage to the FNPP, misleading the public, Japanese officials, and the U.S. military. They allege that TEPCO’s management publicly announced that there was no danger to those participating in Operation Tomodachi, despite knowing that there was a risk of radiation exposure. Plaintiffs claim that they and U.S. military officials were unaware of the extent of the radiation leak and that they would not have been deployed as close to the FNPP had TEPCO been forthcoming about the damage. They further allege that the U.S. military would not ordinarily discover such radiation absent sufficient warning. On March 14, two days after their arrival, Plaintiffs allege…

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Clean Energy for EU Islands

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Link: http://youtu.be/h0ycAyFOCeQ

“There are more than 2200 inhabited islands in the EU. Despite having access to renewable sources of energy, such as wind and wave energy, many of them depend on expensive fossil fuel imports for their energy supply. As part of the ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ [1] package, the EU’s Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative provides a long term framework to help islands generate their own sustainable, low-cost energy. This will result in:
* Reduced energy costs and greatly increased production of renewable energy and the construction of energy storage facilities and demand response systems, using the latest technologies
* better energy security for islands, which will be less reliant on imports
* improved air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and less impact on islands’ natural environments
* the creation of new jobs and business opportunities, boosting islands’ economic self-sufficiency.
The Clean Energy for EU Islands…

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European Union Energy Day 16th November: Clean Energy Solutions for Decarbonisation, Economic Growth and Jobs

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“European Union Energy Day. 
Clean energy solutions for decarbonisation, economic growth and jobs 
The next EU Energy Day will take place as part of the COP 23 UN Climate Change Conference.

It will bring together energy policy-makers and industry representatives to discuss the economic aspects of the clean energy transition.

 Panel discussions will also focus on the new Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative and on ongoing collaboration between the EU and Africa in sustainable energy investment, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU Covenant of Mayors and the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions will be signed.

Date – Thursday November 16th, 2017
 Venue – Kunstmuseum, Bonn“http://www.euenergyday.eu/bonn2017/

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events/cop23
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events/clean-energy-all-european-islands-inaugural-forum
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/news/commission-proposes-new-rules-consumer-centred-clean-energy-transition
http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/index_en.html
http://alliance.solarimpulse.com/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/solar-energy-greece-debt-rhodes-renewables/blog/55692/

Greenpeace Solar for Greece

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November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

November 12 Energy News

geoharvey's avatargeoharvey

Opinion:

¶ “Letter from Bonn: Pollution Killing More Indians Than Wars, Govt Must Understand Urgency of Now” • India loses more people to pollution than it would possibly to a war. Yet, successive governments resort to ad hoc measures, lacking implementation of a long term strategy to ensure clean air to people and address their right to life. [News18]

Schoolboy with his face covered by a handkerchief

¶ “COP 23: Bill McKibben says the drive for 100% renewables is too slow. Time to accelerate!” • It may be possible for the world to reach 100% renewable energy by 2050, or sooner. But Bill McKibben said preventing absolute catastrophe requires action on emissions far faster than what market conditions alone would produce. [Red, Green, and Blue]

¶ “Hurricane Maria has made Puerto Rico the land of opportunity for solar power” • Seven weeks after hurricane Maria, the traffic lights…

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A day out by the pond in Fukushima at 2.14 mcSv/h #safecast #unscear #criirad

Measurement date November 10, 2017 ③ Namie-cho, Futaba-gun, Fukushima-ken

source https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4moVqyL6jWrFrCHl2LqKg

Measurement point
Fukushima Prefecture Futaba-gun Namie Town Onohono
https://goo.gl/maps/4bUivbUYhm12

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Nuclear subs for sale to keep you safe and secure, come all buyers!!

There is currently no explicit ban on the sale of naval propulsion reactors between the P5 nations and non-nuclear weapon states, but this has not been done so far. France is currently helping Brazil manufacture four Scorpene class conventional submarines under a 2009 contract. Interestingly, France’s Naval Group will also manufacture ‘non-nuclear portions’ (the reactor section), of Brazil’s first nuclear submarine.
Published November 12, 2017

Why Admiral Sunil Lanba’s visit to a French nuclear shipyard is significant
On November 9, Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba visited Cherbourg and was given a detailed presentation on France’s new nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), the Barracuda class. The first of these six French SSNs is to join the French navy next year. Admiral Lanba’s visit to the French nuclear submarine builders at Cherbourg will be closely watched for several reasons. The government-owned Naval Group (earlier called DCNS) is France’s largest warship manufacturer. It is also building six Scorpenes for the Indian navy at the Mazagon Docks Ltd Mumbai under a 2005 contract and is also in the reckoning for the Project 75I submarine building project.
The navy chief’s visit comes at a time when India is on the cusp of an unprecedented expansion of its undersea fleet. It is looking to build three types of submarines, one conventional and two nuclear, in three separate projects. These projects, roughly worth more than $28 billion dollars, are spread over the next decade. A yet-to-be decided tie up of a foreign shipyard and Indian private sector company is to build six Project 75I conventional diesel-electric submarines for the navy at a $8 billion pricetag.
The classified Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project steered by the DRDO, navy and the BARC, is also designing six 6000-ton SSNs like the Barracuda class under a $18 billion project cleared in 2015. A new generation SSBN replacement for the Arihant class costing more than $1.5 billion, is also on the drawing board. The Barracuda, naval analysts say, holds out hope for the navy to integrate all three diverse projects for the SSK, SSN and SSBN. The reactor, in particular, could be a game-changer because the navy is believed to be looking for a new one to power both its SSNs and new generation SSBNs. India’s interest in the Barracuda dates back to 2007 when a delegation of senior Indian Navy personnel were briefed on the capabilities of the boat, then on the drawing board.
The Barracuda-class SSNs were meant to be a quantum jump in France’s nuclear submarine capabilities. They were designed for maximum operational availability — nearly 265 days of the year — and to undertake two distant patrols a year into the Indian Ocean, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. It was the closest then that the Indian navy had come to western nuclear naval reactor technology, particularly the use of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) in French naval propulsion reactors. Of the six nuclear submarine operating countries, only France and China use LEU in their naval propulsion reactors. India, like the US, UK and Russia, uses Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), enriched to a very high in their nuclear submarine reactors. Naval reactors are at the very heart of a nuclear submarine’s phenomenal capabilities.
The unlimited power from a nuclear reactor to run a submarine’s steam turbines which, in turn, runs the vesssel’s propellers, allows a submarine to carry out its operational tasks — that is attacking surface ships and land targets in the case of SSNs and SSGNs or lurking silently under the sea with a load of nuclear-tipped missiles like ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Miniaturising a nuclear powered reactor to fit within the confined space of a submarine is what makes nuclear submarine construction so challenging. And this is where France’s achievements in this field are commendable — its 2,400-ton Rubis class were the world’s smallest nuclear powered attack submarines when they were fielded in the early 1980s, compacting a reactor into a hull slightly larger than the Indian navy’s kilo class diesel-electric conventional submarines. India’s fleet of Arihant class SSBNs uses reactor technology of an earlier generation constrained by enrichment, fuelling and consequently, mission readiness of the platform. The Indian naval delegation were impressed by the Barracuda because they asked DCNS if France would be willing to help India with reactor technology.
The French response was not surprising — the issue would have to be considered at the political level. Back in India, the naval delegation prepared a classified report on the need for the navy to consider French LEU naval propulsion reactors. The report also emphasised the need to establish commonality between its nuclear and conventional submarine lines. This would not only reduce build-times but also standardise spare parts and maintenance for a diverse fleet. It is not known whether the government acted on these proposals. If it acted on establishing commonality among the various submarines, it would be in line with curent thinking both in the US and Russia. Russia’s “Project Husky” nuclear powered nuclear submarines are believed to be only around 6,000 tonnes, half the displacement of its Akula and Severodvinsk class SSNs, and reportedly form the basis for a new class of SSN, SSGN and SSBNs. The US Navy’s Virginia class SSNs can be converted into SSGNs and are also the basis for the new Columbia class SSBNs.
There is currently no explicit ban on the sale of naval propulsion reactors between the P5 nations and non-nuclear weapon states, but this has not been done so far. France is currently helping Brazil manufacture four Scorpene class conventional submarines under a 2009 contract. Interestingly, France’s Naval Group will also manufacture ‘non-nuclear portions’ (the reactor section), of Brazil’s first nuclear submarine. India, meanwhile, is faced with increasing undersea threats in the neighborhood: the routine deployments of Chinese submarines — both nuclear and conventional — in its backyard, the sale of eight Chinese Yuan-class submarines to Pakistan and the increasing frailty of India’s ageing submarine fleet. French assisstance in building both nuclear and conventional submarines would boost India’s strategic submarine programmes and, possibly, even become a talking point when PM Modi welcomes president Macron to New Delhi early next year.

idrw.org .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website http://idrw.org/why-admiral-sunil-lanbas-visit-to-a-french-nuclear-shipyard-is-significant/ .

November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Difficulties currently facing EDF and Areva, the French nuclear giants! “worrying in terms of safety”

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Heard by the Parliament this Wednesday, November 8, Pierre-Franck Chevet, president of ASN, said that “the economic and budgetary difficulties” of the French nuclear giants were “worrying in terms of safety”.

“The operating safety is at a globally satisfactory level,” said the president of the Nuclear Safety Authority, Pierre-Franck Chevet, to the members of the National Assembly’s Sustainable Development Commission, who were questioning him about the state of the French park.

“This does not mean that there are no anomalies that occur,” he said, noting that “three level 2 incidents have been recorded since the beginning of summer.”

 “We need nuclear power to preserve the climate”, says New Areva CEO

Pierre-Franck Chevet considers, however, that “the medium-term context is worrying”. He once again pointed out the economic and financial difficulties currently facing EDF and Areva, the French nuclear giants.

“I do not announce a risk in the short term, but in the long term it (this situation) does not bring positive things for the safety in the medium term. The situation is worrying and we must take care of it”.

Nuclear: “there are unprecedented safety issues and on the other side companies with economic difficulties” @decodeurseco pic.twitter.com/Z2VBsZsoh2
– BFM Business (@bfmbusiness) October 16, 2017

The industrial reorganizations and recapitalizations decided by the government are, according to the president of the nuclear gendarme, a response to this situation. “Now it has to come to an end and it’s paying off,” he says.

Source in French only- http://bfmbusiness.bfmtv.com/entreprise/les-difficultes-financieres-d-edf-et-areva-posent-un-probleme-de-surete-nucleaire-estime-l-asn-1298104.html

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Radioactive rice returns to the European menu (under 1250 bq/kg?)

The European Union has decided to lift import control on some agricultural produce and seafood from Japanese prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.

Currently, food products from 13 Japanese prefectures remain under control even after gradual easing by the EU. These products cannot enter EU nations without a radiation safety certificate to prove the product is within the EU safety standards.

Starting on December 1st, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will phase out the certificate on some products from 10 prefectures.

Those products include rice from Fukushima Prefecture, yellowtail fish, red sea bream, some mushrooms and mountain vegetables. All products from Akita Prefecture will have been cleared.

No restriction on Fukushima rice will mean that rice from other prefectures will no longer need a certificate. Observers say this would encourage rice farmers across the nation to export more.

The Japanese government has been asking the EU to lift restrictions on all the remaining controlled products.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171112_06/

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High voltage power lines in Europe and recent radioactive particles causing cancer?

“We do not believe that ions are dangerous – the danger comes from the pollutants. The ions merely assist the particles to stick to the lungs. If there are no dangerous particles in the air to attach to the ions, there is no risk of ill health.” Source 2015 Charged particle concentrations near busy roads can exceed that under power lines.

 

Posted by Shaun McGee

Posted to nuclear-news.net

Nuclear-news just published two stories to note that go with the above link to the Charged particle paper and article.

The first is the new findings from Prof. Chris Busby and the second is the report of a plume of Ruthenium 106 Beta particles in the air throughout Europe. Why is it that no actual plume chart videos were released to explain the way that the plume got to Europe from the Urals region? (NILU and other organisations have the software to do this. It would have decreased the speculation that always arises from these cases).

So, the findings from Chris Busbys recent interview on Libbe Halevy`s Nuclear Hotseat Podcast show, that Beta type nano sized particles would collect around high power voltage lines and contaminate the air around them at a higher density than is being reported.

It does give one some “food for thought” that for the last month that at least some people may have been more at risk than the nuclear industry itself was aware. The fact that the Paper that Prof Busby refers to is still not published at a time when it would be topical and relevant is a shame but at least in some quarters of the anti nuclear activist campaign are discussing the issue.

Criirad, an independent French scientific NGO has been monitoring the situation as best as it was able and managed to garner some relevant facts and make some points on concerns of the health of people near the main accident site.

The problem could be caused by anything from forest fires, as happens in the contaminated forests of Chernobyl frequently, to accidents, purposely dumped waste, fuel fabrication, medical reactors etc. We have not been told what other isotopes were present (if any) and any actual measurements. So much for transparency!

Try to get the word out to friends and family. Both these accidental and purposeful releases are constant and travel far (even upwind it would appear). As it happens I checked the Jet stream at the time and realised that there was a break in it in parts of Europe and heading to the far east, so it is plausible that the plume moved against the prevailing winds;

Screenshot from 2017-11-12 15:10:07

Source for map; http://virga.sfsu.edu/archive/jetstream/jetstream_norhem/1710/

Note; It is very useful for the nuclear industry, supported by the IAEA to release details of these pollution incidents up to some months after the fact. IRSN, Bellona and CRIIRAD are three organisations that are left to find and report on these situations. So, lets give them some support so they can pay to access NILU data etc for more comprehensive reporting of the incidents. Regards Shaun aka arclight2011

 

November 12, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Scientific Reticence with James Hansen

This video is about Scientific Reticence is putting humanity at risk – with James Hansen

Nick Breeze  Published on 12 Nov 2017

Point to note  https://nuclear-news.net/2017/10/04/james-hansen-great-on-climate-change-wrong-on-generation-iv-nuclear-reactors/

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