The merging of climate and nuclear news this week

News media seem rivetted on Hurricane Florence now affecting USA’s Carolina states.  Meanwhile there’s much less coverage of the much greater Typhoon Mangkhut afflicting the Marshall Islands, Guam, and soon the Philippines and Chinese coast.

Hurricane Florence, though now downgraded to Category 1, still threatens at least 9 nuclear waste sites and at least 12 operating nuclear reactors.

The Marshall Islands, already having radioactive leaks, are even more threatened, with the nuclear waste tomb located there.

Crisis of heat across the planet.   Scientists are now establishing the links between climate change and these extreme events.

‘Hothouse Earth’ could become irreversible. U.N.Secretary General- world is at a defining moment for action on climate change. Bangkok climate talks a ‘limited’ success. Next international climate meeting in Poland in December.

Nuclear power uneconomic, investments driven by needs of nuclear weapons industry. Now even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports a dim view of nuclear energy’s future.

Radiation the biggest of many hazards to space flight to Mars.

USA.

• Hurricane Florence the biggest challenge yet to North Carolina’s Brunswick nuclear power station. Brunswick Nuclear Power Station’s “Cliff Edge” Barriers Appear To Fall Almost 8 Feet Short Of Required Storm Surge Protection Level. North Carolina nuclear stations- danger of spent nuclear fuel over-heating , in the event of an accident.  Nuclear authorities make reassuring noises about Hurricane Florence, and don’t mention radioactive waste dumps.
•  Wildfire burns at Hanford nuclear reservation.
• More $millions for nuclear weapons in US spending bill. American politicians pushing to have tax-payers fund new nuclear. New sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies, over North Korea nuclear program.  U.S. Navy Conducts Military Exercises in Gulf Amid Iran Tension.
• JEA and the city of Jacksonville sue to get out of Georgia nuclear contract. New Jersey’s nuclear subsidy means a loss to electricity consumers.
•  Exhuming nuclear trash in Idaho. Critics becoming more concerned about safety issues in Texas nuclear waste storage plan.

UK.

• Julian Assange‘s future safety hangs in the balance.  Prof. Chris Busby`s home has been raided by … everyone. European Court of Human Rights finds UK’s bulk surveillance powers to be illegal.
• Under cover of darkness, EDF dumps 2,000 tons of ‘nuclear mud’ near Cardiff. Legal challenge to Hinkley nuclear mud dumping off Cardiff. Hinkley nuclear deal with union – work will continue in the event of a worker death accident.   Hinkley Point C and Sea-Level Rise .
• UK government rejects the call to guarantee funding for Moorside nuclear power project. Cumbria business chief in a stew over possible abandonment of £15bn Moorside nuclear project.  UK’s Moorside nuclear power project now teeters on the edge of collapse. UK consumers could pay for new nuclear power plants years before they are built.
• UK’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is NOT backing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
• From 1948-till now -UK’s Springfield nuclear plant’s radioactive discharge continues into River Ribble UK’s nuclear wastes- the clean-up will be a bonanza for nuclear companies. UK’s House of Lords show complete contempt for even thinking about, or discussing nuclear waste problem.

JAPAN. The Fukushima nuclear crisis: How communities, doctors, media, and government have responded. Informal Labour, Local Citizens and the Tokyo Electric Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Crisis.

FRANCE. France’s aging nuclear reactors. State owned corporation EDF plans to keep them going, despite France’s phaseout policy. French government to scrutinise nuclear costs: current European pressurized reactor (EPR) project not economic. Despite glut of uranium fuel AREVA – now called Orano, to start a huge new uranium conversion plant.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea now emphasising economic development, not nuclear might.

IRAN.  Iran honored its nuclear deal. But Trump’s sanctions could plunge the region into conflict

September 15, 2018 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes