nuclear-news

This week’s nuclear and climate news

Can’t keep up with the pandemic news – I hope you can.

One thing, though. Beyond Nuclear has pointed out the significance of the floods in Midland, Michigan, where they do have one nuclear research reactor, but fortunately no commercial ones.  They warn on ” the almost impossible challenge of evacuating people to safety during simultaneous catastrophic events.” The floods bring together the climate, pandemic, and nuclear dangers all in one area.

Public attention is not on this one. BUT, the 2020 Review Conference of a landmark international treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), is due soon, though postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is also at risk.  It’s under the radar, while everyone worries about COVID-19 and climate, – but the danger of nuclear weapons use is escalating, as Donald Trump unravels the treaty system that is aimed at preventing nuclear war.  He also wants USA to hugely increase its nuclear weaponry.

Some bits of good news – Maasai Nature Conservancy Asks For Help To Fight Pandemic—And 100,000 People Answer.  World’s Most Endangered Primate Population Triples After 17 Years of Careful Conservation

A moment of reckoning – when coronavirus meets climate change.  Coronavirus: How to prevent a new nuclear arms race – and future pandemics.

Australia, and other countries – deaths from global heatinge are being underestimated

The danger to children of low level nuclear radiation has been underestimated.

The international nuclear weapons race.  Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at risk, due to Donald Trump’s accusations ?

ANTARCTIC. Antarctic krill threatened by warming waters – climate change’s danger to the marine ecosystem.

UK. Ministry of Defence’s poor management of contracts for nuclear infrastructure projects. Sellafield’s safety dilemma– risk of coronavirus versus risk of nuclear accident.   Britain will have to decide whether it wants nuclear power stations funded — and powered — by China. Doubts on the funding of Britain’s £18bn Sizewell nuclear plan.  Move to prevent dumping of Hinkley radioactive mud on the South Wales coast.  Shinfield residents urged to look out for update from nuclear weapons facility.

JAPAN.  Time that Japan faced up to the folly of its nuclear fuel cycle dream.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong-un Moves to Increase North Korea’s Nuclear Strength.

USA.

• USA’s Plan to spend Russia and China ‘into oblivion’ in arms race will bankrupt only America. Trump Administration Weighs First Nuclear Test in Decades.  USA wants thousands of Hypersonic Missiles, using artificial intelligence. USA’s F-35’s Nuclear Weapons Upgrade Delayed as Program Costs Top $1.6 Trillion. Coronavirus likely to put a dint in USA’s nuclear weapons spending.
• U.S. Unprepared for Nuclear Accident During Pandemic.
• The flooding danger to nuclear radioactive sites –Michigan dams fail.
• More about dirty nuclear tricks in Ohio.
• President Donald Trump and his administration have no plans to use Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository.
• COVID-19 in worker at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant.
• Over 120 local and national organizations urge U.S. Congress to help nuclear frontline communities.  Coalition pursues extra $7.25B for DOE nuclear cleanup, job creation.
• Removal of Fort Belvoir’s SM-1 nuclear reactor to proceed after Army finalizes environmental assessment.
• US Congressman Engel Suggests Saudi Arms Sales Behind Firing of State Dept. Watchdog .

EUROPE. A mistaken idea, to put U.S. nuclear weapons in Poland.

INDIA. Climate: Cyclone Amphan disaster in India, Bangladesh.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s push for nuclear power – a nuclear weapons danger.

CANADA. Bruce Power and the Ontario Government ordered come clean on the cost of nuclear power.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea risk of power disruption, as nuclear spent fuel builds up, with storage shortage.

NORWAY.  Dismantling of Norway’s nuclear research reactors – up to 25 years, about $billion

AUSTRALIA. Misleading and inaccurate information provided by authorities on National Radioactive Waste Management. Australian Law on radioactive waste to be changed in order to prevent any judicial review!.

May 25, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes