nuclear-news

Nuclear news – in the lead-up to Cop26

Miles too long this week. But, in the lead-up to Cop26 I think it’s important to note climate policies , and to recognise the movements towards energy conservation and genuinely clean energy.    The nuclear spotlight is on Britain this week, with much brouhaha about small nuclear reactors, (though they’re not actually small, and not much government investment is actually going in to them, – nor are they attracting private investors)

Pandemic news  around the world.

The climate  disaster is here.  Earth is already becoming unlivable. Will governments act to stop this disaster from getting worse? The Kids Are Not Alright.

It’s hard to find ”good” news, but a lot of good work is being done, in climate activism. And also in genuinely clean energy. seehttps://reneweconomy.com.au/

INTERNATIONAL

Impact of the pandemic – women, and people of colour now losing their jobs in the area of Nuclear Policy .

UK High Court Should Deny Extradition Because CIA Planned to Assassinate Assange. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Assange

There are no real climate leaders yet – who will step up at Cop26? – Greta Thunberg. Cop26: ‘World conflict and chaos’ could be the result of a summit failure. ICLEI launches its 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Energy Compact.

Renewable not radioactive – Joint organizational statement prior to the COP26 Climate Summit. Nuclear power has no place in a green energy future-because of – time delay, success of renewables, huge costs, dangers, weapons connection, and wastes.

Nuclear power has no place in a healthy, sustainable future- IPPNW. Research shows that a rapid truly green energy transformation will quickly achieve a near-net-zero emissions energy system. Insurance industry not convinced that nuclear power is ”green”, and is wary of nuclear as an investment risk.

James Hansen says nuclear power is answer to climate. Is he right?  

Simulated space radiation causes ill effects on central nervous system of male mice. More evidence that space radiation may be harmful to the male brain.

OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the North-East Atlantic discreetly postpones its commitment to reduce radioactive discharges at sea .

EUROPE. European states disagree on nuclear power – Eastern states pro nuclear, Western against it, (except for France) . The nuclear industry might get taxpayers money by calling itself ”amber”, if it’s too hard to appear ”green”.

FRANCE. France’s Global Chance association recommends renewable energies, see nuclear power as unsustainable. The RTE (Electricity Transport Network) Energy Futures 2050 study shows that $100 renewables is feasible. l’association négaWatt reports on planned closure of nuclear reactors, and carbon neutrality to be achieved by reducing energy consumption and by renewables. 

 France may have hidden agenda in promoting small nuclear reactors.

France: public inquiry into disposal of nuclear waste. Close security on village where France’s nuclear waste inquiry commission works.

JAPAN. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirms release of Fukushima wastewater to start in 2023. Backlash against Japanese Prime Minister’s haste to dump Fukushima nuclear water into the ocean, Japan’s Carbon Goal Is Based on Restarting 30 Nuclear Reactors   . China and 8 Asia-Pacific island countries raise joint objection against Fukushima wastewater disposal. Recently restarted – Fukui nuclear unit halted for a year on safety issues.

UKRAINE. COVID Restrictions Deny Southern Belarus Children Rare Escape From Chernobyl Radiation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tVSgBEYtzU

 UK.

Climate

• UK’s ”Net Zero” climate strategy fails to give concrete commits to reduce energy use, promote renewables. If nuclear is at the heart of our trip to net-zero, then it is a rotten heart. Nuclear industry ecstatic about costly UK’s nuclear policy, but in reality it is a low priority for the government.  The very great risk that sea level rise poses to UK’s nuclear reactors.   
• Mini nuclear reactors claim to be the cheap, effective, action for reaching net zero carbon emissions: UK and others are buying this! UK govt teams up with Bill Gates – (coyly – no public mention of nuclear). The value of energy efficiency in UK’s emissions reduction programme. UK’s ”low carbon” strategy relies too much on unproven technologies – what we need is energy conservation. West Lothian halving its carbon emissions through energy conservation and renewables. ALL UK energy can be obtained from renewables – Prof Mark Barrett. 
• Sizewell project.Large windfarm development off the coast of Suffolk. Sizewell C nuclear project going nowhere, and would be obsolete if it were ever built. Stop Sizewell C anti nuclear campaigners taking their fight to London, and the UK government . Suffolk Wildlife Trust and RSPB not impressed by EDF’s bribes for environment . 
• ”Mini” reactors. British government’s enthusiasm for mini nuclear reactors, led by Rolls Royce and 8 other organisations. Rolls Royce ”small’‘ nuclear reactors – not really small, not useful against climate change, but useful for military purposes.  Rolls Royce being urged to do nuclear testing in UK, not in Italy.  
• Campaign to get NatWest bank to stop investing in nuclear weapons.
• Growing movement to stop the dumping of radioactive wastes into the Severn Estuary. 
• Jellyfish causing a Scottish nuclear power station to close down its reactors. 
•  Clyde nuclear base emergency staff to strike from tomorrow ov er safety fears.

INDIA. Tamil Nadu leaders call for a nuclear-free zone, and stopping of development of Kudankulam project .

PAKISTAN. Why the U.S. let Pakistan nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan off the hook .

USA. 

• U.S. House Intelligence Committee investigating CIA plot to kill or kidnap Julian Assange. 
•  War fears soar as NASA claims it needs nuclear rockets to rival China in space. The U.S. doesn’t need more nuclear weapons to counter China’s new missile silos. Diverse American groups file a lawsuit against DOE opposing production of plutonium pits. 
•   From Nuclear Regulatory Commission to nuclear energy company – another example of the revolving door. $50 billion can be better spent than on nuclear power . 
•  Ho hum – Georgia Power’s Vogtle nuclear project has new problems, new costs, is delayed again
• Couple Indicted for Trying to Sell Nuclear Secrets to Foreign Country The FBI is still looking for a trove of nuclear submarine secrets in an espionage case. 
• Members of US congressional oversight committee press the Biden administration on the Marshall Islands’ legacy of nuclear waste contamination.

CHINA. China did not test hypersonic nuclear missile, foreign ministry says. China backs ‘no first use’ nuclear policy, calls on nations to cut warhead stockpile.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea’s ongoing nuclear missile tests prove it’s time to normalize relations.

SPAIN. Spain is turning rapidly away from coal and nuclear, going for renewable energy.

GREENLAND. Greenland to reinstate its ban on uranium mining.

AFRICA. Nuclear disarmament: how Africa can play a role in securing a nuclear weapons free world.

SWEDEN. Swedish authorities delay permission for nuclear waste dump operation, due to concerns over corrosion of copper in containers.  

AUSTRALIA. Nuclear power? It’s of zero use to Australia’s emissions plan. Concern in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN ) about Australia’s nuclear submarines. Coalition avoids meltdown over emissions target – but at what price? National Party did a secret climate deal with Morrison, but nuclear power was not included.

October 25, 2021 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes