TEAGS 11th Jan 2019 Locals and campaigners create ‘Sizewell Hero’ – a tribute to the film
‘Local Hero’ – to launch a new online campaign, urging EDF to change
its approach. Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell [TEAGS]
today launched a new video and online campaign.
Made by local people, it is aimed at increasing awareness and concern about the impacts of the proposed Sizewell C&D nuclear power station to audiences beyond east Suffolk. EDF
launched its Stage 3 consultations on the twin-reactor development last
week. ‘Sizewell Hero, hosted on YouTube and Facebook, is a three-minute
homage to the award-winning 1980s film ‘Local Hero’, and shows a
company executive transformed and inspired by the beauty of Minsmere and
the coast at Sizewell to think again about the company’s plans.
The video is entirely a local initiative, starring Middleton actor Simon Bridge and
featuring other residents from Theberton and Middleton. The film was shot
and produced by Steve Sutton and crew from UK Aerial Photography Ltd, based
in Peasenhall. Permission to use the famous ‘Local Hero’ theme music
was kindly granted by Mark Knopfler’s management, Crockford Management
and the project was made possible by a grant from Lush Charity Pot. Stills
and ‘making of’ photos are available. https://teags.org/sizewell-hero-video-and-online-campaign-launched/
How Dangerous is Nuclear Power and How Bad is Its Regulation? (2019)
Former NRC chairman remains clearly opposed to nuclear energy, Las Vegas Sun, 9 Jan 19, “……… former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko is going on the offensive to explain why nuclear energy is nowhere near a perfect solution to the climate crisis.
In a new book, Jaczko reiterates his longstanding criticism of the nuclear industry and his opposition to development of traditional nuclear power plants, which he says are unsafe despite technological improvements designed to make them safer.
Exhibit No. 1 in Jaczko’s argument is the Fukushima disaster. …, he contends that the catastrophe at Fukushima wiped out environmental gains that Japan made by burning less fossil fuels
…….Meanwhile, he says, the cost of generating electricity through natural gas and renewables is lower in most parts of the country than nuclear generation
……“So to me, the idea that somehow we’re going to preserve these reactors and that’s a climate solution is just wrong,” he said.
Then, of course, there’s the issue with nuclear waste ………
Jaczko’s bottom-line assessment is that despite decades of development, nuclear energy remains too hazardous and costly to be a viable source of power.
“There’s going to be an accident,” he said. “The only question is when and where.”
It’s a compelling argument, and anyone who may be warming to nuclear energy in the fight to reverse climate change should examine it. The book, “
State opposes federal plan to reclassify Hanford nuclear waste, KATU 2, by NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS , Associated Press, January 9th 2019
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state of Washington said Tuesday it opposes a federal proposal to reclassify as less dangerous some radioactive waste on a site in the state that contains the nation’s largest supply because it fears much of the waste will be left in the ground.
The state this week filed its objections to a Trump administration plan to reclassify millions of gallons of waste stored in underground tanks at Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The objections were accompanied by a letter from Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking to reclassify a large percentage of the waste as lower-level waste. That would allow treatment and disposal options that would not guarantee long-term protections.
“This dangerous idea will only serve to silence the voices of tribal leaders, Hanford workers, public safety officials, and surrounding communities in these important conversations,” said Inslee, a Democrat who is considering running for president in 2020. “This is unacceptable, and we will not stand by while this administration plans to abandon its responsibility to clean up their mess.” ……https://katu.com/news/local/state-opposes-federal-plan-to-reclassify-hanford-nuclear-waste
The National 8th Jan 2019,ANTI-nuclear campaigners will brief MSPs tomorrow on their concerns about the safety of two reactors at the Hunterston B nuclear power plant in North
Ayrshire. Reactors 3 and 4 have been offline since March and October
respectively after cracks were found during a routine inspection. Operators
EDF hope to gain approval for their re-opening in the spring.
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) will give the Scottish Parliament briefing,
which will be chaired by Green MSP Ross Greer. He said: “Long-running
safety and job concerns from the community around Hunterston have increased
significantly.” https://www.thenational.scot/news/17341200.msps-to-meet-anti-nuclear-campaigners/
Local nuke group going to regulatory meeting https://www.recorder.com/Group-to-attend-NRC-meeting-on-casks-22611857Brattleboro, Vt.-based New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution will participate in this week’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission enforcement conference on design failures in radioactive-waste storage containers like those at Vermont Yankee and several other nuclear plants. Wednesday’s conference at the federal regulator’s Bethesda, Md. headquarters follows its complaint against Holtec International for its adopted design of steel and concrete spent-fuel casks without federal approval.
NRC officials say the company made changes after discovering a loose “bolt” last March at the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California. The small threaded posts connect to the bottom of shims in the canister of the cask to create space between multiple aluminum shims and the bottom of the canister to keep the basket stabilized in each of the casks.
The nuclear watchdog group’s technical adviser, Raymond Shadis, along with and board member Clay Turnbull, plan to monitor and offer comments on the canisters.
The coalition twice intervened before Vermont’s public utilities commission on using the Holtec steel canister-in-a-concrete-cask design at the Vernon plant, where 58 spent-fuel casks are now in place awaiting eventual transfer to a federal repository. It says its involvement helped result in more frequent radiation and temperature reporting, more conservative cask spacing, a protective line-of-site barrier wall and prohibition of using corrosive de-icing salts.
The coalition, which has repeatedly advocated for partially buried cask or earthen berm protection for the shuttered Vermont plant’s spent fuel, also commented on a previous Holtec design change, which it says resulted in a more in-depth NRC staff safety analysis.
NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said Holtec altered the cask design without a written evaluation, violating federal safety regulations.
Four arrests at Pentagon during Holy Innocents witness The Nuclear Resister – Nonviolent Resistance for a Peaceful and Nuclear-Free Future December 28, 2018 from Art Laffin, Dorothy Day Catholic WorkerFrom December 27-28, about 20 members from the Atlantic and Southern Life communities, and other peacemaking friends, gathered for a retreat at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church in Washington, D.C., and a nonviolent witness at the Pentagon to commemorate the Massacre of the Holy Innocents – past and present. ……..
Braving a heavy steady rain, the community gathered early the next morning at the Pentagon’s southeast entrance with signs and banners. ……… A litany was offered (see below) interspersed with the refrain: “War Hurts Children—Help Us End War.” And a prayer and blessing was given by Janice, one of the four about to risk arrest.
Carrying copies of the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” with the intention of delivering it to a Pentagon official and requesting that the U.S. ratify it, four members of the community made their way to the police check point closest to the building where they encountered Pentagon police. They were told by the officers that they must leave or face arrest. While the first several paragraphs of the Treaty were read, a Pentagon worker passed by and said “Thank you for keeping us honest.” After arrest warnings were given they were placed under arrest. As the four were being escorted to police vehicles, the rest of the community, from a distance sang “The Cry of Ramah!” The witness concluded with everyone singing “Vine and Fig Tree” as the community processed down the escalator and into the Pentagon metro station lobby…….
The four who were arrested were taken to the Pentagon Police center where they were processed and charged with “Disobeying A Lawful Order.” All were released and given a March 21 court date at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. However, the group will request a new court date as several people will not be able to make the assigned court appearance.
Since 1980, the Nuclear Resister has provided comprehensive reporting on arrests for anti-nuclear civil resistance in the United States, with an emphasis on providing support for the women and men jailed for these actions. In 1990, we expanded our work to include reporting on anti-war arrests in North America, plus overseas anti-nuclear and anti-war resistance with the same emphasis on prisoner support.
Through the publication of a newsletter every three months, and other education and outreach, the Nuclear Resister serves to network this nonviolent resistance movement while acting as a clearinghouse for information about contemporary nonviolent resistance to war and the nuclear threat. We believe that in any significant movement for social change, many committed individuals are imprisoned. Behind bars, they are physically isolated from their supporters and their own resistance activity is limited. Broader awareness of their actions and support for the imprisoned activist are essential to the movement for a peaceful, nuclear-free future.
The Nuclear Resister provides the names and jail addresses of currently imprisoned anti-nuclear and anti-war activists. People are encouraged to provide active support by writing letters to those behind bars and in other ways requested by the prisoners.
Since 1980, Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa have been co-coordinators of the Nuclear Resister and co-editors of the newsletter. Hundreds of people have helped over the years by distributing newsletters, helping staff a Nuclear Resister booth at various events, doing artwork and writing articles for the newsletter, helping at mailing parties, providing information about actions and legal updates, sending photos, helping with the website and blog, and writing letters of support to imprisoned activists. http://www.nukeresister.org/about-us/
Connecticut commits to nuclear power, ending debate over Millstone’s future, By STEPHEN SINGER, HARTFORD COURANT| DEC 28, 2018 “……….The state’s portfolio of energy used by utilities and sold to consumers and businesses will include power from Millstone and the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant in New Hampshire……….
Local suspicions over Changsha plant heightened by failure to officially announce the plans until one day before public consultation process was due to end, SCMP, Mandy Zuo, 28 Dec 18, Dozens of residents in a city in central China have staged a protest over plans to build a nuclear research institute near their homes.
The protesters fear that radioactive materials used at the planned facility in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, will pose a health risk.
The institute behind the project did not officially release their plans on Tuesday – after work had began on the site and one day before the public consultation period was supposed to end.
An environmental impact assessment into the project said No 230 Research Institute, a branch of the China National Nuclear Corporation, had acquired a space of over 20,000 square metres near a densely populated area to expand its offices and laboratories at the site, which will be dedicated to the geological exploration of uranium.
Although the facility is not intended to handle refined uranium, and scientists say that unprocessed material does not emit harmful levels of radiation, residents have expressed concerns about the possible health risks and have called for building work to be halted.
Their concerns were heightened by the failure to carry out an assessment of the radiological hazards and the decision to announce the plans a day before the consultation period was due to end.
Wu Xiaosha, one of the protesters, said people were also angry that the project is already being built without approval.
“The environmental impact assessment report lied about the population in the area – it said there are only 40,000 people in the area, but actually it’s nearly 250,000,” said Wu.
Yang Wenqiang, an official from the Changsha Urban Rural Planning Bureau, refused to comment on the matter, saying the government was holding an emergency meeting and would release a statement later……
Environmental concerns have fuelled a growing number of protests in China in recent years as public awareness of the possible health risks increases.
Le Quotidien 20th Dec 2018 In a letter addressed to the highest authorities of the French state,
associations denounce the massive purchase of land by EDF around nuclear
power plants, including that of Cattenom. They suspect the company of
planning the construction of EPR and call for the respect of the right of
neighboring countries, including Luxembourg, to live in a preserved
environment.
Following the acquisition by EDF of agricultural land around
nuclear sites, including Cattenom, defense associations are concerned about
the vagueness of these purchases and the uncertainties that weigh on their
future use. The Daily publishes below all of their letter addressed to the
President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Ecological
Transition and local elected representatives: “No to the extension of
nuclear, yes to the protection of agricultural land http://www.lequotidien.lu/grande-region/extension-de-cattenom-vers-la-construction-dun-epr/
Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell 16th Nov 2018 Did you know that EDF wants to build two new reactors on the Suffolk coast, next to the internationally-famous RSPB Minsmere wildlife reserve and AONB?
It is to be a twin of EDF’s new Hinkley Point plant – so what is actually coming for Sizewell? Watch, share and sign up to receive our updates, and get ready to help us hold EDF to account in caring for this special place when they share their new proposals in January.
Grateful thanks to Lush Charity Pot for their support which made this video possible, and a huge shout out to UK Aerial Photography for all the Suffolk drone photography and editing the video. https://www.facebook.com/teags.org/videos/194650268134653/
Anti-nuclear power plant activists turn to Turkey’s highest court , Ahval, Ezgi Karataş
Nov 17 2018
Turkish environmentalists are deeply concerned about the ongoing construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant and plan to bring their case to Turkey’s highest court.
In the past year, environmental groups have brought up many legal cases against the plant, which is being built in Akkuyu, near Mersin, on the Mediterranean coast. Scientists have argued that the plant will adversely impact the regional ecology and economy, undermining the livelihoods of people who rely on the marine ecosystem and tourism.
Last month, an appeals court upheld a local court’s decision to accept the Turkish government’s environmental impact assessment, even though several news reportssaid some scientists’ signatures on the report were forged.Following the appeals court’s decision, environmentalists say they plan to petition the Constitutional Court. Sevim Küçük, a lawyer and vocal member of the Mersin Anti-Nuclear Platform, believes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan influenced the appeals court’s decision.
“The president issued instructions to speed up the work one day before the hearing at the appeals court,” she said. “The judiciary was pressured by the executive. As a result, we were not expecting a just decision.”
Küçük says their appeal to the Constitutional Court does not automatically indicate a motion to stay. Plant construction, which began in April 2018 with a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan via video conference, is expected to continue during the proceedings. “Lower courts did not issue a motion to stay either, so the construction was continuing during all our legal battles as well,” says Küçük.
Küçük says that government assessment is out of line with scientific evidence and based on falsified expert reports. She believes the report was copy-pasted from falsified expert reports, and that the court, in its decision, copy-pasted the same reports as well.
A key concern of the environmental group is the storage of nuclear waste, which the assessment does not adequately address. “While Europe, Japan, America are trying to close down their nuclear power plants, why is our government so determined to build one?” asks Küçük. “As locals we are worried that the plant will store its nuclear waste in our neighbourhoods.”
Dr. Ful Uğurhan, another member of the anti-nuclear group, says that
The location of Akkuyu is not suited to build a nuclear power plant, argues Ful Uğurhan, another member of the anti-nuclear group. Uğurhan says that the seawater temperatures in Akkuyu are high, which not only means spending more energy to cool down the reactors, but the process will further increase the seawater temperatures and upset the ecological balance.
An active geological fault line near Akkuyu means additional risk.
“Considering the effects of global climate change, it’s not safe to build a nuclear power plant anywhere,” says Uğurhan. “Storms, earthquakes, tsunamis all increase the risk involved in building a nuclear power plant, instead of ecologically safe electricity production plants.” ………https://ahvalnews.com/akkuyu/anti-nuclear-power-plant-activists-turn-turkeys-highest-court
A 39-year-old man expressed regret over the test during a visit with his baby to the Peace Memorial Park in the city of Hiroshima, which was hit by a US atomic bombing in 1945.
He said it’s regrettable that the United States conducted the test, which no one wanted, despite people’s hope for peace.
He said for the sake of children, he does not want nuclear weapons to exist in the future.
A 52-year-old woman in the city said the administration of President Donald Trump is not moving in the right direction, while provoking the world to divide.
She said she hopes the Japanese government will have its own views, without following the US administration.
Shigemitsu Tanaka, the head of the atomic bomb survivors’ organization in Nagasaki, also criticized the subcritical test.
He said it was a move against the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was adopted last year, and the test is unforgivable.
He said he hopes the US will lead efforts to eliminate nuclear arms as the only country to have used nuclear weapons and will call on other nations to abolish them.
Utilities just voted to continue Vogtle reactor construction; residents want cleanup, By Jeremy Deaton, Nexus Media
You could be forgiven for taking a Geiger counter on a visit to Shell Bluff, Georgia. The town lies just across the Savannah River from a nuclear weapons facility and just down the road from an aging nuclear power plant. The river is one of the most toxic waterways in the country. The weapons facility is one of the most contaminated places on the planet, and the power plant is about to double in size.
Locals are outraged.
“We believe that Plant Vogtle is going to exacerbate the existing contamination that’s already in the area and make things worse,” said Lindsay Harper, deputy director of Georgia WAND, a women-led advocacy group working to end nuclear proliferation and pollution. “We believe that more money should be put toward cleaning up the contamination instead of continuing to produce more.”
Organizers from Georgia WAND and other advocacy groups gathered in Atlanta recently to discuss Plant Vogtle and related environmental issues and to register voters. The town hall marked the first stop on a bus tour organized by environmental leaders from across the South.
The Freedom to Breathe Tour will highlight environmental hazards facing marginalized communities — starting with the expansion to Plant Vogtle, the only nuclear project under construction in the country.
In 2009, Southern Company began building two reactors, which are expected to go online in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The expansion has stoked fears of contamination in what is already a heavily polluted area, leading advocates to call for more testing.
“We need independent monitoring in the area that can help us to paint a larger, broader picture of what’s actually going on,” Harper said.“We need more information. We need more money for information.”
CNN Report – Plant Vogtle
Both the power plant and the weapons facility across the river produce a radioactive form of hydrogen called tritium that has been tentatively linked to Down syndrome in infants. Monitoring has found “elevated levels” of tritium in the groundwater near Plant Vogtle — too little to threaten public health, officials say, but enough to raise eyebrows.
Locals are also worried that pollution from the plant may be causing cancer. Epidemiologist Joseph Mangano found evidence of an uptick in infant mortality and cancer deaths in Burke County, seat of Plant Vogtle, after the facility went online in 1987. It is unclear if the power plant was responsible for the increase.Research has shown that children exposed to radiation are more susceptible to cancer — leukemia, in particular — but it is unclear if nuclear power plants produce enough radiation to threaten public health.
Studies in Germany and France found that the rate of childhood leukemia was significantly higher near power plants, and a study in the United States found that nuclear plant closures were followed by a decline in childhood cancer.
However, similar studies, including one undertaken by the National Cancer Institute, found no evidence of a link. To settle the matter, the federal government undertook a multi-year study on nuclear power and cancer in 2010, but it prematurely halted that effort in early 2017.
Adding to the uncertainty, the federal government stopped paying for monitoring of contamination near Plant Vogtle in 2003, believing the power plant posed little risk. To allay public concerns about radiation, the government is funding an outreach effort to reassure residents that the facilities are harmless, but locals remain unconvinced. Advocates want more rigorous testing and continued research into the risks of exposure to even low levels of radioactive waste……….
Some, however, believe that nuclear is simply too costly and have called for more investment in batteries that can store power generated by solar and wind for when it’s needed.
This is the outcome that locals are hoping for. Many Burke County residents are employed by Plant Vogtle, but they would rather work in wind or solar. “People are having to choose between feeding their families and taking a job that may contaminate their body,” Harper said, referring both to the power plant and the weapons facility. “We want to put our money towards civilians and people, clean economies and clean, sustainable jobs.” https://beyondnuclearinternational.org/2018/09/30/the-most-contaminated-corner-of-georgia/
I am always struck by the fact that opponents of the nuclear industry are very many unpaid people. Just people who care. Some are highly educated academically. Many are not – but then they take the trouble to find out, and speak with the authority of both their local knowledge and wider information.
As for nuclear proponents they’re a small number of paid individuals, with another small number of hangers-on who expect financial benefits from the nuclear industry.
ABC Radio Adelaide Evenings with Peter Goer. Talkback 4 Oct 18. This show was inundated with hundreds of South Australians phoning in and texting about the proposed nuclear waste dump. ALL SAID NO! Are you listening Department of Industry Innovation and Science and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation !!!??…. IT’S A BIG NO FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA!!!
Transcript:. Noel Wauchope . Not a perfect transcript, but a good account of what each caller said
Lots of text messages opposing the dump. Speakers:
Michelle thinks it’s a very risky dangerous thing to do. Many of the community don’t want it. S.A highly regarded for its produce. Transport of wastes is dangerous. It is a wedge. They tried to import nuclear wastes before and they’re trying again. Medical expert has advised that most medical wastes are very short-lived – no distant dump required.
Craig from CCSA says longterm solution is needed. Temporary storage at Lucas Heights a better idea than moving it to rural South Aust- avoid need for moving wastes twice – with “interim” storage in SA. Geological problem – movement of soil, active flood plain. Govt timetable is a political one. Our community being bribed.
James says the dump is a ludicrous idea. Only 3 landowners nominated their land. Money thrown in – distorts people’s thinking. It’s a foot in the door. Govt has already made up its mind.
Greg thinks it’s a ludicrous idea. Idea gone on for 40 years. Previous attempts ended up with legal action. Now legal action on. Need a suitable site – e.g. Commonwealth land – not disrupting a community like Kimba. Not to force it on to remote economically vulnerable community.
Katrina – wastes lasting many thousands of years, people are thinking it’s just gloves and gowns etc. Being rushed through. Need expert inquiry into safest waste solution. Instead, govt is selling it to communities – and they keep upping the money.
Betty says where do Americans store theirs? Agrees with previous callers. We are harnessing generations of children to maintaining these wastes. USA stores wastes in inaccessible mountains highly guarded [Ed. actually not correct]
Peter agrees with the previous speakers. What is this waste to be used for in the future – bombs?
Fay not happy -what are we leaving for the next generation? Last S.A. govt Jay Weatherill international dump in favour but it was knocked back .
Joanne was on Citizens Jury into nuclear waste dump – over 70 % said NO. There was the huge document – Royal Commission – why is govt not using this document? It is full of lies. USA govt has not found a way to dispose of its wastes. Lucas Heights is now receiving back high level nuclear wastes.
Julie the indigenous communities of Kimba and Hawker treated absolutely disgracefully in this process.
Paul says it is going to be low level nuclear waste. Why can’t it travel by air (Compere – we haven’t been told this)
Mary quoted Albert Einstein – “We are drifting towards a catastrophe beyond comparison…..”.
Sandra says 12 yrs ago she was in a caravan North of Tennant Creek – hit by an earthquake. Epicentre was 40km beyond Tennant Creek just where nuclear waste dump had been considered,X-rays done there for that purpose.
Brett – we’ve been told a layer cake of lies. People finding that more and more deception is going on. One of the biggest is that it’s medical waste. ANSTO and DIIS stopped telling that lie 3 months ago. Lots of bribery and deception going on. Bureaucrats gone crazy. It’s high level wastes in big containers- guarded by troops in UK.
Bob -this whole thing is one great big lie. During Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, a large part of their final report was about so-called low level nuclear wastes dump in Australia, We’re told that we shouldn’t conflate the national dump with an international dump. BUT in a Submission from Richard Yeeles formerly PR for Roxby Downs, he said Drop all this talk about an international facility . Let’s concentrate on getting a national dump here first and then we’ll go to the international dump afterwards. Richard Yeeles is now chief adviser to the Premier Steven Marshall. Everyone is hanging out for this vote.People in this State need to understand clearly that the Federal government can override the current legislation in our State. So it’s a national issue about a national dump.
Sylvia. Wants to know why S Aust should have the dump. NSW has just as much land, a bigger State..What’s wrong with their ground?
Peter Woolford It has divided our community. I put this to Minister Canavan. Both Kimba and Hawker have been impacted greatly. The govt has clearly forgotten this. A lot of money being thrown around. Take the money away – there’s no debate.People are focused on that money. The govt has tripled the money that’s going towards the facility – they’re upping the ante. Minister Canavan it’s up to his discretion where this goes. People need to understand that the Federal govt can override the legislation of this State It should b wider than KImba or Hawker it’s a National matter.
Patrick we can find out from Wikileaks.
Tim is concerned with the way people are thinking. It’s a political issue. We have been making money from selling uranium around the world, we need to take some responsibility. I wish we’d never started it.
Not one call, apart from Tim, from a pro nuclear person. No calls were screened out. Here we have heard from some of the many unpaid anti-nukers. Next week, Peter Goers might interview a couple of paid pro nukers ?
nuclear-news 