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The long struggle against nuclear power in Japan

Environmentalists, meanwhile, say they remain undaunted by the Oi decision, which has become a watershed moment in their activism. 

Activists Brace for Long War Against Nuclear Power, By Suvendrini Kakuchi TOKYO, May 17, 2012 (IPS) – For the past two decades Masao Ishiji (59), has been fighting tooth and nail to ban the operation of four nuclear reactors that dot the western coastline of Oi in the Fukui prefecture facing the Japan Sea.

Earlier this week, that desperate battle reached a critical front. When the Oi municipal assembly passed a new resolution Monday to restart Unit 3 and 4 reactors that had been closed for a year for stress tests, anti-nuclear activists knew they had reached a crucial juncture in their fight to eradicate nuclear power from the country.  Continue reading →

May 18, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Majority of Americans want renewable energy, see USA politics as corrupt

the public has clearly picked up on the fact that corrupt politics is a key reason we don’t have more of that. 82% of Americans (69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 95% of Democrats) agree with this statement: “The time is now for a new, grassroots-driven politics to realize a renewable energy future.

76% of Americans Want Clean Energy Instead of Nuclear, Natural Gas, & Coal Clean Technica MAY 15, 2012 BY ZACHARY SHAHAN  Yet another recent poll showed that Americans really support clean energy, across political affiliations (though, there’s clearly more support on the left).

The ORC International survey, conducted for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI), found that 76% of Americans (58% of Republicans, 83% of Independents, and 88% of Democrats) want to see ”a reduction in our reliance on nuclear power, natural gas and coal, and instead, launch a national initiative to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency.” (And who knows what the remaining 24% are smoking?) Continue reading →

May 18, 2012 Posted by | ENERGY, opposition to nuclear, politics, Reference | Leave a comment

Kent County Council opposes nuclear waste bunker plan

Kent nuclear waste bunker proposal considered BBC News 16 May 12  A bunker used to store nuclear waste from all over the UK could be built in Kent, under a council’s plans. Shepway District Council is examining whether a nuclear disposal facility, where waste is buried underground, could be built at Romney Marsh. The authority said it could bring jobs to the area as Dungeness A and B power stations are phased out.

However, Kent County Council said it would use “every tool in the box” to oppose the scheme. The Romney Marsh Nuclear Research and Disposal Facility would be buried 200m (656ft) to 1,000m (3,280ft) below ground…..

Council leader’s ‘horror’ The leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, said his authority
opposed the plan and would push for a county-wide referendum if necessary. “We are totally opposed to initiating any process that even entertains the possibility of building a nuclear waste disposal site anywhere near or around Kent,” he said. “We will do everything possible to oppose this unviable proposal and will use every tool in the box to bring an end to this scheme…. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-18086988

May 17, 2012 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Reference, UK, wastes | Leave a comment

Majority of Japanese would choose energy restrictions rather than restart nuclear power

the survey shows 61 percent of people in the Kinki region, which is expected to face the most serious power shortage, say they “can endure” such restrictions. Seventy-ninepercent of people in the Kanto region, which took sweeping energy-saving measures last summer, also say they can put up with restricted use of power. Meanwhile, more than 70 percent of peoplepolled elsewhere in the country say they can live with such restrictions…..

63% of Japanese citizens say ‘no’ to restarting of Oi nuclear reactors: Mainichi poll. 8 May 12,  Sixty-three percent of Japanese people stand against reactivating two idled reactors at the Oi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, and 74 percent say they “can endure” restricted use of electricity in the summer, a nationwide survey conducted by the Mainichi shows, suggesting that the general public is becoming increasingly in favor of breaking away from nuclear power generation. Continue reading →

May 10, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Public opposition holds up Lynas’ rare earths processing plans for Malaysia

the expanding protest movement …… has already delayed the project by eight months and cast a shadow over its future.

The resistance – fed by social networks and Malaysia’s increasingly lively independent online media – also raises broader questions over the global expansion of an industry that has created huge environmental problems in China

Opponents say the Lynas plant doesn’t meet with best practice standards for the industry as it is too close to heavily populated areas and in a place where the ground water level is high. Molycorp’s plant in California, by comparison, is situated far from residential areas in an arid climate.

Citizen backlash keeps Malaysia rare earth plant on hold, The West, Siva Sithraputhran, Reuters  May 9, 2012  GEBENG, Malaysia  – The expensive machinery lies silent, idling as Malaysia’s government weighs a delicate decision to allow shipments of raw material to arrive from Australia and finally start operations at the world’s largest rare earths plant outside China. Continue reading →

May 10, 2012 Posted by | Malaysia, opposition to nuclear, Uranium | Leave a comment

Delay licensing Pilgrim nuclear reactor, urge politicians

Politicians urge the NRC to further prolong its review of the Pilgrim nuclear reactor’s license, Mass. Market,  2012 May 7 by Jon Chesto Now that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could be on the verge of finally renewing the license for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, a number of prominent Bay State politicians have been lining up to support Mary Lampert’s cause.

Lampert, of course, is the chief ringleader behind the Pilgrim Watch advocacy group  and arguably the biggest reason it has taken the NRC more than six years (setting a new record) to review the Plymouth plant’s relicensing request.

Lampert and her allies still have unresolved contentions before the NRC. But the agency’s staff is recommending to the commission  that oversees the agency that Entergy Corp., Pilgrim’s owner, be given the green light for Pilgrim anyway.

That recommendation prompted several politicians to urge the NRC to put the brakes on the license renewal, at least until every pending issue is resolved. The politicians who sent letters to NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko in the last week about Pilgrim include U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, a Democrat who specializes in energy issues; U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, the Democrat who represents Cape Cod and much of the South Shore in Congress; state Rep. Bob Hedlund, a Republican from the South Shore; and Cape Cod lawmakers Rep. Sarah Peake and Sen. Dan Wolf.  Politicians urge the NRC to further prolong its review of the Pilgrim nuclear reactor’s license | Mass. Market http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/massmarkets/2012/05/07/politicians-urge-the-nrc-to-further-prolong-its-review-of-the-pilgrim-nuclear-reactors-license/#ixzz1uM8saHzu

May 10, 2012 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, USA | Leave a comment

500 courageous Indian women join Koodankulam anti nuclear fast

Indefinite hunger strike against KKNPP gains momentum Chennai Online Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, May 4 : The ongoing fourth round of indefinite hunger strike against controversial Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) by the activists of People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), a civil group spearheading the struggle against the nuclear project, gained momentum, with more number of women activists joining the fasting agitation today.

Nearly 500 women from the coastal hamlets around KKNPP joined the fast with 24 activists who were observing the fast-unto-death stir since May 1 last. The anti-nuclear protesters, including women and children, were assembling in large numbers in the protest venue. Talking to newsmen, M Pushparayan, a key activist of PMANE, claimed though morenumber of women activists were willing to join the fast, they were being prevented and intimidated by the police.

The women from different villages had enrolled their names to participate in the indefinite fast but did not visit the venue due to possible police harassment, he said. “Police have blocked the entrance of the villages and threaten the hired vehicle drivers not to transport people to Idinthakarai village. Even if they dared, police threaten them to cancel their vehicle licenses. So, the drivers are not willing to come to Idinthakarai.

The police have deployed anti-riot vehicles Vajra and Varun at the entrances of the villages,” he said. Meanwhile, health condition of the 25 activists who were on fast since May 1, had started deteriorating and their pulse rates were going down. One of the activists, Vinoth was admitted to the hospital today, he added.
http://news.chennaionline.com/chennai/Indefinite-hunger-strike-against-KKNPP-gains-momentum/ff5dcb87-d243-4704-8109-783bb9458db3.col

May 7, 2012 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear, women | Leave a comment

Cheering Japanese in their thousands greet nuclear power shutdown

Electricity shortages are expected only at peak periods, such as the middle of the day in hot weather, and critics of nuclear power say proponents are exaggerating the consequences to win public approval to restart reactors.

Japanese cheer as nuclear reactor shut for checkup SF Gate, Associated Press, May 6, 2012 Thousands of Japanese celebrated the switching off of the last of their nation’s 50 nuclear reactors Saturday, waving banners shaped like giant fish that have become a potent antinuclear symbol. Continue reading →

May 7, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Shutdown could mean the end of nuclear power in Japan

  a ministry panel believes that Japan can still reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels without nuclear, provided it makes energy savings and speeds up the adoption of renewables, which currently account for just 10 percent of the energy mix.

Japan shuts down last nuclear reactor for tests. End of nuclear power? Christian Science Monitor,  If Japan survives the summer without power blackouts, citizens may pressure the government to make the temporary nuclear shutdown permanent. By Justin McCurry, Correspondent / May 4, 2012 TOKYO

This weekend’s nuclear shutdown in Japan is being greeted with a mixture of anxiety and optimism, just over a year since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident signaled the beginning of the end of the country’s dependence on atomic energy. By May 6, the last of Japan’s 50 working reactors – another four were crippled in the disaster – will be offline when the Hokkaido Electric Power Companycloses the No. 3 unit at its Tomari plant in the far north, in the industry’s first enforced closure in Japan since 1965.

Debate is now swirling around the prospects for the economy and environment post-Fukushima, as Japan braces itself for a long, hot summer and the possibility of power cuts that could prove the most severe test of public resolve yet………  Continue reading →

May 7, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Activists, particularly women, resume their fast against Kudankulam nuclear plant

Indefinite fast against Kudankulam nuclear plant resumes NDTV Indo-Asian News Service   May 01, 2012 Chennai:  At least 24 activists of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) launched an indefinite fast on Tuesday at four villages in Tirunelveli district, around 650 km from Chennai, in protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP).

While 14 indefinite fasters are in Idinthakarai village, eight are in Kuthenkazi village and one each in Kudankulam and Kuduthazhai villages.

According to M Pushparayan, a PMANE leader, more women have proposed to join the indefinite fast protest based on the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Tamil Nadu government on May 3….. http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/indefinite-fast-against-kudankulam-nuclear-plant-resumes-204888

May 2, 2012 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy demands transparent study on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project

PMANE resumes anti-nuclear protests against Kudankulam Project
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_pmane-resumes-anti-nuclear-protests-against-kudankulam-project_1683047 May 1, 2012, Resuming their indefinite fast against commissioning of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, People’s Movement Against Nuclear
Energy,which is spearheading the stir, listed six major demands, including setting up a national committee of experts to study the region around KNPP.

“Our primary demand is the government should institute an independent and transparent national committee on hydrology, geology, oceanography and seismology of the region,” PMANE leader M Pushparayan told PTI at nearby Idinthakarai. Continue reading →

May 2, 2012 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Sweden – growing opposition to nuclear energy

Swedish opposition to nuclear energy on the up The Local 28 Apr 12   Swedes have become more negative towards nuclear power in the year since Japan’s nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, a new survey by the SOM institute at Gothenburg University has shown.

According to the survey, 44 percent of Swedes are in favour of phasing out nuclear power either immediately or after current nuclear power stations have completed their lifespan.

The proportion in favour of expanding nuclear power resources in Sweden or replacing existing ones amounted to 35 percent. The survey interviewed 1,500 people during the autumn of 2011 with the full results expected in June 2012. The Swedish public has long been deeply divided regarding the nuclear power issue…. http://www.thelocal.se/40532/20120428/

April 30, 2012 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Sweden | Leave a comment

A new anti nuclear demographic – mothers

 Often, mothers and women want to leave Fukushima and protect their kids, while men tend to accept the line, from the government and the utility, Tepco, that “all is safe.” This can lead to conflict in a culture where women are taught not to challenge their husbands or government, figures of authority. 

How a Group of Japanese Mothers Are Saying No to Nuclear Power The Fukushima disaster has brought a powerful new demographic to Japan’s anti-nuclear movement: mothers. AlterNet April 25, 2012  |    
On the one-year anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japanese women in New York City gathered for a rally they called Pregnant With Fear of Radiation. Protestors wore fake pregnant bellies, or carried posters with images of pregnant women wearing face masks. Well aware that fetuses, children under five, and women are at the greatest risk from radiation exposure, mothers have emerged as a powerful voice in Japan’s growing anti-nuclear movement. Continue reading →

April 27, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear, women | Leave a comment

Overwhelming majority of Japanese businesses want safety, not restart of nuclear reactors

Japan businesses choose nuclear safety over profits, First Post, Apr 20, 2012  Tokyo: Nearly three-quarters of Japanese firms want safety guaranteed before idled nuclear reactors in the country are restarted, seeing no need to rush the process despite the impact the loss of the power source could have on their businesses.

Japan is set to have no nuclear power within weeks for the first time in over 40 years following last year’s crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which crushed public trust in nuclear power and prevented the restart of reactors shut for regular maintenance checks.

The poll, taken alongside the monthly Reuters Tankan company sentiment survey, showed only 15 percent of firms want an early restart for idled reactors, while 72 percent said safety should be the key priority…… Trade Minister Yukio Edano this week signalled two reactors idled after the Fukushima disaster would not be back online before the last one currently operating is shut down….. http://www.firstpost.com/world/japan-businesses-choose-nuclear-safety-over-profits-282207.html

April 21, 2012 Posted by | Japan, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Call to close North Taiwan’s aging, degenerating, nuclear power plant

Activists call for shutdown of aging nuclear power plant  following a massive earthquake and tsunami.  Focus Taiwan, By Chen Ting-wei, Lin Meng-ju and Elizabeth Hsu  Taipei, April 20  Concerned about the safety of an aging nuclear power plant in northern Taiwan, environmentalists on Friday called for the suspension of operations at the facility.

Members of several environmental protection groups warned at a press conference that the No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant in Wanli, New Taipei, which began commercial operations three decades ago, “has entered the final stage of its life cycle.”

“The discovery of cracked anchor bolts at one of the power plant’s reactors is the final warning,” said Green Consumers’ Foundation Chairman Jay Fang.

Cracks indicate the degeneration of the nuclear power plant’s structure, operating systems, and parts and components. Allowing the aging plant to continue running would jeopardize the public’s safety, Fang said, urging that the plant be shut down.The reactor where damaged bolts were found has been turned off for repairs and safety checks, but the plant’s other reactor is still running.

To draw the government’s attention to the issue, the environmentalists said they will set up a warning device, called the “Taiwan Doomsday Clock,” in front of the Legislative Yuan …

April 21, 2012 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, Taiwan | 1 Comment

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