Japan’s power struggle over electricity and nuclear energy
It will not prove so simple. For one, a new, strengthened nuclear agency, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), must declare any plant safe before it starts—and several sit on or near active faults (Japan accounts for a fifth of the world’s big earthquakes). In addition, the law gives towns and villages a say over nearby plants, and most Japanese want to ditch nuclear power for good. To cap it all, news of the mess at the stricken Fukushima plant gets no better.
Electricity in Japan Power struggle The Economist, Sep 21st 2013 | TOKYO The shadow of Fukushima, the world’s worst nuclear disaster after Chernobyl, hangs over Japan’s energy future
THIS week Japan’s last working nuclear reactor was switched off. At Oi, on the west coast of the country’s main island, the closure was supposedly for routine maintenance and safety checks. Yet no firm date is in sight for reopening Oi or any other of Japan’s 50 reactors, shut in the wake of the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. Before the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 turned so much of Japan’s world upside down, the country counted on nuclear power for 30% of its electricity—one of the highest proportions in the world. Now it is entirely without nuclear power for only the second time since 1970.
In government since December, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) warns of the economic costs of mothballed plants. The industry ministry says that the need to import extra oil, gas and coal to fire conventional power stations will have cost Japan an extra ¥9.2 trillion (about $93 billion) by the end of 2013. A sharply weaker yen and higher oil prices have not helped, and Japan is now running trade deficits for the first time in three decades. Businesses and consumers face much higher electricity costs in Japan than in many countries.
The cosy community of electricity utilities, bureaucrats, academics and heavy industry, known in Japan as the “nuclear village”, is urging the LDP to restart the reactors. The prime minister, Shinzo Abe, would love to oblige. Continue reading
USA’s Energy Secretary Moniz promoting nuclear industry
UNM, LANL reap funds for nuclear energy pushhttp://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/09/20/unm-lanl-reap-nuclear-research-funds.html The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday announced major grants to New Mexico institutions that total $2.2 million. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz announced that the state will receive the money as part of a $60 million initiative to invest in nuclear energy research at the university level. Dan Mayfield Reporter-Albuquerque Business First U.S. Department of Energy on Friday announced major grants to New Mexico institutions that total $2.2 million.
Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz announced that the state will receive the money as part of a $60 million initiative to invest in nuclear energy research at the university level.
“By supporting cutting-edge nuclear science and engineering across our universities, national labs and industry, we can strengthen the foundation for a continuing important role for nuclear energy in America’s low carbon future,” said Moniz. “Training and educating the next generation nuclear energy workforce plays a critical role in ensuring American leadership in the safe, secure and efficient use of nuclear power worldwide.”
The announcement included two grants for the University of New Mexico totaling $1.2 million for research into fuel cycle technologies. The DOE is awarding schools a total of $42 million to develop new technologies for energy.
Also, the DoE is supporting Los Alamos National Laboratory with $1 million to research advanced materials for reactors.
India’s Opposition Party critical of PM’s gift to US nuclear companies
PM compromising on nuclear act is India’s gift to US companies: BJP http://www.firstpost.com/politics/pm-compromising-on-nuclear-act-is-indias-gift-to-us-companies-bjp-1120813.html?utm_source=ref_article Sep 19, 2013 New Delhi: The BJP today said reports of India compromising on crucial clauses in the Nuclear Liability Act regarding fixing of liability is “worrisome” and alleged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has allowed this to give a gift to American companies during his forthcoming visit to the US.
The main opposition insisted a decision on the issue should be taken after due diligence and no step should be taken that imperils the safety of Indians or compromises the nation’s security.
“The reported media observation that government is trying to compromise the importance of Section 17 (b) of the Nuclear Liability Act passed by Parliament is very worrisome and a cause of serious concern,” Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told PTI.
He maintained that Section 17 (b) of the Nuclear Liability Act specifically fixes the responsibility of the manufacturer of nuclear reactors and provides for their liability in the event of an accident involving design or manufacturing fault. The Opposition parties, including the Left, have been up in arms against an opinion of Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati to the Department of Atomic Energy that it is for the operator of a nuclear plant in India to decide whether it wished to exercise the “right of recourse” provided under Section 17 of the Act. “By this, the whole liability of the manufacturer is sought to be compromised and the entire mandate of Parliament is being disobeyed,” Prasad said.
USA’s fossil fuel friendly politicians don’t like pro renewable energy Ron Binz
US energy regulator nominee criticised for pro-renewables stance Climate Spectator 19 Sep, 1 Reuters Republicans and some Democrats criticised Ron Binz in a hearing on Tuesday on his nomination to lead a key US energy regulatory agency as being non mainstream because his views on the nation’s energy future support renewable sources like wind over coal and natural gas.
Chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission from 2007 to 2011 and currently a regulatory consultant, Binz was nominated by President Barack Obama in July to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission .
His nomination was considered by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee in an often contentious three-hour hearing. No date has been set for a vote.
Some conservative and free-market groups have opposed Binz, citing comments that, among other things, natural gas is a “dead end” energy source, and saying Binz would orchestrate a push for renewable energy sources like wind over coal and natural gas.
A bipartisan group of 12 former FERC commissioners are among those who have spoken in favor of Binz. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the committee’s ranking Republican, ended the hearing by saying that she “reluctantly” could not support the nomination. The Alaskan said she was “not convinced” that Binz’s views were compatible with FERC’s mission……..http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/9/19/renewable-energy/us-energy-regulator-nominee-criticised-pro-renewables-stanc
Move away from nuclear power – Head of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry METI
Japan Govt. “Wants To Lower Dependence On Nuclear Power” http://www.fukuleaks.org/web/?p=11428 September 17th, 2013 Not what anyone expected to hear out of the current LDP government in Japan. The current head of METI made this statement to the press that Japan should lower their dependence on nuclear power. This is an unusual statement considering the utterly pro-nuclear agenda of the current government.
Call on America’s EPA to withdraw its weakened guidelines on ionising radiation
More than 100 Groups Call on EPA to Withdraw Dramatically Weakened Radiation Guides http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/science/science-a-environmental/46251-more-than-100-groups-call-on-epa-to-withdraw-dramatically-weakened-radiation-guides.html 2013 WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–September 16 – Over 100 environmental organizations today called on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to withdraw EPA’s controversial new Protective Action Guides (PAGs), which would allow exposure to very high doses from radiation releases before government would take action to protect the public. The PAGs are intended to guide the response to nuclear power reactor accidents (like Fukushima in Japan, Chernobyl in Ukraine and Three Mile Island in the U.S.), “dirty bomb” explosions, radioactive releases from nuclear fuel and weapons facilities, nuclear transportation accidents, and other radioactive releases.
Although official estimates of health risks from radiation have gone up substantially (even higher for women) since promulgation of the old PAGs, the new EPA guidance contemplates radically increased “allowable” exposures in the intermediate and long-term periods after radiation releases.
The new PAGs
- propose five options for drinking water which would dramatically increase the permitted concentrations of radioactivity in drinking water, by as much as 27,000 times, compared to EPA’s current Safe Drinking Water Act limits;
- suggest markedly relaxing long-term cleanup standards;
- incorporate very high and outdated allowable food contamination levels;
- eliminate requirements to evacuate people threatened with high projected radiation doses to the thyroid and skin;
- eliminate limits on lifetime whole body doses; and
- recommend dumping radioactive waste in municipal garbage dumps not designed for such waste.
“Rather than requiring protective actions to limit public radiation exposures, EPA is now saying it would allow the public to be exposed to doses far higher than ever before considered acceptable,” said Daniel Hirsch, president of Committee to Bridge the Gap.
“Even though EPA now admits radiation is more harmful than previously thought, it is weakening rather than tightening radiation protections,” said Diane D’Arrigo of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service.
The full letter is at http://committeetobridgethegap.org/GroupPAGltr9-16-13.pdf
###NIRS/WISE is the information and networking center for people and organizations concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, radiation, and sustainable energy issues.Source: commondreams.org
UK: Liberal Democrats sold out their principles on nuclear power
Nuclear fuel on the bonfire of Liberal Democrat principles http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/16/nuclear-bonfire-liberal-democrat-principles The Guardian, Caroline Lucas MP, Tuesday 17 September 2013 As Liberal Democrat opposition to nuclear power joins opposition to secret courts and tuition fees on the bonfire of Lib Dem commitments, voters could be forgiven for wondering whether the party has any “red lines” of policy or principle left (Climate fears bring U-turn on nuclear power generation, 16 September).
The weasel-worded capitulation on nuclear power suggests it has a role to play “providing concerns about safety, disposal of radioactive waste and cost are adequately addressed and … without allowing any public subsidy for new build”.
As the Lib Dem leadership well knows, the new energy bill has been crafted precisely to give generous subsidies to nuclear through so-called contracts for difference. It is thought likely that, for Hinkley C alone, a transfer of £30bn-£50bn from British householders and businesses to the French company EDF will be required. Moreover, it is proposed that nuclear operators’ liability be capped at just £1bn per plant, when the total costs of the Fukushima disaster, for example, may well exceed £300bn.
There are far cheaper, safer, quicker, more efficient ways of addressing the climate challenge than pursuing nuclear power. Accelerating the deployment of energy-efficiency measures, demand-response, demand-reduction and distributed-generation policies, and renewable technologies, would help drive wholesale electricity costs down and deliver more value for money as a pathway to decarbonising electricity generation.
The Green New Deal Group, of which I am part, outlined just such an approach in a report last week. Investment in renewables, alongside a nationwide project to make every building in the country energy-efficient, would create hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs across the country, as well as reducing both fuel bills and emissions.
Japan’s Prime Minister Abe losing credibility over his statements about Fukushima radiation
Japan PM’s Fukushima remark backfires HERALD SUN, MARI YAMAGUCHI AAP SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reassurance to the International Olympic Committee that contaminated water leaks from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant are “under control” has backfired at home
Just hours before Tokyo was chosen September 7 to host the 2020 Olympics, Abe gave an emphatic speech declaring that radioactive contaminants from the leakage had no impact to waters outside the bay near the plant and “will never do any damage to Tokyo”.
The Japanese media and opposition lawmakers have suggested that Abe’s comments were overkill.
“Contaminated water ‘control’ running astray,” the nationwide Asahi newspaper said in its front-page top story on Saturday.
“Credibility of prime minister’s message to overseas is shaking.”……….In a meeting with opposition Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers on Friday, senior TEPCO official Kazuhiko Yamashita said the water situation was “not under control,” contradicting Abe.
DPJ leaders said they will demand Abe clarify his IOC speech……….http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/japan-pms-fukushima-remark-backfires/story-fni0xqll-1226719338622
Britain’s Liberal Democrats join pro nuclear cause
“If it looks like a subsidy and smells like a subsidy, it is a subsidy,”
(at left – Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat who led the party over to the pro nuclear side)
Lib Dems’ green boast under threat as party votes for nuclear Members accept limited role for atomic power at Glasgow conference in historic reversal of policy Rowena Mason, political correspondent The Guardian, Monday 16 September 2013 The Liberal Democrats have embraced nuclear power for the first time in their 25-year history on the grounds that it will help Britain tackle climate change.In a historic reversal of policy, hundreds of members on Sunday voted in favour of accepting a “limited” role for atomic power plants in a safe and affordable way……..
On shale gas, the party agreed to accept fracking in “controlled” circumstances, with an amendment that would ensure it takes place under stricter regulation.
The acceptance of nuclear power, however, was the most significant U-turn. The party backed atomic plants following an impassioned speech by Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat energy secretary, and several hours of tense debate about the role of nuclear power in green politics.
Davey argued it would be reckless to reject such a large low-carbon source of energy, which would help wean Britain off fossil fuels. Green groups reacted with fury to the change, arguing the party had moved further towards Tory positions……..
An anti-nuclear stance has helped the Liberal Democrats develop an image as the most environmentally aware of the main parties, with the 2010 manifesto rejecting a new generation of plants, mostly because of the cost.
However, Chris Huhne, the first Lib Dem energy secretary, began the process of accepting nuclear by saying the party could accept it as long as there would be no taxpayer subsidy. Since Davey took over the reins, he has been negotiating with EDF, the French nuclear giant, over the extra amount it can charge people for electricity to cover the cost of building the first plants……..
Fiona Hall, a Liberal Democrat MEP, also argued the motion is based on a false premise because the coalition’s plans to make voters pay for nuclear power through their energy bills is tantamount to a subsidy.
“If it looks like a subsidy and smells like a subsidy, it is a subsidy,” she said.
Others argued that abandoning the party’s long-held opposition to nuclear power would risk alienating core voters, who were first attracted to the party because of that environmental issue…….
Craig Bennett, policy director at Friends of the Earth, said: “The change punches a huge hole in the Liberal Democrats’ fast-sinking green credibility.”
“Nuclear power comes with massive costs attached,” he said. “Ed Davey is deluded if he thinks new reactors can go ahead without public subsidy – building them will result in the Liberal Democrats, yet again, breaking their promises.”
Dr Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace, added: “The vote shows how far the Liberal Democrats have slid from their previously principled position on energy and climate.” He added: “The party now seems prepared to thrust the issues of nuclear waste and funding on to future generations, rather than take on vested interests and put us on the road to dealing with the climate crisis in a clean, safe way.”….. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/15/lib-dems-vote-nuclear-conference
UK government by-passing County Councils on nuclear waste dump decisions
County councils sidelined from nuclear waste dump site decisions http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/12/county-councils-nuclear-waste-dump-sites Energy department policy makes district councils lead authority on locating waste dumps, which Cumbria county council says abandons big society Terry Macalister theguardian.com, Friday 13 September 2013 The government has been accused of “astonishingly undemocratic” behaviour after it moved to cut out county councils from deciding the site of a national nuclear waste dump.
The stinging criticism came from the leaders of Cumbria county council, who have been sidelined months after scuppering ministers’ plans by voting against a £12bn high-level waste repository near the Sellafield nuclear complex. Continue reading
Sweden’s Social Democrats call for scrapping of nuclear power
Scrap nuclear power in Sweden: Social Democrat The Local 11 Sep 2013 A leading Social Democrat has emphasized her party’s wish to abolish nuclear power in Sweden in favour of greener alternatives, a move critics say would be “devastating” for the Swedish industrial sector.
Party leader Stefan Löfven was previously a strong supporter of nuclear power in his role as chairman of the IF Metall trade union. However, since becoming the leader of the opposition last year, Löfven has changed his stance on the issue. …… http://www.thelocal.se/50186/20130911/
Britain’s Olympic chairman shows a sly way to subsidise nuclear power
Olympian effort for nuclear build World Nuclear News 09 September 2013 The chairman of Britain’s Olympic Delivery Authority has suggested that a similar body could be set up to construct nuclear power plants before selling them to the private sector. The proposal for a new way to finance nuclear power plants as well as other kinds of key national infrastructure came from Sir John Armitt in an interview with Construction News. His ideas relate to his UK infrastructure experience, but would be equally applicable in other markets…….
an alternative approach would be to create a body rather like the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), which would be responsible for getting the first, maybe second, maybe third nuclear power plants built.”
The ODA is a government body not affiliated to any department. It coordinated with several other large public bodies to manage the construction of the facilities for the London 2012 Olympic Games. This was seen as a success, and the ODA continues to manage the conversion and development of the Olympic sites for the long term. In the power sector a similar organisation could use a mix of public funds and business taxes to build a power plant, bring it to operation and then sell to a private company for profit………
The suggestion follows a trend across the global nuclear sector to find new ways to raise the funds for construction and share construction risk. Russia’s state corporation Rosatom is constructing a nuclear power plant at Akkuyu in Turkey on a build-own-operate basis and plans to do the same in Vietnam. More usual is government support in the form of a loan guarantee for part of the construction cost …http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Olympian_effort_for_nuclear_build_0909131.html
The world wills crutinise the costs and hazards of Tokyo’s Olympic Games plan
Some have questioned the merits of embarking on such a costly exercise before Japan has addressed its huge public debt – now more than twice the size of its gross national product – and when so little progress has been made toward rebuilding its tsunami-hit northeast coast and decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi.
Having intervened to calm fears about radiation levels in Tokyo, Abe appears to recognize that, for the next seven years, the world will be scrutinizing his response to the nuclear plant’s myriad challenges even more closely than before.
Tokyo 2020: No nuclear worries for IOC, Christan Science Monitor, Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Olympics, with the International Olympic Committee convinced that continued leaks from a nuclear power plant in Fukushima are no threat to safety. By Justin McCurry / September 8, 2013 “………..It took an intervention by Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, who left the G20 summit in Russia early to attend the vote in Buenos Aires, to offer the strongest assurance yet that Tokyo is safe. The situation at the plant was “under control,” he said.
“It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo,” he added. “There are no health-related problems until now, and nor will there be in the future. I say this to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way.”
Leaking concerns Continue reading
Shutdown of nuclear reactor leaves Japan with only one functioning nuclear reactor
Japan shuts down nuclear reactor for inspections , channel news Asia, 2 Sept 13,
Workers will switch off one of Japan’s two working reactors Monday, with the other set for shutdown later this month and no restarts in sight amid continued public hostility to nuclear power. TOKYO: Workers will switch off one of Japan’s two working reactors Monday, with the other set for shutdown later this month and no restarts in sight amid continued public hostility to nuclear power.
Kansai Electric Power will start reducing generating power at its Unit No 3 at the Oi plant, Fukui prefecture, western Japan, shortly before 5:00 pm (0800 GMT), a company spokesman said.
The reactor will be fully shut down by early Tuesday in readiness for inspections legally mandated within 13 months of the start of commercial operations, he said.
The reactor is one of the only two still generating power in Japan. The other one, Unit No 4 at Oi, is to be switched off on September 15.
It is not known when they will resume operations because they will be assessed under a set of guidelines recently drawn up by the nuclear watchdog, according to Kansai Electric.
The two reactors were restarted — despite public opposition — in July last year after passing safety tests, ending a brief period in which no atomic power was generated in Japan.
They were the only units to be brought back online after undergoing such tests in the aftermath of the disaster in March 2011 at Fukushima……. The company said Sunday it had found highly radioactive water dripping from a pipe connecting two coolant tanks at one of four radiation hotspots http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/japan-shuts-down-nuclear/798834.html
Fukushima’s fishermen form a serious obstacle to TEPCO’s plans to release water into the Pacific
Fishing culture has deep historical roots in Japan. The country imports more seafood than any other
“If you run roughshod over the fishermen” it will backfire when Abe asks the public for support of his economic agenda and nuclear restarts,”
Fukushima Fishermen Ruined by Tepco Now Key in Radiation Fight, Bloomberg, By Yuriy Humber, Chisaki Watanabe & Masumi Suga – Aug 29, 2013 ”……… Japan’s government promised “to take drastic measures to the maximum extent possible” to contain the radiated water leaks. That has so far amounted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling Liberal Democrats instructing Tepco to win over the fishermen before proceeding.
Tepco, Optics
“Despite its support for nuclear power, the Cabinet and LDP politicians know that the public dislikes atomic power and holds Tepco in contempt,” Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University, said by e-mail. “They realise that the ‘optics’ of going over the objections of the fishermen would be very bad.” Continue reading
1 This Month
of the week – THE ONENESS of HUMANITY
25 June- THE PUKE ON NUKES
Thursday, June 25, 2026
7pm Central Time (8pm ET, 6pm MT, 5pm PT) UTC – 5
From NRC & DOE Deregulation to Techno-Fascist Billionaires Going Nuclear, Plus a Few Songs from Atomic Cabaret REGISTER
26 June – Radiation Trainwreck at the NRC / Join the Protect Better Campaign – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4ZlZ5_qLSHGiLSCg8FF6Bg#/registration
1st July – Webinar Waste of Space: The Environmental Harm of Military and Civil Space Activity st July, 7 pm
Report Launch Online: We are seeing an increasing exploitation of space for military and commercial purposes. This must change.
Protect Sazan Island from the Trump family! https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/protect_sazan_island_from_the_trump_family_loc/?bqFCVab&v=174511&cl=22707147157&_checksum=5e9dde668860e8231c33699735e16a1fbf22ab2cb01da50c999fe8732b9775ef&utm_source=email&utm_medium=blast_email&utm_campaign=174511
Cuba Is Not a Failed State – It Is a Besieged State
PETITION: “Global Appeal to Endorse Palestinian Right of Return of Refugees”
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