Japan’s new government hand in glove with the old “nuclear village”
the public
remains sceptical about industry promises to mend its ways after
decades of collusion with regulators and pro-nuclear politicians.
But those concerns are unlikely to hold much sway with the LDP, which
helped develop Japan’s “nuclear village” – the web of power utilities,
bureaucrats and MPs who peddled the nuclear dream and shunned rigorous
regulation…..
Japan seeks to reverse commitment to phase out nuclear power, Justin
McCurry in Tokyo guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 January 2013 The Fukushima
Daiich meltdown prompted the previous government to pledge a phaseout
of all 50 reactors in Japan Almost two years after the triple meltdown
at Fukushima Daiichi power plant sent shockwaves around the world,
Japan’s government is attempting to resell the nuclear dream to a
traumatised public. Continue reading
Japan’s nuclear phase-out has already happened:will it really phase-in again?
several fundamental nuclear-policy questions await answers—answers that could have significant consequences for the communities hosting Japan’s nuclear facilities, broader Japanese society and, to some extent, the global nuclear order. Beyond Japan’s two operating reactors, how many more of Japan’s fifty viable reactors will be allowed to restart? Will Japan continue its current effort to close the nuclear fuel cycle? What is the future for the industry’s fuel-cycle facilities in Aomori Prefecture and the nuclear materials currently stored there and at reactor sites around the country?
nuclear energy continues to be deeply unpopular in Japan, with opposition remaining well above 70 percent
the phase-out has already happened. The prescient concern would be a nuclear phase-in,
Japan’s Nuclear Muddle, The National Interest Ryan Shaffer | January 10, 2013 Japan’s December election put an end to the brief rule of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). It also handed an overwhelming victory and lower house majority to Japan’s traditional political leaders, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, still lacking a majority in the upper house, the LDP’s ability to push through legislation is dependent on its alliance with New Komeito, a party with significant policy differences on some of the immediate questions facing the LDP.
Between now and the next scheduled elections for Japan’s upper house in July 2013, the LDP’s first priority will be posturing for an upper house majority in the next election, not taking hard stands on controversial policy issues. One such issue concerns the country’s heated debate on nuclear energy. Continue reading
UK govt will have to fix a consumer price, to get a deal to construct nuclear reactors
a deal is
unlikely to be clinched before the French utility and the U.K.
government agree on a guaranteed price that consumers will pay for
power generated from Hinkley Point
Centrica is likely to withdraw from the construction of new reactors
because it fears that there will be cost overruns and that indirect
subsidies being negotiated with the British government will be
insufficient to justify the investment
EDF and French nuclear-reactor vendor Areva SA AREVA.FR 0.00%
are struggling with rising costs and delays in the construction of
next-generation European pressurized reactors. Costs at Areva’s
project in Finland have more than doubled to €8 billion ($10.5
billion), and the plant is five years behind schedule.
EDF and Chinese Firm Enter Talks to Build U.K. Nuclear Plants, WSJ, 10
Jan 13, By SELINA WILLIAMS in London and GÉRALDINE AMIEL in Paris
Electricité de France SA EDF.FR -1.84% is in talks with state-owned
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co. on forming a partnership to
build nuclear-power plants in the U.K., people familiar with the
matter said.
The deal could replace EDF’s partnership with British utility Centrica
CNA.LN -0.39% PLC for new plants in Britain and dispel some doubts
about whether the French company has sufficient funds for its nuclear
ambitions in the U.K., the people said…..
A new U.K. partnership with China Guangdong would provide EDF with
much-needed financing as it struggles with difficult market conditions
in France and prepares to unveil a cost-cutting plan that it has said
could threaten the company’s British investments.
A deal would give the Chinese utility, which already collaborates with
EDF on new reactors in China, a foothold in a new market Continue reading
North Carolina will fight proposal for uranium mine in Virginia
NC opposition builds to proposed Virginia uranium mine, WRAL.com, 8
Jan 13, MANSON, N.C. — As legislation that would allow uranium mining
in Virginia advances through that state’s legislature, opposition to
the move is growing in North Carolina.
A group of Virginia lawmakers voted Monday to approve a bill that
would lift a 31-year-old ban on uranium mining and allow the practice
in Chatham, Va., where a 119 million-pound deposit of uranium – the $7
billion vein is the largest in the U.S. – is located.
The bill now goes to the full legislature, which convenes Wednesday.
“North Carolina will be fighting this,” Continue reading
Tentative step towards uranium mining in Virginia, but opposition persists
While environmental groups have led the charge against mining, the
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation took the unexpected step of opposing
mining, and municipal groups have also joined in the opposition.
Virginia Beach, which draws public drinking water from southern
Virginia, has also taken a stand against mining, as well as other
cities in Hampton Roads.
Virginia uranium mining wins 1st legislative test January 7, 2013
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Proposed uranium mining in Virginia easily
survived its first legislative test Monday, with lawmakers
recommending the development of regulations for the mining of the
radioactive ore.
Those rules — and whether a 30-year ban on such mining is lifted —
ultimately would need to be approved by the General Assembly.
The Coal and Energy Commission voted 11-2 in support of legislation
proposed by Sen. John Watkins that would have the effect of limiting
mining to one company and the only known, commercially viable deposit
of uranium in the state: Virginia Uranium Inc…..
Asked why he would limit uranium mining in the state, Watkins said:
“Because I want the bill to pass.”
……..Robert G. Burnley, a former director of the Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality who now is affiliated with the
Southern Environmental Law Center, said the legislation is a “de
facto” vote on ending the 31-year ban. Continue reading
France’s nuclear energy inextricably entwined with nuclear weaponry
as civilian and military nuclear programs
have been intertwined for decades, cutting financing for civilian
nuclear research projects would increase the cost of maintaining the
nuclear arsena
A French nuclear exit? e! Science News, January 7, 2013 France has
been held up, worldwide, as the forerunner in using nuclear fission to
produce electricity. However, a third of the nation’s nuclear reactors
will need replacing in the next decade, and public opinion has shifted
toward reducing reliance on nuclear power. In a special issue of the
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, published by SAGE four articles
explore whether France has the means or desire to unplug from nuclear
power. Continue reading
Hampton Roads lawmakers NOT in favour of Virginia uranium mining
Uranium debate coming http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2013/01/07/uranium-debate-coming/ All Politics is local
The debate on uranium mining in Virginia is destined to be a part of the General Assembly session, which opens Wednesday. The Virginian-Pilot had a front page story today about it. Included with the story is a list of the Hampton Roads lawmakers and their stances on lifting the ban, as follows:
| Against mining | Undecided | No response |
| Sen. Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk | Sen. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake | Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton |
| Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth | Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach | Sen. John Miller, D-Newport News |
| Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach | Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake | Del. Algie Howell, D-Norfolk |
| Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk | Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach | Del. Bob Purkey, R-Virginia Beach |
| Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake | Sen. Tommy Norment, R-James City County | Del. Bob Tata, R-Virginia Beach |
| Del. Daun Hester, D-Norfolk | Del. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk | |
| Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach | ||
| Del. Matthew James, D-Portsmouth | ||
| Del. Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomack County | ||
| Del. Chris Stolle, R-Virginia Beach | ||
| Del. Ron Villanueva, R-Virginia Beach | ||
| Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth |
This is not, as you can see, a partisan issue. Perhaps the most interesting part of this is that none are willing – yet – to admit support of lifting the ban.
Costly expense of maintaining Philippines non-operational nuclear power plant
Nuclear plant gets funds By Amy R. Remo Philippine Daily Inquirer,
http://business.inquirer.net/101475/nuclear-plant-gets-funds January
6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—State-run National Power Corp. has
secured lawmakers’ nod to allocate P50 million this year for the
upkeep of the mothballed 630-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
(BNPP).
In an interview with the Inquirer, Napocor president Froilan A.
Tampinco said that both houses of Congress as well as the Department
of Budget and Management (DBM) had agreed to reinstate the proposed
budget for the maintenance of the country’s first and only nuclear
facility.
Tampinco said that with sufficient explanation, Napocor was able to
convince Congress of the necessity of such an allocation for a
government asset that has remained idle for decades, yet one that the
Department of Energy said cannot be neglected.
The BNPP was built during the Marcos era by Westinghouse Electric at a
cost of $2.2 billion. It was mothballed in 1986 due to safety
concerns, even before it could begin operations.
Taiwan’s anti nuclear groups organise for a nuclear free country
Taiwan’s Nuclear-free New Year’s Wish, Global Voices, by I-fan Lin 6 January 2013 Every year, Taiwanese gather around Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan to see fireworks and celebrate the coming of the new year.
This year, the celebration was very special as popular singers, environmental and youth activists worked together to present a nuclear-free homeland as Taiwanese people’s common wish [zh] for 2013. Singers performed in new year’s eve parties and sang anti-nuclear songs. Environment groups organized a joint signature campaign to build consensus among Taiwanese for a nuclear-free policy.
The most eye-catching action was delivered by a number of youth activists under the Citizens No Nuke [zh, en, jp, de] network, who projected an anti-nuclear sign on Taipei 101 during the annual fireworks. They uploaded their action to Youtube afterwards. ….. Is Taiwan ready to become a nuclear-free country? On Jan 9, 2013, the Legislative Yuan will start to examine the draft law on the promotion of a nuclear-free homeland [zh], which was proposed in 2005. If this draft law is passed, the three nuclear power plants will cease to operate once their service lives have expired and the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant will be stopped.
Currently, the residents affected by the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant are pressing for a referendum [zh] to stop its construction in 2013.
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/01/06/taiwan-nuclear-free-new-years-wish/
Despite safety doubts, China resumes building big nuclear power plant
China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said in a report in
October that the country’s nuclear safety situation was “not
optimistic”, and that the use of differing types of reactors in
Chinese plants made the sector “difficult to manage”.
China resumes construction of ‘biggest’ nuclear plant Australia
Network News, 4 Jan 13 Chinese state media says the country has
resumed construction of a nuclear power plant suspended after the 2011
Fukushima disaster. Continue reading
Just what are the UK govt’s plans for relocating nuclear submarines?
Vote yes for a nuclear free England, January 04, 2013 by Rev. Stuart
Campbell In a slightly surprising development reported late this
afternoon by the Guardian, the Ministry of Defence appeared to
suddenly and officially confirm what most supporters of independence
have asserted for some time: that if Scotland becomes independent the
UK will lose its nuclear deterrent, as it has nowhere else to put it. Continue reading
Prime Minister Abe in a hurry to restart nuclear power, fearing that Japan might manage well without it
A survey conducted by the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper, just before the
elections last month, showed that more than 60 per cent wanted to
phase out nuclear energy completely
If the government allows nuclear plants to remain switched off, it
would be admitting that nuclear power is not critical to economic
recovery
the Abe administration cannot afford to have
the public realise that Japan can get along just fine without nuclear
power
Japan prepares for nuclear U-turn.Ft.com By Michiyo Nakamoto in Tokyo 3 Jan 13,
Japan’s plan for a nuclear-free society, which gathered momentum after
the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima nearly two years ago, looks set to
be shortlived.
Since its electoral landslide in December, the Liberal Democratic
party has wasted no time in setting the stage for a return to Japan’s
former policy of promoting nuclear power as a major source of energy
generation.
Shinzo Abe, who took over as prime minister last month, has given a
clear indication that the government is looking to build new nuclear
power plants, Continue reading
Business before safety, in nuclear South Korea
The country also hopes to
capitalize on its growing technological expertise, and it has already
exported four nuclear power plants to the United Arab Emirates.
Pursuing Economic Growth, South Korea Accepts The Risks Of Nuclear
Power Generation, International Business Tomes, 3 Jan 2013 It’s a new
year for nuclear energy in South Korea. The government has just
approved the reopening of a shuttered power plant in Yeonggwang
county, which will begin supplying electricity amid official
assurances that safety concerns have been addressed….. a sobering
caveat: Nuclear energy is inherently risky. …… especially
worrisome when South Korea shut down two of its own nuclear plants in
Yeonggwang — which is less than 200 miles from the capital city of
Seoul — in November, after it was revealed that some of the working
parts had quality certificates that had been forged. Continue reading
Nuclear energy dilemma in Europe, as consensus om nuclear industry crumbles
Nuclear Options Vex Europe WSJ December 31, 2012, By GÉRALDINE AMIEL
and ALESSANDRO TORELLO, FESSENHEIM, France—The owner of the local
nuclear power plant, Electricité de France SA, EDF.FR +1.23% is
spending €20 million ($26.4 million) to upgrade it and extend its life
span for another decade, seemingly breathing new life into this town
on the German border.
But the French governent—EDF’s majority shareholder—says it plans to
close the site in 2016, amid an effort to reduce the country’s
reliance on nuclear power and promote renewable energy.
Amid uncertainty, EDF’s overhaul is proceeding. But the conflict at
Fessenheim illustrates a broader dilemma facing France and other
European Union countries. Citizens have grown more wary about the
dangers of the atom since the March 2011 nuclear catastrophe in Japan,
and the political consensus that once existed in some countries around
nuclear energy is crumbling….. Continue reading
Japan’s PM reverses policy – now favours nuclear energy
Japan’s new leader endorses nuclear plants
http://www.smh.com.au/world/japans-new-leader-endorses-nuclear-plants-20121231-2c306.html#ixzz2GkVdjSKQ
January 1, 2013 TOKYO — The newly elected prime minister of Japan,
Shinzo Abe, said Sunday that he would seek to build nuclear reactors,
reversing within a week in office a campaign pledge to move Japan away
from nuclear power. 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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