Czech Republic ‘s nuclear plans need government funding – anxiety in nuclear lobby
The global economic crisis has slashed demand for electricity and weakened the balance sheets of utilities, reducing their ability to finance expensive nuclear projects.
“The chance Temelin will be built is about 50-50 with state guarantees…without them, it is about 10-90.”
Czech nuclear tender seen pivotal after Fukushima
* Bids due for two reactors worth over $10 billion
* U.S., Russian, French firms in the running
* Economic crisis, cloudy energy sector outlook are obstacles
* Deal likely to need government guarantees
By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE, June 29 (Reuters) – As several European countries retreat from nuclear power, the Czech Republic is taking a big step forward in a tender to build new reactors which some in the industry see as a pivotal test of the technology’s future on the continent. Continue reading
Group for Zero Nuclear Power – a new force in Japan’s Parliament
(Group for Zero Nuclear Power), made up of nine politicians from seven political parties
The lawmakers’ group plans to campaign for a phased scrapping of nuclear reactors, similar to the policy adopted by Germany.
Experts warn against restarting nuclear reactors in Japan, Times of India, Subodh Varma, TNN | Jun 28, 2012, NEW DELHI: Japan is in ferment as the date for restarting two of its nuclear reactors draws close after over an year’s shutdown. Hundreds have participated in protests at several places. Local councils are confused and divided. Two seismic experts publicly warned that the government is under-estimating the threat to these reactors which are located very near a seismic fault.
And a group of lawmakers cutting across political parties released a danger ranking of 50 nuclear reactors in Japan calling for their phased decommissioning. …. Continue reading
To save TEPCO Corporation, Japan’s govt plans a big restart of nuclear energy
Tepco’s Plans Restart of World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant, Bloomberg News By Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada June 28, 2012 Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501), owner of the crippled Fukushima reactors, is committed to restarting another nuclear plant next year that is the world’s largest and itself was damaged in a 2007 earthquake.
Bringing the Kashiwazaki Kariwa power station online, even though it sets up the state-controlled utility for further conflicts with a nuclear-weary public, is part of “Plan A,” President Naomi Hirose, 59, said in an interview. The plan refers to a 10-year business reconstruction that handed control of the power company known as Tepco to Japan’s government. “We have no choice right now but to do our bestto carry out Plan A,” Hirose said on June 18. “We don’t have a Plan B.”
Tepco’s decision runs counter to polls showing the majority of Japanese want less reliance on atomic power after meltdowns at its Fukushima Dai-Ichi reactors last year. The radiation release and cost to the public of as much as $138 billion sparked anti-nuclear sentiment across the world. In Japan, all 50 reactors, including the seven at Kashiwazaki Kariwa, have been required to pass so-called stress tests introduced to improve safety after the Fukushima
disaster. Only two near the western city of Osaka have won permission
to resume operations, leaving 48 offline.
“Tepco’s plan is only wishful thinking” because no more reactors are likely to be approved this year, said Tomoko Murakami, a Tokyo-based nuclear analyst at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan. “Without the restart, there is not much hope to revive the company.”…… http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-27/tepco-s-new-chief-sees-no-plan-b-to-revive-profitability
Poland delays nuclear power project – stuck on lack of finance
American-Japanese group GE Hitachi , France’s Areva and Westinghouse, a U.S unit of Japan’s Toshiba , have all signalled interest in supplying technology for the project that has already faced a number of bureacratic delays.
Poland’s PGE delays nuclear tender PGE will not launch tender as planned in Q2 Still working on financing model for project. Investment estimated to be worth $8.79-14.65 bln WARSAW, June 27 (Reuters) – PGE has delayed launching the technology supplier tender for Poland’s first nuclear power plant as it works out how it will finance the multi-billion dollar project, PGE’s chief executive said on Wednesday.
PGE chief Krzysztof Kilian did not say when the tender, previously scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, would move forward. The cost to build the first reactors is estimated at 30 billion to 50 billion zlotys ($8.79-14.65 billion). We will not launch the tender in June (as previously planned),……. Continue reading
Nuclear Regulatory Commission clears Gregory Jaczko of any wrongdoing
Inquiry on Nuclear Chief Finds No Rules Were Broken NYT, By MATTHEW L. WALD, 27 June 12, On the eve of the resignation of Gregory B. Jaczko, the chairman of
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the commission’s inspector general has issued a report that clears him of some of the charges against him.
Dr. Jaczko did not exceed his authority last year in directing his agency’s response to the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown in Japan, despite his colleagues’ irritation over his management style, the office of the inspector general, Hubert Bell, said on Tuesday.
He did not make any unilateral decisions that affected companies that hold Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses, the report said….
The report was not immediately made public. The New York Times obtained a copy of the eight-page summary from a Congressional aide. Continue reading
Japan’s TEPCO nationalised, will restart another nuclear power plant
Tepco’s New Chief Sees No Plan B To Revive Profitability Bloomberg, By Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada – Jun 27, 2012 Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501), owner of the crippled Fukushima reactors, is committed to restarting another nuclear plant next year that is the world’s largest and itself was damaged in a 2007 earthquake.
Bringing the Kashiwazaki Kariwa power station online, even though it sets up the state-controlled utility for further conflicts with a nuclear-weary public, is part of “Plan A,” President Naomi Hirose, 59, said in an interview. The plan refers to a 10-year business
reconstruction that handed control of the power company known as Tepco to Japan’s government. Continue reading
Japanese utility shareholders meetings – local governments will demand nuclear power shutdown
Local governments to demand change at utility shareholders’ meetings, June 26, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Long seen as “silent” shareholders, local governments are expected to demand bold reforms, such as abolishing nuclear power plants, at the general shareholders’ meetings of electric utilities.
But they may not have enough voting power to force big changes in the industry. All 10 of Japan’s regional electric power companies, except for Okinawa Electric Power Co., are scheduled to hold their shareholders’ meetings on June 27.
At Kansai Electric Power Co.’s meeting, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto is set to propose “the abolition of all of its nuclear power plants as soon as possible” in company’s articles of incorporation. The city of Osaka is the largest shareholder of Kansai Electric, with a 9.37-percent stake in terms of voting rights……
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201206260079
Referendums in Japan about nuclear power?
Fukushima Watch: Japan Mulls Referendum on Nuclear Power, WSJ, By Mitsuru Obe, June 22, 2012, Do Japanese want nuclear power? Why not find out in a referendum? That’s what proponents of putting the nuclear question to the people are saying, pointing out that similar polls have been held in the United States, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden. Trade and industry minister Yukio Edano is one prominent proponent. Even before
his ruling Democratic Party of Japan came to power, ……As industry minister, Mr. Edano
oversees Japan’s power industry…
.. Unlike public opinion polls, referendums are supposed to be preceded by a period of intense public discussion. In Japan, a national referendum is required only for constitutional amendments. Such ballots can be called on other issues, but their verdicts have no binding power. Continue reading
Malaysia sets special radiation standards for rare earths plant to get Lynas off the hook
the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has arbitrarily set its own safety standards for radiation exposure, which is not in accordance with international standards.
The AELB standards would be used to exempt and clear Lynas’ radioactive wastes for reuse and recycle. The exposure to radioactive waste was one of the causes that led to high levels of lead poisoning and other severe health complications of the people in Bukit Merah.
TOL sell-out by PSC: The final smirk from Lynas , Malaysia Chronicle, by Charles Santiago, 19 June 2012 “…….Health over investment? The PSC has outlined a guideline to look into health measures for the people, wording it to say that this was undertaken to arrest the fears of the public. Severe birth defects, eight leukemia cases over five years in a community of 11,000, tears and anguish of the poor people from a largely shoe-making community – these are not news headlines. Neither is it the plot of a movie.
These are the consequences of carelessly allowing the Asian Rare Earth factory to be built in Bukit Merah, Perak in 1982. When Mitsubishi Chemical started operating its rare earth factory, the villagers complained of choking sensation, pungent smell, coughs and colds.
The community also saw a sharp rise in the cases of infant deaths, congenital disease, leukemia and lead poisoning. Thirty years later, it has not wiped out the memories and heartache of the villagers who lost their children and loved ones. Only the government is feigning ignorance. Continue reading
Japan’s new “national security” amendment could pave way for nuclear weapons development
“Is this intended to pave the way for (Japan’s) nuclear armament?”..
‘National security’ amendment to nuclear law raises fears of military use June 21, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Supporters of an amendment quietly slipped into Japan’s nuclear power law saying it should contribute to “national security” are denying it could provide cover for military use of nuclear technology.
The provision, which says nuclear safety should be guaranteed not only to defend lives, people’s health and the environment but also to “contribute to Japan’s national security,” became part of the Atomic Energy Basic Law on June 20.
Critics say the change to the 1955 basic law, known as the “constitution” of nuclear energy use in Japan, was made without proper debate on the sidelines of political maneuvering in the Diet.
However, it could have far-reaching consequences for Japan’s nuclear stance and heighten international concern about the nation’s nuclear recycling program of extracting plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. Continue reading
“Contracts For Difference” – the UK’s sneaky way to publicly subsidise nuclear power
‘Contracts for Difference’ are intended to provide support to low carbon technologies to aid their development and market viability. However, any subsidies that go towards nuclear energy from this source will lead to a corresponding reduction in the funds available for
developing new renewables technologies.
“It would be pure sophistry to try and claim that because the funds go directly from the customer to energy companies without entering the Treasury bank account, it is not a public subsidy.
Committee must be recalled over nuclear subsidies, 
20/06/2012 Following evidence from Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey MP, SNP members of the Scottish Parliament Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee have written to the rest of the committee calling for it to be recalled.
New nuclear power stations planned by the UK Government could cost Scottish consumers billions of pounds. Concern has been expressed by industry figures such as in evidence to the House of Commons Energy & Climate Change Committee from Ian Marchant of SSE. Renewables industry representatives have expressed concern that the Department for Energy and Climate Change intends to use ‘contracts for difference’ to subsidise a new generation of nuclear energy. Continue reading
UK Labor not all welcoming nuclear submarines for Wales
Labour split on nuclear policy for Wales? Wales Online, By David Williamson Jun 21, 12 Labour MPs Martin Caton (Gower) and Paul Flynn (Newport West) have signed a Plaid Cymru-sponsored Early Day Motion attacking First Minister Carwyn Jones’ statement that nuclear submarines would be “more than welcome” in Wales….
http://blogs.walesonline.co.uk/devolution/2012/06/labour-split-on-nuclear-policy.html
Japan’s new nuclear regulator to be back in bed with the nuclear industry?
the regulator could have a nuclear-industry friendly stance if the pro-business opposition party, the Liberal Democratic Party, comes into power in the next general elections, which could take place as early as autumn, or by September 2013 at the latest.
Fukushima Watch: Back-Pedaling on Reactor Age Limits? By Mitsuru Obe http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/06/20/fukushima-watch-back-pedaling-on-reactor-age-limits/ While Japan was transfixed by the drama of restarting nuclear
reactors, another potentially big shift on the atomic-energy front was taking place quietly in the wings.
Japan’s ruling Democratic Party of Japan last week acceded to opposition party requests to retract a plan that would set an age limit of 40 years on nuclear reactors. The DPJ now says that the age limit, which had previously been included in the new nuclear safety bill under deliberation in parliament, will be decided instead by the country’s new regulator, which is to be established as early as this autumn.
The rule, which would limit the length of time a reactor could stay in operation to 40 years, was proposed in December, following concern that aged equipment contributed to the March 2011 meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The three reactors that spun out of control
were all built during the 1970s. Nuclear crisis minister Goshi Hosono said at the time the rule was proposed that “reactors will basically have to be decommissioned after 40 years of operation.” Extending the life beyond 40 years would be allowed in exceptional circumstances
only, he said.
The bill, with the 40-year age limit excised, swiftly cleared Japan’s lower house last Friday, and is expected to pass the opposition-dominated upper house on Wednesday. Industry minister Yukio Edano Friday bemoaned the change, saying “We wanted to have the bill
passed as was originally proposed by the government.” Continue reading
Japan’s new nuclear regulatory body – an uncertain quantity
Japan Adopts New Law For Nuclear Regulatory Body 6/20/2012 (RTTNews) – Japan’s Diet (Parliament) on Wednesday enacted a law to set up an independent nuclear regulatory body by September.
The new law was adopted following widespread criticism after last year’s accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Lawmakers have complained that the existing Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency is controlled by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry, which promotes nuclear power.
The proposed nuclear regulatory commission is to be largely independent of the government and will have control over a nuclear regulatory agency. Appointees to the five-member commission will not to be allowed to return to work at their former Ministries or agencies. The legislation also provides for the setting up of a new Cabinet Office council to study nuclear disaster preparedness, Japanese media reported.
The new law limits the Prime Minister’s powers to give orders during emergencies, and tasks the commission with making decisions involving knowledge of reactor technology. It allows the Prime Minister to give instructions only when the commission is too slow in deciding. The commission is to review the current 40-year limit for operating nuclear plants….. http://www.rttnews.com/1909544/japan-adopts-new-law-for-nuclear-regulatory-body.aspx?type=gn&Node=B1
Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s blind faith that nuclear waste is safe
The NRC held that waste storage was safe for at least 60 years after a plant shuts down; they then proposed a rule to allow spent fuel storage at reactor sites for 200-300 years.
Wake Up and Smell the Radioactive Waste, OpEd News, 20 June 12, By Abby Luby Given that 2,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel is produced every year at nuclear reactors in the United States, and over 75,000 metric tons of nuclear waste is being temporarily stored in 39 states, it is surprising that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has emphatically said this amount of waste is safe. What’s even more surprising is that no one has disputed them. Until now.
Last week, in what New York State calls a landmark victory, a U.S. Appeals Court ruled that the NRC violated a federal act by neglecting to run in-depth studies on how storing radioactive waste at nuclear power plants impacts health and the environment. The lawsuit was spearheaded and won by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who was joined by state attorneys general from Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey, and the Prairie Island Indian Community.
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