UK govt wants to sell off their problem “Mox” plutonium
[UK] ministers have now agreed they should press on with preparing the public for an even bigger Mox plant to deal with the growing stockpile of British-owned plutonium, expected to reach 109 tons within a few years.
Government’s doomed £6bn plan to dispose of nuclear waste, The Independent, 11 April 11“.…..Government ministers, their officials and advisers are all privately convinced that “recycling” plutonium waste into nuclear fuel that could be “burned” in nuclear reactors represents the safest and least expensive option in dealing with the stockpile. Continue reading
Poll shows Americans losing faith in nuclear power
Fox News Poll: 83% Think Nuclear Crisis Like Japan Could Happen in U.S., FoxNews.com, By Dana Blanton April 08, 2011 Most American voters think a nuclear crisis like what is happening in Japan could happen in the United States. In addition, the number believing nuclear power is not safe is on the rise.
Fully 83 percent of voters think a disaster similar to Japan’s could happen in the U.S., while a small 15-percent minority doesn’t think so. That’s according to a Fox News poll released Friday.
No gender gap or partisan divide on that issue: most men, women, Democrats, Republicans and independents all agree it’s possible a major nuclear crisis could happen here. …..Click here for complete poll results……
Fox News Poll: 83% Think Nuclear Crisis Like Japan Could Happen in U.S. – FoxNews.com
The revolving door of nuclear politicians and industry lobbyists
Revolving-door lobbyists for nuclear companies will advocate on their behalf as some lawmakers and environmental groups raise questions about safety…..Nuclear issues are taking priority for some utility company lobbyists…...
Former Hill Stars Add Muscle to Nuclear Industry’s Post-Japan Lobbying, By ANNE C. MULKERN of Greenwire : April 7, 2011 As a congressman, Rep. Robert Walker extolled the safety of nuclear power, arguing that technology prevented radiation poisoning during the meltdown at Three Mile Island.
He’s buttressing nuclear again today, this time working from the inside. Retired from the House, the Pennsylvania Republican provides strategic advice to the trade group Nuclear Energy Institute. Continue reading
Barack Obama – a President for the nuclear industry
One of Obama’s largest campaign donors since 2003 has been the Exelon Corporation, a nuclear power company. Obama’s former chief of staff, David Axelrod, previously worked as a consultant for Exelon. As a state Senator in Illinois, Obama skillfully played both sides of the nuclear debate, but ultimately did the industry’s political dirty work after a leak at an Exelon plant was exposed, causing public outrage. Obama put forward a bill requiring leaks to be immediately reported, but then worked hand-in-hand with Exelon to strip the bill of any teeth
Obama: The Nuclear Industry’s President Apr 7, 2011, By Patrick Ayers Following the nuclear disaster in Japan, President Obama sought to reassure the public, saying, “I still think that nuclear power is an important part of our overall energy mix.”
Since coming to office, Obama has spearheaded the nuclear industry’s revival in the U.S., championing it as a “safe, clean, and reliable” alternative to foreign oil. But as Normon Solomon pointed out, “There is no more techno-advanced country in the world than Japan. Nuclear power is not safe there, and it is not safe anywhere,” (Commondreams.org, 3/14/11). Continue reading
Anti nuclear enthusiasm brings political triumph to Germany’s Green Party
German Greens surge on anti-nuclear fervour, FT.com, By Gerrit Wiesmann in BerlinPublished: April 6 2011 Anti-nuclear sentiment and regional election triumphs have helped Germany’s Greens to unprecedented popularity, according to a poll which puts them ahead of the Social Democrats and just shy of the ruling Christian Democrats.Forsa, the polling group, on Wednesday said the Greens gained seven points since the Baden-Württemberg March election at the end of March to hit a record 28 per cent – enough to lead a “green-red” government with the Social Democrats.
The result beats the Greens’ previous record of 25 per cent in a Forsa poll, which they achieved last autumn …FT.com / Europe – German Greens surge on anti-nuclear fervour
Fukushima now causing a rethink in Iran, about nuclear power
The risks of a nuclear meltdown and the release of radioactive material are not limited to Iran. Bushehr is closer in proximity to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia’s oil rich eastern province than it is to Tehran.
Will Fukushima Force Iran to Reconsider Nuclear Program? The Atlantic, By Karim Sadjadpour, Ali Vaez & Fariborz Ghadar, Apr 1 2011, The country’s rogue energy program isn’t worth the humanitarian danger, the economic cost, or whatever scant power it might provide
While Japan’s unfolding nuclear and humanitarian crisis resurrected longstanding fears in the West about the safety of nuclear power and the potential vulnerabilities of the world’s over 400 operational nuclear power plants, among Iranians it seems to have inaugurated a long overdue debate. Continue reading
Canada’s former nuclear watchdog supports Greens
Former nuclear watchdog supports May, slams Tory minister. Ottawa Citizen, By Cindy Harnett, Postmedia News April 1, 2011 VICTORIA — Canada’s former nuclear watchdog threw her support behind Green party leader Elizabeth May on Friday, three years after she was fired by the Harper government……Keen was fired from her post as CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission after she forced a shutdown in late 2007 at a Chalk River reactor that provides vital isotopes for medical uses, and refused to restart it until safety systems were in place, despite intense political pressure……She also used the opportunity to link the nuclear issue to the crisis in Japan, where the Fukushima nuclear plant was badly damaged in an earthquake last month, and has leaked radiation to surrounding areas. “I think all Canadians can agree that there can be no short cuts or compromises on nuclear safety,” said May, who became friends with Keen after she was fired…….Former nuclear watchdog supports May, slams Tory minister.
Nuclear power now losing its glow in France
France has quietly begun reassessing the risks of nuclear power…… “Climate change is changing the situation,” he said, “Extreme events that so far happened every thousand years along the coast now happen every hundred years.”…..
France Gives Its Nuclear Power Industry a 2nd Look NYTimes.com By KATRIN BENNHOLD and DAVID JOLLY March 31, 2011 PARIS — The Fukushima nuclear crisis has prompted anti-nuclear marches across the world, persuaded the Chinese authorities to delay the construction of new reactors and helped the German government lose an important state election. Continue reading
Call for stopping India’s nuclear industry, and for independence in regulatory authority
The nuclear regulator must also be completely independent of the department of atomic energy (DAE),”……….Balaram’s demand for a moratorium — stopping nuclear power production for the time being — is likely to embarrass the government because of the positions he holds…….India’s nuclear power regulator – the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board – reports to the DAE, which is in charge of approving projects, creating a potential conflict of interest.
Top scientist calls for halt to N-power Charu Sudan Kasturi , Hindustan Times New Delhi, April 01, 2011 A top scientist on the Prime Minister’s scientific advisory council on Thursday demanded a nuclear moratorium following the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in quake-ravaged Japan. This is the first direct call from within the government for a temporary stop to nuclear power production. P Balaram, Continue reading
Resounding anti-nuclear vote in Germany’s regional election
Close to a quarter of a million people took the to streets across Germany at the weekend to protest against the use of nuclear power.
German Greens on Fukushima high, The Age, Paola Totaro, London March 29, 2011 GERMANY’S richest state has ousted Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Conservatives from power for the first time in 58 years, embracing the Greens and throwing doubt on Dr Merkel’s political future. Continue reading
2.000 Taiwanese protest against nuclear power
DPP Taipei City Councilwoman Hsu Chia-ching told IPS that “no one is advocating an immediate cessation of generation, but a gradual and balanced phase-out”.
In response to questions as to whether refusing to allow the new facility to operate would be a waste of money, Tsai said that “allowing Nuclear Four to operate and generate more radioactive spent fuel and waste would create a greater tragedy.”
TAIWAN Opposition Urges Nuclear Phase-out By 2025, IPS ipsnews.net, By Dennis Engbarth, 28 March 11, Over 2,000 protestors participated in a “We Love Taiwan, We Don’t Want Nuclear Disaster” march in Taipei City. Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman and former Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen has announced a proposal for a “2025 Non-Nuclear Home Plan” that will allow Taiwan to eliminate reliance on nuclear power by the end of 2025….
……. DPP Taipei City Councilwoman Hsu Chia-ching told IPS that “no one is advocating an immediate cessation of generation, but a gradual and balanced phase-out”.
In response to questions as to whether refusing to allow the new facility to operate would be a waste of money, Tsai said that “allowing Nuclear Four to operate and generate more radioactive spent fuel and waste would create a greater tragedy.”
“The damage to Japan’s society and economy, including tourism, agriculture, fishing and industry, is simply too huge, not to mention the costs of rebuilding,” National Taiwan University Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Hsu Kuang-jung told IPS, stressing that “the Fukushima incident is not yet over”.
“Nuclear power is the most expensive and risky method of power generation and if we don’t absolutely need it, why should we create so much danger and cause our people to live in fear?” asked Hsu. “The Taiwan people have never had a chance to directly express their will on whether to accept the risk of nuclear power.”
Over 2,000 residents near the fourth plant, environmentalists and opposition politicians participated in a rally last week with the theme “We Love Taiwan, We Don’t Want Nuclear Disasters”. …….
TAIWAN: Opposition Urges Nuclear Phase-out By 2025 – IPS ipsnews.net
NRC says new nuclear plant poses no environmental risk
The NRC still needs to complete a safety report on the project and finish a review of the proposed reactor’s design……Some members of Congress and environmental groups have called for the NRC to suspend action on new licenses until it completes its investigation of existing facilities’ safety..
New Reactors Clear Hurdle Amid Nuclear Review WSJ.com, 26 March 11 By NAUREEN MALIK And TENNILLE TRACY U.S. nuclear regulators on Friday removed a key hurdle facing Southern Co.’s bid to build two nuclear reactors near Augusta, Ga., saying the project doesn’t pose environmental risks. Continue reading
Vermont the only US State that can say No to nuclear plants
“It puzzles me that more states don’t take control into their own hands about aging nuclear power plants,”
Vermont’s unique nuclear-power veto – Boston.com, By Alan Wirzbicki 23 march 11, Who has the final word on regulating nuclear power plants?In 49 states, it’s the federal government, acting through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At the moment, Vermont is the lone exception.
As the result of a deal in 2002 and subsequent legislation in 2006, the state Legislature has the authority to block the Vermont Yankee plant from staying in operation past 2012, when its license runs out. Continue reading
Chairman of Japan’s nuclear watchdog call for rethink on nuclear power
Nuclear energy promoter apologises The Australian, March 24, 2011 The pro-nuclear chairman of Japan’s atomic watchdog has called for a worldwide review of the nuclear energy industry after admitting that mistakes had been made in the design of the Fukushima power plant.In comments that will provide ammunition for anti-nuclear campaigners, Haruki Madarame said assumptions behind the building of the now dangerously radioactive nuclear plant had been wrong and global safety guidelines for the industry should be reconsidered.His admission and accompanying apology represented a U-turn from an individual who has advised the Japanese government on nuclear matters for 30 years and chaired its Nuclear Safety Commission since April last year.”As a person who promoted nuclear power, I have a personal feeling of apology,” he said. Nuclear energy promoter apologises | The Australian
Political push to close down Quebec’s nuclear plant
‘It’s not necessary to refurbish the plant at such an elevated price when Quebec has the means – through energy efficiency, renewable energy and its hydro electricity – to avoid nuclear.’—PQ Leader Pauline Marois……The PQ said it would immediately close the plant if it were elected.
Coalition fights Quebec’s nuclear plant – Montreal – CBC News, 21 March 11, A Quebec coalition of politicians and activists is calling for the permanent closure of the province’s lone nuclear facility in light of the crisis in Japan. The group says maintaining Quebec’s Gentilly-2 power plant is dangerous, given the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Continue reading
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Say No to NASA’s Reckless Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
Say No to NASA’s Reckless Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
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