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Merkel bypasses German Parliament in move to prolong nuclear power

Merkel has indicated that she believes she will be able to bypass the Bundesrat because the new deal prolongs the phase-out period, but does not actually overturn the 2002 law. This apparent skipping of parliamentary process in such a significant policy for Germany’s energy future will form the crux of the anti-nuclear lobby’s opposition……..The Social Democratic Party and the Greens have made it clear that if the deal goes ahead they will make it a major issue in the next election and overturn it if elected.

Germany’s ‘hot autumn’ of nuclear discontent, Sydney Morning Herald, James Norman and Dave Sweeney, September 15, 2010, “…….. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrat coalition will move a new accord to extend the life-span of Germany’s 17 existing nuclear power plants by 12 years ….

The move has signalled a new “hot autumn” of anti-nuclear sentiment in Berlin and beyond. Continue reading →

September 15, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , , | Leave a comment

South Africa has virtually no control over its radioactive materials

The current situation is a serious indictment on the ANC-government, as it will result or has already resulted in South African citizens being exposed to unnecessary radiation and danger…..

Govt’s radiation control dept almost kaput,  Politicsweb, – DAMike Waters 12 September 2010 Mike Waters says vacancy rate at 50%, 64% inspections outstandingRadiation Control Directorate: Non-operation poses threat to public safety The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in possession of internal documents dating as far back as 2003, which reveal that the Department of Health’s Directorate for Radiation Control is almost non-operational. Continue reading →

September 13, 2010 Posted by | politics, South Africa | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Britain’s nuclear missile system is unaffordable

The government is under increasing pressure to reach a consensus over the Trident replacement programme, which is costing £1 million a day in research and development.

Scrapping Trident up for debate again, gulfnews,  By Patrick Hennessy and Sean Rayment, The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2010 *   September 13, 2010 The future of Britain’s Trident nuclear missile system is again under threat as ministers draw up detailed plans for spending cuts, The Sunday Telegraph understands. Continue reading →

September 13, 2010 Posted by | politics, UK | , | Leave a comment

Barack Obama too scared to allow even symbolic support for climate change action?

campaigners had hoped that the White House would embrace at least the symbolism of going solar – much like Michelle Obama kicked off her healthy food movement by planting a vegetable garden.

Barack Obama says ‘no’ to solar panels on the White House roof | Suzanne Goldenberg | 10 Sept 10 Campaigner Bill McKibben says solar panels would demonstrate presidential leadership on climate change. Continue reading →

September 11, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

65% of Germans not happy with Merkel pandering to nuclear lobby

65 percent of respondents agree with the charge leveled by many in the German opposition that Merkel’s center-right coalition mainly took account of nuclear plant operators’ interests in drawing up its energy concept.

Poll: Germans oppose nuclear power extension – BusinessWeek, 10 sept 10, A majority of Germans oppose government plans to put off a shutdown of the country’s nuclear power plants by an average 12 years, according to a poll released Friday.The poll for ZDF television found that 61 percent opposed the plan announced earlier this week to undo a previous government’s decade-old decision to shut down all German nuclear plants by 2021. Continue reading →

September 11, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , | Leave a comment

India refusing to be a stooge for USA nuclear salesmen

Coming in the backdrop of the recent judgment of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the events thereafter, Indian opposition parties, and in many cases, even the Indian intelligentsia, is putting pressure on the government to make sure that the country is not seen as a ‘U.S. stooge’ within or outside the country.

Civil Nuclear Bill – The slip is showing – International Business Times, 10 Sept 10, It was meant to be a quid-pro-quo in return for the Bush administration-led efforts to get India into the global nuclear league. In return, the U.S. expected India to return the favor by ensuring that the U.S. industry benefits the most from the country’s civil nuclear effort. However, the bill, as passed by the India parliament last fortnight is anything but satisfactory to the U.S. industry. Continue reading →

September 11, 2010 Posted by | India, politics | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Angela Merkel denies secret nuclear deal – do we believe her?

Tens of thousands are expected to take part in a mass anti-nuclear rally in Berlin on Sept. 18……..

German govt spokesman rejects charges of secret pact* Merkel’s party loses support after nuclear extension By Erik KirschbaumBERLIN, Sept 10 (Reuters) – The German government denied on Friday charges that it had made a secretive deal to cap safety costs for utility firms as part of an agreement to extend the lifespans of nuclear power plants. Continue reading →

September 10, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s nuclear socialism – a nightmare, not a miracle

Unlike computers, solar panels, wind turbines and most other high tech projects, nuclear power plants and projects don’t go down in price over time. Instead, the costs escalate, and that’s a recipe for a disaster,

Time to End Nuclear Socialism, Says New Study, Greentech Media, 10 Sept 10, A nuclear plant will cost $7,000 to $10,000 per kilowatt, says Mark Cooper of the University of Vermont. That’s more than wind, solar, storage and other renewables—and the price tag will continue to climb. It shouldn’t be called the French Nuclear Miracle, says Mark Cooper. It’s more like a recurring nightmare. Continue reading →

September 10, 2010 Posted by | France, politics | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retirement time for Germany’s old nuclear reactors

Nearly two thirds of German citizens oppose nuclear power, and 150,000 people participated in the recent big demonstration against it. It remains to be seen whether the government has the power or the mandate to force through its wishes.

Time for Germany’s nuclear reactors to retire | Greenpeace International, by jmckeati – September 7, 2010 So, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced at the weekend that her government will seek extension to the country’s nuclear reactors’ lifetimes of between 8 and 14 years. Germany’s reactors are the nuclear old men of Europe, more than ready for retirement. All nuclear reactors are dangerous and the older they are the more dangerous they become. Frau Merkel is making a grave mistake by seeking to extend the operating life of Germany´s nuclear reactors. Continue reading →

September 8, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Election battle looms over Merkel’s plan to extend nuclear power in Germany

Opposition parties and environmentalists have vowed to fight the planned extension in the lifetime of Germany’s 17 nuclear reactors….the opposition has vowed to challenge this in Germany’s highest court…..Even if the extension becomes law, the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), co-authors with the Greens of 2000’s decision to exit nuclear power, said they will reverse Merkel’s changes if they return to power.

Merkel sets stage for nuclear power battle, Google hosted news, By Simon Sturdee (AFP) – 7 Sept 10, BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday hailed government proposals to postpone Germany’s exit from nuclear power as a “revolution,” setting up what one opposition MP called a “fiery autumn” of protests……. Continue reading →

September 8, 2010 Posted by | France, politics | , , | Leave a comment

Not certain that Germany’s nuclear plants will be extended

Merkel’s coalition, however, still needs to get parliamentary approval for the new agreement.

German leaders reach agreement on nuclear energy – BusinessWeek,  JUERGEN BAETZ, 5 Sept 10, German leaders reached an agreement to grant the country’s nuclear power plants an average of 12 extra years of production time and to levy new fees on the utility companies’, stripping them of billions of their expected additional profits, a government official said Sunday……. Continue reading →

September 6, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , | Leave a comment

Many Germans unhappy with extension of aging nuclear plants

“The chancellor is selling off public safety by allowing ailing and ageing nuclear power plants to stay online longer and by taking money for it.”..

Angela Merkel risks Germans’ ire with fresh commitment to nuclear energyGerman chancellor adds 15 years to scheduled phase-out of country’s nuclear power plants ,  Kate Connolly in Berlin guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 August 2010 Continue reading →

September 3, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , , | Leave a comment

New charges and fuel tax burden on Germany’s nuclear plants

Financial demands before German nuclear operators, World Nuclear News, By Rumyana Vakarelska, 31 August 2010 In addition to the introduction of a new €2.3 billion ($2.9 billion) annual windfall tax, the German government has now demanded nuclear firms pay a contribution towards the development of renewable energy.A number of measures expected to be brought in during September are likely to see the introduction of a tax on nuclear fuel that will help shore up German finances in return for allowing nuclear operators to continue their businesses. This could come at the same time as austerity measures, when additional billions in tax from nuclear firms would be particularly welcome. Financial demands before German nuclear operators

September 1, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , | Leave a comment

Indian government’s dangerous rush to get nuclear power

the Indian government  tried to limit liability to only if it could be proved that a supplier had done an act ‘with the intent to cause nuclear damage’. This astounding insertion left a huge loophole for contractors doing shoddy work to wriggle out of paying any damages if things go wrong………Given India’s pervasive culture of poor management and corruption, Mr Singh’s government should think carefully before plunging headlong into a risky track from which there is no going back.

Dangers in India’s path to nuclear energy, THE BUSINESS TIMES, By YOGI AGGARWAL, August 31, 2010, THERE have been few acts by the Indian government in recent months that have given rise to as many misgivings as its attempt to push through the nuclear liability Bill. Continue reading →

August 31, 2010 Posted by | India, politics | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Demands to scrap plans for nuclear plant in Jaitapur

The most important point that has come from the discussions with the NPCIL is the information that the project does not have proper disposal or storage mechanism for nuclear waste and the information in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), prepared by the NEERI about the nuclear waste storage and disposal, is completely false,”

Jaitapur nuclear plant needs thorough regulatory scrutiny’, The Hindu , 29 Aug 2010, The Konkan Bachao Samiti (KBS), which is opposing the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant (JNPP) in Ratnagiri, has said that several questions on the project remain unanswered. Continue reading →

August 30, 2010 Posted by | India, politics | , , , , , , | Leave a comment