Nuclear Title May Not Be Enough to Push Senate Climate Bill Over the Top –
Nuclear Title May Not Be Enough to Push Senate Climate Bill Over the Top The New York Times By KATHERINE LING Reporters Allison Winter, Alex Kaplun and Darren Samuelsohn contributed. 17 July 09 While supporters of nuclear energy ardently proclaim the power source is necessary to combat climate change, incentives for nuclear power may not be the silver bullet sponsors need to pass climate legislation in the Senate this year…………………………………The energy committee bill has several perks for nuclear energy including a Clean Energy Development Administration, training programs for nuclear education, and exclusion of new nuclear generation or capacity upgrades through efficiency at existing nuclear plants from the power sales baseline used to measure the renewable electricity standard (RE………………..The House climate bill, H.R. 2454 (pdf), also contains a Clean Energy Development Administration — although it prevents any technology from using more than 30 percent of total available funds. It also includes the exclusion of new nuclear generation from the power sales baseline used to calculate the RES………………………………..The underlying question for sponsors: If nuclear incentives are not enough to get undecided senators on board with cap and trade, what is the point of including them at all?…………………..The nuclear issue dominated much of the debate at a hearing on Tuesday………………………”What we are hopeful for in any climate bill are those provisions. One, the recognition of nuclear as a clean energy source so if someone has nuclear in their portfolio they should be recognized for that and, two, recognition that to move forward we are going to have to private-public partnership of government and private enterprise,” said Derrick Freeman, senior director, of NEI’s legislative programs.
Nuclear Title May Not Be Enough to Push Senate Climate Bill Over the Top – NYTimes.com
Nuclear power regulation becomes political minefield
Nuclear power regulation becomes political minefield
Deutsche Welle 13.07.2009
A short circuit that led to an automatic shutdown at the Kruemmel nuclear power plant in northern Germany sparked a debate over who should oversee nuclear power operations and how tight regulation should be.
The malfunction was the second such incident in several days at the plant in northern Germany, which had only just re-opened after two years of repairs following a malfunction in a transformer that had caused a fire and a shutdown.
Vattenfall, the power plant’s operator, has since said it failed to install an important safety sensor, and that all of Kruemmel’s 80,000 fuel rods had to be checked after some appeared to be defective.
It’s time to stand up to the energy giants
It’s time to stand up to the energy giants Guardian UK, by John Sauven 13 July 2009 Renewable energy will never take off as long as the industry is dominated by European utilities Against the backdrop of the worldwide economic downturn, it is ironic that the area often said to have the least business certainty, the renewables sector, is one of the few success stories. Globally this industry is bucking the trends, creating millions of new green jobs, increasing countries’ energy independence and reducing climate-changing emissions…………………………Not so much the “voice of British business” as the voice of French and German energy monopolies, for too long E.ON, RWE and EDF have dictated the terms of the British energy debate. Today’s CBI report advocating that Britain scale back its renewable ambitions yet further is just the latest tactic by these utilities to shaft British business efforts in clean tech out of fear of new competition and the threat posed to their “business as usual” approach. EDF and E.ON admit they oppose ambition on renewables in case they undermine the economic case for the nuclear power stations they want to build. These arguments are now parroted verbatim by the CBI.
t is no coincidence that Germany and Spain, which have shut the door on new nuclear power, have invested most in renewables and seen their green industries rocket. Spain now generates as much as 40% of its electricity from wind power and studies show the investment in renewables has lowered wholesale electricity prices in Spain by more than the cost of the incentive they used to kickstart the industry. Germany has created almost a quarter of a million new green jobs in renewables as a whole and £8.5bn a year for its economy from wind industry sales alone.While other countries got ahead of the UK in green tech, in a textbook case of the power of special interests operating in Whitehall, energy officials in Britain lobbied together with two German energy giants and the French state-owned atomic industry to systematically undermine and sabotage UK efforts on renewables…………………………….anti-wind nimby groups with links to giant PR firms were set up to whip up anti-renewable hysteria with little transparency and much suspicion about who was really behind them, especially given that national government polling shows that 80% of people support wind power. Plans were even announced to knock down a wind farm to make way for a nuclear plant.
It’s time to stand up to the energy giants | John Sauven | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
Italy Returns to Nuclear Power While the World Looks Ahead
Italy Returns to nuclear Power while the World Looks Ahead Eco Worldly, by Eva Pratesi, 10 July 09 While world leaders are addressing the issue of climate change during G8 in L’Aquila, Italy has chosen to ditch research and promotion of renewable energy sources going back into a dangerous past. Environmental organisation Legambiente meanwhile described the law as a ”return to energy prehistory”, saying United States President Barack Obama had ”refused to finance” that technology because it was ”polluting and unsafe”.The cost of building four nuclear plants would be 20-25 billion euros, while they would contribute less than 5% to the country’s energy consumption………………………………….The law foresee that nuclear power will produce a 25% of the electric energy needed in Italy. But the production of electric energy represents only a 18% of our total energy demand, with a 82% plus required by means of transport. Attending to the new law, the goal of 25%, concerning that 18% of electric production, means that nuclear energy will satisfy only a 4.5% of the Italian energy demand.
– A recent research, “The case for investing in energy productivity” by McKinsey Global Institute, explains that applying energy efficiency in building sector would be possible to cover a 4% of our national consumption, the same percentage predicted by nuclear plants. Italian politicians don’t understand that change our mind investing in efficiency and renewable energies is possible from now and with lower costs.
Italy Returns to Nuclear Power While the World Looks Ahead : EcoWorldly
The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ruled that the Green Party of Florida and two other environmental groups could challenge Progress Energy’s plan for two new nuclear reactors. | Ocala.com | Star-Banner | Ocala, FL
Legal challenge to nuclear plant advances Environmental groups opposing Progress’ proposed Levy reactors may argue issues in court, board rules. Ocala.com By Fred Hiers
Friday, July 10, 2009Progress Energy’s road to building its proposed nuclear power plant in Levy County northwest of Dunnellon is becoming anything but smooth.
On Wednesday, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board – an arm of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission – ruled that the Green Party of Florida and two other environmental groups could challenge the utility company’s plan for two new nuclear reactors and had successfully raised major concerns about the plant’s potential environmental impact.
That means Progress Energy will have to argue its case about those environmental issues during a legal hearing, including in oral arguments
The other two environmental organizations that petitioned to be part of future hearings and had objections were the Nuclear Information and Resource Service and the Ecology Party of Florida.
The environmental groups had 12 areas of concern. The licensing board dismissed nine. The remaining three had to do with radioactive waste, how construction would affect the aquifer in the area and the plant’s use and disposal of salt water…………………………
The environmental groups also said the proposed plant should make better plans as to what it would do with its spent radioactive waste and have long-term storage strategies. The utility should also better explain its safety and security procedures for the waste.
The licensing board also agreed with the environmental groups that the utility company should better address the environmental impact of building its plant on a flood plain and its effect on the aquifer and wetlands.
Don’t nuke the climate
International campaign “Don’t nuke the climate” : we need your support
Please answer before the 12th of July 2009.
Register your group
The first partners In December 2009, at the next UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, it will be the world leaders’ duty to aim for an ambitious agreement regarding greenhouse gas emissions cut targets. They should also agree on a relevant budget to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation.Nuclear power has been kept outside of climate change mitigation mechanisms like CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) and JI (Joint Implementation) so far. However, some evidence shows that the nuclear lobby could be preparing its comeback at the next COP to have this dirty energy labeled as clean or carbon-free and thus benefit from new subsidies. Will our leaders let themselves be talked into financing a dangerous, costly and irrelevant technology, which would divert urgently needed money from real solutions to climate change?
This is why we now propose you to support the international campaign “Don’t nuke the climate” which will be initiated by the Réseau “Sortir du nucléaire” (French Network for Nuclear Phase-out). A campaign document will be edited at a large scale (several hundreds of thousand copies) by September 2009. It will include petition postcards to be signed by citizens, which will be gathered and then presented in Copenhagen during a media-oriented action. Beside, we will ask citizens to send us pictures to make a huge mosaic showing the face(s) of world citizens’ refusal of nuke as a solution to global warming.
We would highly appreciate to see your logo on this document and on the dedicated website, our aim being to distribute this campaign as broadly as possible, not only in France, but also in Europe and maybe further. Our last campaign on this topic, in year 2008, has already gathered 27 partners at a national level. However, the issue is global and requires international committment. We know some of you are already active on the issue of nukes and global warming, and hope this campaign could contribute in joining our efforts to allow the antinuclear voice to be heard even stronger in Copenhagen.Like already many organizations, do not hesitate to register your NGO as a partner of the campaign “Don’t nuke the climate”The writing work is in progress and your remarks will be welcomed.
Wall must ignore nuclear hype, make an informed decision
“……………………………..the legitimacy of nuclear power as a cost-efficient energy source was dealt a severe blow this week with the news that the Ontario government has suspended the tender to build two new reactors at Darlington — part of a $26-billion nuclear building refurbishment plan. This development has certainly put a perspective on the foremost problem with nuclear power development — the exorbitant pricetag — that business proponents like the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce have sadly been downplaying.
Russia eyes nuclear power deals in Egypt, Nigeria
Russia eyes nuclear power deals in Egypt, Nigeria
By Oleg ShchedrovABUJA, June 24 (Reuters) – Russia wants to help develop nuclear power plants in Egypt and Nigeria and take part in uranium exploration there, the head of Russia’s nuclear energy agency Rosatom said on Wednesday.Sergei Kiriyenko, in Nigeria with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as part of a four-day Africa trip, said Egypt planned two to four reactors at its first nuclear power station…………………….
Australia’s WorleyParsons last week signed a nuclear power pact consultancy contract with Egypt worth around $160 million.Russia is also expected to sign a nuclear energy pact with Nigeria during the Abuja stage of the Africa trip, Nigerian and Russian officials have said.
National Poll: Americans Split on Safety of Nuclear Energy
— Most Support EPA Designation of Carbon Dioxide as Public Health Threat
— Majorities See Danger in Nuclear Waste
— Wind Energy Perceived as Safest
— One-Third See More Nuclear Weapons as Plants Increase
FAIRFIELD, Conn., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A new national poll of 800 residents by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute found a nearly even split between those suggesting nuclear energy was very or somewhat safe (46.1%) and those who said somewhat dangerous or very dangerous (44.7%).
“Americans are split about whether nuclear power is safe or not, and many people have specific security concerns about nuclear power. The two dangers that concern a majority of Americans are the problems with radioactive waste storage, a top criticism of nuclear power, and possible plant meltdowns,” says Dr. Josh Klein, assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Sacred Heart University.
A majority of Americans (58.4%), however, indicated that nuclear energy’s radioactive waste is a danger that humans will face for thousands of years to come.
Over one-third of respondents, 36.8%, expect the number of nuclear weapons to increase worldwide as a result of building more nuclear power plants.
Poll respondents did consider other energy sources as significantly more safe than nuclear energy. A large majority, 94.6%, saw wind energy as very or somewhat safe. This was followed by river and tidal energy (80.0%), geothermal energy (68.5%), fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas (56.1%), and biofuels (55.6%).
http://sev.prnewswire.com/oil-energy/20090624/DC3751424062009-1.html
Government shelves nuclear power plan
Government shelves nuclear power plan The Jakarta Post Yuli Tri Suwarni , The Jakarta Post , Bandung
June 17, 2009
The ArchipelagoAmid mounting opposition from the public and NGOs, the state electricity firm PLN has temporarily shelved plans to set up a nuclear power plant.PLN director of planning and technology Bambang Praptomo said Monday that a nuclear-generated power plant was not included in his company’s Electricity Procurement Business Plans (RUPTL) outlined for up to 2018.The company’s procurement business plans were based on the National Electricity General Plans (RUKN), which the government recently put together, he added.In the previous RUKN, the government had aimed to start generating nuclear power by 2016.
Sarkozy’s Sugar Poppa Days in Africa are Numbered «
Sarkozy’s Sugar Poppa Days in Africa are Numbered Mo’dernity Mo’problems 17 June 09 Today, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will attend the funeral of Omar Bongo of Gabon, the world’s longest serving and shortest dictator……………………Mr. Bongo was the grease to France’s sugar poppa politics in Africa. But now, Sarko is weaker in Africa than before and he has to deal with the aftermath of Bongo’s passing, who at time of death was in the middle of a corruption case lodged by Transparency International in French Courts……………………With huge investments in Gabon, a ridiculous court case and the loss of an African ally, Sarko is seems like a sugar poppa no more. From his overtly racist speech in Dakar to his to his absurd claim that new uranium extraction deals with the DRC would help the Congo on its path to peace, French President Nicolas Sarkozy seems more like a bumbling version of Tintin than the president of an post-colonial metropole…………………..His Africa project has all but collapsed.
Sarkozy’s Sugar Poppa Days in Africa are Numbered « Mo’dernity, Mo’problems
Nuclear Opponents Argue Against Comanche Peak Expansion
Nuclear Opponents Argue Against Comanche Peak Expansion
Shelley Kofler, KERA News (2009-06-11) GRANBURY, TX (KERA) – For the second day, North Texas nuclear opponents are presenting arguments before a panel of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. They are challenging Luminant Generation’s request for a license to expand the Comanche Peak nuclear plant, as KERA’s Shelley Kofler reports.
Luminant wants to add two larger reactors to the two already operating at Comanche Peak, southwest of Fort Worth. Nuclear opponents have raised concerns about public health, cost, and enormous water use……………
………..Eye: These plants as we now know from other regulatory requirements are vulnerable to attack, and the more spent fuel that’s on site the bigger the target the more vulnerable we are to the consequences of a large radiological release
Court says nuclear test soldiers can sue Britain
Court says nuclear test soldiers can sue Britain
June 06, 2009
THE British High Court has concluded thousands of Australian service men and their families were treated as nuclear ‘guinea pigs’, giving them the right to sue the British Government.
The bombshell decision found the British Ministry of Defence did have a case to answer that it unfairly exposed servicemen from Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Fiji to atomic fallout during the series of tests in South Australia, Western Australia and off the eastern coast on atolls in the Pacific during the 1950s.
The sensational ruling was greeted with cheers from many veterans in Room 73 of the London Royal Courts of Justice where for five years 1000 of them have fought to prove they and their families had suffered because of radioactive exposure.
The case paves the way for millions of dollars in compensation to now be offered to the servicemen exposed on land, air and sea who were directed into mushroom clouds to test the effects of the weaponry on the human body.
The Australian Federal Government had stalled for years on whether to pay compensation, citing it was awaiting for a ruling to be made by the British High Court since the tests were done by the British Government.
AdelaideNow… Court says nuclear test soldiers can sue Britain
In Renewable Energy Legislation, Nuclear Power May Find Exemptions
In Renewable Energy Legislation, Nuclear Power May Find Exemptions redOrbit 5 June 2009 In a law that would mandate utility companies to generate a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources, U.S. legislators are trying to increase incentives for the use of nuclear power and energy efficiency. Nuclear power, however, is not currently considered a renewable electricity source according to the terms laid out in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee bill. If the bill becomes law, a predetermined percentage of every U.S. utility company’s total power output would have to be dedicated to renewable energy sources.
The Senate committee recently modified the bill to include an amendment authored by Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski. Under the modified legislation, any future increase in capacity at existing nuclear power plants or new nuclear power plants would be exempt from the bill’s green energy requirements.
By not including the expansion of output at nuclear power plants, the amendment would allow these power plants to increase energy production without being subject to mandatory increases in the amount of renewable power they generate.
In Renewable Energy Legislation, Nuclear Power May Find Exemptions – Science News – redOrbit
Anti-nuclear opinions dominate uranium forum in Regina
Anti-nuclear opinions dominate uranium forum in Regina By Angela Hall, Leader-PostJune 5, 2009 REGINA — More than 400 people gathered in Regina to weigh in on the province’s nuclear options, with many in the crowd firmly opposed to the idea of building a reactor………………
During the open microphone portion of the meeting Thursday night, Regina resident Ron Bocking asked those opposed to nuclear power to raise their hand — which prompted most of the crowd to cheer and put up their arm.
“I’m strongly opposed to nuclear energy for three main reasons,” said Bocking, calling it economically unfeasible, dangerous due to the waste that has to be isolated from the environment and unnecessary. “There’s many other forms of energy.”………………………
Others called for a bigger focus on renewable energy options.
“Why isn’t there a public meeting of this size talking about solar and wind?” asked one man.
1 This Month
23-25 October – on Zoom – World BEYOND War’s annual global conferenc
Shut down the radiation-damaged Heysham nuclear reactors now
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity – go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com
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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