– Nuclear plan good news for economy or deadly legacy?
Nuclear plan good news for economy or deadly legacy? Wales News Apr 16 2009THE nomination of Wylfa Peninsula on Anglesey as one of 11 potential sites for a new UK nuclear power station was hailed yesterday as “very good news” for the island’s economy.
But environmental groups criticised the plans as leaving a “deadly legacy” at a cost of billions of pounds. Anglesey’s residents have one month to submit their views on the new power station, which would replace the current plant, due to stop generating electricity in 2010………………..
……….Friends of the Earth said “breathing new life into the failed nuclear experiment” was not the answer to the UK’s energy problems.
The group’s energy campaigner Robin Webster said: “Nuclear power leaves a deadly legacy of radioactive waste that remains highly dangerous for tens of thousands of years and costs tens of billions of pounds to manage.
“And building new reactors would divert precious resources from developing safe, clean renewable power.
“Nuclear firms are already lobbying ministers to water down UK renewable energy targets. Ministers must exploit the UK’s huge potential of wind, solar, marine and hydro power, and embark on a massive national programme of energy efficiency.
“This will create tens of thousands more jobs than the nuclear option, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, tackle climate change and make Britain a world leader in developing a green economy.”
Yemen Drops Nuclear Power Idea; To Produce Wind and Thermal Energy
Yemen Drops Nuclear Power Idea; To Produce Wind and Thermal Energy Yemen Post 5, April, 2009
Minister of Electricity and Energy dismissed Wednesday the idea of producing nuclear energy in the country, saying it was not time to use nuclear power to deal with energy problems, mainly daily electricity cuts.However, Minister Awadh Al-Socotri affirmed the government has plans to produce wind and thermal energy instead.He said the government is about to sign deals with the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank to construct a wind-power plant in Makha province.
Volunteers protest nuclear power use
Volunteers protest nuclear power use Thu, April 16, 2009
The London Free Press (Ontario) By NATASHA MARAR, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIAcheckCookie();
Greenpeace members wore masks of a character from The Simpsons TV show in a protest yesterday in London against nuclear power.
The demonstration was held in front of the Hilton hotel, where public hearings into the province’s proposed Green Energy Act were taking place.
Protesters wore plastic masks depicting Simpsons character Mr. Burns, a nuclear plant owner.
“Our main problem with the act is that it’s a lot of greenwashing,” Greenpeace volunteer David Major said.
“It’s presented as a green energy act, but it focuses a lot on nuclear.”
London Free Press – Local News- Volunteers protest nuclear power use
Energy council fails to endorse nuclear power expansion
Energy council fails to endorse nuclear power expansionPremier promises stronger government efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energyBy Dennis EngbarthTaiwan News, Staff Reporter Taiwan News 17 April 09 A high-profile “National Energy Conference” concluded yesterday without granting the restored Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) government a clear endorsement to expand construction of nuclear power plants in Taiwan…………………
n a closing address to the third public-private NEC to be held since 1999, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan Liu renewed the promise issued by President Ma Ying-jeou Wednesday to secure passage of the draft renewable energy development statute, which has been stalled in the KMT-controlled Legislative Yuan since 2002, and other related laws.
Liu also promised stronger government efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in society, industry, transportation, power generation, technology, education and government operations.
Energy council fails to endorse nuclear power expansion – Taiwan News Online
UK Government Obsession With Nuclear Power Costly for the Country
UK Government Obsession With Nuclear Power Costly for the Country Earth Times 15 Apr 2009 “……………………….- The problematic history of nuclear power in the United Kingdom (UK) suggests that a stronger focus on sustainable energy alternatives is a better and more cost-effective option. This is a conclusion of a report released today by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). The British Nuclear Industry: Status and Prospects provides a detailed analysis of the current state of the nuclear power industry in the UK, including its energy strategy and the government’s plans for possible new nuclear capacity. While the political momentum in support of nuclear options continues to grow, the study’s findings show that the government’s strategy is once again thwarting technologies that might prove cheaper and more reliable…………………….notes the author, “The option of building a new series of nuclear power stations is controversial and highly contested,” citing several reports that show there is no need to build new nuclear stations in the UK. The reports argue that a combination of renewable energy, greater energy efficiencies and other technologies can fill the gap as the old nuclear plants become redundant.
UK Government Obsession With Nuclear Power Costly for the Country
Minister provokes nuclear war over Scotland’s energy future
Minister provokes nuclear war over Scotland’s energy future scotsman.com 16 April 2009By Jenny Haworth THE UK government was accused last night of trying to frustrate Scotland’s push for renewable energy by bullying the SNP into accepting new nuclear power stations……………………………..The SNP administration has consistently ruled out any new nuclear power stations in Scotland after the closure of the existing two plants – Hunterston and Torness in East Lothian. Instead, it intends to focus on renewables…………………….Mr Mather was quick to emphasise yesterday that he was focusing on renewable sources of energy rather than nuclear power.
“Scotland simply doesn’t want or need dangerous and unnecessary new nuclear power stations, with soaring decommissioning costs and the unresolved problem of storage of radioactive waste that burdens future generations for thousands of years,” he said.
“Every pound invested in new nuclear power in other parts of the UK is a pound less on developing renewable and clean energy technology.”
He added that the SNP administration was focusing on developing Scotland’s “real strengths” – harnessing the country’s vast renewable energy potential.
“With around a quarter of Europe’s wave and tidal energy potential, as well as massive wind power opportunities, there are fantastic economic and employment opportunities, and the Scottish Government recently announced plans to create 16,000 green energy-related jobs in Scotland over the next decade,” Mr Mather said.
“Renewable technologies, including wind, water, biomass, wave and tidal, backed up by clean thermal base-load, can meet our energy needs many times over.”
Minister provokes nuclear war over Scotland’s energy future – Scotsman.com News
Irish environmental groups criticise British nuclear plant proposal
Irish environmental groups criticise British nuclear plant proposal IRISHTIMES.COM MARY FITZGERALD, April 16, 2009
PLANS BY the British government to press ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations, including two proposed sites near Sellafield, have been criticised by Irish environmental groups and anti-nuclear campaigners……………………….
Dr David Hutchinson Edgar, chairman of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said the plans were a cause for concern. “These concerns are heightened by the fact that five of the sites are on or near the Irish Sea coast, and three are in Cumbria, where Sellafield’s poor record on safety and discharges into the Irish Sea are well-known,” he said.
“In the event of either an accident at a nuclear site, or a deliberate terrorist attack, Ireland . . . could not escape the impact of the fallout . . . Billions invested in prolonging the use of nuclear power could well yield better long-term results through investment in genuinely sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as wind, wave, hydro and biomass.”
High Stakes for Moscow in U.S. Play for Iran
High Stakes for Moscow in U.S. Play for IranThe Moscow Times By Fyodor Lukyanov April 16, 2009 The situation in Iran will likely become the center of global tensions in the months and years ahead. Tehran’s desire to establish its status as a regional power will surely clash with Washington’s desire to solidify its own global leadership role. And Russia, which has one foot in both camps, will find itself in an increasingly difficult position………….
……………….Iran is a problem for Russia regardless of which direction Tehran goes. A nuclear-armed Iran would greatly destabilize the region. It is difficult to predict the extent and aim of Iran’s ambitions. Any attempt by the United States to apply force against Iran would mean that the military conflict would be brought to Russia’s southern border. Moreover, if Washington achieves its objectives in Iran, it would shift the strategic balance of power in favor of the United States and away from Moscow. But a failure by the United States to achieve its goals in Iran could undermine the existing balance of power.
Kazakh groups oppose plan to host nuclear bank
Kazakh groups oppose plan to host nuclear bank THE HINDU April 14, 2009 ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP): A dozen activists who planned to protest the Kazakh president’s proposal to host an international nuclear fuel bank were detained hours before the demonstration was to start on Tuesday, a spokesman for one of their organizations said.Supporters of an international nuclear repository, including the United States, say it would boost global security by dissuading countries from developing their own fuel-production facilities. Iran’s development of uranium-enrichment facilities is seen by critics as a precursor to developing nuclear weapons.President Nursultan Nazarbayev this month offered Kazakhstan as the location for the fuel bank. Under the proposal, Kazakhstan would store and supply nuclear fuel to interested countries under the supervision of the United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Agency.Activists from an array of groups planned to protest the offer Tuesday, but 12 were arrested, said Abzhan Makhambet, a spokesman for the Ar.Rukh.Khak organization.Opponents of the proposal said in a statement that putting the facility in a country with limited freedom of information posed a security risk to Kazakhstan’s population.
Critics of the proposal also argue that Kazakhstan cannot guarantee the security of the proposed site……………………………Nuclear issues are sensitive in this former Soviet republic, which was the site of hundreds of atomic tests between 1949 and 1989. Nuclear explosions at the Semipalatinsk testing site have caused an enduring legacy of health and environmental problems.
U.S. Inks Nuclear Deal with Persian Gulf Sheikdom Cited for Human Rights Abuses
U.S. Inks Nuclear Deal with Persian Gulf Sheikdom Cited for Human Rights AbusesTuesday, April 14, 2009By Fred Lucas, Staff Writer (CNSNews.com) – The State Department forged a nuclear cooperation deal with a Middle East ally that the department’s own human rights report criticizes for censorship of the media, trials without juries, arrests of homosexuals, flogging of prisoners who violate Islamic rules, and religious sermons drafted by a government agency, among other concerns.
The nuclear agreement between the United States and the UAE was concluded five days before President Barack Obama was inaugurated. The White House is expected to send it to Congress after April 20 for review. ………………………Once the nuclear cooperation deal is submitted, Congress has 90 days to review the agreement, which would allow joint ventures with U.S. firms to assist the UAE in building a fleet of civilian nuclear power plants, the first of which would be operating by 2017. The agreement would become binding absent congressional action within those 90 days. (If Congress objects through a joint resolution, the proposal could be amended or shelved.)
The agreement includes, as it states, an “exchange of scientific and technical information and documentation” between the United States and UAE; an “exchange and training of personnel;” “provisions relevant to technical assistance,” and the transfer of “material, equipment and components.” A key concern for members of Congress has been that the country has a record as a transshipment post to Iran.
CNSNews.com – U.S. Inks Nuclear Deal with Persian Gulf Sheikdom Cited for Human Rights Abuses
Somalian pirates and radioactive wastes
Why We Don’t Condemn Our Pirates
by K’naan THE HUFFINGTON POST 12 April 09 “………………… in Somalia, the answer is: it’s complicated. The news media these days has been covering piracy in the Somali coast with such
lop-sided journalism, that it’s lucky they’re not on a ship themselves………
….Here is why we Somalis find ourselves slightly shy of condemning our pirates. Somalia has been without any form of a functioning government since 1991………….
…………. a more sinister, a more patronizing practice was being put in motion. A Swiss firm called Achair Parterns, and an Italian waste company called Achair Parterns, made a deal with Ali Mahdi, that they were to dump containers of waste material in Somali waters. These European companies were said to be paying Warlords about $3 a ton, whereas to properly dispose of waste in Europe costs about $1000 a ton.
In 2004, after a tsunami washed ashore several leaking containers, thousand of locals in the Puntland region of Somalia started to complain of severe and previously unreported ailments, such as abdominal bleeding, skin melting off and a lot of immediate cancer-like symptoms. Nick Nuttall, a spokesman for the United Nations Environmental Program, says that the containers had many different kinds of waste, including “Uranium, radioactive waste,……..
….The UN envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, says that the practice still continues to this day. ……….
……..our pirates were the only deterrent we had from an externally imposed environmental disaster. No one can say for sure that some of the ships they are now holding for ransom were not involved in illegal activity in our waters. The truth is, if you ask any Somali, if getting rid of the pirates only means the continuous rape of our coast by unmonitored Western Vessels, and the producing of a new cancerous generation, we would all fly our pirate flags high……….
………..We do not want the EU and NATO serving as a shield for these nuclear waste-dumping hoodlums. It seems to me that this new modern crisis is truly a question of justice, but also a question of whose justice.
As is apparent these days, one man’s pirate is another man’s coast guard.
Penghu protests against plan to build nuclear waste storage site
Penghu protests against plan to build nuclear waste storage site Kaohsiung, Taiwan News By Elizabeth Hsu April 11 (CNA)
“…………………….protest in Fengshan in Kaohsiung County Saturday, voicing their strong opposition to the government’s plan to establish a nuclear waste storage site on a Penghu islet.
The protesters, headed by Penghu County Magistrate Wang Chien-fa, chanted anti-nuclear slogans at the rally held at a local temple and vowed to use whatever power they had to stop the plan from being carried out.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced in mid-March that it has listed Daren Township in Taitung County and Dongjiyu of Penghu County as the two suggested sites to store low-level radioactive waste.
The two counties are required to decide whether or not to accept the proposal by holding a referendum, according to the MOEA…………………………..Dongjiyu covers more than 140 hectares of land, 100 hectares of which have been listed by the Penghu County government as a “nature conservation zone” in an attempt to block the state-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) from opening a nuclear storage facility on the islet.
Taipower, however, can still appropriate the other 40 hectares of land, Wang said, and he urged county residents to unite in opposition to the referendum………………………………“Since the government wants to develop tourism in Penghu, it should not act to set up a nuclear waste storage site there, ” he argued, vowing to fight to the death against the facility.
In addition to Wang, Yeh Chung-ju, chief of Wanan Township, and Legislator Wong Chung-Chun of the ruling Kuomintang also joined the protest.
Penghu protests against plan to build nuclear waste storage site – Taiwan News Online
AFP: Iraq to create nuclear energy commission
Iraq to create nuclear energy commission7 hours ago Google News 10 April 09 BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq plans to create an atomic energy agency nearly three decades after Israeli bombers destroyed a reactor being built by the late dictator Saddam Hussein, the government spokesman said on Thursday.”The government has decided to create a national nuclear energy commission that will be responsible for controlling nuclear activities in the country and assuring they are in line with international regulations,” Ali al-Dabbagh said.”It will also deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAE) and other institutions, make suggestions on the peaceful use of atomic energy and be charged with disposing of nuclear waste,” he added.In 1976, Iraq and France signed an accord to build a nuclear reactor. Five years later, as the Iraq-Iran war raged and amid fears the nearly completed reactor might be loaded with nuclear fuel, it was bombed and heavily damaged by Israeli warplanes.There is still nuclear waste at that plant, 19 kilometres (12 miles) south of Baghdad, which must be disposed of.In February, Iraqi Electricity Minister Karim Wahid asked France to help the country build a new reactor.
States threatening to halt payments if U.S. cancels Yucca Mountain
States threatening to halt payments if U.S. cancels Yucca Mountain Tghe New York Times By KATHERINE LING, GreenwireApril 8, 2009
Several legislatures of states with nuclear power plants are considering stopping or reducing payments to the federal government for nuclear waste management until the proposed Yucca Mountain, Nev., repository opens or another solution to the waste problem emerges.
Since the February release of President Obama’s budget blueprint, which signaled the likely demise of the Yucca Mountain plan, pro-nuclear lawmakers in Congress have grumbled about the uncertainty such a move would bring. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), for one, threatened to promote a measure to return waste-removal fees paid by electric ratepayers.
But at least four states are trying now to take matters into their own hands.
Maine lawmakers passed a resolution yesterday asking the federal government to immediately reduce fees paid by electricity customers for managing spent nuclear fuel. The resolution also urges the expedited establishment of two federally licensed interim storage facilities that would take possession of the waste and create an independent panel to assess the long-term prospects for handling military and civilian nuclear wastes.Since 1982, U.S. nuclear-power ratepayers have paid a tenth of a cent per kilowatt-hour into a federal fund that now holds about $30 billion. The fund can be used only to build the repository.
The Department of Energy has spent about $13.5 billion on the Yucca Mountain project since 1983 and had contracted with utilities to begin taking spent fuel in 1998. The partial breach of contracts leaves DOE liable for about $11 billion based on plans for the repository opening in 2020. That liability would escalate for each year the waste is not removed from nuclear plant sites, DOE says………………..Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the nuclear industry’s policy arm said Maine’s frustration may be just the beginning of a national revolt.
States threatening to halt payments if U.S. cancels Yucca Mountain – NYTimes.com
Indonesia goes cold on nuclear power |
Indonesia goes cold on nuclear power * The Age Tom Allard, Magelang, Central Java * April 6, 2009INDONESIAN President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yesterday backed away from a plan to build a nuclear reactor in one of the world’s most seismically active countries.Dr Yudhoyono said Indonesia would develop existing energy sources and explore renewable alternatives before pursuing the nuclear option………
………..”In 10 years to come, or 20 years or 30 years to come, Indonesia must really develop its existing resources and these should be environmentally friendly,” he said, adding that water and wind power options would also be explored.
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Say No to NASA’s Reckless Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
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