safety « nuclear-news

Many unsolved questions about continuing dilapidated Oyster Creek nuclear reactor

Many reasons remain why Oyster Creek should be shutdown overnight, not least of which includes the continued generation of unmanaged nuclear waste and its vulnerable onsite storage with the equivalent radiation from the Hiroshima nuclear weapon blast many, many times over.

Countdown to Shutdown of Oyster Creek in 2019, Beyond Nuclear, 10 Dec 2010, Rather than be sued by the State of New Jersey to save Barnegat Bay by building less destructive cooling towers for the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, Exelon Nuclear Corporation and Republican Governor Chris Christie announced a negotiated agreement to close the nation’s oldest operating nuclear power plant early in Lacey Township in 2019. Continue reading →

December 10, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | Leave a comment

Wikileaks reveal near catastrophe with Libya’s Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU)

US embassy cables: Ambassador warns of potential environmental disaster as Libya halts uranium shipment guardian.co.uk, Friday 3 December 2010

Part of the WikiLeaks tranch US cable 25 November 2009 A crisis arose when Libya unexpectedly stopped a flight carrying highly-enriched uranium (HEU) to Russia. The material, which had been part of Libya’s weapons programme, was due for disposal. American officials were alarmed at the decision, and particularly at the fact that the uranium wanow sitting, barely guarded and in unsuitable containers, on the runway tarmac.

The HEU was not packaged for storage and was literally getting hotter and
hotter…… … US embassy cables: Ambassador warns of potential environmental disaster as Libya halts uranium shipment | World news | guardian.co.uk

December 7, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | MIDDLE EAST, safety | Leave a comment

Excessive radiation from airport scanners not properly scrutinised

The TSA and its contractors had failed to identify the machines that were emitting excessive radiation — a failure that continues to leave TSA workers and some lawmakers uneasy, especially as the agency continues to deploy hundreds of controversial radiation-emitting machines to help screen passengers……

TSA workers, experts worry about radiation exposure

By Alison Young, USA TODAY, 6 Dec 10,

When investigators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s workplace safety team visited a dozen airports in 2003 and 2004, what they found was disturbing — at least to federal airport workers. Continue reading →

December 7, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | radiation | Leave a comment

Doubts on need for airport radiation scanning, with its skin cancer risk

the concentration on the skin – one of the most radiation-sensitive organs of the body – means the radiation dose is actually 20 times higher than the official estimate.

Full-body airport scanners ‘as likely to kill you as terrorist bombs’ By Kate Schneider news.com.au , November 26, 2010 CONTROVERSIAL full-body airport scanners are just as likely to kill you as a terrorist’s bomb exploding on your plane, a leading scientist says.Peter Rez, a physics professor at Arizona State University, US, said the probability of dying from cancer caused by radiation from a body scanner and that of being killed in a terror attack are both approximately one in 30 million. Continue reading →

November 26, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety | antinuclear, cancer, radiation | Leave a comment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission challenged over rubber-stamping nuclear license extensions

he was fired by FPL and other nuclear power companies after complaining about safety issues and is now campaigning against what he terms the “rubber-stamping” of 20-year nuclear power plant license extensions.

Florida activist challenges plan to repair Palo nuclear reactor, By DAVE DeWITTE • Cedar Rapids Gazette • November 26, 2010 Palo, Ia. – A nuclear power activist has asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the repair method proposed by the operator of Duane Arnold Energy Center for a potentially serious fault in a nozzle on the plant’s reactor this month. Continue reading →

November 26, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

Radiation danger and illicit nuclear tracking fears in Ghana

Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials, Accra, Nov. 23, Ghana News Agency, GNA – Government has expressed its commitment to provide the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and associated facilities, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff said on Tuesday. He said government would in addition; work to combat illicit trafficking and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials…………Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials

November 25, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Safety problems, workers pressured at Knolls nuclear site

WGI managers “created an atmosphere of fear among the work force not to speak up about issues of concern,” according to the DOE report.

Federal probe: Workers felt pressed to ignore safety issues at Knolls nuclear site, Times Union, By BRIAN NEARING , November 23, 2010 NISKAYUNA — A federal investigation into radiation released during demolition of a research building at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory found workers felt pressed by bosses to ignore safety issues and get work done faster. Continue reading →

November 24, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation | Leave a comment

Stuxnet computer worm might target North Korea’s nukes

the North Korean control system “is dual use, also used by the petrochemical industry, but was the same as those acquired by Iran to run its centrifuges.”
Could Stuxnet Mess With North Korea’s New Uranium Plant? Wired.com. By Kim Zetter and Spencer Ackerman November 22, 2010 The Stuxnet worm may have a new target. While security analysts try to figure out whether the now-infamous malware was built to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea has unveiled a new uranium enrichment plant that appears to share components with Iran’s facilities. Could Pyongyang’s centrifuges be vulnerable to Stuxnet? Continue reading →

November 23, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | North Korea, safety, Uranium | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Danger in drunken nuclear transport drivers

Office of Secure Transportation (OST). agents drive nuclear weapons, weapons components and nuclear materials around the country, and are trained to defend the shipments from attack and sabotage.

US nuclear transport agents seen ‘in drunken incidents’ BBC News 22 November 2010 US agents who drive nuclear weapons around the country were involved in 16 alcohol-related incidents in two years, the energy department has said. Continue reading →

November 23, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Radiation emergency drill held near Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant

Virtually all of the eastern half of Rhode Island from Providence down to the East Bay through Warren, Bristol and Little Compton are within a 40-mile radius of Plymouth and the plant.

Emergency crews conduct radiation drill | Turn to 10, 18 Nov 10, Emergency management officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts held a drill Wednesday to test their response to a mock radiation leak. Continue reading →

November 19, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

America’s nuclear facilities could be attacked by Stuxnet computer worm

The Stuxnet malicious software, which was discovered in June, appears to have been designed professionally

U.S. Nuclear Plants Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks, Analysts Say, Bloomberg, By Jeff Bliss – Nov 18, 2010 U.S. computer systems that run energy, water, nuclear and manufacturing plants are vulnerable to computer worms similar to one that infected an Iranian nuclear power facility, cyber-security analysts told a Senate panel today. Continue reading →

November 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear technology, reactors | Leave a comment

Computer worm threatens world’s nuclear plants, and more

Stuxnet targets computer control systems made by German industrial giant Siemens commonly used to manage water supplies, oil rigs, power plants and other critical infrastructure.

Stuxnet a threat to critical industries worldwide: experts, Google hosted news, By Chris Lefkow (AFP) – 18 Nov 10, WASHINGTON — The Stuxnet worm that infiltrated Iran’s nuclear facilities poses a threat to critical industries worldwide such as water, power and chemical plants, cybersecurity experts warned on Wednesday. Continue reading →

November 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, reactors | Leave a comment

Guangdong nuclear plant radiation leak reported

Radiation Leak Reported at Guangdong Nuclear Power Plant, Economic Observer News-, By Ruoji TangShare By Yu Huapeng and Hua Yan, November 17, 2010,Translated by Ruoji Tang Original Article: [Chinese] On October 23rd, during a routine inspection of the No. 1 reactor at Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, a small leak of radioactive material was discovered, the third leak detected in a Hong Kong Nuclear Investment Company plant since May this year. Yesterday, Daya Bay Nuclear Power Operations Management Ltd. Co. released a report stating that one of the heat removal pipes had been found to be defective but had since been dealt with….Radiation Leak Reported at Guangdong Nuclear Power Plant- Economic Observer News- China business, politics, law, and social issues

November 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | China, safety | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Possibility of terrorists launching a nuclear missile?

…..protocols have not changed since the end of the Cold War. America still keeps its missiles on launch-ready alert. In this posture, the bias is on ensuring that the missiles can be fired, rather than on making sure they are not launched accidentally. That’s a dangerous posture as we now live in an era of terrorism and cyber warfare.

Could Terrorists Launch America’s Nuclear Missiles? – TIME, Bruce Blair , 12 Nov 10, The Air Force calls the situation “Launch Facilities Down.” On Oct. 23, a Wyoming-based squadron of 50 nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) — enough firepower to kill some 20 million people — lost computer communications with their human controllers for 45 minutes. Continue reading →

November 12, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons | 1 Comment

Not needed now? Old Wisconsin nuclear plant with safety issues history

The plant was previously considered to have the most serious safety issues of all nuclear power plants in the country,……. the energy produced at Point Beach may not be necessary for the state.

Life of state’s nuclear plants to be extended Company prolongs operation of aging facility by 20 years; critics say could increase accidents, danger The Badger Herald: NewsBy Christina Spiewak , November 9, 2010

The oldest nuclear power plant in Wisconsin will reach its projected lifespan of 40 years next month, but a nuclear operating group is planning to extend its use by up to 20 years. Continue reading →

November 10, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, reactor | Leave a comment