Heartland Institute’s heartfelt attack on climate science
The chimerical construction of an ideologically-driven topsy-turvy reality by Heartland 
and its Australian equivalent, the IPA, is neither new nor surprising.
As the evidence for climate change continues to pile up, and as the frequency of severe weather events continues to sky-rocket, we can therefore be fairly certain that climate denial will take ever more scurrilous forms.
Are Heartland billboards the beginning of the end for climate denial? The Conversation, Stephan Lewandowsky 7 May 2012, The inversion of reality and morality has been a long-standing attribute of the climate “debate,” which reached a new watershed low a few days ago with the latest travesty from the Heartland Institute, a Chicago “think” tank.
Heartland posted on its website that “the people who still believe in man-made global warming are mostly on the radical fringe of society. This is why the most prominent advocates of global warming aren’t scientists. They are murderers, tyrants, and madmen.” Continue reading
Edison company backs off about re-opening San Onofre nuclear plant
VIDEO http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-backs-away-from-reopening-date.html. San Onofre nuclear plant backs away from reopening date L.A. Times, May 9, 2012 Southern California Edison backed off from comments made last week by one of its executives, who said the company hopes to have the San Onofre nuclear plant — shuttered due to equipment issues — back online and operating at a reduced capacity in
June….
NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko released a statement Monday, saying the agency has yet to receive a written statement from Edison to say the required steps have been taken to investigate and make a plan to fix the issues at the plant and “any discussion of a date for
the restart of Unit 2 or Unit 3 is clearly premature.”
The plant has been shuttered for more than three months because of problems with excessive wear in steam generator tubes. On Tuesday, Edison reported it has taken about 1,300 tubes out of service because of wear — 510 in Unit 2 and 807 in Unit 3 — representing a little more than 3% of the total number of tubes in the plant, and a higher number than the company had previously reported…….
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-backs-away-from-reopening-date.html.
American taxpayers to pay up big for nuclear weapons
McKeon Wants Taxpayers to Spend Millions on Nuclear Boondoggle and NATO’s Bombs POGO Project on Government Oversight By MIA STEINLE, 7 May 12, With the House Armed Services Committee scheduled to mark up the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this Wednesday, committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) has just released his markup of the bill. Alarmingly, McKeon’s NDAA markup includes an unjustified $100 million increase in funding to a proposed boondoggle of a nuclear weapons facility, the funding for which the House Appropriations Committee zeroed out last month. The Obama Administration had earlier requested that construction for the project be delayed by at least five years. ..
… Increased funding for CMRR-NF isn’t the only way McKeon’s NDAA mark-up gets it wrong. McKeon’s suggestion would increase the Administration’s request to modernize B61 nuclear bombs by $66 million, to a total of $435 million. Nearly 200 American B61s are stored at bases in five European countries as part of NATO’s defense. However, the cost to modernize these European-based B61s (in a process known as a life extension program, or LEP) would fall squarely on the shoulders of American taxpayers. McKeon’s suggested increase means that Americans would pay even more for these bombs on behalf of NATO….. http://pogoblog.typepad.com/pogo/2012/05/mckeon-wants-taxpayers-to-spend-millions-on-nuclear-boondoggle-and-natos-bombs.html
The risk of weakening safety standards at USA nuclear weapons facilities
Don’t let foxes guard our nuclear henhouse THE HILL, By Katherine M. Fuchs, program director, Alliance for Nuclear Accountability – 05/09/12 Today the House Armed Services Committee will debate the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), possibly overturning 25 years of safety standards at our nation’s weapons facilities. During this debate members of this committee will have a choice – they can protect communities around nuclear sites and the employees who work there or they can go on record as turning their back on those safety standards.
There are several sections of the NDAA that relate directly to nuclear safety and pose a threat to security. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this bill is the fact that it would overturn the “adequate protection standard” that has guided nuclear safety oversight for over two decades. Continue reading
Escalating cost of USA’s and Russia’s nuclear bombs
New Report: US and Russian Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons, May 09 B61 Nuclear Bomb Costs Escalating FAS Strategic Sexcurity Blog, The expected cost of the B61 Life-Extension Program has increased by 50 percent to $6 billion By Hans M. Kristensen The expected cost of the B61 Life-Extension Program (LEP) has increased by 50 percent to $6 billion dollars, according to U.S. government sources.
Only one year ago, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) estimated in its Stockpile Stewardship and Management Program report to Congress that the cost of the program would be approximately $4 billion.
The escalating cost of the program – and concern that NNSA does not have an effective plan for managing it – has caused Congress to cap spending on the B61 LEP by 60 percent in 2012 and 100 percent in 2013. Continue reading
New Vogtle nuclear reactor – delays and unexpected costs
Utility: Building schedule slips on Ga. nuke plant The Telegraph, Middle Georgia, By RAY HENRY — Associated Press May 9, 2012 The timeline for building a first-of-its-kind nuclear plant in Georgia has slipped seven months, while the Southern Co. faces a dispute over who should pay for $400 million in unanticipated costs, utility executives said Wednesday. Continue reading
Legal battle over Yucca nuclear waste plan
Yucca lives? Nuclear waste dump not dead yet. Vegas Review Journal, 7 May 12 “…..Last week, a federal appeals court heard arguments on whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission broke the law when it stopped moving forward with a licensing plan for the potential nuclear waste dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas…
… The case before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia involved a lawsuit filed by states – including Washington and South Carolina – that seek to get rid of nuclear waste currently being stored at power plants within their boundaries.
At issue is whether the Obama administration overstepped its authority by canceling the Yucca Mountain Project in 2009, leading the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to abandon licensing hearings.
The states argue that Congress has never repealed the 1982 legislation that created the project – known here as the Screw Nevada bill – so the process must go forward by law…… A ruling is expected later this year. Perhaps the judges will agree that Congress has essentially acted by refusing to appropriate funds for the endeavor in the current budget year. If not, the Yucca Mountain battle may continue.
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/yucca-lives-nuclear-waste-dump-not-dead-yet-150557735.html
Delay licensing Pilgrim nuclear reactor, urge politicians
Politicians urge the NRC to further prolong its review of the Pilgrim nuclear reactor’s license, Mass. Market, 2012 May 7 by Jon Chesto Now that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could be on the verge of finally renewing the license for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, a number of prominent Bay State politicians have been lining up to support Mary Lampert’s cause.
Lampert, of course, is the chief ringleader behind the Pilgrim Watch advocacy group and arguably the biggest reason it has taken the NRC more than six years (setting a new record) to review the Plymouth plant’s relicensing request.
Lampert and her allies still have unresolved contentions before the NRC. But the agency’s staff is recommending to the commission that oversees the agency that Entergy Corp., Pilgrim’s owner, be given the green light for Pilgrim anyway.
That recommendation prompted several politicians to urge the NRC to put the brakes on the license renewal, at least until every pending issue is resolved. The politicians who sent letters to NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko in the last week about Pilgrim include U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, a Democrat who specializes in energy issues; U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, the Democrat who represents Cape Cod and much of the South Shore in Congress; state Rep. Bob Hedlund, a Republican from the South Shore; and Cape Cod lawmakers Rep. Sarah Peake and Sen. Dan Wolf. Politicians urge the NRC to further prolong its review of the Pilgrim nuclear reactor’s license | Mass. Market http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/massmarkets/2012/05/07/politicians-urge-the-nrc-to-further-prolong-its-review-of-the-pilgrim-nuclear-reactors-license/#ixzz1uM8saHzu
Anti radiation pills given to residents near nuclear reactors – just in case
Radiation-blocking potassium iodide pills to be distributed to those within 10 miles of PSEG Nuclear’s generating complex, NJ.com, , May 07, 2012, By Bill Gallo Jr LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. — Residents living within 10 miles of the Artificial Island nuclear generating complex can pick up a fresh supply of radiation-blocking potassium iodide pills here this week.
The Salem County Health Department will distribute the potassium iodide, or KI, tablets at the Lower Alloways Creek Municipal Building on Wednesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
KI can stop the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine, which can cause thyroid cancer, from radiation released from a nuclear power plant during an emergency…. LAC is home to three reactors operated by PSEG Nuclear — Salem 1, Salem 2 and Hope Creek. The plants comprise the second largest nuclear generating complex in the United States.
Areas that lie within the 10-mile radius from the Island in Salem County are Elsinboro and Lower Alloways Creek townships, Salem City and part of Pennsville , Mannington and Quinton townships.
Officials estimate there are approximately 15,810 people on average within the 10-mile radius from the plants, known as the emergency planning zone, in Salem and Cumberland counties during the daytime. ….. http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2012/05/radiation-blocking_potassium_i_1.html .
Not all breast cancer cases need radiation therapy
Radiation May Not Be Needed for All Breast Ca http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/32523 By Crystal Phend, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today May 05, 2012, Radiofrequency ablation of the breast tumor excision site could substitute for radiation therapy in selected patients, a phase II study suggested. Continue reading
Why is mainstream media not covering Fukushima radiation?
the lack of the U.S. government to inform people of how serious the Fukushima situation is, and that after the accident stopped monitoring radiation levels in the U.S. On April 17, 2011 an independent journalist reported what we now now are facts about Fukushima. This story should have been on mainstream news. Truth matters.
Fifty four reactors shut down, and guess what? The power is still on, so is the nuclear industry hoax? Was nuclear power ever really needed in this world?
N. America’s radiation threat: another mainstream news blackout Digital Journal 5 May 2012 By Mindy Allan It is odd that neither the Canadian nor the American mainstream news, nor any government agencies are speaking about the radiation that continues to flow into North America by way of the jet stream.
Fukushima is not just a problem for the Japanese, but for the whole world that no one in charge wants to address. North America was the first continent to receive the first waves of radiation from the meltdown, and explosion at Fukushima. The Canadian government said no worries and that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would not be testing the food, or milk, according to Vancouver Late Night in April of 2011. Continue reading
Massachusetts project the national leader in solar energy
The Westford facility is unique in that all of the project’s key players — from the developer and its financiers to the operator and its utility partner — are Massachusetts companies.
Solar park set to warm region Boston Globe, By Brenda J. Buote Globe Correspondent / May 6, 2012“………Through successful public-private partnerships, the amount of solar installed in Massachusetts has soared from 3.5 megawatts in 2007 to more than 92 megawatts, according to Richard K. Sullivan Jr., secretary of the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
The Westford project is one of several large-scale renewable energy developments spurred by the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, which was signed into law by Patrick in 2008 to support renewable energy and efficiency projects. Continue reading
Secrecy and exploitation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement
What Are They Trying to Hide? HUFFINGTON POST, Michael Brune , 4 May 12, Odds are that you haven’t heard of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. And even if you’ve heard of it, I’m willing to bet you don’t know what might be in it. That’s because, although this massive new trade agreement could have profound implications for our environment, our health, and the rights of workers, it is being negotiated in almost complete secrecy. Continue reading
$65 for repair to San Onofre nuclear plant
Repair bill for San Onofre nuclear plant could hit $65 million LA Times, May 2, 2012 | Edison International officials estimate that the company’s cost for inspections and repairs at the closed San Onofre nuclear plant will be between $55 million and $65 million, but said that the costs may be recovered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Continue reading
Apprehension in Kansas about radioactive waste shipments
Kansas regulates radioactive-waste shipments far more loosely than nearby Missouri, Iowa and other Midwestern states through which such waste travels
No one who ships nuclear waste through Kansas is required to tell state authorities of their plans
More nuclear waste headed to Kansas, By Gene Meyer | Kansas Reporter, 4 May 12, FAIRWAY — Missouri lawmakers may relax their state’s monitoring of radioactive-waste haulers, a move that worries some Kansans. Continue reading
1 This Month
Shut down the radiation-damaged Heysham nuclear reactors now
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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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