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Skin cancer a real risk from airport radiation scanning

“While the dose would be safe if it were distributed throughout the volume of the entire body, the dose to the skin may be dangerously high,

Airport scanners may pose risk to skin –   Kelly Brewington, Meredith Cohn and Andrea K. Walker – baltimoresun.com, 18 Nov 10, The new body scanners at U.S. airports are getting a lot of attention for how much they show of the human body, but doctors are saying there’s another problem: The radiation ticks up the chance of developing skin cancer. Continue reading →

November 19, 2010 Posted by | health, USA | , , , | Leave a comment

Another USA nuclear power plant plan bites the dust

Ameren nuclear plant bill likely dead for this session, STI Today, 18 Nov 10, “………..A bill that would pave the way for a new Ameren nuclear plant has hit a roadblock in the Missouri Senate and is likely dead for the session.One of the Legislative session’s most controversial bills, the Ameren-backed proposal would repeal the state’s prohibition on utility companies charging customers for some costs of an electrical plant before the facility is up and running.But consumer groups and large industrial companies in the state complained that the bill also rewrote utility regulations to the point where Ameren could reap too many rate increases during the process of building a $6 billion plus nuclear plant in Callaway County……..”UPDATE: Ameren nuclear plant bill likely dead for this session

November 19, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, USA | , , , , | 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 | safety, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now – a radioactive mouse at Hanford nuclear facility

Radioactive mouse hunt at Hanford, Seattle Times Newspaper, 18 Nov 10, After catching a radioactive rabbit on the Hanford nuclear reservation, cleanup workers are now hunting for a radioactive mouse.The Associated PressRelatedRICHLAND, Wash. —After catching a radioactive rabbit on the Hanford nuclear reservation, cleanup workers are now hunting for a radioactive mouse.The Tri-City Herald reports radioactive mouse droppings have been found in the same area where the radioactive rabbit droppings were found earlier this month north of Richland…. Local News | Radioactive mouse hunt at Hanford | Seattle Times Newspaper

November 18, 2010 Posted by | environment, USA | , , | 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 | safety, USA | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Research needed for smart grid and renewable energy development

Research and development is needed to prepare the electric grid for the coming onslaught of new solar and wind power, in much the way farmers must prepare the ground before sowing a crop, (picture below from Repower America)


Report: Electric Grid R&D Must Parallel Expansion of Renewable Power,  NYTimes.com, By JENNY MANDEL  November 16, 2010 tThe Energy Department should expand its research on energy storage, long-distance electricity transmission and short-term weather forecasting in order tosupport the growing use of renewable energy, the American Physical Society says in a report released today. Continue reading →

November 18, 2010 Posted by | renewable, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Despite Republicans’ electoral success, nuclear power industry’s future in USA looking grim

Nationwide, ground has been broken for just four reactors, two twin-unit nuclear plants since the 1970s……both are in locations that are insulated from the market, in Georgia and South Carolina. In both locations, the business risk rests with the ratepayers, not with the shareholders…….

G.O.P. Gains on Capitol Hill May Not Advance Nuclear Power, NYTimes.com, By MATTHEW L. WALD, November 16, 2010 WASHINGTON THE outspoken supporters of nuclear power are mostly Republicans, and the Republicans are about to take control of the House of Representatives and gain six seats in the Senate. Is this good news for nuclear power? Continue reading →

November 18, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama up against Republicans’ resistance to nuclear arms control deal with Russia

But Republican resistance to approving the treaty highlights the limits of the administration’s sway after heavy losses by the Democrats in this month’s midterm elections…….

Obama fights to save nuclear arms deal, FT.com By Daniel Dombey   November 17 2010 20:21  The Obama administration has mounted a bid to salvage its set piece arms control deal with Russia and shore up its authority on the world stage. Continue reading →

November 18, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , | Leave a comment

Vermont nuclear reactor ready to be dead and buried

“Vermonters no longer trust that Vermont Yankee can operate safely, without accident or radioactive releases to the groundwater,” ……“Entergy needs to stop putting their profits ahead of the safety of New Englanders, and shut down Vermont Yankee as scheduled.”

Nuclear Reactor in Vermont Needs to be Shut Down, Greenpeace on the Case – Planetsave.com 16 Nov 10, An old nuclear reactor in Vermont, the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, has had a number of problems lately and Greenpeace has taken notice. “ The 38-year-old reactor has a history of contamination issues, including a recent leak of radioactive water,” Becky Striepe of our sister site Ecoscraps writes. Continue reading →

November 17, 2010 Posted by | decommission reactor, USA | , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mounting piles of nuclear wastes in USA

nearly 1.9 million pounds of nuclear waste is stored at Dominion Resources’ Surry Power Station.

Nuclear Waste At Va. Site Awaits Permanent Home. wsj, Nov 15, 2010 RICHMOND, Va. (AP) ― Decades after the federal government agreed to build a permanent storage site for the nation’s nuclear waste, temporary sites including one in southeastern Virginia continue to warehouse the radioactive material. Continue reading →

November 17, 2010 Posted by | USA, wastes | , , , , | Leave a comment

USA govt’s claim of safety of radiation scanning is contradicted by medical expert

radiation from the devices has been dangerously underestimated and could lead to an increased risk of skin cancer.

US  expert  hits  back at claims  of  `safe`  full-body  airport scanners, Sify News, 2010-11-12 An American professor has hit back at the US Government’s claim that full-body scanners at airports do not pose a health risk to travellers. Continue reading →

November 15, 2010 Posted by | spinbuster, USA | , , , , | Leave a comment

local citizens want uranium mining company to be accountable for its water pollution

“in-situ” technology, whereby treated water is pumped underground to dissolve uranium deposits. The water is then pumped to the surface, the uranium extracted and the water returned underground.
Opponents of the mine operation say the system threatens groundwater quality over vast areas around the mine

Powertech sues over water rules; residents want mining company to be accountable By Tom HackerLoveland Reporter-Herald, 11/12/2010 Opponents of a proposed uranium mine near the Larimer and Weld county line east of Wellington are assailing a lawsuit filed by the mining company against state regulators. Continue reading →

November 15, 2010 Posted by | Legal, technology, Uranium, USA | , , , , | Leave a comment

Uranium company seeks legal right to pollute groundwater

Powertech Uranium Corp sues Colorado over northwestern Weld County site | Greeley Tribune, 14 Nov 10, A Canadian company seeking to mine uranium in northwestern Weld County has filed suit against the state of Colorado, claiming that recently adopted rules for keeping groundwater clean are unreasonable. Continue reading →

November 15, 2010 Posted by | Legal, Uranium, USA | , , , , | Leave a comment

Wide scale use of airport scanning a source of radiation danger

If you think of the entire population of, shall we say, a billion people per year going through these scanners, it’s very likely that some number of those will develop cancer from the radiation from these scanners,

Researchers sound alarm over radiation from body scanners Seattle News,  By Lindsay Cohen, November 15, 2010 They are scattered across the country, designed to keep you safe. You’ve heard how they might invade your privacy; now, some researchers are sounding the alarm about airport scanners and the radiation they give off. Continue reading →

November 15, 2010 Posted by | health, USA | , , | 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 | safety, USA | , , , | 1 Comment