USA « nuclear-news

USA knowingly exposed soldiers to cancer-causing depleted uranium

The VA, however, never conducted the medical tests, which may have deprived hundreds of thousands of veterans from receiving medical care to treat cancer and other diseases that result from exposure to DU.

Document Reveals Military Was Concerned AboutGulf War Vets’ Exposure To Depleted Uranium, CounterCurrents.org, By Mike Ludwig29 July, 2010 For years, the government has denied that depleted uranium (DU), a radioactive toxic waste left over from nuclear fission and added to munitions used in the Persian Gulf and Iraq wars, poisoned Iraqi civilians and veterans. Continue reading →

July 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | antinuclear, cancer, depleted, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, radiation, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Nuclear ‘renaissance’ could end in a welcome nuclear abortion

Even with government support, the Maryland project could be shelved….For investors, the collapse of both projects could come as welcome news because of the high costs, myriad of uncertainties and lengthy development schedule.

Constellation To Reduce Spending On Nuclear Project , WSJ.com, By Mark Peters, Dow Jones Newswire28 July 2010, Constellation Energy Group Inc. (CEG) will reduce spending on a new reactor planned for a nuclear-power plant in Maryland as its bid for a federal loan guarantee for the multibillion-dollar project drags on. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, AREVA, EDF, energy efficiency, France, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Grave financial risks in nuclear power

The last generation of nuclear plants left taxpayers on the hook for more than $300 billion in bailouts and rate hikes following ‘mishaps.’ All signs indicate that the new class of reactors will be just as problematic.

Solar Is A Bargain Deal Compared To Nuclear, Change.org, by Ben Buchwalter July 28, 2010 Proponents of nuclear energy rely on three key reasons our country should develop new nuclear reactors rather than invest in cleaner solar power. One: They claim nuclear is cheaper than alternatives. Two: They say it is more efficient. Three: They say it relies on existing technology. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, AREVA, climate change, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

A National Renewable Energy Standard – economic boon to Southern USA States

southern states could obtain 20 to 30 percent of their energy from renewable resources within 20 years if strong federal mandates are passed, all while adding thousands of new jobs.

Senators Press Reid for Renewable Electricity Standard, CALFINDER, 28 July 2010, Despite Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s assurances that no such provision will be included in a climate bill this summer, 27 Democrats and one Senate Republican are nonetheless pressing the Nevada senator for inclusion of a renewable electricity standard (RES). An RES would require utilities to obtain a percentage of their power from renewable resources within a set time frame, and is considered one of the best ways to promote clean energy production in the United States over the long term….. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, renewables, solar, wind | Leave a comment

USA’s wind power industry needs National Renewable Energy Standard

the absence of a standard has discouraged investment in new manufacturing facilities and has effectively made the U.S wind industry less competitive than counterparts in Europe and China where long-term policy commitments are in place.

U.S. wind industry calls for national renewable energy standard, SmartPlanet, By David Worthington | Jul 28, 2010 American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the national trade association for the wind energy industry in the United States, is sounding the alarm over the industry’s future viability without a national renewable energy standard. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | antinuclear, climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, renewables, wind | 1 Comment

Utah leaders remain opposed to storage of old nuclear reactors

“The plain simple fact,” said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, “is that we will never allow this facility to be built.”

Utah leaders protest pro-nuke waste ruling | The Salt Lake Tribune By JUDY FAHYS . Jul 28, 2010 Critics renewed their rallying cry Tuesday against plans to store used nuclear reactor rods at a Utah Indian reservation after a judge’s ruling revived the proposal long thought to be dead. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, radiation, reactors | Leave a comment

Americans want wind energy, but govt support is lacking

An overwhelming majority of Americans support a renewable electricity standard, and wind energy investment in particular

U.S. wind energy popular, but lacks investment – CNET News Candace Lombardi,July 28, 2010 Despite public approval, U.S. wind energy investment is slowing down instead of growing, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | antinuclear, energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewables, wind | Leave a comment

Company abandons plan to import nuclear waste

Utah firm withdraws nuke waste import application The Daily Caller – 07/26/2010 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Salt Lake City-based EnergySolutions Inc. has withdrawn its application to import up to 20,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste from Italy.The company sent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission a letter requesting its application be withdrawn on Friday.Instead, the company says it will try to help build and manage overseas disposal sites.The application to import the waste and dispose it in Utah was opposed by two Utah governors. The U.S. House also passed a bill banning the importation of low-level radioactive waste. The bill is stalled in the Senate….

Utah firm withdraws nuke waste import application | The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment

July 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Solar power becoming now cheaper than nuclear

While the study includes subsidies for both solar and nuclear power, it estimates that if subsidies were removed from solar power, the crossover point would be delayed by a maximum of nine years….Having dropped below nuclear power, solar power is now one of the least expensive energy sources in America.

Study: Solar power is cheaper than nuclear | The Energy Collective, July 27, 2010 by OshaDavidson The Holy Grail of the solar industry — reaching grid parity — may no longer be a distant dream. Solar may have already reached that point, at least when compared to nuclear power, according to a new study by two researchers at Duke University. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

US govt embroiled in lawsuits over nuclear wastes

The litigation itself has been expensive for the government. DOJ has spent $29 million in attorney costs, $111 million on experts and $52 million in litigation support costs, with no end in sight.

DOJ in Settlement Talks for Nuclear Waste Cases, The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times, David Ingram. July 27, 2010 After more than a decade of litigation with nuclear utilities nationwide, the U.S. Department of Justice is interested in settling claims related to the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, USA | antinuclear, depleted, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium processing costs higher than estimated

The range was significantly higher than the informal federal estimate of $1.4 billion to $3.5 billion for constructing the planned Uranium Processing Facility...

Senator Says Uranium Plant Could Cost Billions More Than Planned NTI: Global Security Newswire, July 27, 2010 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) yesterday suggested the expense of building a highly enriched uranium processing center at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee might ultimately amount to between $4 billion and $5 billion, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. (see GSN, Oct. 29, 2009).

The range was significantly higher than the informal federal estimate of $1.4 billion to $3.5 billion for constructing the planned Uranium Processing Facility……In a July 6 letter to Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman, acting Government Accountability Office head Gene Dodaro said his agency believed the plant’s cost might reach or surpass the $3.5 billion threshold, the Nuclear Weapons and Materials Monitor reported (Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel II, July 26)………

July 28, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

Huge wind farm planned by for California

San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm, SignOnSanDiego.com, By Onell R. Soto, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER , July 26, 2010 A development team based in San Diego is leading an effort to build the world’s largest wind farm in Mojave.The $1.6 billion Alta Wind Energy Center consists of more than 600 wind turbines on desert ridge lines between Lancaster and Bakersfield.The 1,500 megawatt project is estimated to produce enough power for 275,000 homes, said Randy Hoyle, head of wind development for Terra-Gen Power. San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm – SignOnSanDiego.com

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, renewables, wind | Leave a comment

USA’s extremist Tea Party movement favours Israel attack on Iran

theme among Tea Party leaders, such as Sarah Palin……..promoting instead an aggressive, unilateralist view of world affairs and unchecked military spending.

Tea Party Caucus members endorse Israeli attack on Iran, FP, By Josh Rogin Monday, July 26, 2010….21 members of the new caucus have now come out explicitly endorsing Israel’s right to strike Iran’s nuclear program. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, plutonium | Leave a comment

Why not adopt safer, non radiation, airport scanners?

Given that the two types of machines are both deemed effective by the T.S.A., why doesn’t the agency just abandon backscatters and use the millimeter wave machines, which don’t pose radiation issues?

Radiation Questions Over a Body Scanner – NYTimes.com. By JOE SHARKEY July 26, 2010“………travelers also do not fully trust the security agency’s assurances that the new machines are safe, that they can’t be defeated by a terrorist and that personal privacy will be protected — at least, to the extent the agency has claimed. Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Uranium processing costs soar

there are still “significant” issues hindering DOE from bringing projects to completion on time and within budget.

More questions about cost of UPF, Frank Munger’s Atomic City Underground | knoxnews.com, 26 July 2010, Todd Jacobson of Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor is reporting that the Government Accountability Office is raising concerns that the cost of the Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12 may reach or even exceed the top end of current estimates ($1.4 billion to $3.5 billion). Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, uranium | Leave a comment