nuclear-news

The week in nuclear news

The global corona virus – deaths nearly 1.5 million. Global heating moves on – Arctic events affect the world. BUT- the nuclear threat is also still with us, always there, and must not be forgotten.

With the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist, the world is yet again teetering on the brink.

Some bits of good news –  Britain Helps World’s Most Remote Inhabited Islands to Establish Biggest Marine Sanctuary in the Atlantic.

Today’s Google headlines on nuclear issues – weapons and Iran dominate the stories.

The global energy revolution.

The Australian government”s intimidation of whistleblowers – the torture of Julian Assange.

Correcting 5 wrong opinions about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Living with the Nuclear Prohibition Treaty: nuclear weapons states would be unwise to attack it.

Nuclear power hinders fight against climate change.

Standard nuclear reactor designs are still too costly, and safety features are only a third of nuclear costs.

Solar energy is bullish in the market; the same can’t be said for nuclear.

The creeping carbon costs of digital communication.

Book review: The Case for Degrowth.

Extradition hearing of Julian Assange – defence witnesses destroy myths, demonstrate his integrity

JAPAN.  Japanese local governments depend on “nuclear money”.  No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co’s Onagawa nuclear power plant for restart, despite problems.  Surveys to identify nuclear waste disposal site begin in Hokkaido.

Fukushima. Destructive potential of over a million tons of radioactive water into the Pacific.  Fukushima nuclear reactor no.1 – debris prevented from falling into fuel storage pool.  Nuclear disaster: Fukushima schools frozen in time.  Survey finds that most Fukushima evacuees do not intend to return.

TAIWAN.  Taiwanese protest plan to dump water from Japan nuclear plant into sea.

UK

• Depressing news for the nuclear lobby in UK, Western Europe – Boris Johnson’s government adding nuclear power to its long list of failures. UK government losing enthusiasm for new nuclear power stations, as grim financial realities set in.    British MP’s continue to botch it in the ever more costly saga of Britain’s “old” nukes and “new” nukes.  Inaccuracies in Boris Johnson’s document supporting nuclear power development.  Britain’s enthusiasm for nuclear power stations is waning.
• Large and small nuclear reactors should not be included in UK’s ‘clean, green’ 10 point plan. British govt’s foolhardy plan to pay up for non existent Rolls Royce small nuclear reactors.  UK government wastes tax-payer money on small and large nuclear reactors that will never be cheap or safe.
•  Sizewell C nuclear plant ‘not value for money’, and would sabotage the govt’s pledge for nature. Destruction of habitat, Coronation Wood to be felled, for Sizewell C nuclear project, British govt produced no evidence that nuclear plants are essential, in secret deals for the convenience of the nuclear industry.  30-day public consultation about UK’s Sizewell nuclear reactor project.  Bankrupt AREVA, resuscitated as ‘Framatome’, joins the the Sizewell C nuclear build Consortium.   £525 million pledged to build UK small nuclear reactors, no funding package yet revealed for £20 billion Sizewell plant. UK government’s plans for Sizewell and Wylfa nuclear stations are wavering, with doubts about costs.
• Decommissioning and wastes.  Hazardous plan for Peel Ports to take over the decommissioning of Britain’s dead nuclear submarines . Hinkley Point B nuclear reactor offline now, and will be shut down earlier than planned. Both Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B nuclear power stations will close early due to cracks in graphite cores.  £132billion and counting – Britain’s nuclear decommissioning mess could take 120 years. UK tax-payers foot huge bill for incompetence of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).  UK’s beautiful Lake District – no “final solution” for the nuclear waste problem.The Irish sea – plagued by dumped munitions and radioactive trash.
• Cheap and effective, but solar energy is omitted  from UK govt’s 10 point plan. Mayor of London announces solar and energy efficiency projects funded by ‘Green New Deal.

USA.

• Could a mad, unhinged US president, push the nuclear button? Trump still has the awesome power to launch America’s nuclear arsenal.  It is likely that Trump gove the nod for assassination of Iran nuclear scientist.  European security officials fear that Trump may trigger a war against Iran.  Trump’s Impact on Nuclear Proliferation,  Treating Foreign Policy as a Business.  Trump administration pulls out of Open Skies treaty with Russia.
•  Investigative journalism –  Joe Biden’s ” transition team”includes men with strong links to the weapons industry– Beware the “madness of militarism” – Biden likely to appoint war-loving Michèle Flournoy as Defense Secretary.    For Joe Biden – an early trial problem – the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
• With Joe Biden in Charge, No More Flashy Kim Jong Un Summits. –The Biden- Harris administration can change nuclear weapons policy, make it safer, and much cheaper. President Joe Biden will have just 16 days from Inauguration Day to rescue the new START Treaty
• How a nuclear weapons officer came to support the Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons.
• A New U.S. Missile Defense Test May Have Increased the Risk of Nuclear War.  Closer to nuclear war – as USA tests ICBM intercept.     Resuming nuclear testing is unnecessary — and unsafe  
• Prison, big fines, for Catholic anti nuclear activists.  Anti-Nuclear Pacifists Get Federal Prison Terms for Nonviolent Protest.    A mock B61-12 nuclear bomb dropped for the first time.
• USA revives plan for fast reactor, despite terrorism risks .
• USA looks to get $18billion now, maybe $40billion later, in flogging off nuclear reactors to Poland.
• Former CEO of failed V.C. Summer nuclear project pleads guilty to fraud charges.  Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a second lawsuit to stop bailout of nuclear reactors. Ohio likely to require nuclear reactor audit before renewing bailout.
• 30 more years for Wisconson’s old nuclear power station? Is this a good idea?
• Dismantling Duke Energy’s Crystal River nuclear plant.
• Unanswered questions cloud the future of NuScam’s Small Modular Nuclear Reactor project.  Concerns in Utah cities about costs and safety of NuScam’s small nuclear reactor scheme.
• The intractible problem of San Onofre’s, and indeed, America’s, nuclear waste.
• NRC approves financially dodgy sale of Indian Point Nuclear Station to Holtec.
•  Lack of safety documents in Los Alamos National Laboratory’s handling of radioactive wastes.  Waste Isolation Pilot Plant – building of ventilation shaft is halted, due to Covid-19 and planning problems. Danger to San Onofre nuclear waste, from ocean’s king tides.  Why we shouldn’t be talking about nuclear waste “disposal”.
• Slowly moving lawsuit on the health impacts of a national nuclear laboratory.

INDIA.  Cybersecurity breach at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) undetected for over 6 months.

EUROPE.  The effect on Europe of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

FRANCE. Orano, formerly Areva, targeted by judicial investigation for corruption.  Corruption investigation into AREVA’s sale of Nigerian uranium. New comic book investigates the dilemma about France’s nuclear wastes.

  Extended shutdown for work on Flamanville nuclear reactor build.  Greenpeace launches legal appeal against French nuclear safety authority allowing extension of lifetime of nuclear reactors.  Concern in France over lack of expert inspection of nuclear sites.

CANADA.  Canada’s environmental groups join to oppose experimental Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).    Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, the nuclear industry’s latest pipe dream.  Canadian government’s misplacing funding into unviable small nuclear reactors for North West Territories.  Safety dangers of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).  In the face of public opposition, Ottawa delays small nuclear reactor plan.  Ontario could get clean renewable energy from neighbouring provinces, with no need for nuclear power.

IRAN.  Architect of its nuclear programme assassinated – Iran vows retaliation.   Tehran’s UN ambassador says rival Saudi Arabia is looking for an excuse to build nuclear weapons and blaming Iran.  Iran admits breach of nuclear deal discovered by UN inspectorate.  Iran slams European criticism on expanding nuclear programme. What’s behind the assaisnation of Iran’s top nuclear scientist? UAE, Jordan Condemn Killing of Iranian Nuclear Scientist, Call for Self-restraint.

BANGLADESH.  Bangladesh draws up a nuclear disaster response plan.

GERMANY.  Uranprojekt –The Nazi Nuclear Program.

RUSSIA. Russia’s latest nuclear icebreaker had to abort maiden Arctic voyage.  Russia claims to have successfully tested an “unstoppable” nuclear missile.

UKRAINE.  First canister of used nuclear fuel loaded into Chernobyl storage facility.  Comprehensive research now shows that irradiated areas near Chernobyl have fewest mammals.

SAUDI ARABIA.  Saudi minister says nuclear armament against Iran ‘an option’.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea sparks new nuclear weapons fears.

ROMANIA. European Commission approves Romania’s purchase of nuclear reactors.

RWANDA.   Growing opposition to nuclear power in Rwanda.

AUSTRALIA.  Investigative journalism – Australian children targetted for propaganda by the weapons industry.    – Australia’s Department of Defence captured by foreign weapons makers Thales, BAE.

November 30, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news – week to 23 November

As I decided previously, I’m leaving out the news on Coronavirus and Global Heating,  important though they are.

Even so, this newsletter is too long. Especially as we seem to be in a sort of timewarp, waiting for a resolution in the USA, waiting for a new direction in the pandemic.

Some bits of good news – Future Crunch’s summary of good news.  Jeff Bezos Created $10 Billion ‘Earth Fund’ to Meet Climate Crisis, First Grants of $800M Go to Iconic Environmental Groups

Correcting 5 wrong opinions about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Nuclear power hinders fight against climate change.

Standard nuclear reactor designs are still too costly, and safety features are only a third of nuclear costs.

Solar energy is bullish in the market; the same can’t be said for nuclear.

The creeping carbon costs of digital communication.

Book review: The Case for Degrowth.

Extradition hearing of Julian Assange – defence witnesses destroy myths, demonstrate his integrity

JAPAN.   No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co’s Onagawa nuclear power plant for restart, despite problems. Resident against Japanese nuclear reactor OK’d for restart says safe evacuation impossible.  Surveys to identify nuclear waste disposal site begin in Hokkaido.

Nuclear disaster: Fukushima schools frozen in time. Forests affected by Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.  Japan Set to Decide Timing of Fukushima Water Release As Early As This Year.  Release of Fukushima’s radioactive water into sea will harm entire Asia’s coasts: Indian experts.

TAIWAN.  Taiwanese protest plan to dump water from Japan nuclear plant into sea.

UK –

• Boris Johnson’s government adding nuclear power to its long list of failures. UK government losing enthusiasm for new nuclear power stations, as grim financial realities set in.   British govt produced no evidence that nuclear plants are essential, in secret deals for the convenience of the nuclear industry
• Large and small nuclear reactors should not be included in UK’s ‘clean, green’ 10 point plan. Inaccuracies in Boris Johnson’s document supporting nuclear power development.  Britain’s enthusiasm for nuclear power stations is waning.
• Cheap and effective, but solar energy is omitted  from UK govt’s 10 point plan. Mayor of London announces solar and energy efficiency projects funded by ‘Green New Deal’.
•    British govt’s foolhardy plan to pay up for non existent Rolls Royce small nuclear reactors.  UK government wastes tax-payer money on small and large nuclear reactors that will never be cheap or safe.
• Sizewell C nuclear plant ‘not value for money’, and would sabotage the govt’s pledge for nature. Destruction of habitat, Coronation Wood to be felled, for Sizewell C nuclear project.   30-day public consultation about UK’s Sizewell nuclear reactor project.  Bankrupt AREVA, resuscitated as ‘Framatome’, joins the the Sizewell C nuclear build Consortium.   £525 million pledged to build UK small nuclear reactors, no funding package yet revealed for £20 billion Sizewell plant. UK government’s plans for Sizewell and Wylfa nuclear stations are wavering, with doubts about costs.
• Hazardous plan for Peel Ports to take over the decommissioning of Britain’s dead nuclear submarines .
• Hinkley Point B nuclear reactor offline now, and will be shut down earlier than planned. Both Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B nuclear power stations will close early due to cracks in graphite cores.
•  The Irish sea – plagued by dumped munitions and radioactive trash.

USA. 

• Could a mad, unhinged US president, push the nuclear button? Trump still has the awesome power to launch America’s nuclear arsenal.   European security officials fear that Trump may trigger a war against Iran. Trump’s Impact on Nuclear Proliferation,  Treating Foreign Policy as a Business.  Trump administration pulls out of Open Skies treaty with Russia.
• The Biden- Harris administration can change nuclear weapons policy, make it safer, and much cheaper.    For Joe Biden – an early trial problem – the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. How a nuclear weapons officer came to support the Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons.  A New U.S. Missile Defense Test May Have Increased the Risk of Nuclear War. Investigative journalism –  Joe Biden’s ” transition team”includes men with strong links to the weapons industry With Joe Biden in Charge, No More Flashy Kim Jong Un Summits.
• Prison, big fines, for Catholic anti nuclear activists.  Anti-Nuclear Pacifists Get Federal Prison Terms for Nonviolent Protest.
• USA revives plan for fast reactor, despite terrorism risks .
• USA looks to get $18billion now, maybe $40billion later, in flogging off nuclear reactors to Poland.
• Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a second lawsuit to stop bailout of nuclear reactors. Ohio likely to require nuclear reactor audit before renewing bailout.
• 30 more years for Wisconson’s old nuclear power station? Is this a good idea?
• Unanswered questions cloud the future of NuScam’s Small Modular Nuclear Reactor project.  Concerns in Utah cities about costs and safety of NuScam’s small nuclear reactor scheme.
• The intractible problem of San Onofre’s, and indeed, America’s, nuclear waste.  Lack of safety documents in Los Alamos National Laboratory’s handling of radioactive wastes.
• Slowly moving lawsuit on the health impacts of a national nuclear laboratory.

FRANCE.  Extended shutdown for work on Flamanville nuclear reactor build.  Greenpeace launches legal appeal against French nuclear safety authority allowing extension of lifetime of nuclear reactors.

CANADA.  Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, the nuclear industry’s latest pipe dream.  Canadian government’s misplacing funding into unviable small nuclear reactors

IRAN.  Tehran’s UN ambassador says rival Saudi Arabia is looking for an excuse to build nuclear weapons and blaming Iran.  Iran admits breach of nuclear deal discovered by UN inspectorate.  Iran slams European criticism on expanding nuclear programme.

BANGLADESH.  Bangladesh draws up a nuclear disaster response plan.

GERMANY.  Uranprojekt –The Nazi Nuclear Program.

RUSSIA. Russia’s latest nuclear icebreaker had to abort maiden Arctic voyage.

UKRAINE.  First canister of used nuclear fuel loaded into Chernobyl storage facility.

SAUDI ARABIA.  Saudi minister says nuclear armament against Iran ‘an option’.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea sparks new nuclear weapons fears.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s Department of Defence captured by foreign weapons makers Thales, BAE.

November 23, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 16 November

As in last week. the media continues to be preoccupied with the American presidential situation, and after all, that IS pretty important.  The really big global stories are the global coronavirus and climate change.

Still, nuclear issues continue – simmering tensions in nuclear weapons states, and the remarkably co-ordinated promotion of Small Nuclear Reactors to governments around the world, in both rich and developing countries.  The nuclear-news.net  site will now have to stick to just NUCLEAR news.

 Some bits of good news –          Vaccine Alliance Raises $2 Billion to Buy COVID Shots for Poor Nations. Renewable Energy Defies COVID-19 Downturn To Hit Record Growth in 2020.

Hibakusha renew their push for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Julian Assange ‘targeted as a political opponent of Trump administration and threatened with the death penalty’.

Topics in today’s “Nuclear” headlines on Google News.

JAPAN.   TEPCO claims it is running out of space to store radioactive water and simply must discharge it into the Pacific.  Over one million tons of radioactive water will be discharged into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Disposal plan all at sea? apan’s nuclear regulator maintains view on Fukushima reactor 3 blasts.  Radioactive Isotopes Measured at Olympic and Paralympic Venues in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo, Japan.

Governor of Miyagi Prefecture approves plan to restart Onagawa nuclear reactor. Japanese govt rules out new nuclear reactors for 10 years.

USA.

• Biden and Harris include fantasy of ”small nuclear reactors” in an otherwise progressive climate policy.  Harris and Biden – what are their views on nuclear power? Joe Biden’s Transition Announcements largely skirt nuclear power, waste issues. Predicting Biden’s attitude and actions on the big nuclear weapons issues.
• The nuclear perils of Trump’s last days. We should require a second voice when it comes to ordering first use of nuclear arms.
• American universities in the US nuclear weapons complex.   Kings Bay Plowshares peace activists get lighter sentences than expected.  The human impact of ”Trinity” and a thousand other nuuclear bomb tests on American soil. Project Pluto – The USA devised an apocalyptic nuclear weapon – the Supersonic Low Altitude Missile or SLAM.
• U.S. nuclear security administrator resigns – lost the confidence of Donald Trump?
• Ohio Attorney General takes legal action to stop nuclear bailout. –Federal utility fined $900K for nuclear violations, coverup.
• In New Jersey, ratepayers form Association to stop the bailing out of nuclear power.  Quite a lot of hurdles for NuScam’s Utah project, and only 27 of UAMPS members signed up.
• Long-delayed remediation of a nuclear waste site near Pittsburgh.

UK.

• Rolls Royce and Exelon get together to market ‘small’ nuclear reactors.  Small nuclear reactor plan by Rolls Royce consortium – not likely to be economically feasible.  Relentless lobbying by Small Nuclear Reactor companies still doesn’t make them economic or safe.
• Suffolk County Council raised over 50 concerns about the Sizewell nuclear project, but UK govt going ahead anyway?  UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds condemns the Sizewell nuclear project. Guardians of UK’s precious habitat in Suffolk are fearful of government decision on Sizewell nuclear plan.
•  Consortium wants to take over Wylfa nuclear power project – includes Bechtel, Southern Comapny and Westinghouse.
• China’s ambition to build Bradwell nuclear plant in Essex will likely fail on  national security grounds.
• Hunterston nuclear reactor allowed to restart, despite increasing cracks in the graphite core.
• Dismantling of Trawsfynydd nuclear power plant held back due to coronavirus outbreak.

MIDDLE EAST.  Financial problems, proliferation concerns put the brakes on nuclear development in the Middle East.

EUROPE.  U.S and Russia battling it out to market new nuclear reactors to Eastern Europe countries.
Source: UxC Research.  New European Court of Auditors report has concerns about the EU’s nuclear fusion project.

BELARUS.  Belarus shuts down its newly inaugurated nuclear power plant to replace equipment.

IRAN. Iran’s president calls on Biden to return to nuclear deal.  Iran moderates hail Biden win, but any nuclear talks expected to be fraught.

SOUTH AFRICA. NuScam pushing to sell its ”small” nuclear reactors to South Africa.

INDIA. Nuclear lobby gets its tentacles into education in India

RUSSIA. Putin and officials discuss huge new underground bunker almost completed.   Russia shuts down West Russian nuclear reactor.

CANADA.  Canada’s Greens call on federal government to abandon nuclear and invest in renewables.

AUSTRALIA.  Senate dumps on the Australian government’s radioactive waste plan.

November 16, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This site will now have to stick to just NUCLEAR news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Despite the enormous and present threats of pandemic and climate change, it’s now time for this site to return to its original focus –  the NUCLEAR horror.

Others are covering well those two other related dangers.

The nuclear danger stays in the backround. And the mindless cringing mainstream media keeps on regurgitating handouts from NuScam and the rest of the global nuclear salesmen.

The switch in the  USA to a Democrat administration will make the nuclear lobby’s path just so much smoother and easier.  Biden and Harris look so much nicer than Trump, (and they are nicer).  So much easier for progressive people to support their pro nuclear policies.

And hey shucks – we all worry about climate change – and NuScale’s small nuclear reactors are going to fix that –  aren’t they?

November 10, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week: nuclear news – under the radar, but still there

Inundation of news this week, mostly about the USA election. But also about coronoavirus and climate.

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November 9, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, climate, pandemic news – in this critical week

Pandemic As that election day arrives, US coronavirus cases break global daily record with just under 100,000 new infections.  Protecting nature is vital to escape ‘era of pandemics’ – report.   Urgency to protect nature, or up to 850,000 animal viruses could be caught by humans.

Climate. In all the hooha about the American election, and all the very important coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, –  global heating moves on inexorably, with relatively little media coverage of its effects. But the effects are there –  in the melting Poles, in continuing wildfires, droughts, extreme weather.  Effects are worsein  developing countries that have not themselves been the emitters of greenhouse gases. Droughts and floods force populations to leave their homelands.

Nuclear. Not a lot of media coverage on nuclear issues, though some still about the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. But here’s one important one:

Investigative journalism -The tangled web – well-being of communities has become dependent on the nuclear weapons industry.

Meanwhile, media coverage of nuclear issues continues to be mainly propaganda for the industry.

Some bits of good news – Chameleon last seen a century ago rediscovered in Madagascar.    14-Year-Old Girl Wins $25,000 For a Scientific Breakthrough That Could Lead to COVID-19 Cure.   Couple Turns Barren English Estate into Conservation Eden, Rewilding to Attract Rare Species of Astonishing Biodiversity.

The new Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty supports existing agreements, and in no way conflicts with them.  Archbishop Tomasi has led the Vatican’s fight against nuclear weapons.

Documentary history from the perspective of radiation victims.

Plutonium: How Nuclear Power’s Dream Fuel Became a Nightmare.

Despite propaganda from nuclear front group ”Third Way”, research shows that nuclear power as carbon reducer is counter-productive.

The world’s banks must start to value nature and stop paying for its destruction.

Space exploration – to lead to dangerous nuclear-armed totalitarian societies?

Super power: Here’s how to get to 100pct wind, solar and storage by 2030.  Renewables, not nuclear, are the solution, for a cleaner world..

The very real risks of radiation accidents on Earth, from nuclear reactors in space.

BRAZIL. Surge in fires in Brazil’s Amazon.

JAPAN. Dumping Fukushima’s Water into the Ocean… Seriously?   Fishers and farmers fear impact of Fukushima water release.   Compensation claims recognised – workers made ill by working at Fukushima’s wrecked nuclear plant.   Japan’s net zero emissions target should be combined with zero nuclear power.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s ‘serious concern’ about Japan’s dumping of Fukushima radioactive water. Parties Blast Foreign Ministry Response to Japan’s Water Discharge Move.  Tritium is what makes nuclear reactors so dangerous, not only in Fukushima but also in S. Korea. South Korea to end dependence on coal, switch to renewables.

ARCTIC. Release of methane off East Siberian coast has been triggered.

UK. Pressure on UK Prime Minister to show strong climate leadership. UK government’s economic recovery plan fossil fuels £3.8bn, but renewables only £121m. Strong feeling in UK public that the Covid recovery must be a green recovery, too.

Britain to lose protection of the environment – as a result of Brexit.

90% of Sellafield’s Discharged Plutonium Wastes are on the “Cumbrian Mud Patch” Below which Lies the Coal Mine Plan.

USA.

• Coronavirus cases rise in grim march to America’s Election Day.
• Investigative journalism– How the marketing of American weapons determines U.S. foreign policy on China.   Expert guidance for the next President to head off a nuclear catastrophe.  A Joe Biden administration would re-examine the U.S. nuclear strategy and arsenal.
• Russia and the U.S. Need a Timeout on Nuclear Weapons, With New START about to expire, the U.S. should accept Moscow’s offer of a one-year extension.
• U.S. Senate unanimously passes resolution supporting nuclear weapons workers made ill by radiation.The human cost in illness and death, caused by working with nuclear weapons.
• Financial red flags warn against Utah’s NuScale small nuclear reactor project.    Big questions on the costs and safety of NuScale’s little nuclear reactors.  Two more cities opt out of Utah’s dubious small nuclear reactor project.  Small nuclear reactors pose a financial danger to municipalities – Utah Taxpayers Association.  Another city bites the dust in regard to Utah’s NuScam small nuclear reactors plan.
• Columbus, Cincinnati, take legal action to block Ohio’s nuclear  power plant bailout law.    Two politicians to plead guilty in Ohio nuclear corruption case.
• Santa Susana Field Laboratory site– historically radioactively polluted, but risks never being cleaned up.
• Nearly 30 US states see renewables generate more power than either coal or nuclear coal

UKRAINE.  Using a robot to map the highly radioactive area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

RUSSIA.  Russia’s nuclear doctrine – both Russia an USA benefit from nuclear weapons control agreements.   Putin’s Russia keen to exploit the Arctic for fossil fuels: more nuclear-powered icebreakers on the way.

FRANCE. EDF trucks enriched uranium to the unfinished Flamanville nuclear reactor. Why so much in advance of the need for it?    France trying to market nuclear reactors to Romania.

LITHUANIA.  Lithuania protests Belarus’plan for nuclear power station close to their border.

FINLAND.  Finland, stuck with increasingly costly Olkiluouti nuclear nightmare, plans and even worse expense, with small nucler reactors!

CANADA.  Investigative journalism – While Canadian authorities fall for “New Small Nuclear” spin, U.S. consortium rips off Canada’s nuclear waste disaster.  Suspected COVID-19 outbreak declared at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario.

IRAN. Iran building underground nuclear facility, replacing the damaged one.

CHINA.  China-India competition is not likely to lead to a nuclear weapons exchange.

AUSTRALIA.  International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)- from a tiny group to an International Treaty.

November 2, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Google headline articles on nuclear issues today are mainly promoting nuclear power

3 November 20, Leaving out the subject of nuclear weapons, the articles on nuclear power were mainly supporting or promoting it.  Of the total of 64 articles, 41 approved of or enthused about nuclear power, while 15 were critical of it, and 8 could be described as neutral, – factual, with no opinion either way.

The favourite topics for pro nuclear articles were the ”need” for new nuclear reactors, both small and large, the promotion of nuclear reactors for shipping, and the need to prolong the lives of existing reactors.  Nuclear fusion and  nuclear for space travel were also  popular topics. Nuclear power praised for safety , climate action and nuclear medicine.  Radiation danger -”exaggerated”.

Anti nuclear articles focussed on costs, toxic wastes, and safety risks, with small nuclear reactors singled out for being uneconomic.  Nuclear power was also  criticised as being ineffective against climate change.

In the 27 articles about  nuclear weapons, much of the coverage was done in a neutral way, with factual reporting on the policies of USA , Russia, China. There were 11 articles clearly opposing nuclear weapons, and 4 that could be seen as supporting them –  in that they stressed the need for retaining or building up a nuclear arsenal.

November 2, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week: climate, coronavirus – and Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

Even the generally pro nuclear mainstream media could not ignore the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as it reached the required 50 ratifications to become law.      Nuclear weapons – always inhumane and unacceptable, now illegal — IPPNW peace and health blog. The ethical and moral case grew stronger, for the U.N. nuclear ban treaty.

One important article this week links the otherwise irrational push for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) to their connection with the nuclear weapons industry.

Second COVID-19 wave swells across US and Europe as winter looms.

‘Back to the future of climate” –– research on the  Eocene period, some 55 million years ago, when atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were over  1,400 ppm, indicate what the Earth’s future climate might be. Then the temperatures on Earth must have resembled those of a sauna. It was hot and humid, and the ice on the polar caps had completely disappeared. That situation deeloped over millions of years. Now, industrialisation is bringing it about by soon after 2100.

Global Covid-19 cases top 42.5mn: Johns Hopkins Oct 25, 2020.

The passing of the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty  – an  embarrassment and a problem for the USA, and the other nuclear weapons nations. .   Difficulties in the membership of countries in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Why nuclear power Is unsustainable.       Climate change a big threat to nuclear reactors – as water supplies at risk.    Every dollar wasted on nuclear power is a dollar not invested in clean energy.  The very genuine promise of cheap electricity – solar power.

Study finds that bees are harmed by quite low levels of ionising radiation.

The Guardian was grossly unfair to Julian Assange. They could still make up for this.

Geological disposal of nuclear waste – a focus of interest in the coming months.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Pacific islands demand truth on the decades of nuclear testing, now that nuclear weapons are becoming illegal

ARCTIC.  Delayed freezing of Arctic sea ice due to continued freakish warm weather.  Unwanted nuclear submariness and military operations in the Arctic.

ANTARCTIC. Scientific women get together in plan for marine protected area for Antarctica Peninsula.  Vital need to protect Antarctic seas: groups aim for new protected areas.

JAPAN. 

• 495 local assemblies demand Japan government ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons 
• Warnings on releasing Fukushima’s radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.  Japan puts off decision to release treated Fukushima water into sea.  Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga soon to decide on disposal of Fukushima’s nuclear waste water.  Half of Japanese against releasing radioactive water from Fukushima plant; Seoul, Beijing also concerned.  Jeju Governor Vows to Take Legal Action against Japan’s Fukushima Water Release.
• Japan – nuclear power fine – but no nuclear waste for Aomori Prefecture, please.    Hokkaido municipalities gamble on a nuclear future, but at what cost?
• Japan now has enough plutonium to make about 6,000 atomic bombs.
• Miyagi Prefectural Assembly approves nuclear reactor restart despite very strong public opposition.

SOUTH KOREA. Democratic Party leader says he demanded “transparent disclosure” of information about Fukushima water treatment.  S. Korean demonstrators ramp up protests against Japan’s plans to dump radioactive water into the ocean.

USA.

• The Atlantic raised the big question. In a crisis, do Americans want Trump’s finger on the nuclear button?
•  Keeping the Election Safe — limitless life  American election.
• Donald Trump and Joe Biden on climate change. Fossil fuels are ”very clean” – Donald Trump. Joe Biden calls climate change the ‘number one issue facing humanity.  Joe Biden’s climate plan would give the world a fighting chance. Two-thirds of voters support Biden climate plan.  Largest wildfires in Colorado’s history.
• America pushes other nations to withdraw from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Many 1000s sick in USA, but government spending priority is $billions, $trillions – for nuclear missiles!
• Jesuit priest sentenced for peacful civil disobedience in protest against nuclear weapons.  The cruel and lonely death of an American nuclear weapons scientist.
• And again, it’s delay delay at the costly Vogtle nuclear project.
• USA government puts out a financial lifeline to the failing nuclear industry.   Very dubious claims made by proponents of NuScam’s small nuclear reactor plans. Another city leaves small nuclear reactor project – unanimous vote by Murray City Council, Utah.   The nuclear industry’s cunning strategy to pass its clean-up costs to the tax-payer.  USA aiming to beat Russia, China etc, in marketing nuclear reactors to Poland.
• USA: Millions of jobs in clean energy and infrastructure – analysis finds.
• USA Nuclear Regulatory Commission to effectively deregulate massive amounts of radioactive wastes.  Trump government’s dangerous plan to deregulate disposal of radioactive trash.  Alarm about dangerous transit of radioactive material through Fort Worth. How the iconic domes of San Onofre nuclear station will be dismantled.  Safety of SanOnofre nuclear waste storage is disputed.
•   60 years since nuclear war very nearly happened.

RUSSIA.   Russian hacking group Energetic Bear have hacked nuclear stations, now threaten USA election

TAIWAN.  Taiwan furthers its departure from nuclear power, with more unused fuel rods sent back to USA.

EUROPE.  An opportunity to remove American nuclear weapons from Europe.  European Commission commits to retaining Iran nuclear deal.

POLAND.  $40 billion cost to Poland for nuclear power – $18 billion to USA for starters.

UK.

• Small Nuclear Reactors – the Big New Way – to get the public to fund the nuclear weapons industry.
• Royal Navy officer in charge of submarine’s nuclear weapons, sent back to UK, alleged to be drunk on duty.
• UK’s Conservative politicians want strong action on climate change.   Britain’s zero emissions policy will bring many 1000s of jobs, investing in green infrastructure.
• Not only Fukushima – UK nuclear reactors also empty radioactive water into the sea.  Do the UK authorities really understand the hazards of radioactive mud waste dumping off Cardiff?.  EDF facing legal action over planned dumping of radioactive mud, and over fish safety problems.
• Hinkley Point C nuclear station – construction costs $388.9 million every month.  How would Bradwell B affect local people, place & environment?  Legal fight to stop Sizewell nuclear project destroying an historic Suffolk woodland.

CHINA.  China’s nuclear oppression of the Uighur people. China’s world-leading push for solar and wind energy.

IRAN.  Considering the future of the Iran nuclear deal.  Hard to save the Iran nuclear deal, even if Biden wins the U.S. election.

FRANCE.  France’s anti nuclear activists to train citizen scientists to measure radioactivity levels around a nuclear site.

GERMANY. In Germany , a new dispute over the old abandoned Gorleben nuclear waste site. Pledge Times (India/Germany)– Hitler’s quest for nuclear weapons.

SWEDEN.  Swedish council votes in favour of nuclear waste disposal facility.

SOUTH AFRICA. Trump’s USA is pushing NuScale’s small nuclear reactors for South Africa.

AUSTRALIA.  After the state of  Victoria’s long and difficult coronavirus lockdown, it’s now the envy of the world. As coronavirus cases plummet, it’s time to ask: Is Australia ready for the third wave?

October 26, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 20 October – coronavirus, climate and yes, NUCLEAR, news

Covid-19 cases across the globe hit 40 million Monday with the United States leading the world with the highest numbers of infections and deaths.  World round-up of coronavirus. cases and restrictions.

Climate change just keeps on – cycloone, floods and landslides.– Vietnam, India.  It becomes important to devlop strategies to adapt to global heating.

Nuclear news items stress the need for international agreements on arms control.

But , on the ”peaceful nukes” scene, it is quite extraordinary that propaganda has ramped up enormously, even while the pandemic has actually slowed down nuclear building and other activities, as well as the demand for electricty.

What we’re seeing is a frenzy of  small nuclear reactor (SMR) propaganda handouts masquerading as real journalism. In English language news, it’s all about America selling these uneconomic and pretty useless gimmicks to their own population and to overseas countries. The most often praised model, NuScam’s reactor, is even now being touted as ”foreign development aid”.   No doubt the global industry is doing the same confidence trick in Russian and Chinese. They need a global burst of tax-payer funded SMR building,  to stave off the collapse of the industry.

Some bits of good news –We’ve had so many wins’: why the green movement can overcome climate crisis. International Monetary Fund recommends a carbon price, for the economy as well as for the climate.  Solar energy is here with a vengeance – look at South Australia.

The attack on journalism – launched with the persecution of Julian Assange.

On climate: instead of denial or despair, there’s determined resolve.  Carbon emissions are deeply embedded in our lifestyle – the challenge post-pandemic.  Climate disasters – Earth is becoming uninhabitable for millions of humans.

Elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to the “survival of life on this planet”.

Nuclear waste – a danger for countless generations to come.

Resisting nuclear colonialism on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Offshore Wind Energy, Not Nuclear, Is the Future.  Study shows that renewable energy is clearly better that nuclear at cutting greenhouse emissions.

Book review: GAMBLING WITH ARMAGEDDON.

Thorium not likely to revive the nuclear energy industry.

NEW ZEALAND. Climate and clean energy leaders win big in New Zealand, ACT elections.

ARCTIC.  Global heating is unravelling the Arctic, much faster than expected.  Climate change: Arctic Circle teens call for help to save their homes.  Reopening of a Cold-War era submarine base, as USA struggles to beat Russia to control the Arctic.

JAPAN.  Japan’s government is appealing the landmark ruling about its responsibility for Fukushima nuclear accident. Japan’s government planning to dump into the sea, the radioactive water from Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor.  Fukushima ‘blank spaces’ in limbo, left out of decontamination plan.

Struggling Japanese towns look to nuclear waste storing and the money associated. Mansion without a toilet: Towns in Japan seek to house, store nuclear waste out of necessity.  800-meter-long seawall being constructed, as Japan plans to reopen damaged Onagawa nuclear complex.

Japan’s government ignores U.N. nuclear ban treaty, puts out feeble anti-nuclear weapons resolution.

SOUTH ASIA. Neighbouring countries oppose Japan’s plan to release nuclear waste water into the Pacific.

RUSSIA. Putin suggests extending the START nuclear weapons control treaty for another year.

USA.

• Anti-science in America – climate denial to coronavirus denial.  USA spends taxpayers’ money on weapons, endless wars, not health – coronavirus chaos is the result.
• Donald Trump’s erratic behaviour revives the debate on the President’s unchecked nuclear authority.   What to do about the USA President’s sole authority to launch a nuclear pre-emptive strike? Donald Trump’s pre-election plan for nuclear deal with Russia has fizzled out badly.  US rejects Putin’s proposal on nuclear disarmament treaty as ‘nonstarter’.
• ‘Fracking’ with its environmental harms, now acceptable to U.S. Democrats, to help win the election?
• Ohio lawmakers likely to repeal the tainted nuclear bailout law, after November 3. Bribery probe into a nuclear plant bailout examines facilities’ owner. Ask pro-HB 6 lawmakers seeking reelection what they plan to do about the nuclear bailout bill .
• Exelon to offload its nuclear power stations?
•  Los Alamos National Laboratory nuclear waste is potentially explosive.
• Groups urge New Mexico governor to take stand against nuclear waste plan.  Bankrupt Mallinckrodt company faces large liabilities in radioactive trash cleanup.
• USA starts off $3.2 billion subsidy program with $80 million each for “next generation” nuclear reactors. Washington State touted for ”new generation” nuclear power – (some time in the distant future)   Inadequate Emergency Planning Zones for small modular nuclear reactors.  USA marketing NuScam small nuclear reactors to Africa.  Hypocrisy prize to U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), for pretending that NuScam’s Small Nuclear Reactors are ”foreign aid”.   Small Nuclear Reactors on the moon– desperate hope for the failing nuclear industry.
• The biggest radioactive spill in US history.

UK.

• 35 crew on secretive HMS Vigilant £3billion nuclear submarine tested positive for Covid.
• UK: consultation with 2300 people about low level radioactive waste dump – only 13 people supported it.
• In Scotland, UK’s old nuclear submarines are left to rot.
• Dangerous radiation levels from fracking.
• Sizewell nuclear project: EDF messes Suffolk communities about, with yet another public consultation, after 1200 responses already.  French nuclear company EDF disdains the Suffolk community with its cavalier change of plans.

CANADA. Nuclear industry stagnates, renewables thrive- small nuclear reactors will be a terrible mistake for Canada. Small modular nuclear reactors create intensely radioactive wastes. Divisive nuclear waste programme mapped out in South Bruce, Ontario.  Canada’s government caught up in the Small Nuclear Reactor Ponzi Scheme.

NORTH KOREA.  North Korea, with its new intercontinental-range ballistic missile makes it clear that it is a nuclear weapons nation. New North Korean missile will prove a big diplomatic headache for US, expert warns.

SOUTH KOREA. After 23 yearrs and huge expense, South Korea is to close down its efoort to develop nuclear spent fuel reprocessing .

MIDDLE EAST. Policy of no uranium enrichment, no reprocessing, essential for Middle East to prevent nuclear arms proliferation.

FRANCE. France has more nuclear waste than shown in official inventory, reports the nuclear regulator. France’s nuclear company EDF promises a new design pressurised water nuclear reactor (EPR).

INDIA. India’s young anti-nuclear protestors still in trouble, police cases pending, 10 years after teir demonstration.  Cybersecurity concerns about India’s nuclear reactors.

BULGARIA. USA to market nuclear reactor to Bulgaria.

TUVALU. Tuvalu – the 47th nation to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

SOUTH AFRICA.  South Africa the first sucker to get American experimental nuclear reactor + $billions

AUSTRALIA.  USA election result, and Australia’s response– the world’s climate in the balance. Australia a leader in the worst sense – biodiversity loss and risk of ecosystem collapse.  Morrison government’s devastating cuts to Environmental research and teaching.

October 19, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear, climate news to 12 October

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

The World Health Organisation has reported 338,779 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded last week, a new daily record.

World press freedom endangered, if UK extradites Julian Assange to America.  Assange extradition case could esrablish a dangerous legal precedent.

This election isn’t just about you, America.  The world’s climate future – much depends on America’s presidential election.   Trump’s psychopathology a threat to US democracy and to global stability.

Some bits of good news – The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The World’s Largest Hunger Program.    A New Generation of Young Poll Workers is Stepping Up to Protect the Elderly From COVID-19

Why climate change is a time bomb. – Climate future depends on what action humans take.  Greta Thunberg: ‘Get everyone to vote for Joe Biden’.  Global and European temperature levels for September – hottest on record.

Countries that have included nuclear in their green stimulus plans may want to rethink their strategy.  Major study finds that renewables lower emissions substantially, and nuclear power does not. Nuclear power, irrelevant to climate change – and in fact, hinders climate action.

Promises, promises — the media keeps  buying the tired old nuclear spin, marketing small reactors.

U.S. and Russian negotiators try to salvage arms control pact.

14 million tonnes of plastic on ocean floor – more on the coasts.

Former world leaders urge those now in power to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Pro nuclear bias in  articles in Google headlines.

JAPAN.  Ageing community in Hokkaido town – mayor agrees to survey for nuclear waste dump.  Fishing industry chief opposes releasing Fukushima No. 1 water into sea.

ALGERIA. Algeria to ratify Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons “as soon as possible”.  France should reveal the location of its nuclear waste dump in Algeria.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Pacific Island Nations determined to say NO to nuclear weapons, and support UN Treaty Ban.

USA.

• Trump’s false claim about the Green New Deal.  USA ‘s Environment and climate cases face a bleak future with a Republican dominated Supreme Court,
• Trump’s harsh approach on Iran. Biden firm, but more conciliatory.  Too much power to USA president, to control nuclear war strategy: what if he is ill? Utah congressman takes action to stop future nuclear weapons testing in U.S. Nuclear experts not impresssed with Trump’s boasts about USA nuclear weaponry.  Trump hoping to conclude nuclear arms deal with Russia before Election Day.
• Possibility of armed factions with military-style rifles showing up at polling places.
• Citizens express opposition to dangerous increased plutonium pit production.
•   Texas Governor Greg Abbott opposes 2 plans for nuclear waste dumping.
• Nuclear Energy — The High Cost Of A Dying Industry. Ohio nuclear reactors expect tax-payer subsidy, they’re making a profit anyway !
• Speeded up decommissioning of Crystal River nuclear reactor – some concerns about this .  Dept of Energy report shows danger of radioactive wastes leaking from Hanford’s old decayed tanks.
• Pressure on U.S. Congress to reinstate research on links between nuclear stations and cancer.

UK. Design not even finished! But UK govt to subsidise Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).    Big doubts about the economics of small nuclear reactors for the UK.

Will the UK government sacrifice the beautiful Suffolk coast in its misguided, uneconomic, Sizewell nuclear power push?  Conflict of interest – UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) regarding Hinkley C nuclear project.

UKRAINE.  Ukraine’s President enthuses over their nuclear reactors – but they’re all ageing Soviet ones.

CHINA.  China backs Iran nuclear deal, calls for new MidEast forum.    China-Saudi nuclear pact can trigger an arms race in West Asia.

INDIA. India test-fires new version of nuclear capable Shaurya missile.

CANADA.  3 Canadian provinces sucked in by propaganda from 3 Small Nuclear Reactor companies.

RUSSIA.  Russia’s nuclear giant Rosatom moving into renewable energy, energy storage, grid development.

FRANCE.  European Commission, and France’s Hercules project, plan to break up the nuclear company EDF.  Cracks in France’s ageing Tricastin nuclear reactor 1.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un set to show off nuclear advances in message to Trump. Kim Jong Un showcases North Korea’s biggest intercontinental missile.

BELARUS.  Belarus postpones launch of nuclear reactor.

GERMANY.  Nuclear no option for hydrogen production: German government.NEW ZEALAND.  New Zealand installs its biggest solar farm, floating on a wastewater pond. Lower Saxony opposes building of nuclear power plants by Netherlands – location all too close

POLAND.  Poland to build nuclear reactor starting in 2026, excludes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

ROMANIA. USA trying to beat China, in marketing nuclear reactors to Romania.

AUSTRALIA. Murdoch media monopoly – an ‘arrogant cancer on our democracy’.

October 12, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 5 October – climate/nuclear news

As happens all too often, news media is fixated on you know who. Conflicting stories – Donald Trump ‘incapacitated’ by COVID-19 drug side effects, law professor claims.  The White House’s medical team said Donald Trump “has continued to improve” since Saturday and could be released as early as Monday. Darned if I know what to think, and how this might affect the U.S. election.

Fierce fighting continues in the  Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict .  (The media doesn’t mention  the Azerbaijan threat to bomb Armenia’s nuclear power plant. But perhaps it’s Azerbaiji fear of radioactive pollution that prevents this)

A bit of good news – Good living standards for the world can be attained with reduced energy use

‘We have a chance’: David Attenborough says $500 billion needed to save earth.  A Positive Narrative for the Anthropocene .    Extinction crisis: ′The window of opportunity is closing′.  Debunking myths about saving the natural world.

The climate crisis is heating up nights faster than days in many parts of the world.  Climate change responsible for record sea temperature levels, says study   Coastal flooding will disproportionately impact 31 million people globally 

The safety of the world requires a nuclear-free planet.

Julian Assange could face life in America’s most dreaded ‘Supermax’ prison.

From 38 million English-language articles, study shows Trump as world’s biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation.    Nuclear power and the mainstream media – a convenient advertising platform?

Lunar base woud have to be underground, due to the danger of high radiation on the moon.  On the moon ”normal” humans (i.e males) will get 200 Times the Radiation Experienced on Earth, (what about females?).

‘Reverse course’ towards full nuclear disarmament – UN chief.

Nuclear power is now the most expensive form of generation, except for gas peaking plants’.  Nano diamond batteries from nuclear waste? Impractical and not likely to ever happen.

Exposed! Extinction Rebellion fact checks pro-nuclear front.  Refuting the nuclear lobby‘s nonsense on risks of ionising radiation.  It’s important to bust the pro-nuclear spin.

Ionising radiation – the tragedy of the ”radium girls”.

ARCTIC. Accelerating rate of ice sheet loss from Greenland.

USA.

• Trump with Covid-19 – a potential power vacuum. E-6B Mercury nuclear war command posts in flight on each coast.  As Donald Trump gets coronavirus, USA’s ”doomsday” planes take flight.
• False claims of hacked voter information likely intended to cast doubt on legitimacy of U.S. elections. America’s nuclear waste crisis doesn’t get a mention in Democrats’ or Republicans’ platform.  Joe Biden on climate change.  U.S. election: Progressive groups are mobilizing to de-escalate far right violence at the polls. The road to fascism. Trump is quite open about his plans to derail the election.  Donald Trump Junior calls for volunteers to join an ”army” and ”secure” the 2020 election.  The American election- what will the nuclear order look like after this?
• ”Peaceful” nuclear power for weaponry in space.   USA provocation of China, Iran, Russia.  Heightened risk of nuclear confrontation between the US and China. USA threatens putting more weapons on bombers and submarines if Russia doesn’t agree to USA conditions for arms talks. The Trump administration’s stances on nuclear negotiations don’t even make sense as a starting point. ”The Bomb’ Presents A ‘Secret History’ Of Nuclear War Planning In America.    At Greenfield, Sunderland standouts, residents protest nuclear weapons.
•   Do Ohio nuclear stations really need a bailout ? Where’s the evidence?.  Greater Cleveland Partnership calls for repeal of Ohio nuclear bailout law.  Ohio’s nuclear bailout law caused dissent and trouble for renewables industries.
• One more Utah city withdraws from NuScam small nuclear reactor project.
• USA Dept of Energy unsafely disposing of useless MOX plutonium weapons grade nuclear fuel?  State of New Mexico strngly objects to licensing og Holtec’s nuclear waste dump project.

JAPAN.  Offshore wind energy could replace more than half of the nation’s generation capacity by 2050. TEPCO’s fitness to operate nuke reactors still open to question.  Court rules Fukushima nuclear disaster preventable, increases liabilities.   Japanese Government Is Ordered to Pay Damages Over Fukushima Disaster.  TEPCO: 11m seawall completed at Fukushima plant.  In Rural Fukushima, ‘The Border Between Monkeys And Humans Has Blurred’.  Tokyo Olympic torch relay to start on March 25, 2021 in Fukushima.  Fukushima and freedom of expression. Japan Struggles to Secure Radioactive Nuclear Waste Dump Sites.

UK. UK to return high-level nuclear waste to Germany.  Plans for Bradwell B nuclear power station could collapse.  UK govt to give EDF a blank cheque for building Sizewell C nuclear power plant.  Call to British govt to not allow restart of Hinkley Point B nuclear reactors, with cracks in their cores.

EUROPE.  Severe floods in Italy and France.

RUSSIA. Daunting task of removal of Russia’s spent nuclear fuel rods from Andreeva Bay.

INDIA. Tensions between 3 nuclear-armed powers are rising toward the boiling point .

ARMENIA. Heavy military clashes between Armenian and Azeri forces.

IRAQ.  Congenital abnormalities. Thorium and uranium, in infants and children living near an active U.S. military base in Iraq.

GERMANY. Germany launches new search for permanent nuclear waste disposal site.  90 areas in Germany identified as potentially suitable for nuclear waste burial.

FRANCE. Flamanville nuclear reactor – patched up, but – dangerous and illegal , say groups. Two new appeals against the Flamanville EPR.    In September, French nuclear production reached its second lowest level on record.

IRAN. UN nuclear watchdog inspects second Iran site.

INDONESIA. Call to Indonesia to ratify UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.

BRAZIL. Brazil has 1.2 million renewable energy jobs. — GO ECO GREEN21

PHILIPPINES. Cost and safety dangers should rule out nuclear power for the Philippines.

AUSTRALIA. China’s zero emissions target is contrasted with Australia’s inaction on global heating.

October 5, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, climate, news to 28 September

Coronavirus, climate change and weather disasters: 2020 has been a hell of a year, so far.  Some world leaders at this week’s annual United Nations meeting are taking the long view, warning: If COVID-19 doesn’t kill us, climate change will.

On the nuclear scene, well, really, nothing much is happening. Except for the propaganda. Covid-19 is making the nuclear industry’s problems even worse, so their marketing propaganda is intensifying. Last week it was all about small nuclear reactors. This week, it’s still that, but as an extra push, it’s all about thorium.

Julian Assange dragged from embassy “on the orders of the president”.  Medical experts testify to court on Julian Assange’s precarious mental health.  Australia’s media disgrace – the deliberate neglect of the Julian Assange extradition hearing.  The media ignores Julian Assange and the Media ‘Trial of Century’.

Some bits of good news – Over 12 million children, caregivers and teachers reached by UNICEF and Millicom (TIGO) to strengthen child rights across Latin America during COVID 19.  The Aahwahan Foundation in India works towards the eradication of poverty, while also focussing on maintaining a sustainable environment.

When looking at impact of coronavirus, we can’t forget the long-term health effects.

45 nations have now ratified the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Latest World Nuclear Industry Status Report shows high levelised cost of nuclear power.   Small Nuclear Reactors look good – on paper!.

Radiation exposure on the moon is nearly three times that on the International Space Station.

Solar and battery ads blocked by Twitter and Facebook move against “political content” .  Recharge’s ”must read” news of the week on the energy transition.

Nurdle alert – plastic pollution the next eco calamity for decades.

ARCTIC.  The Arctic Has Entered A New Climate State.     Russia’s nuclear-powered ice-breakers lead towards military domination of the Arctic.  Arctic pollution is worse than expected – tree rings studies reveal this.

USA. 

• After 4 decades of Plowshares Actions, It’s Nuclear Warfare that Should Be on Trial — Not Activists   Americans deserve a nuclear-free future.   Trump might abandon NEW START arms treaty, U.S. allies fear. USA Government Accountabilty Office calls for assessment of costs for planned new nuclear warheads.                Nebraska becomes an even more definite nuclear target, with a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
•  The U.S. media’s resposibility to question Trump and Biden on nuclear arms control and nonproliferation.  Northampton shuns business with companies involved in creating nuclear weapons.
• Lawsuit: Ohio Attorney General sues to stop nuclear bailout money, and break up dark money groups.  Amid debate over repealing House Bill 6, Energy Harbor still won’t say whether its nuclear plants are profitable.
• Economic distress for Exelon’s 4 nuclear plants in Illinois.      Iowa’s last nuclear power station to close – 60 years at least to decommission it.  Dirty and devilishly dangerous – the aging Diablo Canyon nuclear station.
• USA.Federal Bill to promote nuclear waste borehole system, and the dubious plan for reprocessing. New Mexico is strongly objecting to licensing of Holtec’s multibillion-dollar nuclear waste dump plan.  Transport of nuclear wastes – a Pandora’s Box of problems for North Texans.   Will Bears Ears Become the World’s Radioactive Waste Dump
• Compensation for some nuclear workers with mesothelioma .
• Amy Coney Barrett as judge on the USA Supreme Court is not likely to help the environment. Trump Appoints Pair of Climate Science Deniers to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) While Climate-Fueled Fires and Storms Rage.
• As fossil fuel jobs falter, renewables come to the rescue.

UK. Britain’s nuclear power dreams melting away – with soaring costs, and political problems.  EDF wants cash-strapped UK government to subsidise costly Sizewell nuclear plan.  Former UK Energy Minister Sir Ed Davey says new Sizewell nuclear station is too expensive.  Suffolk businesses oppose the building of Sizewell nuclear power station.

FRANCE.  French taxpayers don’t want to pay for Sizewell nuclear station, neither do British..

CHINA.  It’s important to dispel three persistent myths about China’s nuclear weapons.

EUROPE. Bosnia and Herzegovina call for a safer location for Croatia’s nuclear waste dump plan

JAPAN.  Japanese government dangles financial carrot to persuade reluctant communities to take nuclear wastess.  Japan’s nuclear regulator approves restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, but still hurdles to overcome.

Fukushima. The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Recovery That Wasn’t.  9 1/2 years after meltdowns, no end in sight for Fukushima nuke plant decommissioning.    16-meter seawall planned for Fukushima Daiichi.  Lifting Fukushima evacuation orders without decontamination should be limited.  Don’t criticize government or TEPCO, guides in Fukushima told.  Fukushima criticism for unauthorized use of radiation exposure data-Interim report on Date City.

SOUTH KOREA. S. Korea renews concerns over possible release of tainted Fukushima water.

NORTH KOREA. Satellite imagery shows North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Center is drying off after breaching of oveerflow dam. Reduced water level poses a problem for North Korea’s nuclear reactor, if it’s restarted.

CANADA. David Suzuki on nuclear power as a climate change solution ”I want to puke.” The climate crisis is still a massive threat — even in the middle of a pandemic.  Small modular nuclear reactors for Canada? – useless, expensive, untested, and a wasteful distraction. Canada to splurge $billions on non-existent small nuclear reactors, ineffective and no use against climate change.

IRAN. Iran will not renegotiate nuclear deal if Biden wins US presidency, Zarif says.

INDIA. Tsunami risk for nuclear reactors on coastlines of India and Pakistan.

RUSSIA.  Russia rejects USA’ s terms for extending the New START arms control treaty.  Power hungry Russia foisting nuclear power on Egypt – Africa – where it is not needed.  Importing of increased amounts of uranium hexafluoride to Russia – illegal and dangerous.

INDONESIA. Indonesia: strong objections to nuclear and “new” fossil fuel technologies being called ”green” energy.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Marshall Islands in danger of being overcome by rising sea levels.

UKRAINE. False report of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia may be able to produce its own nuclear fuel – with its uranium reserves.

AUSTRALIA. Dr Helen Caldicott and Independent Australia bust the media spin on ‘small nuclear reactors’.

September 28, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments