Nuclear News – to 3 May

Nuclear issues seem to be on the back burner, in Australia, and pretty much everywhere else. South East Asia is the exception, with countries worrying about Japan’s plan to release the Fukushima nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean.    Still, I’ve found far too much nuclear news this week, for what is supposed to be a short newsletter.  Perhaps that’s an indication that anxieties about the nuclear industry are simmering away,below the surface, and behind the media trivia.

At least the pandemic is getting the media attention that is so desperately required.    The world is in the midst of its worst coronavirus crisis so far.
The one great lesson of the pandemic is surely that global issues should trump national greediness, and call for global cooperation..   Tackling climate change too requires global policies.

A bit of good news –  Countries step up to supply oxygen and medicine to India. Pakistanis express solidarity with India over its COVID crisis, pledges supplies and medical aid.

ICAN addresses Mount Isa City Council after nuclear appeal pledge .

UK in secret talks with Australia and others, about mining rare earths.  

INTERNATIONAL

We must continue to expose and refute the lies of nuclear industry.

Paul Beckwith on the failure of universities to address real world problems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-orLuh7lj0

The huge carbon footprint and massive energy use of online activities and of Bitcoin.

For climate action, renewables clearly beat nuclear power.

Chernobyl disaster and the U.N. response – a global matter.

Nuclear fallout from the Cold War might be killing our bees.

Growing aggressive behaviour by nuclear proponents – is nuclear facing obsolescence?

INDIA. In India’s pandemic nightmare, India and Pakistan need to invest in health, not nuclear weapons.

JAPAN. Thyroid cancer increased 20-fold in Fukushima children. Radioactive leakage from nuclear waste containers near Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Even with water release to the Pacific, Fukushima nuclear plant needs more storage tanks.

Governor of Fukui Prefecture to approve restart of aging nuclear reactors, but local community is opposed.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korean fishermen protest against the dumping of Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

USA. 

• When USA attacks a foreign state, the media calls it ”Defense”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYRoXCdkmAY    Like Trump, Biden administration to ramp up nuclear bomb-making. Mobile nuclear reactors? Scathing report slams ‘disturbing’ military program.   Sen. Angus King: Cybersecurity a major concern in U.S. nuclear command-and-control system.
•  Following Biden climate summit, USA govt keen to promote amd export Small Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) for space rockets has everything to do with the military, and funding for weapons makers. The purpose of USA space research is clearly military – they don’t even pretend any more. Elon Musk’s expensive and dangerous space delusion. 
• Poor prospects for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) as a cure for climate change. No future for new nuclear. Subsidies for New Jersey’s nuclear power stations. Do the New Jersey nuclear power plants really need a handout? 
• Feds: Underground nuclear waste tank at Hanford Nuclear Reservation may be leaking. Texas legislators must reject proposal to lower human health and safety measures at nuclear waste dump. 
•  Whistleblower can’t sue U.S.Dept of Labor, because it has ‘sovereign immunity’.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. The US Should Apologize to the Marshall Islands for Nuclear Tests.

UKRAINE. University of Sheffield researchers do detailed study of radioactive materials inside the wrecked Chernobyl nuclear reactor. On 35th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster, Ukraine opens new nuclear waste site. Chernobyl nuclear disaster: ‘Three-day evacuation lasted 35 years’. Corrosive corruption continues in Ukraine’s nuclear industry.

RUSSIA. Soviet Documents Reveal Cover-Ups At Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Before 1986 Disaster.

UZBEKISTAN. Does Uzbekistan really need a nuclear power plant?

EUROPE. France and Russia portray nuclear hydrogen as ”green’‘- arousing anger of several European nations. The dangers of extending the operating lives of old nuclear reactors.

FINLAND. Delays, increased costs and geopolitical uncertainties throw doubt on construction of nuclear power station in Finland.

CZECH REPUBLIC. Czech Republic’s nuclear plan hangs on hope for European Commission to call nuclear ”green”.

UK

•  Extinction Rebellion climate activists block Faslane nuclear base. Most Scots feel unsafe about having nuclear weapons base on the Clyde. Bangor City Council supports the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, as do over 400 other jurisdictions. 
• The health effects of Chernobyl nuclear disaster as far away as Scotland. 35 years after Chernobyl disaster, nuclear power industry is struggling and is not part of climate change solution. 
• UK’s £41 billion nuclear submarine project beset by delays, safety problems, cost overruns.   
• UK anti-nuclear groups plan to stand candidates for elections, opposing Bradwell new nuclear station.    China’s big stake in UK’s new nuclear projects.   UK govt wants sovereign wealth funds to invest in nuclear power, -calling it ”green”, but there are doubts that nuclear projects will go ahead. Many hurdles to jump before Bradwell nuclear station starts construction. Meanwhile renewables race ahead. Sizewell C nuclear plant could kill 500m fish. 
• Top Trump Cronies: Nuclear Waste and the UK’s First Deep Coal Mine in 30 years. 
• Nuclear safeguards changed, new regulations to fit in with Brexit. 
• Call for debate and scrutiny of proposed nuclear fusion power plant.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. ‘If it’s safe, dump it in Tokyo’ – Pacific Islanders don’t want Fukushima waste water. France tested 41 nuclear weapons in the Pacific, and grossly underestimated the radioactive fallout.

SOUTH AFRICA. Cabinet appoints critic as member of nuclear regulator board.

CANADA. Canadian government rejects Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, but majority of Canadians support it.

IRAN. Iran’s foreign minister criticises influence of Revolutionary Guards and speaks of nuclear deal in leaked audio.

SWITZERLAND. City of Geneva calls for the closure of French nuclear station in Bugey.

RUSSIA. Not to be forgotten – the 1957 nuclear explosion in Mayak centre, Russia, that continues to poison the region.

FRANCE. High level of radioactivity near France’s uranium processing factory.

NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand nuclear veterans want apology and compensation from the government.

MALAYSIA. Malaysia needs to speak out on Japan releasing nuclear waste into the sea .

AUSTRALIA. Australian government plan for a nuclear waste dump tears apart the small rural community of Kimba. ‘‘Low Level” radioactive trash to be removed to USA from posh Sydney suburb, while govt plans to send Higher Level nuclear waste to Kimba, rural South Australia

May 3, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week in nuclear news

Forgive me for being so remiss – I’ve neglected to cover Prince Philip’s funeral. He deserves remembering for some good work that he did for the environment.

NUCLEAR.  Heightened anxiety about keeping, repairing the Iran nuclear agreement, and a suspicious accident at Iran’s nuclear enrichment site.   Continued pressure from the nuclear lobby to get Europe to decide that nuclear power is “clean and green”.

CORONAVIRUS .  The news is not good. A”shocking imbalance” in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor countries. Covid cases, deaths surging around the world as variants spread, vaccination lags.

CLIMATE. Radio Ecoshock covers the issue of Future Cities: Hot and Flooded.

A bit of good news – COVID-19 success story for Rwanda is a wake-up call for wealthy West.

Investigative journalism – “Fair” exposes in detail how corporate media uses “Tropes” to win intelligent people over to USA militarism. 

Two years since Julian Assange was seized from the Ecuadorian Embassy.

Let’s get rid of nuclear weapons before they ruin us.   Artificial Intelligence and the risk of catalytic nuclear war.

U.S. – China co-operation on cyber security.

Nuclear power – a way to stop other, faster, and cheaper, climate solutions. Despite the influence of Bill Gates, experts find that nuclear power is the wrong climate solution.

Japanese engineering firm EPC joins with NuScale in small modular reactor investment.

Racism, inequities move to the center of the climate debate.

Rapid global increase in energy consumption.

IRAN. Accident at Iran’s Natanz nuclear station. Iran calls Natanz nuclear enrichment site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’. Iran nuclear talks to continue next week after breakthrough. It’s getting too late for an effective missile deal with Iran. Iran frees South Korean ship as more nuclear talks planned in Vienna.

GREENLAND. Opposition to uranium and rare earths mining – party wins Greenland election

EUROPE. Greenpeace warns European Commission on nuclear energy classification. Dodgy European Taxonomy report was favourable to nuclear power – but it’s far from a done deal. Nuclear nation France exerted pressure on European Commission. Climate taxonomy deal threatened by possible inclusion of nuclear as ”virtuous”.

FRANCE. France fully nationalises debt-laden EDF nuclear company, – EDF can now focus on renewable energy. New defects found in France’s Flamanville nuclear project. Doubts that it will start-up on time, – or indeed ever!.

CANADA. Canada’s tax-payer funded small nuclear reactors unlikely to succeed. Pickering Nuclear plant at risk of ‘Fukushima-type accident.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea’s new tactical nuclear weapons means new dangers, new U.S. strategy needed.

SOUTH KOREA. Climate change probably increasing this problem – nuclear reactors halted because of jellyfish-like sea salps.

JAPAN. Crookedness, fraud, in 10 years of Fukushima nuclear clean-up. Japanese government and Tepco must pay monthly compensation to 3550 Fukushima residents displaced due to continued radioactivity. Japan’s Prime Minister getting ready to release Fukushima waste water into the Pacific ocean? Japan poised to release Fukushima nuclear cooling water into the sea. 4,000 Fukushima waste bags contain unidentified radioactive materials.

Japanese government continues Japan’s ”Nuclear Village” generous grants to keep ageing nuclear reactors going. Niigata governor wants Japan’s Nuclear Regulator to reassess Tepco, following security lapses. Japan halts restart of nuclear plant over poor anti-terror measures. Japan has the ability to become both coal-free and nuclear-free.

USA.

• Pentagon and tax cheats already cost taxpayers far more than Biden’s job plan. Biden’s Announcement That Trump Got Military Spending Just Right Is Dead Wrong . Scientists urge Biden administration to reduce spending on nuclear weapons.
• Ohio’s Electric Power Association happy to see the end of customer-funded nuclear subsidies.
• Records falsified at Turkey Point nuclear power station.
• An American village made dependent on the nuclear industry. Perry schools’ crisis if the nuclear power station shuts down.
• Nuclear waste director: Proposed New Mexico nuclear waste storage facility is illegal, Texas lawmakers want to ban dangerous radioactive waste.
• Explanation of a nonsense tweet from U.S. Strategic Command.

UK. UK losing credibility with its new, ambiguous, nuclear weapons policy. Sleekit’ increase in Trident nuclear warheads on the Clyde.

Britain needs to rethink – whether it really needs new nuclear power, in view of tensions with the supplier, China. Chinese-French nuclear power station planned for Bradwell UK – issues raised that might prevent its construction. Uncertain future for EDF’s Dungeness nuclear power station. It may have to shut down early.

POLAND. In a positive move, Polish utilities remove their investment from nuclear power development.

RUSSIA. Russia planning to test a ‘doomsday’ nuclear-powered torpedo in the Arctic. Putin amassing, testing, huge military arsenal in the Arctic.

CHINA. Bitcoin mining to consume more electricity than whole of Australia by 2024. Like the other nuclear powers, China wants to put a dirty great radioactive waste dump on indigenous land.

ALGERIA. French Prime Minister visiting Algeria. The question of radioactive dust from nuclear tests will be on the agenda.

SOUTHEAST ASIA. Southeast Asia can leapfrog uncompetitive nuclear energy, and go straight to renewables.

AUSTRALIA. There’s a long and devastating history behind the proposal for a nuclear waste dump in South Australia. Who Says There Is No Kimba Dump Opposition? Australia’s part in continuing nuclear havoc in Pacific islands – legacy of atomic bomb tests.

April 12, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 22 March

Not a lot of remarkable news on nuclear this week . The nuclear lobby is doubling down on its media propaganda, touting nuclear as the solution to climatev change. Also it is determinedly promoting the Tokyo Olympics – the so-called ‘recovery Olympics’, despite the fact that international visitors are banned.

Coronavirus.  Incidence of new cases globally continues to rise, but death numbers are falling. Problems in distribution of vaccines.

Climate.   Developments in global heating are covered each week in Radio Ecoshock, which is a jump ahead of most news media. This week, it’s been about the predicted high temperatures in the world’s cities. Also, it’s a warm\ning that climate tipping points are coming sooner than expected.

A bit of good news.  March 20 was the U.N.’s International Day of Happiness.  For the fourth year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, with Iceland coming in second, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Investigative journalism –  Advanced nuclear reactors : Assessing the Safety, Security, and Environmental Impacts of Non-Light-Water Nuclear Reactors.  New science report: advanced nuclear reactors no safer than conventional nuclear plants.  The economics of nuclear power plants are not favorable to future investments.

Nuclear power has become irrelevant — like it or not.   Why the Fukushima disaster signalled the end of Big Nuclear.

New research to determine plutonium pollution and its sources.

Don’t believe hydrogen and nuclear hype – they can’t get us to net zero carbon by 2050

Review of Michael Shellenberger’s book on ”Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All”.

JAPAN.  The nuclear lobby holds too much sway over governments, particularly in Japan.  Serious security lapse at a Japanese nuclear plant.    Japanese regulator decides against restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 7 nuclear reactor.

New type of large and highly radioactive particles found in Japan.  Fukushima disaster 10 years on: How long will it take to clean up the nuclear waste?

UK. 

• How the British government reacted to the Fukushima catastrophe – with propaganda promoting the nuclear industry.
• Boris Johnson joins Britain up to a perilous, uncontrollable, nuclear weapons race.  UK should build foreign policy on aid, conflict resolution, not on reversing nuclear disarmament.  UN expresses concern over UK’s move to increase nuclear weapons arsenal.  UK govt – cutting costs on troops as it expands nuclear missile numbers
• New report on human and environmental impact of Hinkley Point C nuclear project. Hinkley Point C nuclear power station ‘could suck up 182 million fish a year’ from Severn Estuary.   Dilemma over plan to dump Himkley radioactive mud off Cardiff coast.  Hinkley Point nuclear reactors with cracks are allowed to resume limited operations.

USA.

• Production of plutonium must cease, for the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty to work.  Plutonium used at Japanese reactor will be glassed, stored at Savannah River Site.
• With ”regulatory capture” of USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission, California’s got nuclear fuel buried 108 feet from the sea  .
• Duane Arnold nuclear reactor, same type as Fukushima Daiichi, vulnerable to extreme weather.
• Georgia’s  Vogtle nuclear station likely to yet again miss a deadline.
• Report alleges elevated cancer deaths in Monroe may be result of nuclear plant.
• Sudden death of defendant in Ohio nuclear corruption case.
• Deb Haaland -new U.S. Secretary for Interior, – first Native American in a U.S. presidential cabinet.

RUSSIA.  Russia planning to dispose of highly dangerous nuclear reactor cores of submarines at bottom of Kara Sea.

IRAN.  United Nations nuclear watchdog says it’s possible to return to the Iran nuclear deal.

FRANCE.  France must restructure debt-laden EDF (Electricite de France) and reform nuclear sector by October.  Flamanville nuclear reactor: 3 new welds do not meet safety requirements.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Outcry in Tahiti over nuclear fallout study.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Unitede Arab Emirates $32 billion Barakah nuclear plant poses environmental, safety, and security problems.

AUSTRALIA.  Minerals Council of Australia trying to influence European Commission, to push for fossil fuels and nuclear.

March 22, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 15th March

Fukushima: “How Japan was blinded to the predicted certainty of disaster“.     10 years after Fukushima – still nuclear regulatory capture, and poor safety culture.  Whitewashing of Fukushima meltdown by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

Nuclear power faces a wobbly future.  Ten years on from Fukushima, nuclear power continues to struggle with deeper problems.  Nuclear power is unpopular: promoted only by those with vested interests.

Billionaire Bill Gates’ nuclear ambitions would make climate disaster worse.

Global nuclear industry in decline since 1996, even without Fukushima disaster.

The long-term problem of ”peaceful” plutonium.

The radiation danger to astronauts– cancer, heart disease -an ethical problem.  Space radiation – harmful to astronauts, not only with cancers, but also with heart and blood vessel effects.  Low doses of radiation used in medical imaging lead to mutations in cell cultures.

The growing threat of space debris.

How the world came close to nuclear war catastrophe.

‘Every euro invested in nuclear power makes the climate crisis worse‘.  Small modular reactors not the solution, says German nuclear authority .

Need to establish compensation schemes for future nuclear accidents.

So-called ”cloud” computing means huge electricity use in data so-called ”farms”.

JAPAN.

 The truth about Fukushima today – and the cover-up – Thomas A Bass.   Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Nearly ‘Ended The Japanese State’. Harm done to people by the Fukushima evacuation, but radiation was still the root cause of all this.    The Asahi Shimbun continues to warn against nuclear power -Japan’s risk of another “Fukushima -type” disaster.

Japan’s Nuclear Clean-Up Has No End in Sight.   1.2 million tonnes of contaminated water and nowhere to put it – Fukushima’s continued legacy.   Review of film ”Fukushima 50”.       The thought of the Olympics – the only hold-up to emptying contaminated water to the ocean.

Impossible timetable set for returning Fukushima nuclear site to ‘greenfield”.  Japanese government hopes that not-yet-designed robots might clean up Fukushima nuclear mess.  Part of Tomioka, 6 miles from Fukushima, is still a no-go zone.    Radiation from Fukushima meltdown collects in timber in affected region.

Tokyo Olypics: is it safe to promote Japan’s so-called “recovery” by sending athletes into a nuclear exclusion zone?  United Nations Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) report on Fukushima health effects -rushed, inadequate, inconsistent.

Cash-strapped Japanese nuclear company funds road plans near idle nuclear plant.

Japan’s main opposition party -”Japanese society is viable without operating nuclear power plants”.

FRANCE. French Nuclear tests: revelations about a cancer epidemic.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  France has consistently underestimated the devastating impact of its nuclear tests in French Polynesia.  110, 000 people in French Polynesia affected by the radioactive fallout from atomic bomb tests.  Time to clean up Bikini Atoll, to right the nuclear wrongs done to the Pacific islands people.

USA.

• Investigative journalism – Can the Energy Department store 50 tons of weapons-grade plutonium for 10,000 years?     Biden on horns of a dilemma for Iranian nuclear deal.   This is how the biggest arms manufacturers steer $millions to influence U.S,. policy.  USA’s new $100billion nuclear missile – a white elephant?
• Ohio House passes its version of Bill rescinding nuclear subsidies.
• Report: Cancer death rates rising near Fermi nuclear plant .
• Problem in accepting higher level radioactive wastes in Texas.

GERMANY.  Germany pledges to work towards a nuclear-free Europe.   The Greens are likely to be propelled into government in the national vote.

UK. Nuclear power losing out in the UK – not a good omen for the global nuclear industry.      Trident nuclear warhead numbers set to increase for first time since cold war, despite commitment to decrease nuclear weaponss stockpile.  Safety breaches at Sellafield have raised fears of a Chernobyl-style disaster.

CHINA.  China maintains only a lean nuclear weapons force – aimed at survival if attacked..

TURKEY. Anxieties over Turkey’s new Russian-backed nuclear plants.  Turkey’s nuclear ambitions bring fears of a ”new Chernobyl” in the region.   – Turkey’s nuclear power plant could prove irresistible to terrorists.

NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand groups oppose launch of U.S. military nuclear satellite.

TAIWAN.  Nuclear power not an option for Taiwan.  Taiwan environmentalists to hold anti-nuclear rally in June.

SLOVENIA.  Slovenia’s hazardous old nuclear reactor in an earthquake zone.

AUSTRALIA. Australian uranium fuelled Fukushima .  Australia must learn the lessons of Fukushima.–  Time for Australia to clean up uranium mining damage, and end this toxic industry – Western Australia could lead the way. its nuclear tests in French Polynesia.  110, 000 people in French Polynesia affected by the radioactive fallout from atomic bomb tests.  Time to clean up Bikini Atoll, to right the nuclear wrongs done to the Pacific islands people.

March 15, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news this week- Fukushima anniversary week

The global nuclear lobby will be glad when March is over. They were glad to see the end of January – too much public interest then in the U.N. Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

March is worse, especially because of the 10 year anniversary (11th March) of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown, with clean-up nowhere in sight. The half-hearted hype is now on for the Olympic Games in July. The whole plan was for the Games to demonstrate that the nuclear catastrophe was actually nothing much to worry about, and yet again, to promise a ‘nuclear renaissance’.

International Women’s Day – today 8th March, is a bit of a worry for the nuclear industry.  Ionising radiation is more damaging to women than to men, and polls consistently show that women oppose nuclear power.  Women are rarely part of decision-making, and when they are –  shock horror!  With nearly equal female representation in Switzerland’s parliament – it decided to shut down the nuclear industry.   In Germany, that very strong Chancellor Angela Merkel, was a supporter of nuclear power – but after the Fukushima catastrophe, she changed her mind.  It’s all a dilemma for the nuke lobby –   trying to get some (preferably  young and glam) women into the nuclear career,  – but oh dear, they might put too much emphasis on health, children’s future, etc – and hysterically change their mind, as Merkel did.

1st March – Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day.  This day commemorates for Pacific islanders, the nuclear colonialism, that brought atomic bomb testing, radiatio-induced cancers, and continuing environmental pollution to their previously pristine lands and waters.  Today, militaristic colonialism is still in full swing across the region, and is still resisted.

CLIMATE.  I cannot resist referring you to the wonderful Katherine Hayhoe, interviewed on Radio Ecoshock. This woman, who is also a religious communicator, has the gift of explaining climate change entertainingly and with clarity.

Some bits of good news The first real-world data for COVID vaccines is in – and it’s really good news.   

In a Japanese village ravaged by tsunami and nuclear disaster, two farmers grow indigo to rebuild community and heal

Nuclear Games.

Elon Musk and Bill Gates: beware of gurus toting solutions to climate change.

Nuclear energy proponents downplay its unresolved moral and ethical concerns.  Despite the problems, small nuclear reactor salesmen aggressively marketing: it’s make or break time for the nuclear industry.

Some bits of good news The first real-world data for COVID vaccines is in – and it’s really good news.   

In a Japanese village ravaged by tsunami and nuclear disaster, two farmers grow indigo to rebuild community and heal

ANTARCTICA.  Ominous news; Antarctic ice is melting at an accelerating rate.

JAPAN.

Ex-PMs Kan, Koizumi urge Japan to quit nuclear power generation .    10 years after Fukushima nuclear disaster, – poor prospects for nuclear revival in Japan.

• Fukushima. Reuters gives a timeline of events: Fukushuma 2011 – 2021 –Heroism of Fukushima’s nuclear emergency workers.
• Fukushima nuclear decommissioning not really under control- persistent highly radioactive debris remains.  Japan’s daunting task – to decommission Fukushima nuclear plant, over many decades. Fukushima wrecked nuclear plant: area remains a health and environmental disaster.  Fukushima resident still can’t return home 10 years after nuclear disaster. Most 2011 quake, Fukushima crisis survivors back ending nuclear power.
• Fukushima’s Olympic makeover: Will the ‘cursed’ area be safe from radioactivity in time for Games?  Fukushima Daiichi 2011-2021: The decontamination myth and a decade of human rights violations.–
• Lawsuit over the exposure to radiation of residents of Litate, after Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
• The man who saves forgotten cats in Fukushima’s nuclear zone .
• Isolated and alone – Suguru’s story reveals bullying, ostracization and government whitewash

UK.

Opinion poll – 77% of Ayshire public support a total ban on all nuclear weapons.

Hinkley Point B nuclear station to close ‘early’ due to aging graphite blocks.

Concern about the marketing of radioactively contaminated scrap metal.

Proposed Cumbrian coalmine. But is the real purpose a high level nuclear waste dump?.

How Scotland’s Dunoon became an American nuclear base, and a target.  Scottish Council calls on big pension fund to stop investing in weapons makers.

USA. 

• Food for thought –  The war-mongering lobby embraces AI (artificial intelligence) 
• Biden’s illegal bombing of Iranian-backed militias in Syria jeopardises nuclear negotiations.  The American media sanitises the Biden administration’s killings in Syria.
•  Biden’s first budget should reduce excessive expenditure on nuclear weaponry. Why the US wastes $billions on nuclear weapons it doesn’t need. Bill in U.S. Congress to stop new nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile.  Battle coming in U.S. Congress over spending on nuclear weapons.
• Nuclear workers plagued by leukaemia, cancers and other illnesses.
•  Ohio Senate votes unanimously to repeal nuclear plant bailout.  Nuclear power bailout Bill to be eliminated by Ohio law-makers. Public Service Enterprise Group trying to force ratepayers to act as guarantors for nuclear power debts.  Montana legislatures to review the law restricting nuclear developments.
• Michigan Attorney General wants review of nuclear plant license transfer to Holtec.
• Washington State and others want to overturn Trump rule that weakens Hanford nuclear waste rule.
• The Trump personality cult is still a threat.

IRAN.  UN’s nuclear watchdog agency will not be ‘bargaining chip’ in Iran nuclear deal.  President Rouhani says that Iran is prepared to fulfil nuclear deal commitments.

GERMANY.  Germany to pay nuclear operators 2.4 bln euros for plant closures.  Widespread public support for Germany’s nuclear phaseout, as renewable energy expands.

ALGERIA.  French report on the unfairness of France’s nuclear history in Algeria.

RUSSIA. Russia’s most high-tech multi-purpose nuclear submarine further delayed.

CHINA.  China to ramp up its nuclear weapons, in the interests of its own survival.

FRANCE.  Safety expert recommends shutdown of several of France’s old, dubiously safe, nuclear reactors.  France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) has safety concerns about Flamanville nuclear power plant .  A new setback for France’s Flamanville nuclear reactor.

SWITZERLAND.  Women in government – the key to getting rid of nuclear power.

LUXEMBOURG. Hopes in Luxembourg for the closure of Cattenom nuclear power plant.

ARMENIA. Armenia should shut down, not repair, its dangerous nuclear power station.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa, with no way to deal with radioactive waste, must not develop new nuclear power.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Nuclear Free And Independent Pacific Day 2021.

TURKEY.  Dust with French nuclear test residue threatens Turkey.

IRAN.  Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will offer a constructive plan for nuclear talks.

INDIA.  In India, Google and Facebook help a vicious government campaign against environmental activists.

AUSTRALIA. Australia dodged a bullet in not getting nuclear power.

March 8, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in nuclear news – to March 1

Like most people, I have not been able to keep up with the pandemic news. Figures on the incidence of Covid-19, and on deaths, seem to fluctuate.  Amidst the uncertainties about types of vaccines, new virus strains, and the anti-vaxxer movement, still there is an atmosphere of optimism.  Vaccine acceptance is rising in many countries, and health workers and many volunteers are putting in the efforts to administer vaccines , and care for those who are ill.

David Attenborough warns the U.N. Security Council –  the world risks ‘collapse of everything’ without strong climate action.

A bit of good news – Pollution in the Mississippi River Has Plummeted Since The 1980s

The role of the Churches in promoting the U.N. Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.  Nuclear-weapons treaty the right way forward.

The media revels in rockets to Mars, ignores the horrible risk of plutonium pollution.

Why is the media fawning over nuclear businessman Bill Gates?  Nuclear power-not clean, not renewable – Bill Gates is wrong.

Dr Helen Caldicott on Independent Australia tells The Truth About Nuclear Power.

JAPAN. Investigative journalism – Fukushima nuclear containment system failed: this kind of disaster will happen again.  Fukushima nuclear station seismometers not functioning when latest earthquake happened.  Fukushima nuclear mess 2021 – the tasks ahead.  Fukushima evacuees on return visits find radiation signs confusing.  The Fukushima nuclear catastrophe – far from over, 10 years later.

CANADA.  What would go into the Chalk River Mound?  Opposition to nuclear dump plan for upstream at Chalk River.  Ways in which Near Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal would leak.

FRANCE.  France’s nuclear reactors’ lives to be extended beyond 40 years.  France slow to leave nuclear power, (cheaper to extend lives of reactors).

IRAN. IAEA and Iran strike three-month deal over nuclear inspections.  Iran lawmakers call for president’s prosecution over IAEA deal.  Iran talks ‘avert’ impact of nuclear inspection deadline.  Some Iranians and Israelis in full agreement on wanting to stop Iran nuclear deal.

USA.

• New leader of USA’s Department of Energy gives clearly pro nuclear answers. Jennifer Granholm becomes U.S. Energy Secretary: the nuclear lobby is pleased. but not certain. Jennifer Granholm seems more muted in her support for nuclear, compared to previous Energy Secretaries.
• Is it wise for the Biden administration to fund Small Nuclear Reactors?
• Ohio House and Senate wrestle with Bills about the nuclear bailout law.
• Yakama Nation, state of Washington and environmental groups call on Jennifer Granholm to reconsider nuclear waste rule. USA’s continuing nuclear waste debacle blamed on government contractors.  Lawsuit to prevent dangerous dismantling of San Onofre nuclear power station.

UK.  Assange’s partner exposes ongoing denial of his legal and democratic rights,  Jeremy Corbyn – Britain Should Join Nuclear Ban Treaty and Scrap Nukes.  Labour’s nuclear weapons stance needs a rethink.   RSPB petition on Sizewell C with over 105,000 signatures shows the depth of public concern with this development – highlighted in upcoming NFLA meeting.

INDIA.  Influence of Biden administration brings peaceful push between India, China, Pakistan.

SOUTH AFRICA.  New nuclear build would face legal stumbling blocks.

EUROPE.  Radioactive dust over Europe – from France’s nuclear bomb tests in the Sahara!    Luxembourg’s continued fight against nuclear power in Europe.

ISRAEL.  Israel should come clean about the expansion at its secret nuclear weapons plant.

AUSTRALIA. Australian federal and state governments keeping laws banning nuclear power, despite Murdoch pro nuclear propaganda.  Legislation banning nuclear power in Australia should be retained.

March 1, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, coronavirus, climate -news to 22 February

Coronavrus update:

• Global Tracker: Cases exceed 111.2 million; deaths pass 2.4 million
• Vaccine Tracker: More than 202 million shots given worldwide
• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces transmission by 89%, study shows

Climate;  disinformation is rampant.   –”we have allowed governments around the world to throw away the time when we could have stopped the endless killer heat waves, fires, rising seas, superstorms, dying coral, dying everything. We let governments from Monarchies to Oligarchies to alleged Democracies endanger life on this planet, including our kids future.

If we can’t change that, we really are doomed.” – Alex Smith, Radio Ecoshock.

Nuclear – it is disappointing to me to listen to interviews with Bill Gates-  he is not questioned on his statements pushing nuclear power for climate. It seems that being a billionaire entrepreneur qualifies him for a kind of reverent belief and trust . Meanwhile, a real climate expert , Michael Mann, has just published an authoritative book on the subject.

Hunting for good news – but it’s tricky. Lots of good news on things like individuals being kind to homeless people. But there’s a dearth of news about public, government, action to provide homes for the homeless.

Nuclear lobby planning to take over the U.N Climate Change Conference.

Living longterm in radioactively contaminated areas damages our health.

On nuclear power as climate solution, Bill Gates shows alarming ignorance.  Bill Gates’undemocratic approach to climate crisis.  New books on climate change; Michael Mann versus (nuclear promoter) Bill Gates.

The “negaWatt” – the best energy is the energy you don’t use.

JAPAN.    ICAN chief urges Japanese govt to attend UN Nuclear Ban Treaty meeting.  Japan town mayor OKs restarting nuclear reactor over 40 years old– A decade after the Fukushima meltdown, this Japanese region faces a new nightmare — radioactive water in the sea. Water leaks indicate new damage at Fukushima nuclear plant.  New highly radioactive particles found in Fukushima .

EUROPE.  Nuclear industry very nervous about EU evaluation of its’green’ claims.

CANADA.  Community fights Canadian govt’s slick propaganda pushing for high-level radioactive waste dump.  Canada’s nuclear waste storage ”“cannot and will not go forward without the informed and willing consent of potential host communities”

UKRAINE.  New documentary explores Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

USA.

• Investigative  journalism. -‘Medical Scientific’ committee, stacked with nuclear executives, promotes nuclear power in space.
• Biden Must Take Immediate Action to Reduce the Risk of Nuclear War.  USA to join in multilateral talks with EU and Iran, on return to nuclear deal.  The world came much closer to nuclear war than we realized in 1983. Nuclear weapons — they’re illegal.
•  There Were Doomsday Ships Ready To Ride Out Nuclear Armageddon Before There Were Doomsday Planes.
• USA to join in multilateral talks with EU and Iran, on return to nuclear deal.
•  Beyond Nuclear files suit to stop massive radioactive waste dump .
• Keep the public vote on nuclear energy in Montana .  Big trouble ahead, on regulation issues, for countries desperately trying to export small nuclear reactors.
• EPA awards $220 million for uranium mine cleanup on Navajo Nation.
•   Green energy sources are not to blame for the winter storm power blackouts in Texas. Lies in Texas, as Republicans blame renewable energy for cold weather traumas.
• The ”New Yorker” sinks to sloppy sentimentalpraise of pro nuclear advocates.   I am appalled at the idea of ‘‘Mothers For Nuclear”.

BRAZIL.  Global nuclear industry – rotten to the core: it’s not just Brazil.

UK.

• The Children with Cancer UK conference: nuclear power and nuclear weapons are two sides of the same coin.
• Lancaster City Council will call on UK to join nuclear weapons ban.
• Is this the end of the road for UK’s Bradwell nuclear project?  Relief that Bradwell nuclear project has stalled.
• Over 100,000 people sign petition to stop Sizewell nuclear, save nature reserve. City giant Legal and General will not be funding Sizewell nuclear project.
• Lobbyists from West Cumbria Mining appointed to Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).
• Residents fear nuclear waste is buried beneath land being earmarked for development.

IRAN.  Iran foiled series of assassinations planned by Israel – says Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi.  Iran vows to limit nuclear inspections if partners fail to act.

POLAND.  Germany concerned about Poland’s nuclear energy plans.

BULGARIA.  Bulgaria prosecutes former energy ministers over mismanagement of Belene nuclear power project.

SOUTH AFRICA.  South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa ignores nuclear his State of the Nation Address.  South Africa: an example of how nuclear waste costs are passed on to later generations.

ISRAEL.  Israel expands Dimona nuclear facility previously used for weapons material.

FRANCE. Significant safety incident at EDF nuclear power plant in Flamanville.

AUSTRALIA. Wise warning to Australian government to withdraw embarrassing Nuclear Waste Dump Bill.

February 22, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 15 February

The Julian Assange extradition case is back in the news, As Joe Biden pushes for extradition,   What did we really expect from a Biden win?   I am reminded of an old English comedian, who explained America’s political parties:

” Well the Republican Party is the same as our Conservatives, whereas the Democratic Party is the same as our Conservatives”

In nuclear news,  Japan is alerted by a 7.3m  earthquake all too close to Fukushima nuclear plant wreck.   The systemic corruption in the industry is highlighted this week,, with the continuing saga of political crookedness in Ohio.

CLIMATE  –   the role of methane in global heating, – the Arctic, and USA’s leaking natural gas.

Some bits of good news  – 10 Positive COVID Updates From Around the World – 2021 is Looking Brighter.

‘Ecocide’ proposal aiming to make environmental destruction an international crime.

The real value of the nuclear ban treaty.

Drone swarms: coming (sometime) to a war near you. Just not today.

UK. 

• Covid-19 ”Hell” on UK nuclear submarine.
• UK universities partnering with Chinese technology companies may be breaching national security rules.
• Financial and environmental uncertainties made UK Planning inspectorate reject Wylfa nuclear project.  Wales government irresponsible to consider expensive move towards nuclear power development.
• As Wylfa nuclear project is rejected on environmental grounds, Sizewell C nuclear project should be dead in the water.  Expensive, experimental, Sizewell nuclear project would be operational far too late to affect global heating.
• Call for an independent Scotland to demand removal of nuclear weapons from Faslane.
• As UK govt desperate to promote nuclear industry, it’s even more desperate to solve nuclear waste dilemma.
• UK’s Freedom of Information law revealed Israel nuclear link, but now FOI is under threat.  
•  Not mentioned? Nuclear fusion is hugely expensive, and this quest has produced much toxic waste.

USA. 

• Biden administration presses for Julian Assange to be extradited to USA.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3oEY6_oSGA&t=254s
• USA military leaders were unaware of risks to Pence’s ‘nuclear football’ during Capitol riot.  Mike Pence’s ‘nuclear football’ was potentially at risk during Capitol riot .  U.S. rioters did get close to Mike Pence and his ‘nuclear football’.
• How the United States can chart a new path that avoids war with China. America’s new $100Billion missiles are intended both for attack, and as a target.
• Investigative journalism  – Systemic corruption in the American nuclear industry.   Republican lawmaker reintroduces Bill to repeal Ohio’s corrupt nuclear bailout law.  U.S. Dept of Justice gets the resignation of attorney who launched Ohio nuclear corruption probe.
• Nuclear waste facilities at risk of flooding and sea surges.  Nuclear Rubberstamping Commission to weaken rules on radioactive trash.
•  Investigative journalism – Who Are the Ultimate War Profiteers? A U.S. Air Force Veteran Removes the Veil.
• Catastrophic’ Nuclear Power Accidents ‘Highly Likely’ If US Reactors Are Extended For 100 Years.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory not alert to the increasing danger of wildfires. 
• Carbon is emitted throughout the nuclear fuel chain.

CANADA. Even a pro nuclear enthusiast admits that Small Nuclear Reactors cause toxic radioactive wastes.

ASIA.  No nukes in Asia…or anywhere.  New types of computer malaware target nuclear facilities.

JAPAN.   Powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolts Fukushima area.  Tremors continue in northeast Japan.  Leak at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant a concern after  Earthquake.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o51cN-oxm0o  Court orders Tokyo Electric Power Company pay ¥600 million to 271 plaintiffs.   Fukushima to Triple Wind Power Generation .

RUSSIA.  Crimea to demolish dangerous, (and never operational), nuclear power station.  Despite punishment by the government, Russia’s ‘‘Eco-Defense’ has helped to stop construction of a nuclear power plant.

FRANCE.  French nuclear attack submarine patrolling South China Sea .  No apologies from France, over nuclear bomb tests’ pollution in Algeria.

UKRAINE.  Ukraine’s complicated plan to deal with its excess nuclear energy generation.

NORTH KOREA. Expert panel reports that North Korea is relying on cyberattacks to fund nuclear weapons.

EUROPE. European Parliament calls for a halt to Belarus nuclear plant in Ostrovets.

IRAN.  Israel’s military threat to Iran. Iran calls on U.N. to respond.–Iran warned by France, Germany, UK, over uranium metal production

ALGERIA. Radioactive poisoning of the environment: France’s nuclear legacy of wastes in Algeria.

INDIA.  Amidst the trauma of the Chamoli flash floods, people recall an old lost nuclear device.

SOUTH AFRICA. Koeberg Nuclear Power Station containment buildings damaged by prolonged exposure to sea air.– Koeberg has suffered severe damage, according to Koeberg Alert Alliance.

AUSTRALIA.  Australian government’s brazen duplicity concerning Julian Assange. Australian Government could face an unwinnable legal case if Senate passes the Kimba Nuclear Waste Dump Bill,

February 15, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week: Not a lot happening in nuclear news, while coronavirus and climate change rage on.

It is getting harder to keep up with the coronavirus news – the fluctuating numbers regarding new cases, the comparisons between various vaccines, the good news  (Israel’s success), the bad news (new more infectious strains).

Then there’s the new preoccupation in the media about big sporting events.  In USA the Superbowl could turn into a super-spreader. The Australian Open Grand Slam tennis is watched anxiously, as an indication of whether the July Tokyo Olympics could safely go ahead.

Meanwhile it’s becoming clear that this pandemic is not going to be over quickly, that the vaccines are not a ”silver bullet’‘, and it is truly a global problem, needing global treatment.

CLIMATE. We are all too often focussing on USA, Canada, Australia, in news coverage. This week, a horror event in India brings home the impacts of global heating elsewhere in the world. Indian Glacier in Himalayan Valley Crumbles, Causing Flash Flooding. Himalayan glaciers melting at alarming speed.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.  I muse that these industries are also becoming corporate giants, encouraging endless energy use, and overconsumption of new technologies, with little care about their toxic wastes. Whatever happened to energy conservation?

Largely due to the pandemic, nuclear developments have gone very quiet –  I guess that’s one compensation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gWXFcFfN7E&t=55s       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XIW9hHTHnU

A bit of good news – Good news on ozone: world scientists make global assessment 5 February 2021.

February 8, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

With Biden in power, the nuclear lobby is emboldened , and pushing its false ”climate solution” propaganda

After a lovely non-computer day in the country, I start looking through the Google news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

on”nuclear” – and what do I find?.   Article after article on how good it’s going to be now, for the nuclear industry, the (false) climate cure, because Joe Biden is backing it!

– a few headlines :

Nuclear Backers Already Like Joe Biden

Illinois Lawmakers work on a solution to keep Byron Nuclear Power Plant open

The nuclear science path to sustainable development.

Japan says nuclear energy crucial to hitting net zero goal by 2050 .

February 2, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To February 1st – nuclear news

Crisis within a crisis: Responding to COVID-19 around the world.

Climate crisis: world is at its hottest for at least 12,000 years – study.  Scientists say temperatures globally at highest level since start of human civilisation.

February 1, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The week in nuclear news

Of course, the big world news is the coronavirus. Climate is as always, the vital second issue.

There was much favourable reaction to the nuclear ban treaty coming into force last week. The critics and sabotage from the nuclear weapons nations will no doubt come later.

Apart from the ban treaty, nuclear news has been very much in the background.  The global nuclear industry is not wasting this ”quiet” time, but instead is ramping up and reorganising for a 2021 propaganda blitz.

Some bits of good news –   Arctic Oil Drilling Plans Suffer ‘Stunning Setback’ as Almost ‘No One Shows Up’ For the Sale. UK Prioritizes Climate Crisis By Supporting Sustainability in Developing Countries With $4 Billion Plan.  Startup Builds 3 Huge Indoor Farms in Appalachia Turning Coal Country into Agricultural Hub

International Physicians for the Preve.ntion of Nuclear War comment on “The great evasion “.    Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – a major step towards a safe world. Praise from United Nations, Pope Francis, for nuclear ban treaty coming into force.  5 nuclear activities that are now Illegal under international law.  Nuclear Ban Treaty obligates countries to assist nuclear victims and remediate environments.

Russia and USA exchange documents to extend the NEW START nuclear weapons agreement.

Quietly, under the brouhaha of the pandemic, the global nuclear lobby prepares a propaganda onslaught.

Pro nuclear publicist James Conca made a very big gaffe about Fukushima disaster.

GREENLAND.  Uranium mining plunder of Greenland, and the threat to the sub-arctic environment.

JAPAN.

• Buddhist leader urges international co-operation in further steps on the Nuclear Ban Treaty.
• Japanese govt plans to extend nuclear funding to communities, but there is public opposition. Local governments in Japan growing more reliant on nuclear taxes.
• Hiroshima ‘peace clock’ reset to 49 days following US nuclear test.
• Tokyo High Court holds TEPCO responsible for Fukushima nuclear crisis.   Fukushima’s former residents demand stricter decontamination of radiation before they would return.

USA.

• The 70-year nuclear gloom begins to lift on January 22.  Protest rally against University of Arkansas’ involvement with nuclear weapons corporation.
• A view from the law: The Danger Of Sole Presidential Authority Over Nuclear Weapons.
•   Biden can’t ignore that continuing crisis -the danger of nuclear annihilation. . Gorbachev Urges Biden to Improve Relations With Russia, Extend Key Nuclear Pact.
• Biden’s USA headed for confrontation with Russia? The troubling appointment of Victoria Nuland.   Biden keeps Trump appointee as acting nuclear weapons chief.
• USA and Iran must overcome 9 hurdles to revive the nuclear deal.   Biden works a weakened U.S. hand to negotiate way back into Iran nuclear deal.
• By Far the Worst Thing Trump Did Was Flirt With Nuclear War With North Korea.
• The aerospace industry – the goal is weaponry and global dominance. A dangerous out-dated ”zombie” U.S. Navy policy on ballistic missile submarines.
•  Strong opposition to USA’s Nuclear Rubberstamp Commission extending nuclear reactors’ lives to 100 years.   100 year licences for nuclear reactors? – a hazardous plan.
• America’s Committee to Defend Australian citizen Julian Assange.
• Even After January 6, Some Media Can’t Kick Their Addiction to False Balance.  First a comment on military smrs – then the enthusiastic article about them.

RUSSIA.  Russia to withdraw form Open Skies Treaty, EU concerned.  Russia welcomes US proposal to extend New Start nuclear treaty.

UK.

• Trident Ploughshares, Scotland celebrate entry into force of nuclear weapons ban.    Treaty provides a framework for the elimination of nuclear weapons.  More than half of public supports UK joining UN ban on nuclear weapons.
• Despite Covid regulations, 22 nuclear bombs delivered to Scotland.
• UK’s Centre for Policy Studies about to change its name to Centre for thePromotion of Nuclear Sizewell C?
• “They’ll be able to dream up some bogus price” – UK nuclear proponents want financing system. Bradwell: UK’s ill-conceived nuclear project, with cronyism and vested interests, will damage environment.
• UK govt and Japan’s TEPCO to work together on robots to clean up Sellafield and Fukushima’s nuclear pollution.  So called “Improved” process for Cumbrian nuclear waste dump removes local right of veto.

FRANCE.  The hidden costs of France’s old, past-their-use-by-date nuclear reactors.  Radioactive releases from the Golfech nuclear power plant accumulate downstream. Serious shortcomings in the file on Bure (Meuse) underground nuclear waste storage.  EDF collapses on the stock market amid difficult negotiations in Brussels..

CANADA.  We need parliamentarians to stop project, prevent Ottawa River from being permanently contaminated — Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area.  Canada’s nuclear regulator updates its drug and alcohol testing requirements.

IRAN.  President Hassan Rouhani has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to return America to the nuclear deal.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

SOUTH AFRICA, South Africa the only country to have nuclear weapons, then abandon them.

MOROCCO.  Another bit of boring nuclear propaganda – from Morocco this time.

ALGERIA. Investigation of Algerians affected by France’s nuclear bomb tests.

TAIWAN.  Taiwan. Nuclear power plant referendum set to take place in August.

AUSTRALIA. Morrison government gets in early to disparage nuclear ban treaty, but Labor supports it.   Australia could sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty and still keep its military co=operation with America.

January 27, 2021 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments