nuclear-news

This week in climate and nuclear news

Anti-science got a boost this week, as the “leader of the free world” Donald Trump, visiting the catastrophic California wildfire sites, reaffirmed his rejection of climate science.    The Trump administration went on to deny its own government’s dire new report on climate change. It is disturbing and sad, to see so many people accepting the doctrine, which was named by Carl Sagan decades ago, – climate denial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjuk2RcZ8uA. Even as the evidence mounts – of rising global average temperatures, arctic melting, sea level rise, and increasing extreme weather events,- politicians and much of the media promote the fossil fuel line of denial.

The world heads for Armageddon, as nuclear weapons control is wound back.

IAEA Director General Amano says Iran is abiding by nuclear deal, says North Korea should re-admit inspectors.

Study shows that women care more than men do, about climate change.(surprise, surprise)    Sir David Attenborough to speak for the people at UN climate summit.

Julian Assange at risk, as changes occur in Ecuadorian Embassy.

BANGLADESH. Climate change, rising sea levels, salty drinking water and increased miscarriages.

JAPAN.

• Powerful earthquake hits Fukushima, nuclear disaster city.
•  Olympics propaganda revs up to make Fukushima and nuclear power look good.
• Effects of suspected radiation exposure seen in Fukushima wild monkeys: researchers.
• Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority concerned about risks of radioactive leaks from facility near Tokyo.
•  Japan’s nuclear watchdog weighs giving children priority in distribution of iodine tablets.
•  Ken Watanabe to Star in Film About Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.
• Residents of nuclear crisis hit Namie to sue TEPCO, gov’t after settlement talks fail.

RUSSIA. Russia to give up its policy of ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons.

USA. 

• Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman – wanting a nuclear bomb?  Donald Trump in convenient denial over Crown Prince Bin Salman’s role in the murder of Khashoggi.   USA’s endless cycle of weapons spending is set to get more extreme.
•  U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo orders South Korea to slow down on being friendly with North Korea.
• U.S. politicians want transparency about the radiation risks of the fire-afflicted Santa Susana nuclear site.
•  $2 billion settlement for electricity customers who were charged for failed nuclear project.
• Tourists and U.S. citizens unaware of the contamination and illness history of Hanford nuclear site.
• U.S.senator joins call from 75 organisations to scrutinise plan to reclassify some High Level Nuclear Wastes.
• Donald Trump’s climate denialism – in the face of California’s climate tragedies. California Wildfire Likely Spread Nuclear Contamination From Toxic Site.

UK. Frightening projections by UK’s Met Office on impacts of climate change, rising seas. UK’s environmental campaigners “Extinction Rebellion” block roads around London’s Parliament Square.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHN1eBbhOs

Sellafield – a nuclear misuse of public funds – and Hinkley Point C will be the next. UK customers to pay in advance for Hinkley nuclear power, AND cop the financial risk?  Architects awarded contest prize for nuclear project that is now cancelled.  Calls for permanent shutdown of Hunterston nuclear reactor 3, with its 350 cracks.    Uncertainty and delay, as UK struggles with plans for dealing with radioactive trash.

VIETNAM. Vietnam government abandons costly nuclear power plans.  Taiwan to host Asian anti-nuclear forum in 2019 .

TAIWAN. Taiwan still on track to become nuclear-free, despite pro-nuclear referendum.

BULGARIA. Bulgaria’s Belene Nuclear Power Plant project unlikely to ever be built, now needs EU approval.

CZECH REPUBLIC. Czechs consider nuclear power options: would require tax-payer funding.

SOUTH AFRICA. Doubts on future of South Africa’s nuclear research reactors, with glut of medical isotopes, and with particle accelerator production.

FRANCE. France could shut down up to six nuclear reactors by 2028.

November 27, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The week in climate and nuclear news

A reflection on the media, especially “social media”: some news media covered the radioactive danger of wildfire at the closed Santa Susana nuclear site, and the need for that site to be properly cleaned up. I covered it, too, on my websites – might have reached one or two thousand people, on a good day.  BUT – celebrity Kim Kardashian’s call for the clean-up would have reached 58 million people!

Public awareness of climate change just might be growing, as its impacts multipy.  Habitable areas of our planet are shrinking – as climate change exacerbates extreme weather. “Predatory delay” – how the fossil fuel industries created and maintained climate change denialism.  Nuclear power is touted as the solution to climate change. But, as well as the many other drawbacks to this ‘solution’, is the fact that nuclear is not ‘low carbon’ as claimed.

Edward Snowden Condemns US Justice Department for Targeting Assange  (Why is Australian govt not helping Julian Assange?)

USA.

•  Independent testing of radiation levels in air- Woolsey Fire and Santa Susana Field Lab Site.   There were 3 radiation fallout releases at Santa Susana, not just one.
• The danger of San Onofre’s nuclear wastes – buried over a major fault line — and in a tsunami zone.
• USA’s next chairman of the House Armed Services Committee aims to scrap Trump’s nuclear weapons policy. Mike Pence: North Korea sanctions to remain until denuclearization.
• USA’s navy shipyards already threatened by climate change: storms, rising seas, and worse to come.
• USA. Watchdog and Advocacy Coalition Report Warns of Systemic Attacks on Science .
• “New Nuclear” lobbyists, Nuclear Alternative Project and USA’s CINTAC, target Puerto Rico.
•  Call to Texans to oppose nuclear waste transport and dumping.
•  Rocky Flats still radioactively polluted.
• Contrary to U.S. Energy Department’s report, there WAS nuclear waste near New Mexico nuclear site rockfall.
•  USA’s nuclear safety agreement with Ukraine is a nuclear marketing exercise.
• Two Hanford whistleblowers take legal action. Court order. USA Veterans Affairs must reveal numbers of troops exposed to radiation after 1966 Spanish nuclear disaster.  SCE and G electric utility aims to discredit the testimony of two former employees.
• Attorneys Implore Judge to Keep Sailors’ Fukushima Case in U.S.
• How the USA gave up on protecting its citizens against nuclear attack, and settled for just elite shelters.
• The Christian Vacation Camp Where Kids Are Taught by Notorious Climate Science Deniers.

UK.

• Moorside project collapses, but UK’s Conservative government is Socialist when it comes to nuclear power projects. UK’s Moorside nuclear project will not go ahead unless the taxpayer pays for it.
• UK’s nuclear industry will suffer, in withdrawing from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).  Nuclear material stored in UK, but owned by EU – poses a Brexit problem,  Because of Brexit, the clean-up of UKs radioactive Dalgety Bay is stalled.
• UK’s THORP nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield was a dud – never met its operational targets.
• Reactor 3 at Hunterston B remains offline, due to cracks in the graphite core.
• The East Yorkshire village almost wiped out by a nuclear bomb.
• Britain’s nuclear bomb test legacy of early deaths and deformed children.

JAPAN. IAEA urges Japan to reach decision soon on handling of radioactive water at crippled Fukushima nuke plant.  Abe, IOC chief to visit Fukushima venue for 2020 Olympics. High court rejects bid to shut down Shikoku Electric reactor.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea tests new ‘ultramodern tactical weapon’ amid stalled nuclear diplomacy.

RUSSIA. Vladimir Putin considers his response to US exit from nuclear pact. Russia boasting of a spaceship to Mars ‘in very near future’.

TURKEY. Turkish environmentalists go to the Supreme Court to stop construction of nuclear power station.

SPAIN. Spain will close the last of its nuclear reactors and coal power plants before 2030.

IRAN. Iran hopeful that Europe can salvage nuclear deal – foreign ministry .

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan’s evidence at the State Capture Commission.

FRANCE. France’s Environment Minister questions viability of EPR nuclear. France to cut back on nuclear power.

POLYNESIA. President of French Polynesia admits that leaders lied, over 3 decades, about dangerous radioactivity from French nuclear tests.

November 20, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week that has been in climate and nuclear news

Again, there’s a collision between the twin threats of nuclear power and of climate change, as California’s wildfires ravage the once-secret Santa Susana Field Lab (Rocketdyne), site of a partial nuclear meltdown in 1959, and still radioactively polluted.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVhtygifsuE.   Physicians for Social Responsibility refute media claims that wildfire ash poses no radiation health problem. ( No monitoring , no assessment: the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.)

California Fires Could Be The ‘New Abnormal’ If Climate Change Continues. Scientists have identified 10 ways in which climate change makes wildfires worse.

Investigative journalism. Again, journalists cover the situation of America’s sick and dying nuclear workers. This is a 2018 story, which was covered magnificently by McClatchy News in 2015.

Nuclear reactors “are a bad bet for a climate strategy” – former NRC chairman.

The digital danger to nuclear weapons.

Tell Ft.com that solar air-conditioning is the answer to air-conditioning’s greenhouse gas problem.

Within 50 years, ozone layer hole is predicted to be completely healed.

IRAN. Iran is keeping to the conditions of nuclear deal: latest U.N. report.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea: its nuclear weapons “complete”, but not planning to get rid of them (why should they?)

JAPAN. Tepco to temporarily stop injecting water at Fukushima reactor . Local opposition to restart of Tokai nuclear station, but it is cleared to start by Japan’s nuclear watchdog.

USA.

• Woolsey Fire Burns Nuclear Meltdown Site that State Toxics Agency Failed to Clean Up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVhtygifsuE&t=418s  Nuclear meltdown at Santa Susana Lab and the government cover-up.  High fire warning continues including area of Santa Susana (Rocketdyne) nuclear irradiated area.
• USA non proliferation experts, both Democrat and Republican Urge Trump to save nuclear treaty with Russia.  With Democrat majority in U.S. Congress, Trump’s plans for nuclear arsenal, space weapons, will meet with opposition. New Bill in U.S. Congress would block a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. In USA 100 women elected to Congress– could they challenge the nuclear status quo?
• Beyond Nuclear questions Union of Concerned Scientists’ support for bailouts for “top ranked” nuclear plants.
• U.S. sailors in nuclear reactor part of USS Ronald Reagan allegedly used drug LSD.
•  Explanation of near-miss at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
• Holtec nuclear waste dry storage system (Hi-STORM UMAX) is a lemon and must be recalled. Radioactive groundwater found at Westingouse SC nuclear fuel factory.
• For USA the cost of not funding a nuclear waste solution is becoming greater than the cost of funding it.

UK. 

• The collapse of Britain’s Moorside project shows that nuclear power has no real future.   Doomed Moorside nuclear project might have provided 2% of UK energy needs, NOT 7%.   Consultant WYG takes £3m loss on business it bought for Moorside nuclear development.
• For Britain’s next nuclear boondoggle – Wylfa project, households might have to pay upfront for the construction.   Britain’s Wyfa nuclear power project will be one hell of a cost to the taxpayer.
• Britain’s Bradwell nuclear project under scrutiny- risks of flooding, water overuse, environmental degradation.   
• Cumbria Trust questions the independence of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).
•  Frazer Nash nuclear helps nuclear lobby to infiltrate academia.

RUSSIA.  Putin claims that Russia is developing an “invincible” nuclear weapon.  Russia now offering to help Norway to deal with the inappropriate storage of  radioactive waste.

TAIWAN. Hundreds of Taiwanese academics urge public to vote for nuclear power shut-down.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa: leaked report shows Zuma government’s secret plans for nuclear power.

CANADA.  Small Modular Reactors not commercially viable, but nuclear companies want the government handouts.   NuScale and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) trying to make Small Nuclear Reactors happen in Canada. Canada’s nuclear regulator wants Small Nuclear Reactors exempted from full Environmental Assessment.

SAUDI ARABIA. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launches nuclear project in Saudi Arabia.

November 13, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and climate news – week to 6 November

Some good news this week. A case of positive international co-operation!  – the healing of the ozone layer. The rest of the climate news – not so good. Climate scientists have underestimated the rapid warming of the oceans.  Climate change disruption of the jet stream is causing more extreme weather.     A warning not to forget the message of UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)  –  Climate Change: The Real World War.

International nuclear politics muddles along, – closer to the brink? North Korea warns it might return to developing nuclear weapons, if USA does not end sanctions.  Donald Trump ready to reimpose all nuclear sanctions on Iran.  A world on nuclear hair-trigger, if USA withdraws from the  Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia?

Looking for expert information on nuclear matters? Go to the Nuclear Consulting Group.

The global nuclear industry sneaks into international governments’ “clean” energy movement.

Far from fixing climate change – the nuclear power industry is being stalled by climate change.

Pro nuclear expert urges the nuclear industry to drop its “climate change” argument !

Electromagnetic radiation from cell-phones is a cancer causer to rats.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report DOES show that there is scope for positive progress.

IRAN. Iran is not likely to restart its nuclear weapons programme any time soon.

EUROPE.  Europe has set up a mechanism to sidestep U.S. sanctions against Iran.

NORTH KOREA. Preparation for nuclear international inspections – North Korea.

JAPAN. 2020 Olympics as PR for the global nuclear industry? Fukushima to start the events.  Fukushima’s fishing industry threatened by plans to dump radioactive water. Eastern Japan cities sign nuclear accident evacuation accord.  Shikoku Electric restarts Ikata nuclear reactor following failed court challenges.

CANADA.  Canada’s glaciers are retreating – and fast!    “Clean Energy Ministerial”: despite Canada’s Liberal claims, nuclear power will not save the environment. Non nuclear production of medical isotopes .

HUNGARY. Did Hungarian nuclear authorities fudge the measurement of water heating at Paks nuclear plant ?

UK.  NuGen nuclear power project in Moorside, Cumbria, UK, soon to bite the dust?  UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) reprimanded for nuclear safety breaches.    Fylde Fracking Near Nuclear Fuel Site – “No Problem” says Government.   Spiralling costs of Britain’s Sellafield nuclear site.    One veteran’s story of radiation effects of participating in nuclear bomb testing.   UK could be running solely on zero carbon renewables in summer months 2050.

SWEDEN. Swedish Environmental Court has concerns about speed of corrosion of copper nuclear waste canisters.

USA.

• End nuclear energy talks with Saudi Arabia – 5 Republican senators tell Trump.
• U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to resume nuclear talks with North Korea this week.
• Trump’s Energy Secretary Rick Perry accidentally told the truth about Yucca Mt, contradicting Trump.
• DOE plans reclassifying nuclear wastes as “Low Level”.  Trump administration heads for the dodgy science of the radiation sceptics.
• Former SCANA accountant tells how nuclear financial document was “doctored”.
• U.S. Supreme Court upholds right of 21 young people to sue federal government about climate change inaction.

UKRAINE. Radioactivity induced mutations in the animals of Chernobyl.

INDIA. Prime Minister Modi’s doublespeak on India’s first nuclear submarine.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korean firm KEPCO keen to get $20 billion by selling nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia.

FRANCE. Hackers accessed confidential documents about nuclear. Nuclear company AREVA rebranded itself (Orano, Framatome) – but legal troubles linger.

November 6, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

The week in climate and nuclear news – to 31 October

Climate change –Big Trouble on a Small Planet     The world is pumping out more oil and other petroleum liquids than ever before.   Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere broke another record in 2018.

Climate change is already affecting human society in some terrible ways. Persistent drought is one main cause of the migration of Central Americans towards the USA –   where they will be confronted by 5,000 soldiers!

In matters nuclear, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabia embassy in Turkey has brought world attention to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who almost certainly ordered this killing. Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record, abuses in Yemen, and international condemnation of the murder make its bid to become a nuclear nation a big worry to the rest of the world. But Trump is still keen to sell weapons and nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

World peace teetering again, as President Trump, egged on by his belligerent National Security Advisor John Bolton, prepares to abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia.

Investigative journalism –HALF-LIFE   Chad Walde believed in his work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Then he got a rare brain cancer linked to radiation, and the government denied it had any responsibility.

New global approaches needed to tackle climate change. Climate change bringing more droughts, more extreme rainfalls, more often.

America’s decision to abandon arms control treaty would be a ‘dire threat to world peace’ – Gorbachev.

Study of 120,000 hibakusha atomic bomb survivors shows raised risk of breast cancer.

Countries are safer to not have nuclear facilities? IAEA training to prepare for cyberattacks on them.

Medical staff need to be more aware of cancer risks in nuclear medicine.

BRAZIL. Brazil’s new President – a danger to environment and to action against climate change.

SAUDI ARABIA. America shouldn’t trust Saudi Arabia with nuclear technology.  Nuclear power lobbyists for Saudi Arabia finding it (a bit) tough following Jamal Khashoggi ‘s murder.

INDIA. Uranium mining in India – just another kind of nuclear disaster.

EUROPE. New research on impacts of climate change in the Mediterranean.  NATO – Europeans urge USA not to quit nuclear treaty.

UK.   Toshiba to dissolve its British nuclear unit NuGeneration? Future of Bradwell nuclear project in doubt – Chinese company might withdraw.    USA issues stark warning against UK partnering with China on nuclear power stations.  Nuclear facilities in UK – perfect targets for terrorism.   Serious concern in nuclear industry over no-deal Brexit.  UK Law was changed so nuclear waste dumps can be forced on local communities.

USA. 

• The world is in danger, as Donald Trump and John Bolton just don’t ‘get it’about nuclear treaties.
• Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Donald Trump saying different things about Yucca nuclear waste dump plan.
• USA’s subsidy to coal and nuclear power stalled, but still a possibility.
• USA’s EPA removes regulation that would protect groundwater from uranium mining pollution.
• Utah state regulators reject EnergySolutions’ request for burying depleted uranium.
• Sea level rise -the threat to nuclear power plants -Pilgrim to move nuclear waste to higher ground.     
• Incident at Hanford nuclear plant – employees told to ‘take cover’.
•  Nuclear waste drums ruptured due to a heat reaction.
• Yet another nuclear front group pretending that nuclear is “clean”– Ohio Clean Energy Jobs Alliance.
• University of California being used by the nuclear weapons industry.
•  California Governor Jerry Brown joins Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in campaign against threats of nuclear war and climate change.
•  “Clean Energy D.C. Act” – would lead Washington DC to 100% renewable energy by 2032.

RUSSIA. Russia preparing to discuss Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with USA. Putin warns European nations on hosting US nuclear weapons – risk to them of counter-strike.

JAPAN.  Despite health dangers, Japan is sending residents back to irradiated Fukushima areas.  Stop the return of women and child evacuees to radioactive parts of Fukushima – UN’s call to Japan.  Japan’s government refuses UN call to stop returning evacuees to irradiated areas of Fukushima.   Japan’s Onagawa nuclear reactor No 1 to be scrapped. 5.0 magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Japan, close to Fukushima.

TAIWAN. Taiwan’s phaseout of nuclear power.

FRANCE. France’s people turning away from nuclear power. Prolonged drought leads EDF to curb Fessenheim 2 nuclear reactor output.  French government to decide whether or not to build new EPR nuclear reactors.

EGYPT. Egypt’s renewable energy project – going for the green economy.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s latest 60 Minutes – on Fukushima – a nuclear infomercial.

October 30, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To October 25 – Nuclear and Climate News

International nuclear politics came to the fore this week. Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia.  Trump threatens to build up U.S. nuclear arsenal against China, Russia.    Russia threatens to develop intermediate-range nuclear weapons in response to USA’s nuclear move.

Climate events are getting ever more complicated.  Polar jet circulation changes bring Sahara dust to Arctic, increasing temperatures, melting ice.   Arctic blast is set to sweep across Britain this week bringing sub-freezing temperatures of just 26F and wintery showers after an unseasonably warm autumn.

PEACE BOAT AND GREENPEACE STILL CAMPAIGNING FOR FUKUSHIMA.

Gender and radiation impact project.  A false reference: “acceptable” radiation risks set as they affect adult men, not women, not children.

Nuclear weapons join the other cruel killing methods now pitched as games – entertainment.

AUSTRALIA. One commercial TV channel now sold its soul to the nuclear lobby? (Channel 9 used to be a fine reporter about Fukushima nuclear disaster.) 

USA 

•  Trump threatens to build up U.S. nuclear arsenal against China, Russia.  Gorbachev, experts baffled by U.S. withdrawal from nuclear weapons deal.   New “low yield” nuclear weapon increases the likelihood of war.
• Why radiation experts are concerned over EPA proposal. Trump’s financial benefit from Saudi Arabia – shaping USA’s foreign policy.
• U.S. EPA removes a uranium safety regulation, in interests of mining profits.
•  USA ditches the plan to prop up the coal and nuclear industries.
• Concerns about aging nuclear plants in USA Democratic areas.
• USA’s failed Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Plant costs taxpayers over $1 million daily.  Court rules that U.S. Dept of Energy can stop construction of the $17 billion plutonium and uranium fuel factory.
•  Dominion company wants license to run Virginia nuclear reactors for 80 years!
• Hanford given more time to empty leak-prone radioactive waste tank.  U.S. govt wants more information on Holtec’s proposed nuclear waste storage project.
• Public-private partnerships for new nukes – USA’s Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA).

RUSSIA.  Russia threatens to develop intermediate-range nuclear weapons in response to USA’s nuclear move.

SAUDI ARABIA. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reveal evidence of Khashoggi murder “in all its nakedness.”

FRANCE   France’s nuclear regulator fears that the Flamanville nuclear reactor has other problems as well as defective welds.   A nifty way to transition from gas-powered vehicles to solar-powered.

JAPAN. Four Japan firms used foreign trainees to clean up at Fukushima plant after nuclear meltdowns: final report.  Japan will flush unsafe water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea.   Local Fury and Health Concerns as Japan Plans to Dump a Million Tons of Radioactive Fukushima Water Into Ocean.  Added ‘development’ in the Medical Data Obtained from Minami-soma Municipal General Hospital in Fukushima.

UK. Nuclear Security UK – bolstering defences against a terror attack. Auditors question government handling of H Hinkley Point C nuclear power station from its Major Projects Portfolio.

CANADA. The dangerous radioactive trash – 60,000 tons on the shores of the Great Lakes. Majority of Ottawa candidates oppose Chalk River nuclear dump.  SNC-Lavalin shares fall to lowest since 2016 on news foreign bribery case will go to court.

October 24, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

A big week in climate news, a hushed week in nuclear news

The world has 10 years to ward off global warming disaster.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its 2018 Report on Monday 8th October. By Tuesday, its news was all over the media.  By Wednesday, other news had to some extent taken over. By now, in Australia, we’re back to the important stuff – horse racing and royal weddings.

However, climate change is still important, and indeed, urgent. Experts warn that the IPCC report may be understating the climate situation. And in particular – the risk of catastrophic sea-level rise.

Again, however much the nuclear lobby might not want you to know this, – the dangers of climate change and nuclear power are merging. Hurricane Michael has threatened nuclear power stations in Georgia and Florida. But there’s precious little information on how that is going.

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Rising sea levels will mean flooding of vulnerable cities- e.g: London, Jakarta, Shanghai and Houston.

ExxonMobil CEO Depressed After Realizing Earth Could End Before They Finish Extracting All The Oil.

$2.4 Trillion Fossil Fuel Shift – better than climate apocalypse.

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What the IPCC Report 2018 says about nuclear power.

Cheap flexibility from storage, demand-side response and distributed renewable energy generation poses a “huge threat” to the nuclear industry.

USA-Russia relations at a low ebb: nuclear treaties are under threat.

Genetic changes in children of soldiers who were exposed to ionising radiation.

Vitrified nuclear waste: glass corrodes and melts long before the radioactive trash is inert.

The very bad news about what space travel can do to your gut.

JAPAN. Residents in Miyagi file suit to block burning of radiation-tainted waste from Fukushima nuclear disaster. Fukushima nuclear plant owner apologises for still-radioactive water.  TEPCO bungles it again in dealing with Fukushima tainted water.

SOUTH KOREA. S. Korean activists demand Japan not dump Fukushima’s radioactive water into the sea.

USA. 

•  VA Nuke Plant Suffers Transformer Trip From Hurricane Michael .
• USA’s Nuclear Protection Agency, -sorry, Environment Protection Agency , set to weaken radiation guidelines. “Transparency”- the Trump administration’s dirty trick to strangle access to reputable science on nuclear radiation.  The Leader in the Fight to Stop Yucca Mountain, Heller Demands Information on the Proposed Reclassification of High-Level Radioactive Waste.
• New research raises further concern about radioactive contamination from US arms testing.
• Donald Trump’s priority is profit from weapons sales to Saudi Arabia: murder of Washington Post journalist is irrelevant. Trump administration’s unreasonable tolerance for Saudi Arabia’s war crimes in Yemen.  USA administration salivating about lucrative sale of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia – if only they could get over the proliferation problem.
• USA restricts nuclear technology exports to China.
• MOX nuclear fuel plant in South Carolina “on life support”, following court case.
• How workers inadvertently contributed to Westinghouse nuclear factory’s radiation leak.
• Towns face the end of the nuclear era, and the problems of radioactive trash.

UK. Welsh Labour Government allows Hinkley nuclear station’s mud dumping off Penarth, despite local opposition.    Dumping of Hinkley nuclear station mud closed – for now  Wales should be “sceptical” about nuclear power – Welsh Labour leadership candidate.  Anniversary of UK’s Windscale nuclear accident. Jeremy Corbyn gives a vision of a smarter, cleaner, more secure and equitable future. UK agonising over its nuclear industry future, leaving the Euratom Treaty, because of Brexit.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea is not really making any big nuclear concession. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that North Korea is ready to allow inspection of key nuclear site. Nuclear safety should be the first priority in the Korean Peninsula.

TURKEY. Council of Europe concerned at construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in an earthquake-prone region.

FRANCE. New delay in sight for Flamanville EPR.   France to defend lawsuit over its Pacific nuclear tests- “accepted its nuclear legacy with serenity” (whatever that means!).  Plan to sue France over ‘crimes against humanity’ in nuclear tests in South Pacific. France’s government to postpone the phaseout of nuclear power – to the detriment of the renewable energy industry.

BELGIUM Belgium’s phaseout of nuclear power.

CHINA. Nuclear weapons proliferation risks in China’s push to export nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Dubious claim from Russia, about bacteria “neutralising nuclear waste”.

October 13, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 7 Comments

Nuclear, climate, news to 29 September

Insightful journalism: Don’t miss this conversation with Dr Gordon Edwards – about Canada’s nuclear wastes

On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov saved the world.

Debunking the claims about generation IV nuclear waste .  Facing up to the reality of nuclear wastes: it requires longterm continuing stewardship.   What to expect from media and politicians when we want action on nuclear wastes. Magical thinking about nuclear waste – but that doesn’t solve the problem.

Extremely high radiation doses threaten the plan to colonise Mars.

Cardiologists and Other Medical Professionals at risk from radiation in nuclear medicine.

Vatican will continue condemning nuclear weapons.  Nations continue to work on nuclear security.

Consumer society, high energy, lifestyle underlies climate change.  Science reporting on climate change: the severity is downplayed for political reasons.

ANTARCTIC. Antarctic ocean heating up – caused by greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depletion.

NORTH KOREA. Trump-Kim nuclear summit planned – but there is no real progress towards nuclear agreement. North, South Korean Leaders in Fact Proclaimed End of State of War – Seoul.  USA must declare an end to the Korean war – to bring peace to the peninsula.  Scientists study North Korea’s nuclear tests, and the earthquakes.

USA.

•  Solar and wind power back on the day after Hurricane Florida: nuclear and coal not so resilient.
• Following Transatomic’s failure, small modular nuclear reactors face uncertain future.  After getting $millions in investment, Transatomic molten salt nuclear reactor project bites the dust.
• “Protect Texas from Radioactive Waste Tour” on its way to Midland.   The relative hazards of nuclear fuel in reactor cores, spent fuel pools, and dry storage.  Nuclear fuel removed from Oyster Creek plant – to concrete casks.
• Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is now open, but radiation fears remain.
• Congress Passes Measure to Protect Board that Monitors Nuclear Safety. The hidden danger of internal radiation emitters – dust particles around nuclear weapons sites. Fukushima Radiation causing U.S. Insurance Companies to EXCLUDE all Coverage for Radiation Claims.
• The Last Nuclear Power Plant Under Construction in the U.S. Lives to See Another Day.  U.S. Appeals Court upholds New York program to subsidize nuclear plants.
• Kavanaugh Confirmation Fight Has Consequences for Climate Law.

UK. Countering the media’s very unfair attacks on Britain’s Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, over nuclear weapons policy. UK media manipulation of Chris Busby.  The UK just jailed these men for over a year for a peaceful protest! Last time was 1932. Despite huge delays and cost overruns Britain’s nuclear weapons consortium paid itself £70m of dividends.  Protest at Faslane, Scotland, against nuclear weapons. Theresa May: Iran continues to uphold commitment to nuclear pact.

JAPAN. Japan vows to cut its nuclear plutonium hoard but neighbours fear the opposite. Poor region of Japan is now very dependent on Rokkasho nuclear recycling project.  Formal restart approval of tsunami-hit Tokai N°2 nuclear plant near Tokyo.

Fukushima’s stored water still contains radioactive iodine, cesium and strontium, as well as tritium.  London and Tokyo declaration to TEPCO on Fukushima nuclear disaster health effects for 28th September 2018.   39th Human Rights Now  Session: Oral Statement on the Hazardous Working Conditions Faced by Fukushima Cleanup Workers.   Japan’s Environment Ministry forced to change its forecast in order to make the nuclear industry look better.

IRAN. In spite of Donald Trump, Iran is keeping its nuclear commitments.

CANADA. The dishonesty in the bribing of “willing host communities” for nuclear wastes. The next big thing: unfeasible small modular nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Russia and USA will talk about extending New START nuclear weapons treaty.

EUROPE. Suggestions that Europe may develop its own nuclear weapons.

SAUDI ARABIA. USA, Russia, South Korea and China, salivating at thought of huge Saudi Arabia market for nuclear reactors.

OCEANIA. French government group to Mururoa to meet nuclear test veterans.

KENYA. Kenya postpones its nuclear power plans.

ARGENTINA. Argentina’s nuclear power industry in trouble.

FRANCE. AREVA-ORANO corruption scandal – France’s taxpayers could face € 24.1 billion fine. French film documentary – “Nuclear power – the end of a myth“

September 29, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in nuclear news

Huge clean-up tasks face areas affected by Super Typhoon Mangkhut and Hurricane Florence. In the many reports of these extreme weather events, climate change is rarely mentioned. Also played down is the effect on the nuclear industry. Thankfully, there seems to have been no big nuclear disaster. But there is little or no coverage of the effects on hazardous radioactive waste dumps.

Investigative journalism: Authorities deceive the public on radiation from Fukushima Daiichi

Sea levels could rise by up to 30 feet, due to Antarctic melting.

U.N. looks forward to more countries signing and ratifying nuclear ban treaty.

Civil and military nuclear industries locked in dependence on each other.

Heavy radiation effect on astronauts to Mars – now can be measured.

The big lie of ionising radiation hormesis.

NORTH and SOUTH  KOREA . Peaceful agreement between North and South Korea – but little of substance on denuclearization.  North Korea is willing to allow outside inspectors to check its closed nuclear weapons test site.

IRAN and ISRAEL. UN is being pressed by Iran and Israel – each wanting action against the other.

JAPAN. Tepco to build finally extra sea wall to reinforce Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.  Fukushima United Nations OHCR report update 18th September 2018 IDP. Japan tries to dilute tritium danger. Massive flow of money into Japanese coal and nuclear power.

CANADA. The second nuclear industry stillbirth – Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). Canada’s Brookfield in talks with Toshiba, about buying British new nuclear init NuGen.

EUROPE. Big companies including Facebook, Google and Microsoft not supporting EU’s plan for more ambitious climate change goals.

USA.

• Trump to address U.N. on nuclear non proliferation (pardon my mirth) $13 billion space military force for USA?
• Trump keen to have Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to speak at UN nuclear meeting.
• USA Democrats’ Bill to ban new low-yield nuclear weapons.
• Effect of Hurricane Florence on nuclear power stations – ruins the Trump administration’s case for supporting nuclear power.  Electricity being restored to Brunswick nuclear power station in North Carolina flooded area. As flooding recedes around Brunswick nuclear power station, NRC considers when it can restart.  Emergency lifted at Brunswick nuclear plant.
• The danger in transporting nuclear wastes to just a “temporary” nuclear morgue.  EnergySolutions wants exemption from Utah law restricting import of depleted uranium.
•  Cost of Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power project is becoming a big worry to law-makers. Vogtle Nuclear Power plant – last hope of the industry, might not be completed: opposition grows. U.S.Cogress seeks funds to compensate communities affected by nuclear power plant shutdowns.
• USA Bill to allow private-public partnerships for new nuclear power technologies.
•  California law to protect workers, community and environment, as Diablo nuclear power plant to close.
• Exploding Michael Shellenberger’s extraordinary sales pitch for nuclear weapons.
• Hanford: Plutonium a risk to humans and environment for thousands of years.
• Renowned Uranium Film Festival 2018 headed for the American SouthWest.
• Radiation oncologists and conflicts of interest.

FRANCE. French nuclear industry in turmoil, – inadequate welds at Flamanville nuclear reactor. The EPR, France and EDF’s nuclear nightmare.

French court orders EDF to release risk analysis about Hinkley nuclear project. It’s not too late to stop it. Financiers desert France’s EPR nuclear power plan for UK’s Hinkley Point C project.

UK.

• UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines: infrastructure supporting it is no longer “fit for purpose”.– UK Government delayed scrapping potentially unsafe nuclear submarines in bid to cut costs.-
• “I’ll fight tooth and nail” to salvage Moorside nuclear power project – says NuGen chief.
• Britain’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority partnering with Japan Atomic Energy Agency.
• Scottish peace campaigners pressing big financial institutions to divest from nuclear weapons.
•  Judge calls for developers to clarify whether Hinkley radioactive mud dumping is covered by an environmental impact assessment (EIA).  UK: Labour parliamentarians raise concerns about Nuclear plant mud dumping. EDF subsidiary NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd argued that Hinkley nuclear station mud dumping near Cardiff did not need an environmental impact assessment.
• Frazer-Nash, engineering consultants, going for new nuclear power in a big way.

INDIA. Community in Madhya Pradesh protest against proposed nuclear plant .

BELGIUM. Engie warns on profit following Belgian nuclear outages. Five Out of 7 Nuclear Reactors in Belgium Halted – National Regulator.

MALAYSIA. A good move – Malaysia rejecting nuclear energy.    Theft of radioactive materials.

CHINA. Typhoon Mangkhut headed straight for 2 Chinese nuclear power stations.

SLOVAKIA. Several nuclear reactors in Slovakia are out of operation.

September 22, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

The merging of climate and nuclear news this week

News media seem rivetted on Hurricane Florence now affecting USA’s Carolina states.  Meanwhile there’s much less coverage of the much greater Typhoon Mangkhut afflicting the Marshall Islands, Guam, and soon the Philippines and Chinese coast.

Hurricane Florence, though now downgraded to Category 1, still threatens at least 9 nuclear waste sites and at least 12 operating nuclear reactors.

The Marshall Islands, already having radioactive leaks, are even more threatened, with the nuclear waste tomb located there.

Crisis of heat across the planet.   Scientists are now establishing the links between climate change and these extreme events.

‘Hothouse Earth’ could become irreversible. U.N.Secretary General- world is at a defining moment for action on climate change. Bangkok climate talks a ‘limited’ success. Next international climate meeting in Poland in December.

Nuclear power uneconomic, investments driven by needs of nuclear weapons industry. Now even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports a dim view of nuclear energy’s future.

Radiation the biggest of many hazards to space flight to Mars.

USA.

• Hurricane Florence the biggest challenge yet to North Carolina’s Brunswick nuclear power station. Brunswick Nuclear Power Station’s “Cliff Edge” Barriers Appear To Fall Almost 8 Feet Short Of Required Storm Surge Protection Level. North Carolina nuclear stations- danger of spent nuclear fuel over-heating , in the event of an accident.  Nuclear authorities make reassuring noises about Hurricane Florence, and don’t mention radioactive waste dumps.
•  Wildfire burns at Hanford nuclear reservation.
• More $millions for nuclear weapons in US spending bill. American politicians pushing to have tax-payers fund new nuclear. New sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies, over North Korea nuclear program.  U.S. Navy Conducts Military Exercises in Gulf Amid Iran Tension.
• JEA and the city of Jacksonville sue to get out of Georgia nuclear contract. New Jersey’s nuclear subsidy means a loss to electricity consumers.
•  Exhuming nuclear trash in Idaho. Critics becoming more concerned about safety issues in Texas nuclear waste storage plan.

UK.

• Julian Assange‘s future safety hangs in the balance.  Prof. Chris Busby`s home has been raided by … everyone. European Court of Human Rights finds UK’s bulk surveillance powers to be illegal.
• Under cover of darkness, EDF dumps 2,000 tons of ‘nuclear mud’ near Cardiff. Legal challenge to Hinkley nuclear mud dumping off Cardiff. Hinkley nuclear deal with union – work will continue in the event of a worker death accident.   Hinkley Point C and Sea-Level Rise .
• UK government rejects the call to guarantee funding for Moorside nuclear power project. Cumbria business chief in a stew over possible abandonment of £15bn Moorside nuclear project.  UK’s Moorside nuclear power project now teeters on the edge of collapse. UK consumers could pay for new nuclear power plants years before they are built.
• UK’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is NOT backing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
• From 1948-till now -UK’s Springfield nuclear plant’s radioactive discharge continues into River Ribble UK’s nuclear wastes- the clean-up will be a bonanza for nuclear companies. UK’s House of Lords show complete contempt for even thinking about, or discussing nuclear waste problem.

JAPAN. The Fukushima nuclear crisis: How communities, doctors, media, and government have responded. Informal Labour, Local Citizens and the Tokyo Electric Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Crisis.

FRANCE. France’s aging nuclear reactors. State owned corporation EDF plans to keep them going, despite France’s phaseout policy. French government to scrutinise nuclear costs: current European pressurized reactor (EPR) project not economic. Despite glut of uranium fuel AREVA – now called Orano, to start a huge new uranium conversion plant.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea now emphasising economic development, not nuclear might.

IRAN.  Iran honored its nuclear deal. But Trump’s sanctions could plunge the region into conflict

September 15, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 8th September – nuclear and climate news

Japan acknowledges that prolonged exposure to ‘low level’ ionising radiation caused the cancer death of a Fukushima nuclear worker, and compensation will be paid to his family. This is the first time that the Japanese Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry have ruled on a radiation-caused death.

This will no doubt upset the nuclear lobby, who like to say that only high level radiation is harmful. It’s like the tobacco companies suggesting that only smoking 100 cigarettes a day would cause lung cancer – a few a day would be harmless, or actually good for you.

In fact, worker deaths from low level radiation have been reported many times, notably in the USA research by McClatchy News, which recorded 33,480.

Nuclear power: molten salt reactors and sodium-cooled fast reactors make the radioactive waste problem WORSE.

Nuclear reactors shutting down faster than ones are being built.

Climate change talks – in Bangkok – which sinking below rising sea

Rising CO2 levels could push ‘hundreds of millions’ into malnutrition by 2050.

JAPAN.

• Hokkaido’s Tomari NPP using emergency generators after powerful M6.7 earthquake. Japan nuclear plant’s power restored after quake triggers Hokkaido blackout.
• Fukushima episode of Netflix’s Dark Tourist sparks offence in Japan.  Fukushima government considers action over Dark Tourist episode.
• Japan holds public hearings on what to do with growing amounts of radioactive water from the ruined Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
• Mainstream media carefully avoids mentioning the typhoon danger to Japan’s nuclear power stations and waste dumps.
• Nuclear reprocessing has little future in Japan, as utilities end funding.

UK. A report on Sellafield highlights the likely nuclear damage to Ireland. Spinning’O-Wind Turbine captures wind from any direction.

RUSSIA. Russia’s nuclear wastes, and the clean-up of Andreeva Bay .

USA.

• If Democrats take over Congress in November, there’ll be cuts to USA’s nuclear weapons spending.  USA and Russia – in 20th Century -devised hideously elaborate ways of blowing each other up. A National Campaign Emerges to Prevent Nuclear War.
• Duke Energy rules out any new nuclear plants in its long range plans. Companies Orano – formerly AREVA, and Holtec aim for private-public partnerships on USA’s nuclear wastes.  The economic pain of nuclear power station closures.
•  Tropical storms pose danger to America’s nuclear power stations.

NORTH and SOUTH KOREA. Third summit this year between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un.

GERMANY. New highs for solar power generation in Germany, as extreme heat shut nuclear and coal plants.

AUSTRIA. Austria continues its legal action crusade against nuclear power in Europe.

September 8, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 31 Comments

The week to 3 September, in climate and nuclear news

Melting permafrost in Alaska reveals ancient fossils and artifacts. Container ships can now save lots of time, going via a new shipping route through the Arctic. New mining opportunities in Greenland. Americans will be able to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildl.ife Refuge.

Ain’t it all great? Not really. The melting of the Arctic is a global horror story. Is anyone noticing? Does anyone care?  That is the question that our children and grandchildren will be asking.

Bangkok Climate Talks: time to deliver on Paris rulebook. El Nino weather is made more extreme because of climate change.

Media about climate change must address the social impacts, and respect refugees.

UK, USSR, and US soldiers paid the health costs, as guinea pigs for nuclear bomb blasts.   Cosmic ionising radiation is a threat to pregnant flight crew members.

ARCTIC. Arctic sea ice under threat from warm water that has arrived deep below it.

JAPAN.   Fukushima. Opposition to release of Fukushima radioactive tritium water into the sea; longterm storage the better option. Release of tritium-tainted water into sea is opposed by Fukushima fisheries group.  Japan might sue journalist over his coverage of Fukushima, in Dark Tourist series. Japan’s municipalities in growing rejection to hosting nuclear waste dumps.  Fukushima to remove controversial statue of child in radiation protection suit.

Water leak in Japan’s unfinished Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant.   Nuclear fuel soon to be removed from Japan’s failed Monju fast breeder reactor. Japanese students submit nuclear abolition petition to UN. Nuclear waste briefings in coastal areas. Japan revises guidelines for earthquake probabilities.

IRAN. U.N. watchdog says Iran continues to comply with nuclear restrictions despite U.S. pullout.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. The woman who tore up the curtain of silence.

USA.

• Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen’s involvement in shady deals to secure huge funding for nuclear project
• USA negotiations with North Korea may be on the verge of breakdown
• Karl Grossman on the nuclear weaponisation of space.
• Terrible sickness price paid by Americans for 1,032 nuclear bombs the govt dropped on America.
• Trump administration partners with weapons contractors, removes Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board power to oversee worker safety.
• Agreement for USA commercial nuclear power to provide tritium for nuclear weapons.
• USA scales back emergency zones for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) to try to make them affodable.
• Safety measures for America’s nuclear weapons complex to be unravelled.
• A second Hanford radioactive waste tunnel in danger of collapse. Westinghouse nuclear fuel factory – more leaks discovered.
• Slow death of nuclear power, leaving stranded radioactive trash.
• Call for immediate removal of nuclear waste from San Onofre area.
• Lawmaker presses for quicker action to help military clean-up crews of USA’s 1966 nuclear accident in Spain.
• Colorado River polluted since 1969 by nuclear explosion fracturing experiments.

GERMANY. French and German anti nuclear campaigners block uranium transport.  German nuclear waste and Geoscience authorities in selection process for nuclear waste dump.    New documentary claims that Hitler had nuclear weapons ambitions, only thwarted by an accident.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s plans to make Qatar a nuclear waste dump island.

CHINA. China reaffirms commitment to no first use of nuclear weapons.  Ecological risks of China’s floating nuclear power plants in South China Sea.

TAIWAN. Taiwan to hold referendum on lifting Fukushima food ban in November.

UK. South Korea’s nuclear corporation in desperate effort to save Moorside nuclear plant project .  How a UK submarine could carry out a nuclear strike, depending on a radio programme.  Protest rally against nuclear power station mud dump.

CANADA. Following Trump, Canada and Australia go backwards on climate change action.

FRANCE. France’s Environment Minister quits in protest about nuclear and climate policy.    Resignation of France’s Environment Minister – he did not do a great deal to pull back nuclear power.

RUSSIA. Russia’s $9 billion nuclear-powered supercarrier will probably never be completed.

AUSTRALIA. Western Australia’s Traditional owners steadfast in 40 years’ opposition to uranium mining. Aboriginal Elders take action against uranium mining.

September 3, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The week in climate and nuclear news

Putin’s “invulnerable”nuclear-powered missile lost at sea. Joins the rest of Russia’s nuclear junk there, and could be leaking radiation.

Jonathon Porritt and 60 other British writers, politicians and academics condemn the concept of a “balanced debate” about human-caused climate change. “Balance implies equal weight. But this then creates a false equivalence between an overwhelming scientific consensus and a lobby, heavily funded by vested interests, that exists simply to sow doubt to serve those interests.”

The nuclear establishment cannot be trusted on radiation. Beware of the nuclear apologists.

Renewable energy systems set to go ahead with new technology enhancing flexibility.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s climate change policy sets a dangerous precedent for the world. Australia’s new Cabinet:  A motley crew of climate denialists and pro nuclear proponents.

JAPAN. Japan’s 2020 Olympic Games a public relations cover-up of the Fukushima fiasco, for the nuclear industry.   Risk of terrorist attacks in Japan Olympics: Japan strengthening waterfront security.  Japan’s emergency drill envisages nuclear accidents at multiple locations. Watchdog says TEPCO nuclear disaster drill ‘unacceptable’.   Big safety costs for Japan’s nuclear power stations- and costs will grow yearly.

-Japan plans to reduce its 47.3 tons of stockpiled plutonium. Fukushima: UN says cleanup workers in danger of ‘exploitation’.

FRANCE. Hot weather continues to cause lower nuclear power production in France.    Increased danger for mountaineers, as climate change melts the French Alps.

RUSSIA. Scepticism, even among pro-nukers, about Russia’s much boasted floating nuclear power plant.   Russian official threatens use of nuclear weapons in Syria.

UK. Following Brexit, UK will no longer be a member of Nuclear Fusion for Energy.  UK government outlines plans for the civil nuclear sector if Britain leaves European Union without any deal.

Continued safety worries at UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE).  Dumping of Hinkley nuclear’s radioactive mud would break the law.  Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) points out the climate change threats to proposed Bradwell B new nuclear power station.

Following Chernobyl, Britain’s District Councils’ information role was limited to PR for the government. Demolition of Windscale Pile One Stack at Sellafield.

USA.

•  Donald Trump has directed the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, to delay a planned trip to North Korea.
• USA emergency measures include preparations for nuclear attacks on 60 U.S. cities.
• The nuclear modernization program is not sustainable economically– Kristensen.  Why bother with an underground bunker? USA tests Upgraded ‘Earth-Penetrating’ Nuclear Bomb.
• Nobody wants to pay the $4.7 Billion Nuclear Bill for South Carolina’s abandoned nuclear project.
• Nevada residents strongly opposing proposed Yucca Mountain dump scheme.
• Plutonium remains in the ground below proposed Rocky Flats national wildlife refuge.
•  Small Modular Nuclear Reactors could be a costly mistake for Idaho utility.
• Hotter water forces Pilgrim nuclear power plant to half capacity.
• U.S. army increasing its investment and use of solar power.

PAKISTAN. Imran Khan and Pakistan’s nuclear bomb.

SOUTH KOREA. War fear panic is good for bunker salesmen in South Korea.

TAIWAN. Taiwan Premier encourages renewable energy, repeats commitment to phase out nuclear power.

IRAN. Britain is now contributing to upgrade of Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor.

FINLAND. Finland company looks to China’s lucrative nuclear decommissionig and nuclear waste market.

August 28, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and climate news this week

Abrupt thaw’ of permafrost beneath Arctic lakes is irreversible – could accelerate climate change. Climate change is starting to pack an economic punch.

Nothing dramatically new in the nuclear news. Nuclear waste problems are still intractable around the world, while governments continue to promote “new nuclear” – in what looks like a sad act of religious faith.

Climate change brings risks of more devastating tsunamis. Questions about viability of nuclear power in a warming world.  Climate change threats to coastal nuclear power plants.

Asbestos fibres contain radium: lodged in a person’s lungs, this radioactivity causes mesothelioma.

Julian Assange may have to leave the Ecuadorian embassy, due to his poor health. BBC wants to place cameras in apartments opposite Julian Assange’s refuge at Ecuadorian embassy. Julian Assange should be assured of immunity before taking risk of testifying to U.S. Senate.

NORTH KOREA. A new Summit between South and North Korea. North Korea Now in Standoff With U.S.A. on nuclear negotiations.

JAPAN.  Tens of thousands rally for removal of US base off Okinawa.  Fukushima clean-up workers, including homeless, at grave risk of exploitation, say UN experts. For the first time, scientists can reliably estimate highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles released by Fukushima nuclear disaster .

USA.

• California’s Wildfires and Nuclear Radiation –  A Personal Story.    Wildfires in USA increased due to climate change.
•  Space is to become Donald Trump’s new theatre of nuclear war. Trump administration is fulfilling the National Rifle Association’s wildest dreams. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ indictment of the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms. Arrests of USA activists protesting against nuclear weapons.
• US Government’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA) says renewable energy is surging while nuclear is declining.
•   USA nuclear bailouts: Led by Secretary Perry, the administration continues to make false and misleading arguments.
•   $2.2 billion jump – costs soar at Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power project.
• Senators deplore Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s plan to weaken protections on decommissioning reactors, and on wastes.
•  In less than 20 years – signs of nuclear waste cask breakdown! A ‘Fukushima waiting to happen’ – the San Onofre nuclear power station. Former NRC Chief Says San Onofre’s Nuclear Waste May Never Be Moved.
• Potential for a catastrophic nuclear tunnel collapse at Hanford, warn Tri-City mayors.
• Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines: the dilemma about dismantling them.
•  Danger in transporting nuclear materials through Michigan. New Mexico State could still block Holtec‘s nuclear waste dump plan, despite federal approval.
•  Low power prices add to nuclear industry’s woes: more reactors headed for shut-down.  “Unwelcome” step towards nuclear plant closures.
• St Louis residents near radioactive wastes – high cancer risks – says Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

UK. With the unsolved wastes problem, the threats from climate change, why build new nuclear?    Mud from Hinkley Point nuclear sites may contain Uranium, Plutonium,- to be dumped on South Wales coast. UK’s “new nuclear” commitment not OK by all MPs. Waste disposal problem is the killer factor. Immediate safety changes are needed at UK Atomic Weapons Establishment.  UK compensation for nuclear workers with radiation induced cancers.  The growing costs of Scotland’s police protecting nuclear waste shipments.

CHINA. To the dismay of the global nuclear industry, China’s nuclear expansion has stalled. China aims to lead the world exporting its own nuclear reactor design

RUSSIA. Russia and China pushing to create their economic nuclear empires. Russia’s removal of radioactive barge is helped by Italian floating dock.

SWEDEN. Sweden’s Nuclear Code of Conduct under threat from populist political party.

CANADA. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) dismisses concerns about the  aging Pickering Nuclear Station.  Cleaner, cheaper, safer, more practical – cyclotrons for medical isotopes.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s push for nuclear power and nuclear weapons ability has met an obstacle.

EGYPT. Egypt going into a huge debt to Russia for building Dabaa nuclear plant.

AUSTRALIA.   Barngarla Aboriginal people win injunction to halt nuclear waste dump vote.– Nuclear waste being shipped to Australia by company with a terrible safety record. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Says No To Nuclear Ports In South Australia .

ISRAEL. Radioactive sheep in Australia add evidence about Israeli nuclear bomb test.

August 17, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 5th August – nuclear and climate news

6th August Hiroshima 9th August Nagasaki  – so far these anniversaries are being ignored by the media. But not in Japan.   Japanese children will pass on the history of Nagasaki’s horror nuclear bombing on 9 Aug 1945

The heatwave continues in the Northern hemisphere, but rarely is that awful left-wing term “climate change”mentioned in news reports. It’s affecting all the Northern countries, though there is more news coverage about USA and Europe. Human-caused climate change made heat wave five times more likely.

Much nuclear news about the heatwave, too. The nuclear lobby’s poster boy, France, is copping it, with nuclear reactors having further cuts to their production, their cooling systems being unable to cope. Other countries’ reactors are similarly affected.

Large retrospective study shows the connection between low level radiation and leukemia.

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) now recognised as unviable: governments still pouring money into them.

The insidious toll of climate change heat on workers, and on the economy.

EUROPE.  Centre for Security Studies explains NATO Nuclear Sharing. Nordic nuclear power plants hit by unprecedented heat wave. Europe’s nuclear reactors affected by heat waves.

JAPAN.   Ahead of Olympic Games, Fukushima nuclear power plant gets an extreme makeover. Japan’s NRA plans nuclear wastes burial at least 70 meters deep for about 100,000 years. Fukushima Unit 2 Refueling Floor Work Poses Risks. TEPCO’s Plan For Some Of The More Dangerous Work At Daiichi.  No Long Term Storage Location for Fukushima Daiichi Spent Fuel.

UK. £10bn Moorside nuclear power plant plunged into further doubt. Wylfa nuclear power to be very expensive for both taxpayers and consumers. Sorry history of UK’s Moorside nuclear project, and why it might well be abandoned.  Climate change will bring sea level rise – bringing danger to Hinkley Point C nuclear site.

USA.

• Asteroid explosion near a US early warning radar base – could have triggered a nuclear war.
• Pentagon had a plan for “dirty nuclear bombs”.
• Nevada National Security Site experiencing huge wildfire,
• Trump attorney Michael Cohen was offered $10 Million to push for a nuclear project.
• An honest accountant – had to leave SCANA nuclear project rather than tell lies.
• USA’s bailout for coal and nuclear industries could cost over $34 billion. Legal repercussions continue after two South Carolina nuclear fiascos.
• Climate change fears add urgency to environmental fight over Florida nuclear power plant.
• U.S. Navy’s $1 Billion Plan for Breaking Down Old Nuclear-Powered Carrier.
•  State of New Mexico not able to stop Holtec’s nuclear waste plans.  Las Cruces city – resolution opposing transport and storage of nuclear wastes. Wolf Creek, Kansas, to be stuck with stranded nuclear wastes for 60 years or more.

CANADA. Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) of Canada bribing struggling towns to have nuclear waste dump. Secret transport of nuclear wastes from Illinois to Port Huron?  Canadian university develops new particle accelerator to supply medical isotopes. University of Alberta’s Medical Isotope Cyclotron Facility – medical radioisotopes without nuclear reactor.

SOUTH AMERICA. Latin American and Caribbean nations lead the way towards nuclear disarmament

August 4, 2018 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment