nuclear-news

Climate and nuclear news to 19 January

19 Jan 17 As I write, there’s  a sort of an anxious lull in climate and nuclear news. Indeed, in other news, too. The media world seems to be waiting for the next event, on January 20, concerning a certain narcissistic American. I’ve decided to leave him out of this week’s newsletter.

The exception in all this is Fukushima. Not that you find anything about this in the mainstream media. However, the news is getting out in alternative, and some Japanese media: workers’ cancers:  Thyroid Cancer Patient Group :  Designation of radioactive waste lifted: Fukushima ‘voluntary’ evacuees: Fukushima foodstuffs.

As climate deniers move into White House – Guardian news focus on climate change.

USA.

• Proposed Energy Secretary Rick Perry – ignorant about nuclear security!   Legal action against subsidising of America’s aging nuclear reactors. Despite shutdown of Indian Point nuclear plant, New York will invest billions in upgrading other nuclear stations. Testing a deep borehole as a potential way to bury highly radioactive nuclear trash.
• Obama’s Top Scientist Explains the Climate Challenge  Northeast USA predicted to heat up faster than most of the rest of the world. Interfaith effort spreads the word about climate change.
• Solar energy now a bigger employer than Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas combined. World’s largest rooftop solar farm to be built on Tesla’s gigafactory.

JAPAN. Crash in Toshiba shares as nuclear financial crisis deepens. Shimane nuclear power plant found to have dangerous corroded holes in air ducts inside the No. 2 reactor. 7 Times More Leukemia in 2015 than 2014, 80% in Eastern Japan.

CHINA. Nuclear weapons should be completely prohibited – Chinese President Xi Jinping.

BELGIUM. Netherlands, Luxemburg and Germany want Belgium’s dangerous nuclear reactors to be closed.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan vows nuclear retaliation if India attacks.

U K. Political row over proposed west Cumbria nuclear plant.  Greens Party running anti nuclear platform in UK by-election. Prince Charles writes a book on climate change (That’s torn it: they won’t let HIM be king)

NORTH KOREA. North Korea may be preparing for a new missile test-launch.

UKRAINE. Russia stops agreement with Ukraine on nuclear power plant construction

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s $US50bn clean energy plan focusses on solar and wind

January 21, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Climate and nuclear news to 14 January

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

A week away from Donald Trump taking over the USA Presidency, and it’s anybody’s guess as to how bad the repercussions of that will be, for climate action, nuclear safety, and the public good. If there happen to be some accidental unintended benefits for they public good, I doubt that these will compensate for the world’s most powerful nation being run by the lead bully boy for corporate America. Barack Obama retires graciously, claiming that “we did”. Perhaps more accurately “we tried”.

Don’t for one minute think that nuclear power is in any way “green“.

Record loss of sea ice in 2016-both Arctic and Antarctic.

Alexei Yablokov, grandfather of Russian environmentalism, dies at 83

CLIMATE   NOAA– Atmospheric CO2 Increased by 2.77 Parts Per Million During 2016. Copernicus organisation says 2016 ‘hottest on record’ in new sign of global warming.  Greenland Ice Melt might cause Atlantic Circulation to Collapse.

ENERGY  Bleak future for nuclear revival, with solar and wind costs continuing to fall.  Rapid rise in Global Photovoltaic Installation Market is predicted by Transparency Market Research.

USA.

• USA’s EPA ( Nuclear Industry Protection Agency) confirms dramatic increase in radiation will be permitted in drinking water
• USA nominee for secretary of defense disagrees with Donald Trump on nuclear weapons. US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson disagrees with Donald Trump on nuclear weapons.
• The F-35 may destabilize relations between the world’s two greatest nuclear powers — Russia and the US.
• Background to shutdown of Indian Point nuclear power plant. New York’s renewable energy sector is poised to take over from Indian Point nuclear power station New York nuclear subsidies an ‘existential threat’ to wholesale markets -Electric Power Supply Association.  
• 17 USA nuclear reactors listed as having possibly flawed parts from AREVA’s Le Creusot forge. Former nuclear town degenerates into a stranded nuclear waste dump .
• Judge rules that Exxon Mobil Corp must hand over climate documents to Massachusetts.
• US Global Change Research Program recommends research into geoengineering for climate change action.
• 100 % renewable energy by 2050 – pledges General Motors. T
• Tesla starts mass production of solar battery cells.

CANADA. Canada’s government releases carbon pricing plan

UKRAINE. Giant solar farm to be built on Ukraine’s land contaminated by Chernobyl radiation.

NETHERLANDS. Trains 100% wind powered for Netherlands, by 2018.

FRANCE. France’s desperate move to save nuclear company AREVA.

RUSSIA. Alexei Yablokov, Russia’s environmental conscience, dies at 83 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo2cyS1YUqo

UK. China to build ANOTHER nuclear reactor in Britain – concern for nuclear regulator. Wales introduces solar ‘eco hamlet‘ – the first of many?

CHINA. China’s $493 billion plan for renewable energy.

TAIWAN. Taiwan will end nuclear power generation by 2025.

JAPAN.  ‘Monju was not worth dying for’ – says wife of top nuclear official, who suicided.   Toshiba’s $billions loss raise questions about costs for new nuclear power. Coral bleaching kills 70 percent of Japan’s biggest coral reef. Japanese Government hides contamination from Fukushima nuclear disaster while sending evacuees home .

NORTH KOREA. North Korea’s greatly increased plutonium stockpile

January 14, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

2017 in climate and nuclear news

Here are my predictions for 2017 . They are not all that cheerful. But I am comforted by that fact that I usually predict most unreliably. I pronounced that Hillary Clinton would win the US presidency by a landslide.

But – here goes, anyway :

CLIMATE news. The anthropocene is here with a vengeance, and will be evidenced by continued weather extremes – droughts in Africa, India and other places, floods elsewhere, the continued creeping sea level rise, affecting island nations, and low-lying ones, like Bangladesh.  Most worrying of all, the continuance of extraordinary changes in temperature in the Arctic, with effects on ocean currents.

With climate-denying politicians in power, at the national level, action on climate change will be stalled, to some degree. However, at the level of states, local councils, and cities, increased adoption of renewable energy will mean that meaningful climate action goes on with renewed vigour.  At the grassroots level, more homes and businesses will adopt solar and wind technologies, as well as smart energy conservation – a trend already apparent in Australia, and parts of Europe and USA, as well as in developing countries, where off-grid energy becomes  a boon to millions. Public disillusion with climate denying leaders will rise.

NUCLEAR news. The world will limp on, avoiding nuclear war by a whisker, especially in relation to India and Pakistan.   However, there will be encouraging developments in the international nuclear disarmament movement, with an impressive conference in March.

In America, more nuclear power stations will close, due to their diseconomics. Nuclear power development in China will continue to slow down, for reasons of cost, water shortage, and even public opposition.  India’s growing solar energy success will threaten its nuclear development. Britain, however,  will be  a focus, as France, China, South Korea, even Russia will push desperately for Hinkley, Moorside, Bradwell nuclear projects, which will have to be subsidised by taxpayers.

Fukushima will continue to be a running sore with no cure in sight, while Japan and the world happily look forward to the 2020 Olympics.

The nuclear waste problem will continue to dog USA, and efforts to even trial new solutions like deep bore drilling will meet public opposition, even without any radioactive trash. Some countries, e.g. France, with existing nuclear power stations will look to closing them down. At the same time, there’ll be  a continuing frenzy to try to market nuclear power to non nuclear countries.

The proponents of “New Nuclear”, particularly of Thorium and of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors will continue to pretend that they help Big Nuclear by supposedly dealing with the waste problem. But in reality, they’ll be rejoicing at the plight of Big Nuclear, and toting their still non existent new gimmicks to governments. In particular, they’ll want America to weaken its safety regulations.

Above all, the nuclear lobbyists and publicists will hammer their lie that nuclear power can stop climate change. Not only is that not true, but also, that claim becomes increasingly irrelevant as climate change races ahead. – simply no time for that “solution” anyway.

But that won’t stop the “New Nuclear”  lobby. They’ll bring out a film – THE NEW FIRE glossy, expensively made, sophisticated – to push the new gee whiz nuclear kids on the block. Their various front groups, e.g Weinberg Next Nuclear , “Breakthrough Energy Coalition”  and  Australia’s “Bright New World” will continue to pose as charities, and gain tax exempt status.

I’d love to think that journalists and academics will see through the spin. But I am not optimistic, following a year when spin brought Brexit and Donald Trump’s rise.  (Even if Trump gets bored, and chucks the job in to run a personal media circus, the USA will still be run by climate denying Republicans. )

Journalists and academics will continue to spout the nuclear lies – about low dose ionising radiation being OK , and above all, keep hammering the message of nuclear being “clean” and “low carbon” . They know where the money is. The public at large will believe them, despite the efforts of the anti nuclear movement, and of a few brave, outspoken journalists and academics.

December 31, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 4 Comments

2016 in climate and nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

2016 brought  a new word – the Anthropocene. It has been the year in which many of us realised that the planet has been irrevocably changed- by the human species. Of the wide-ranging effects of human activities,climate change is the one that has now become the most terrible threat.  People  around the world are trying to change our destructive ways: individuals, town councils, city mayors, states, and, to a much lesser degree, national governments work to conserve energy and promote renewable energy generation.

Countering that, the polluting industries have used their think tank front groups, and mainstream media, to confuse the public, and deny the science.

In November 196 countries participated in the  United Nations Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh, to develop agendas for carrying out the  the Paris Agreement of 2015. But international action was hampered by the presence of fossil fuel companies, and even more, by the election of climate sceptic Donald Trump to the USA presidency.

The nuclear disarmament movement was boosted on October 27, when—by a vote of 123 for, 38 against, and 16 abstaining—the First Committee of the UN agreed “to convene in 2017 a United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear power issues focussed on both the decline of the nuclear power industry, and the desperate efforts of the industry to survive. Notably in Britain, a clearly uneconomic pro nuclear programme has been pushed, with the gigantic Hinkley white elephant in the lead. In America, subsidising of nuclear power is a contentious issue.

Meanwhile. nuclear countries, unable to make the nuclear industry profitable, and unable to deal with its toxic wastes, have persisted in their marketing drive to export nuclear technology. The target countries are many, but South East Asia is a prime example. That campaign for SE Asia suffered a setback when South Australians rejected an ill-advised government push to commercially import nuclear wastes – a plan that was intended to solve the problem for new nuclear stations in South East Asia.

Within the nuclear lobby, a quiet battle has gone on between the conventional Big Nuclear Reactor industry, and the campaigners for Small Nuclear Reactors. The latter reactors do not exist, but their hype is everywhere, particularly led by Bill Gates and various nuclear front groups. Unfortunately, Gates has bought into the nuclear lobby’s deception about nuclear fixing climate change.

So – we end the year with climate change not just looming, but already here, endangering us and other species. The extraordinary attention given to Donald Trump and his impact on global climate and nuclear policy leaves us with very worrying questions.

December 26, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and climate news to 17 December

As the Western world gets into the Christmas frenzy, with, alas, all its associated over-consumption, things seem to have gone rather quiet on the climate and nuclear news scene.

Not really. For USA and world politics, most observers are aghast at the team of billionaires that Donald Trump is picking for his administration. In particular, the consequences for climate action look dire.

On the nuclear scene, the facade of success is being maintained by the industry, especially in the UK.  where the global industry’s big hope, Hinkley C nuclear project, struggles on.  Behind the scenes, the “new Small Nuclear” proponents, often led by Bill Gates, quietly sabotage the “conventional Big Nukes” , and promote small nuclear reactors as “clean”.  More about that later.

Julia Gillard on the need for education funding.

Increasing threat of computer hacking on nuclear plants.

UK. Pro nuclear UK Prime Minister Theresa May heading towards quiet public subsidising of new nuclear stations, South Korea might join the throng marketing their costly nuclear reactors to Britain. Engie, (formerly GDF Suez) might pull out of UK nuclear power plan at Moorside in Cumbria. Confusion in , and opposition to, Bradwell’s Chinese-built nuclear plant plans. Anglesey UK: economy stagnates during the struggle to find finance for Wylfa Newydd New Nuclear.

FRANCE. French Nuclear Industry in Chaos. Financially strapped French company AREVA gets a lifeline. EDF in dire financial straits, too. Global review of nuclear reactors, following news of cover-up of AREVA’s manufacturing flaws.  Nuclear worker convicted of terrorism conspiracy – had worked for 3 years while under investigation!

USA.

• American scientists making backups of climate data: fears that Trump will destroy climate files.
• USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission gives 30 yr old Fermi 2 nuclear plant 20-year operating license renewal. 
• Rising costs for Vogtle Nuclear Reactors– Georgia Public Service Commissioners to Decide on Who Pays.
• USA nuclear regulators investigating potential risks linked to falsified French nuclear documents.
• Rick Perry who aimed to abolish Dept of Energy (DOE) – to be named by Trump as DOE Secretary! Nuclear industry confident that Rick Perry as Energy Secretary will boost their industry.
• Nuclear energy should be classed as “renewable”– says Arizona utility regulator.

JAPAN. Japanese government to provide $8.5 billion for a UK nuclear power plant project in Wales. Fukushima evacuee poll finds kids in eight Yokohama-area households had experienced bullying. More Evacuees Sue Govt, TEPCO over Fukushima N-Accident.

CHINA. China again flies nuclear-capable bomber over South China Sea

TAIWAN. Taiwan to hold off on plans for problematic Japanese food imports

GERMANY. Germany’s parliament approves nuclear waste deal with industry

SOUTH AFRICA. Another delay in South Africa’s troubled move towards new nuclear reactors. South Africa’s Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson ordered to pay punitive costs in nuclear case

December 17, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week in climate and nuclear news

• Father Christmas will most likely be homeless in  a couple of years. Alarm among scientists at ‘Extraordinarily hot’ Arctic temperatures.   Problem of carbon release as permafrost melts.
• For 2016, Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations are Rising at the Fastest Rate Ever Seen.
• Climate Change will lead to uncontrollable migration.
• The climate-water conflict – climate change increases risk of nuclear war.
• Insurance companies losing ability to manage risks, as climate change brings extreme weather events.

FRANCE.  EDF’s financial crisis will leave french taxpayers with a huge nuclear bill. Suspected falsifying of documents: French prosecutors investigate Areva’s Le Creusot nuclear foundry. France launches investigation of Fessenheim nuclear power plant.

USA.  

• President elect Trump: his Cabinet and Climate.  Trump Appoints Climate Skeptic to NASA Team
• Donald Trump’s team want Energy Department to save the failing nuclear industry.
• North Dakota pipeline protestors get support from US military veterans.
• Entergy’s troubled Palisades nuclear power plant for early shutdown.
• Dozens of canisters of radioactive waste to be repackaged at USA’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Roof collapse at USA’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant – more nuclear safety worries.
• US Navy to build a new facility for stranded radioactive nuclear wastes.
• Landmark case on climate change looming for USA government.

JAPAN. Japan to increase loan to Fukushima operator Tepco to $123 billion.  Mitsubishi Heavy makes huge and risky investment in AREVA nuclear. Plan to build Monju nuclear reprocessing successor to Recycle Plutonium Stocks

UK. NUGEN Partner ENGIE Wants OUT of Nuclear

RUSSIA. Russia’s new ‘drone submarine’ with range of 6,200 miles.

GERMANY. German legal case sets precedent for limiting the greed of nuclear and coal companies.

BELARUS. Belarus radiation tragedy of Chernobyl is only just developing.

AFRICA.  Climate change could render Sudan ‘uninhabitable.

BULGARIA. Bulgaria pays compensation damages to Russia, for scrapping Belene nuclear plant

INDIA India’s push for solar energy is gaining steam

IRAN. Iranian president won’t let Trump ruin the US–Iran nuclear deal

December 10, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s climate and nuclear news

Media attention continues to focus on Donald Trump. He seems happy in the spotlight, even if the revelations are about his conflicts of interest, and the unsuitability of officials that he’s appointing. Trump himself hardly matters, really, as the Republicans will be in charge in the White House, Congress and Senate, and are dominated by anti-science, climate deniers, and hawkish militarists.

Meanwhile the impacts of climate change continue, and their repercussions for society, and world security are becoming realised. Uncontrollable climate change could be triggered by Arctic ice melt.  Military experts warn on refugee crises and need to combat climate change. With Temperatures Hitting 1.2 C Hotter than Pre-Industrial, Drought Now Spans the Globe. Biggest-Ever Coral Die-Off Reported on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Pope Francis urges national leaders not to wreck the climate change pact.

People power, not Trump, has killed the Trans Pacific Partnership.

SOUTH AMERICA. A NUCLEAR WEAPON-FREE WORLD – the work of Latin American nations towards achieving this. Climate change in action: Bolivia’s fast-melting glaciers.

JAPAN. Fukushima Daiichi to cost TEPCO $170 billion. Radioactive Waste from Fukushima Plant Water Piling Up with No Final Destination.  Fukushima Evacuees Still Unable to Go Home Over 5 Years after Earthquake, Nuclear Accident.  Fukushima aftershock renews public concern about restarting Kansai’s aging nuclear reactors.

USA. Time that lawmakers limited the power of American President to start using nuclear weapons. Clearwater takes legal action against New York over subsidy to nuclear power stations. Hanford’s nuclear site ‘the most toxic place in America’. Climate change in action – California’s six-year drought has killed 102 Million Trees.

SOUTH EAST ASIA. Very dubious market for nuclear power in South East Asia.

UK. The AP1000 Nuclear Reactor Design is not fit for purpose: several safety flaws. Nuclear reactor graphite cores cracking: Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B.

FRANCE. Electricite de France (EDF) – what a nuclear mess!

RUSSIA. Russia kept secret about an explosion at a nuclear power plant.

UKRAINE. Chernobyl nuclear reactor now encased in steel tomb.

NORTH KOREA. New sanctions on North Korea in reaction to its latest nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

SOUTH AFRICA. Murky dealings in South Africa’s nuclear procurement. South Africa’s new Integrated Resource Plan holds no joy for the nuclear lobby.

GERMANY. Legal ruling to come, on Germany’s nuclear exit.

SWITZERLAND. Swiss reject hasty exit from nuclear power, but not by a huge vote.

CANADA. No need for a nuclear reactor to produce medical isotopes: Canada shows the way.

SWEDEN. Sweden ditching taxes on solar energy, to promote fast investment in renewables.

December 2, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and Climate News to 25 November

Much as I would love to completely ignore the Trumpomania that now grips the media, and at the same time, seems to paralyse political action, I just can’t – because climate and nuclear policies worldwide now stagnate, like  ships in the doldrums, waiting for the new wind – of Trump’s inauguration on January 20 2017.

The Marrakech climate talks, (follow-up to the 2015 Paris climate summit)  produced the “Marrakech Action Proclamation”, and some ambitious national programmes, but were described as producing  “defiance towards Trump, but little else”.  Global green movement prepares to fight Trump on climate change. Trump’s climate denial is just one of the forces that points towards war.

Unease amongst world leaders over Donald Trump’s nuclear policies, and appointments.

On nuclear weapons, the UN General Assembly First Committee voted on Resolution A/C.1/71/L.41 (L.41) States adopted the resolution to hold negotiations on a nuclear ban treaty in 2017. Here at least, some ray of light regarding Trump’s attitude of wanting to negotiate with Russia and North Korea.  –Perhaps Secretary General Ban Ki-moon can leave his office with an important victory at the end of his term by seizing this opportunity and encouraging the ‘deal maker’ in Trump to move forward with a US-Russia rapprochement, clearing a pathway for the elimination of nuclear weapons as well as putting an end to the hostilities on the Korean peninsula.

World Bank reports on How Solar is Changing the Climate Game.  On four continents, solar panel roads are being developed.

The case for space – Part 3: Martian delusions.

ARCTIC.Alarm among scientists at ‘Extraordinarily hot’ Arctic temperatures.

RUSSIA.Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missiles for its “nuclear trains” program.

JAPAN. Japan Earthquake: Social Aftershocks of Fukushima Disaster are Still Being Felt.  Crisis averted, but is N-plant operator Tepco prepared for a bigger quake? Temporary Radioactive Soil Storage Sites Hinder Fukushima Farmers.

USA. – Nuclear 

• Obama administration set to strengthen Iran Nuclear Deal.
• New York Court of Appeals approves right of the state to review Indian Point Nuclear plant’s relicensing.
• Nuclear contractors settle with USA Justice Dept over allegations of improper billing.
• The absurdity of continuing nuclear power, with waste disposal unsolved.
• Savannah River Site could be stuck with stranded nuclear wastes from Canadian research reactor.
• Exelon pushes bills in Illinois General Assembly to subsidise and save its nuclear power stations.
• Nuclear propagandist James Conca shows the industry how to peddle its lies.

USA – Climate

• Property values getting threatened by sea level rise. Climate change IS looking serious!
• Climate action in America’s cities, despite Donald Trump.
• What Does A Trump Presidency Mean For Climate-Change Education?
• America’s energy industries – what to expect from President Trump.
• Obama government pushes a slate of clean energy initiatives.
• Florida’s Amendment 1 would have undermined rooftop solar, but voters were not fooled.

CANADA. Canadian government to review plan to dump nuclear waste close to Great Lakes.

INDIA. Costs too high: India has to delay its nuclear power programme

NORTH KOREA. Fears about North Korea’s nuclear test swish around Donald Trump’s inauguration.

CHINA. China’s ambitious plan, lifting poor communities by means of solar rooftops.

AFRICA. Stark choices face communities in drought afflicted Africa.

 SOUTH AFRICA. Stalling of nuclear power plan in South Africa shows President Zuma’s waning power. South Africa’s renewable energy is making nuclear power look obsolete.

SOUTH AMERICA. Killings of climate activists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT3rMf9BbyM  Climate emergency in Peru, with huge forest fires. Climate Change Has Left Bolivia Crippled by Drought.

EUROPE. Economic and Social Research Institute tots up the cost of a nuclear disaster in Europe – €160bn.

UK.  UK government’s huge legal fees for Hinkley nuclear project .  Seaweed Has Again Blocked Cooling and Shut down Scottish Nuclear Power Station.

VIETNAM. Vietnam’s legislature endorses scrapping of nuclear power plans

November 25, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Another week in climate and nuclear news

There’s an uncanny echo of the 1930s in the rise of extreme right wing politics in the Western world today. “I will make America great again” – says Donald Trump. And how many other strident voices are gathering mass support with a similar simplistic message, in other countries?

Donald Trump – the triumph of narcissism. Like the attention-seeking child in the classroom, with all eyes upon him, Trump captures the attention of the world, (this probably his main goal).  Some hope that, as USA President, his intelligent, gently spoken, kindly, side will prevail. Ralph Nader doubts this.

Meanwhile historic international meetings on climate change and on nuclear weapons ban are happening. Nearly winter at North Pole– but 36 degrees warmer than normal

Religious leaders from 44 countries present the the COP22 Interfaith Climate Statement.

Trans Pacific Partnership – just about ready for burial?.

EUROPE. Europe adopts new rules on disposal of nuclear waste.

JAPAN.  TEPCO to be sued by cancer victim, former Fukushima worker. Japan’s nuclear marketing disappointment: Vietnam to cancel reactor order. Another operation approval of aging nuclear reactor contradicts 40-year rule.  Anti-nuclear scientist group aims to boost influence amid growing defense research fears.

USA.

Climate:

• USA Judge refuses to dismiss Youth Climate Lawsuit.
• American environmental officials appointed by Trump will be climate deniers. Under President Trump there’ll be a fossil fuel fan administration.
• Commitment to divest from fossil fuels – Islamic Society of North America.
• US Republicans now seek a quick way to get out of Paris climate agreement.

Nuclear

• Nuclear lobby renews its pretense that it is “clean and green”.
• The nuclear lobby gives its orders to the USA government. America’s nuclear industry lobby seeks cuts to its liability responsibilities in the event of an accident.
• Radical Bill in Illinois would rewrite the law, in order to save Exelon’s nuclear reactors. Consumer and business groups fight Exelon’s huge utility rate hike.
• USA’s Environmental Protection Agency to test areas in Bridgeton for radioactive contamination.

IRAN. Iran arrests 12 members of nuclear negotiating team for espionage.

SWITZERLAND.Swiss can’t give away nuclear reactors, let alone sell them.

INDIA. India made no additional concessions to Japan in nuclear deal. Still-confusion over ‘termination’ clause.

AFRICA. Drought is destabilising Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s renewable energy boom attacked by nuclear Eskom

UK. Nuclear lobby getting a big boost from the British government.

AUSTRALIA. Push for a nuclear waste import industry defeated. South Australian Premier ‘s political career could be finished, over this issue.

November 19, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

A big week in climate and nuclear news

Even under Trump, there will still be reason for climate action hope – climate action internationally and in USA States. Donald Trump wants to blow up the global climate effort. People are now saying hopeful things about Trump. And I do agree – it is possible for a narcissistic, bullying, misogynist, lying, sociopath to change –  it just doesn’t happen all that often.

Anyway, Paris climate change agreement will not be derailed by Donald Trump. Paris climate deal now in force. The global nuclear lobby gears up to influence UN climate talks.

Trump will soon control America’s nuclear weapons codes. His defence policies may spark a nuclear arms race.

Human-induced climate change has already impacted every aspect of life on Earth. Climate change may be escalating so fast it could be ‘Game Over’ , scientists warn. Climate Disruption’s Legacy: Megadroughts, Extinctions, Obituaries for Reefs.

 UK. British nuclear lobby now going after government subsidies. British nuclear wastes to remain at old nuclear power plants.

SOUTHEAST ASIA now a disappointment to the global nuclear marketing drive. Vietnam ditches nuclear power plans.

AUSTRALIA. . An extraordinary turnaround. It looks as though South Australia is about to dump the nuclear dump idea. South Australian Labor’s nuclear waste plan – “dead and buried” say Liberals.

INDIA. Nuclear non-proliferation is undermined by India-Japan deal.

USA.  Trump’s Promise to be America’s Most Dangerous, Divisive President. Drought, Climate Change Spur Severe Election Day Wildfire Outbreak Across Four-State Area. The nuke heads want to use small nuclear reactor for Mars travel (I suppose it’s on tax-payers’ money).

Continuing serious problems with USA’s Watts Bar Unit 2, last old nuclear reactor of the 20th century. Explosion-Fire at Nuclear Power Station Near New York City on Election Day Due to Equipment Failure.

JAPAN. Dwindling future prospects for Japanese nuclear companies. Japanese government’s underhand scheme to subsidise nuclear power.

FRANCE. France’s nuclear power dependence causing anxiety.

SOUTH AFRICA. Vested interests and corruption in South Africa’s nuclear procurement. South Africa’s Eskom ‘just can’t do nuclear’

November 11, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To October 4 Climate News, and Nuclear

The annual United Nations climate change conference starts in Marrakech on Monday and will also serve as the first official meeting of parties to the Paris agreement struck in 2015. Even with the Paris climate deal, world will warm 3.4°C by 2100. Famine, war and disease – a grim future if climate change is not stalled. Drifting into Arctic Un-Winter. Experts doubt that geo-engineering will succeed in halting climate change. Leonardo Di Caprio’s new film “Before The Flood” debunks climate myths

Mikhail Gorbachev leads, in appeal for dialogue, and reason.

UN vote to start negotiating treaty to ban nuclear weapons- Australia voted against it.

6th depleted uranium resolution passed by UN General Assembly’s First Committee.

SOUTH AFRICA: Eskom’s nuclear procurement plan raises more questions than it answers. Eskom boss Brian Molefe is not coping well with South Africa’s corruption scandal.

UK. Secret documents reveal that British tax-payers will cop the costs of Hinkley’s nuclear wastes and any serious accident. Hinkley construction “milestone” reached before contract signed.  China determined to export nuclear expertise: it all hangs on UK Hinkley project.  Fears over core safety as cracks found in Scots nuclear reactor.

NORTH KOREA. Top secret operation into North Korea to destroy Kim Jong-un’s nuclear weapons stash.  Top Nuclear Negotiators of US, China Meet in Beijing to discuss concerns over North Korea.

CHINA. Warning that a USA strike on North Korea would spark war with China.Meltdown in China’s Nuclear Power Plans.

USA. President Obama’s important legacy on climate change.  A new tool for law enforcement agencies to identify criminal nuclear activity.  ‘Substantial weaknesses’ in TVA safety culture at new nuclear plant.  Just like any other house – but it’s got a SOLAR ROOF.

JAPAN. Asahi Shimbun made brave effort for investigative journalism.   Japan’s vote against nuke ban talks mocks its anti-nuke credo.  Survivors of A-bomb protest Japan opposing nuke ban treaty. Gov’t to seek disaster compensation funds from consumers who used nuclear energy.

RUSSIA. Russia’s top secret nuclear sacrifice zone revealed.

INDIA. India turning away from fossil fuels, to replace coal with cheaper solar power by 2022

SPAIN. By 2100 Southern Spain headed to become a desert, with climate change

November 4, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and Climate News to October 28

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

NUCLEAR UN votes to start negotiating treaty to ban nuclear weapons Australia votes with major nuclear powers against the resolution – including US, Russia and Israel – but 123 nations vote in favour.

CLIMATE.  Carbon dioxide at record levels, UN warns. The hottest year on record? It will be 2016. Climate change and ocean deoxygenation on the way to suffocating the oceans. Climate change could spark the world’s next financial crisis.  Climate change brings skin diseases to new regions.  Half a Kilometer of Ice Gone in Just 7 Years — West Antarctica’s Smith Glacier Points To Nightmare Melt Scenario

Causal connection between nuclear radiation and Alzheimers’ Disease – European research.

A “nonsense” paper accepted for International Conference on Atomic and Nuclear Physics.

AFRICA. “We Have Nowhere to Go” — Sea Level Rise is Devouring the Coast of West Africa

USA

• Political journalism in America – dying, with the tawdry election “debate”
• The danger of war between USA and Russia now greater than in the cold war.
• USA and North Korea are talking, unofficially.
• Republicans’ foreign policy approach more moderate than that of Democrats.
• America DID use depleted uranium weapons in Syria.
• Transport of nuclear waste – as big a problem as storage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oANCQyWluOk
• USA’s Energy Secretary Moniz promoting nuclear industry for all he’s worth.  National and Texas groups unite against nuclear waste “interim” storage scheme.
• Investment firm Carlyle Group LP foresees end of nuclear power in USA, unless saved by tax-payers   Closure of Fort Calhoun nuclear station will save $millions. Wind and solar power set to take over as Fort Calhoun nuclear plant closes.
•  TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Workers Frightened of Raising Safety Concerns: US NRC Meets with TVA Officials on Nov. 3rd.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s anxiety: talk of pre-emptive strikes on North Korean missile and nuclear facilities.

FRANCE. Japanese Flawed steel Components at the Center of French Nuclear Crisis – Major Questions & Implications for Japanese Reactors Safety.

JAPAN. Massive underestimation of Cost to scrap Fukushima nuclear plant Japanese officials admit. Outside power temporarily cut to Okayama uranium processing facility after quake.

TAIWAN  to End Nuclear Power Generation in 2025

UK. Scottish power plant forced offline for a week by swarm of jellyfish.

October 29, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week to October 22 in nuclear and climate news

NUCLEAR weapons and the risk of nuclear conflict very much in the news. One view – that this risk has been overstated lately. Final presidential debate reveals sobering facts on how fast nuclear war could happen. UN again to study the effects of depleted uranium contamination. Hans Blix warns on nuclear power stations as terrorist bait.

CLIMATE. Scary possibilities of Trump style demagogues as the world faces the consequences of climate change.   Arctic Sea Ice Falls into Record Low Ranges — Again. East Africa’s water resources threatened as a result of climate change.

USA. 

• Climate Change barely mentioned in the US presidential debates. Hillary Clinton’s Climate Change and Renewable Energy policies.  Seas Are Now So High it Only Takes a King Tide to Flood the US East Coast. American governments’huge new clean energy purchase.
• Final presidential debate reveals sobering facts on how fast nuclear war could happen. Pick Your Poison?Presidential Politics and Planetary Prospects Fact checking Donald Trump – got his facts wrong on USA-Russia nuclear START Treaty.
•  USA wants meeting with Russia Over Missile Treaty Dispute.
• Financial disaster of America’s failed Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX).
• What happens if you stand up to the fossil fuel industry: the Amy Goodman saga.
• Energy utilities sue New York Public Service Commission’s (PSC) over subsidies to nuclear industry.
• America moves to silence Wikileaks.  Climate Change —

RUSSIA indicates readiness for World War 111- bomb shelters and gas masks The rise and political rise of Russia’ssecretive nuclear tsar Sergey Kirienko.

SOUTH AFRICA. Cabinet to DISCUSS ESKOM’S ROLE IN NUCLEAR DEAL.   How Eskom paid for Gupta mine.

JAPAN. Ruling Party LDP may lose next election if nuclear exit becomes main issue. Abe’s Nuclear Japan Goals FaceMore Ballot-Box Battles in 2017. New Niigata governor puts up additional hurdle for TEPCO.   Rainwater flood in Shika nuclear plant raises concerns at NRA.

AUSTRALIA. SOUTH AUSTRALIA had a massive rally.  Aboriginal landowners were joined by thousands in protest against nuclear waste dumping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBVm6FtZirc. Australia will, for the first time ever, vote “NO” in the UN, to  negotiating a new treaty that prohibits nuclear weapons.

GERMANY . Germany’s leading utilities to start contributing to nuclear waste storage fund.

UK.  blocks bank accounts of news media RT.    Britain’s old dead nuclear submarines – no way to dispose of them for decades.

FRANCE. Nuclear power plant maintenance stoppages cause France’s electricity prices to rise.

OCEANIA. When the law really IS an ass – International Court of Justice rejects Marshall Islands’ nuclear weapons case.

NORTH KOREA . U.S. and South Korea Say North Korean Missile Exploded Soon After Liftoff.    A little good sense –Japanese and North Korean students make friends.

October 22, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Roundup of this week’s nuclear and climate news

Climate change is still the Big One. But, the danger of nuclear war is also the Big One, and particularly so right now. Red Cross and Red Crescent (IRRC) statement to UN on nuclear disarmament. Religious groups unite to lobby at UN on nuclear weapons ban. Nobel Prize laureates call for an end to the insanity of nuclear weapons.

Removing CO2 From the Air  seen as Only Hope for Fixing Climate Change

People and planet endangered by the Trans Pacific Partnership.

The Health Impacts Of Climate Change Are Huge And Very Real. Lord Stern – Indigenous land rights fundamental to climate safety.

Solar costs rocketing DOWN world-wide.

If they didn’t have mental problems before, Mars travellers sure will afterwards!

USA.

• All too easy for an American President to start nuclear apocalypse. Trump ‘should not have his finger on the button’ – Former nuclear launch officers. Russian legislator urges Americans to vote Trump, or risk nuclear war.
• Nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan to join U.S.-South Korean joint naval drills.
• Third ceiling collapse at Nuclear Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
• Long term safety of spent nuclear fuel storage canisters is far from assured.
• Shipments of Nuclear Waste Through Hurricane Prone Atlantic to Charleston SC Almost Monthly?
• Thorium polluted site added to America’s National Priorities List. Climate Change is THE ISSUE for many young American voters.

RUSSIA. Putin orders overseas Russian officials to bring family members home. Russia moves nuclear-capable missiles to Kaliningrad , but says this is not significant. Russia’s ceremony to mark start of construction of floating nuclear power station.

NORTH KOREA on track to ramp up its nuclear weapons. Spiral of repeated failure in nuclear sanctions against North Korea.

JAPAN. Newborn baby deaths significantly increased in areas radioactively polluted by Fukushima nuclear disaster.   According to a wildlife journalist, even in Tokyo some animals suffer mutations. Active Volcanoes Endanger Japan’s Operating Nuclear Power Stations: Mount Aso Awakened Explosively; Sakurajima Already Awake.

CHINA. China going allout to market nuclear reactors to Asia, Europe, Africa and Middle East

UK. Britain’s uneconomic Hinkley nuclear project really connected with its nuclear weapons aims.

CANADA.  Canadian nuclear safety official in bed with nuclear industry?

SWITZERLAND. Switzerland bans new nuclear reactors.

SOUTH AFRICA. Tina Joemat-Pettersson says South African govt will not fund nuclear build. Something not quite right about South Africa’s plan for Eskom to finance nuclear build?

INDIA. India’s government seeking private investment for its costly Light Water Nuclear Reactors.

October 14, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To October 8th – the week in Climate and Nuclear news

Investigative journalism this week – yes, it still can happen. This time, it’s the Washington Post, revealing the scandalous origin of the rare earths that we use so prolifically in all our new gizmos – from mobile phones to wind turbines.Cobalt mining in the Congo. Graphite mining in China.

CLIMATE. Earth is locked into’ Temperatures Not Seen in 2 Million Years.  Climate change could become self perpetuating- danger in Indonesia’s peatlands, and fires. Much higher methane emissions from fossil fuels – previously were underestimated.  Climate change could bring megadroughts to California. Next month, Paris climate agreement will enter into force.

NUCLEAR. 

UN court rejects Marshall Islands nuclear arms lawsuit.

USA.

• Hurricane Matthew could endanger Florida’s nuclear reactors.
• Fermi 1 nuclear accident remembered in protest rally- ‘We almost lost Detroit’ 
• Coalition of New York groups call on State to scrap upstate nuclear subsidies.
• America’s nuclear industry at stalemate, because of its stranded wastes.  Federal compensation wanted by town of Rowe, for hosting stranded nuclear wastes.
• Neither Trump nor Clinton give a clear answer on pre-emptive nuclear strike policy.  USA Vice Presidential candidates in debate – avoid climate change and energy.  Donald Trump vacillates about nuclear waste dumping, and Yucca Mt plan.
• CLIMATE. In USA, Republicans are rejecting reality on climate change – Pew survey. US Dept of Energy spells out good news on wind and solar power’s phenomenal rise.

Diplomacy Is Over As Russia and The U.S. Face Off.

RUSSIA has suspended its nuclear and energy research agreement with the United States.

JAPAN. Nuclear cash cow Monju now a liability for residents as plant faces ax.   Japan’s nuclear regulator caves to industry interests yet again–Gives nearly 40 year old reactor a green light before the aging safety review even completed.

Fukushima. Japan Grapples with Cost of Scrapping Fukushima Plant. Tepco Threatens To Declare Bankruptcy; Dismantling Unit 1.  Tainted Water Grows at Fukushima N-Plant despite Ice Wall.

UK.  Building to Start on New Nuclear Submarines as UK Government Announces £1.3 billion Investment. Britain sited 2 nuclear power plants on eroding shingle beach.  So far, in 2016, solar energy is outstripping coal power in UK.

FRANCE. In northern France thousands protest against nuclear power. Tribulations of the nuclear industry, as serious safety flaws found in EDF’s nuclear reactors.

IRAN. U.N. atomic agency chief says Iran sticking to nuclear deal.

NIGER. Tuareg Activist Takes on AREVA: Uranium Mining in Niger.

October 7, 2016 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment