The week that was, in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
This month I’ve been focussing on “small scale renewable energy”. And what a pleasure this has been. So many good things going on. Peru is giving free solar panels tothe poorest 2 million poor households. In Fiji, a team of grandmothers, having received training in India, are now the solar power educators for communities. UK launches new solar feed-in tariff that will pay back homeowners as they use their solar energy. Many new developments in more efficient solar panels, and in solar and wind energy storage.
World Nuclear Status Report 2013 details the declining state of the industry
UK. Angst continues about how to pay for new nuclear power – with hidden subsidy to the French supplier, and bribes offered to Somerset towns and villages near planned nuclear plant . Sounds a bit like Japan’s “Nuclear Village” doesn’t it – in which local areas became dependent on government money, for hosting nuclear plants?
USA. They’ve got a nuclear enthusiast too, for Energy Secretary – Ernest Moniz – who’s just announced new funding for nuclear companies General Atomics, GE Hitachi, Gen4 Energy and Westinghouse . However, it’s not well known, but the Dept of Energy has decided on deep burial as the solution for nuclear wastes, not nuclear reprocessing and new nuclear plants.
Financial disaster of U.S.Uranium Enrichment Corporation (USEC) threatens viability of USA nuclear industry
Legal case continues, with US navy personnel suing TEPCO for their radiatio-related illnesses.
France. 30 anti nuclear activists arrested. They broke into France’s oh so secure Tricastin nuclear power plant.
Japan. the Abe government forges on, with drive to restart nuclear reactors. But this is not popular. And – Fukushima continues to leak radioactive water, and measure high levels of radioactivity.
The week in nuclear and energy news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
JAPAN 350 shareholders angry at TEPCO Annual General Meeting, demand nuclear shutdown. A big rise in radiation in seawater near Fukushima, raising the fear that Fukushima groundwater may be leaking into the ocean. First shipment of uranium/plutonium (MOX ) arrives near Takahama nuclear plant – adding to Japan’s already huge stock of toxic radioactive trash. Japan’s farming sector switching to rooftop solar power.
The week that was, in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
USA. Nuclear industry still reeling from closure of San Onofre nuclear power plant. Now the full shock of the “decommissioning” challenge is being felt. It will take at least 60 years to get rid of that radioactive corpse of San Onofre. Warren Buffett and MidAmerican cancel plans for nuclear power, and shift investment to wind energy. Nuke lobby produces an advertising film – Pandora’s Promise, which, I am happy to say, is getting pretty bad reviews.
UK govt struggling with costs for its new nuclear program: it will link its guaranteed fixed price for electricity to inflation, so that the French supplier EDf will be sure of a profit, but British consumers will face high costs. Meanwhile UK and Russia sign a deal that will enable Rosatom to sell nuclear technology to Britain. Wind power doing very well, with negligible need for backup, over 12 months.
Climate change: 48 USA city mayors pledge action to address climate change. China starts a carbon trading scheme.
Japan. Prime Minister Abe – still junketing around Europe marketing nuclear reactors, but 60% of Japanese oppose export of nuclear reactors. Prime Minister’s wife Akie opposes nuclear power, speaks up for renewable energy.
Uranium industry in serious doldrums. Rio Tinto’s Rossing uranium mine may have to close.
Snapshots of the latest nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
Iraq. A 2012 World Health Organization study on congenital birth defects in Iraq has still not been released to the public. Why not?
USA. California’s San Onofre nuclear power plant to stay closed permanently. The closure of this plant, near to 60 million people, is a landmark event for the (lack of?) future of the nuclear industry. It follows fast on 3 other USA nuclear plants shutting down. The reasons for these closures are economic. But in the case of San Onofre, it is largely the result of a sustained, well organised, and well supported citizen campaign. Huge radioactive waste problems remain at San Onofre. Decommissioning will take 50 years.Also a big challenge to supply electricity by other means – especially renewable energy.
Japan’s Prime minister is on a drive to export Japan’s nuclear technology, to Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey. Middle East – anybody really. Meanwhile his wife, Akie, has spoken out against nuclear power, and in favour of Japan exporting clean energy technology.
Fukushima. Grim news coming out about shortage of workers for the Fukushima cleanup. Experienced workers are reaching their radiation dose limit. Radiation cleanup workers prefer work elsewhere. If Japan goes ahead with nuclear power, and exporting nuclear technology, the Fukushima shortage will become even more critical. Cleanup will take 50 years at the very minimum.
India. Nuclear power plans for Kovvada and surrounding villages have stalled, due to huge opposition from local villagers.
The week that was, in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
Well there are a lot of big stories out there – Warren Buffett and MidAmerican scrapping nuclear plans and going for wind energy instead, – San Onofre nuclear plant (California) looking ever less likely to restart, – Japan’s PM Abe marketing and pushing for nuclear power, Fukushima radioactive groundwater leaking into the stricken reactors – China boosting renewable energy world-wide.
But the most interesting story is the press release coming out from The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). UNSCEAR is to produce a full report on Fukushima radiation, in October this year. UNSCEAR is subservient to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , whch vets all its publications. UNSCEAR made up largely of scientists from the nuclear industry. The Its chairman, Wolfgang Weiss is a boss on Euratom, a marketing body for nuclear power.
UNSCEAR’s press release is being publicised worldwide. It states a rather vague, but remarkably reassuring view that Fukushima radiation will not harm anybody. This view contrasts with the February 2013 World Health Organisation report, which found that for the Fukushima radaiatio affected community, a rise in breast cancer in girls, and in leukaemia in clean-up workers is to be expected – in later years.
Space travel. Apparently the same sort of ionising radiation is bad news in space, and NASA etc are a bit downcast as they predict this will give Mars astronauts a big cancer risk.
Julian Assange. Well, if you want any help from the Australian government – make sure that you do a drug crime, or manslaughter or something like that. Don’t expect any help if you just showed a video about US army atrocities in Afghanistan, or revealed cables in the public interest. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Bob Carr has made it pretty clear that the government is not interested in helping Julian Assange, (under investigation by USA for ‘treasonable’ offences)
The week in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
USA. Senator Boxer reveals deceptions by Southern California Edison regarding San Onofre nuclear power plant, and calls for a criminal investigation. The nuclear industry watches in trepidation. Closed down since January 2012, San Onofre could be the most significant ninepin to fall, and set the whole USA nuclear industry going down. Navajo Nation will prevent the transport of uranium in Arizona.
Wastes: More concerns expressed about nuclear waste storage at Hanford, at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, in Michigan which is close to Canada;’s proposed waste dump near Lake Huron.
And – for the first time that I’ve ever seen, four USA State Attorneys General are petitioning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Among other things they are suggesting, as an option for nuclear waste management –“ not allowing further production of spent fuel until there is a safe and environmentally acceptable permanent waste repository”
Japan‘s Prime Minister Abe, under huge pressure from corporations Hitachi, Toshiba Mitsubishi General Electric, Westinghouse Areva has decided to put economic priorities above safety, and go allout for nuclear power. Still the Nuclear Regulator is insisting on strict conditions regarding earthquake risks, before restarting reactors. Abbe is travelling about, marketing Japan’s nukes to Turkey and Middle Eastern countries.
Fukushima – critical state continues. Japanese officials raised the level of acceptable radiation doses for evacuees of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to avoid increasing costs for compensation, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on Saturday.
Russia is not having success in its effort to market its Baltic Nuclear Power Project to European countries. is unable to get investment for this. Russia’s particular nuclear reactor model VVER-1200 is regarded by many Europeans as unsafe.
Uranium. Niger is pretty much in a state of war. Suicide bombers killed 20 people at a uranium plant, and French Special Forces are there to protect AREVA”s uranium projects. Uranium markets remain gloomy – but all are pinning their hopes on China – even though China has significantly slowed down its nuclear power program.
Nuclear News this week
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
Iraq. A team of scientists based in Mosul, northern Iraq, have detected high levels of uranium contamination in soil samples at three sites in the province of Nineveh which, coupled with dramatically increasing rates of childhood cancers and birth defects at local hospitals.
Japan: Future of Japan’s nuclear industry is in the balance. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) appears determined to keep closed nuclear reactors on active earthquake faults. the NRA ordered the Monju fast breeder reactor to be kept closed. However, Prime Minister Abe’s government is set on renewing Japan’s nuclear industry. Also Meanwhile, Japan is becoming a very big market for solar energy.
Fukushima. Tepco almost certain to decide to empty the radioactive water into the sea – it is a continual stream, as the reactor cores have to be continually cooled with more water. Fishermen testing fish off Fukushima, for radiation. Radiation found in eels in Tokyo river. New legislation may make it possible for more victims of Fukushima radiation to claim compensation.
USA. One setback after another, in new nuclear power plans. The critical one is the San Onofre nuclear plant in California – on the cusp of permanent shut-down. Judge rules against new uranium mining in Grand Canyon area. Obama appoints Ernest Moniz, a keen pro nuclear advocate, as Energy Secretary. Good news – TVA replacing the radiation type airport scanners “backscanners”, with non ionising radiation type “millimetre wave” airport scanners.
UK. Govt continues to agonise over how to get away with subsidising nuclear power, having promised not to.
Nuclear News This Week
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
USA. A federal panel has ruled for a formal license amendment proceeding with full public participation, on the restart of troubled San Onofre Nuclear power Plant in California. It is on the cards that this plant will never restart. This is a pretty important turning point for the entire USA nuclear power industry. Meanwhile Indian Point nuclear plant (near New York) is to be allowed to operate a nuclear reactor that will not be licensed – first time ever allowed.
Japan. Tepco’s radioactive water crisis continues. They can just empty the accumulating waste-water into the sea. There is no international maritime law that prevents this. Japanese Fisheries Associations are strongly opposing it. Reprocessing plants. Japan’s government wants to restart these – at Monju and Rokkasho. Japan’s Nuclear Regulator has ordered against Monju starting up. But Rokkasho, after 20 years, and $20 billion costs, now looks like going ahead. This is causing anxiety among safety conscious Japanese, and in USA – as the plant will produce 8 tonnes of plutonium a year.
UK. Atomic test veterans. For the first time, a judge ruled this week that men ordered into the fallout zone were injured by radiation in the 1950s and 60s. the veterans will at last war pensions after a four-year fight with the Ministry of Defence.
France developing a multi $billion plan for underground radioactive waste storage in North Eastern France, but already there’s not enough money for it. Costs are supposed to be paid by nuclear companies, such as AREVA and EDF.
Uranium companies continue to post losses – Uranium One and Mega Uranium join Cameco in dismal earnings reports .
Sister Megan Rice, 83, was able to beat USA’s most secure nuclear weapons facility
It’s a sobering thought. If this elderly nun is so capable at getting inside USA’s Oakridge Nuclear Weapons Facility, what chance are they going to have to keep her in jail for 20 years?
The week that was, in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
Fukushima has to be the top story, no matter how earnestly the mainstream media ignores it. The critical problem remains the constant flow of groundwater into the reactors, and the storage of this radioactive water in many tanks, now holding the equivalent of 112 Olympic-size pools. Tepco is clearing the nearby forest for more tanks, and is deliberating about emptying the radioactive water into the Pacific. Reports are coming in that the ground under Reactor No 4 is sinking – posing the danger of it collapsing.
Other reports tell of the quite heroic work of people saving and caring for animals in the evacuated area. One particular horseman, Tokuei Hosokawa, just won’t leave his horses – many of them sick – he cares for them until they die.
A very sad report on the psychological aspects of Fukushima – discrimination and fear add to the very real anxiety about ionising radiation. Fukushima’s children may face the discrimination still experienced by the atomic bomb survivors – the hibakusha.
Japan’s govt now planning to redevelop the (previously failed) Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing facility, which can produce nine tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium annually, or enough to construct up to 2,000 bombs. This raises the question of Japan developing nuclear weapons in the future.
Japan’s “transition towns” – a more optimistic story. Towns like Fujino are becoming popular – where communities are switching to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
USA Sister Megan Rice, 83, and her 2 elderly companions found guilty of ”intent to injure national security” when they broke into Oak Ridge nuclear weapons facility, with their prayers and flowers. They might be sentenced to 30 years’ gaol.
UK. latest survey shows the increasing popularity of solar and wind energy.
Highlights of nuclear news this week
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
Japan: Fukushima is top of the news, unfortunately. Groundwater is flooding into the plant’s reactor buildings at the astonishing rate of 285 litres a minute. The highly radioactive water has to be stored in in tanks which cover 17 hectares of the plant’s grounds. Tepco is now clearing a nearby forest to make space for more tanks.
Japan is starting up the Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant, which has had a chequered career of huge costs and safety failures. It will produce 9 tons of plutonium each year, (enough for 2000 bombs), and they don’t know what to do with this radioactive trash. Prime Minister Abe is in Dubai, trying to sell Japan’s nuclear technology to United Arab Emirates. On May 2nd, the Monju reprocessing plant issued black smoke, and there was a fire alarm, but Japanese officials say it is OK.
Uranium: Cameco’s earnings went down 93% so far this year. Their shares were 33 cents last year. Now they’re 2 cents. Uranium price for immediate delivery has slumped 40 percent over the past 2 years.
USA continues to angst over its radioactive trash problem. Duke Energy pulls out of plan to build 2 new nuclear reactors. San Onofre nuclear plant might be shut down. Los Angeles City Council demands thorough safety investigations before any question of restarting it. Experts consider it dangerous, and there are doubts that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s special investigation team is impartial – the NRC is seen as too cosy with the nuclear industry.
Apologies about “nuclear news”and Renewables News
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
yes – I know that this site is supposed to be all about nuclear news. But what IS the nuclear news? And what IS happening in the energy world.
Well – my problem is that IT’s ALL HAPPENING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.
The nuclear lobby huffs and puffs, and tries to blow down the house of renewable energy.
But it’s all hot air. The reality of the nuclear industry is that it hobbles on, in its servitude to nuclear weapons, it pretends that it’s economic, which it clearly isn’t, and it touts for markets all over the world.
The real news about the nuclear industry is that it can’t solve the waste problem, that it can’t convince the world’s health authorities, as it lies its head off about ionising radiation. And its costs just keep skyrocketing. Nuclear news is all negative stuff, and I get sick of it.
Meanwhile there’s all sorts of positive things happening in renewable energy, small and large scale, in energy storage, and in constantly falling costs.
Of course, as the nuclear lobby huffs and puffs, it tries to fight, to destroy, the clean energy movement. It brings to mind Mahatma Ghandi’s sayng:
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”
The week in nuclear news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
North Korea. What a week – of bellicose threats against USA, South Korea and Japan, claims of intercontinental ballistic missiles. closing down of joint “two Koreas’ ‘” Gaeseong industrial complex, and all sorts of dire warnings! North Korea now. Even North Korea’s pal China got angry with them, as did Russia. However, President Obama states that N. Korea does not have a nuclear missile. USA had ramped up stealth jet flights over North Korea, and military drills in South Korea. North Korea now wanting talks, demanding end of sanctions and an end to South Korea-US joint military drills.
USA. Obama approves drastically more lax rules on what is “permissable” radiation in food and water.New peer-reviewed research published in the Open Journal of Pediatrics indicates that babies on West coast are developing hypothyroidism as a result of Fukushima radiation. Govt to dump over 400 containers of nuclear waste in Nevada. Legal action in Colorado to force uranium companies to clean up their radioactive messes.
UK. New nuclear build in doubt, as French company EDF not sure about going on with it, due to financial uncertainties. 47 people arrested at protest in Scotland against Trident nuclear weapons project
Fukushima nuclear reactors releasing 400 tons of radioactive water every day. Tepco may now empty this into the Pacific Ocean. Concerns in Japan over radioactive boars. Much debate over radiaoactive emissions. Nuclear lobby working hard to downplay any health risks.
Renewable Energy. Germany launches project to speed up storage of wind and solar energy. Saudi Arabia commits to spending $109 billion on renewable energy.
The week in nuclear/uranium news
Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs
North Korea dominates the news today, as it pronounces a state of war with South Korea, and its readiness to strike USA with nuclear weapons. Most expert observers believe that North Korea is in no position to carry out these threats. United States has moved anti-missile system to Guam and has moved Two advanced missile destroyers closer to North Korea. Tensions have risen in South Korea, and it’s an atmosphere of brinkmanship that could result in military action.
USA. Continued warnings about the dangerous state of Hanford nuclear waste tanks – explosion is areal possibility. Gallup poll shows that Americans prefer wind and solar power.
UK. Scotland ambivalent at being selected as base for dismantling nuclear submarines. UK govt still writhing around trying to make its subsidies for new nuclear look like well – not suibsidies.
Japan. More and more information leaking out about Fukushima and its radioactive water problem – still leaking into the Pacific. New concerns about ocean life affected by this radiation – from shellfish to sea lions.
VIDEOS – New York Symposium on Fukushima’s health and environmental effects. – well worth watching these 20 speakers, and the documents at http://www.totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=hcf#
Effects of Fukushima nuclear catastrophe- theme for March 2013
Dr Hisako Sakiyama presented the most informational and moving account of research into radiation at Fukushima, and of the prospects for the irradiated population.1 This Month
23 April – WEBINAR – Why new nuclear reactors are the wrong tools for decarbonization Thursday, April 23 • 1 AM – 2 AM AEST
World Nuclear Power. Reactors 1951-2026, 75 Years of Nuclear Power.
Interactive Map– https://dv.worldnuclearreport.org/
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
of the week–London Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Tell the Ukrainian Government to Drop Prosecution of Peace Activist Yurii Sheliazhenko
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity – go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com
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