AUDIO: Mary Olson talks about increased risks to women from ionising radiation
AUDIO: NUCLEAR HOTSEAT #191: NIRS’ MARY OLSON ON “ATOMIC EGGS,” INCREASED FEMALE VULNERABILITY TO RADIATION http://www.nuclearhotseat.com/2426/ FEBRUARY 17, 2015
INTERVIEW:
Mary Olson, Director of the Southeast Office for Nuclear Information and Resource Service, or NIRS, on the greater danger faced by women and girls to exposure to nuclear radiation, including trans-generational DNA damage and a phenomenon she labels“Atomic Eggs.”
Unexplained rising water caused Nine Mile Point 2 nuclear plant’s shutdown
Nine Mile Point 2 nuclear plant shuts down for unexplained rising water By Tim Knauss | tknauss@syracuse.com SCRIBA, N.Y. — Operators at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station removed Unit 2 from service at 2:07 p.m. today, after water levels in the unit’s reactor unexpectedly increased.
Water levels have since returned to normal, but the unit remains offline, according to officials at plant owner Exelon Corp.
Company technical experts are working to determine the cause of the water level increase. ……http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/02/nine_mile_point_2_nuclear_plant_shuts_down_for_unexplained_water.html
Nuclear reactor disconnected in Brazil
UN envoy Michael Bloomberg calls for renewable energy in India
Invest in cities, renewable energy, UN envoy Michael Bloomberg tells conference in India UN News Centre, 17 February 2015 – Welcoming India’s efforts to confront climate change, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Michael Bloomberg, said today that the country was incredibly well placed to capitalise on the benefits of renewable energy.
Noting the Government’s plan to install about 100 gigawatts of solar power across the country by 2022, Mr. Bloomberg pointed to the major development benefits that the country could achieve, given the large amount of solar radiation it gets and the reduced level of infrastructure needed to pump solar energy into people’s homes.
“Imagine the signal it would send to the world if India were able to achieve its goal of bringing electricity to every household that lacks it, largely using clean solar power – at a fraction of the cost of the conventional grid.,” said the Special Envoy during his keynote address to the ‘RE-Invest’ conference, aimed at scaling-up financing for renewable energy. “It would be a success story told – and copied – around the world.”
Mr. Bloomberg joined leading renewables and investment professionals from India and across the world at the RE-Invest conference, as part of a two-day visit to the country in which he advocated for increased renewables, smarter cities, sustainable transport and urban climate adaptation……..
With countries coming to Paris this December to reach a new climate change agreement, Mr. Bloomberg said that no country will commit to goals they don’t think they can reach, or that come at too great a cost to economic growth. However, countries are continuing to move forward because they realise the benefits of action – for their economies and the health of their citizens.
“India’s leadership is helping to show other countries how much is possible – by showing that clean-energy, climate-resilient growth is the path to a brighter future,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “We’re all in this together, and we have a great deal to learn from one another.” http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50109#.VOQCCOaUcnk
South African residents turning to off-grid renewable energy
Power Outages Renew Interest in Renewable Energy VOA News 17 Feb 15 South Africa’s state power company, Eskom, isstruggling to meet demand for electricity in the country. The company has putin place an aggressive plan for limiting the amount of electricity it supplies to prevent a collapse of the electrical system.
However, the unpredictability of the system is causing some South Africansto become self-sufficient. These people have begun producing energy in their own homes. Many are choosing renewable forms of energy…….
Some South Africans are considering other power sources to reduce their dependence on the electrical grid……..
Some people say that taking oneself off the grid is only for people who canpay for it. Greg Ball spent over $30,000 placing solar technology equipmenton his home. He says the technology has paid for itself. He says he savesabout $7,500 in fuel every year.
Starting costs are high. Yet, several solar companies in Johannesburg toldVOA that recent power outages have helped create a notable increase ininterest.
Ryan Beech is part of a Go Green Project for Parkhurst, a wealthy area inJohannesburg. The project aims to take 2,000 houses off the electrical gridand have them using renewable energy by 2020.
He says, “We are currently looking at all the technology out there from hydroto solar, (and) wind.”…..
…Eskom’s financial problems could mean higher fees for customers in thefuture. That could cause more people will turn to renewable energy.http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/south-africa-power-outages-bring-new-interest-in-renewable-energy/2643488.html
Strong investor appeal for renewable energy in India
Renewable energy sector likely to attract sea of opportunities; Adani Power, Tata Power top bets Economic Times, By DK Aggarwal , 17 Feb 15
Renewable energy in India is fast gaining its acceptability and the sector is expected to attract huge investment going forward. Currently, the sector contributes approximately 6.5% of the electricity consumed in the country and the same is likely to go up to 12 per cent in the next few years.
This will have positive impact on the overall economic growth by reducing the growing power deficit which the country is witnessing since the past many years. As per the data by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the power deficit of the country made its peak during the first six month of the current fiscal at 4.7 per cent compared to 4.2 per cent in the same period last year.
Radiation exposure to worker at UK North Sea gas platform
Worker exposed to radiation on Lomond platform in North Sea BBC News 17 Feb 15 A worker on a North Sea gas platform was exposed to radiation at the weekend, it has emerged.
An investigation has been launched following the incident which happened on Sunday on the Lomond installation, 145 miles east of Aberdeen.
Operators BG Group said tests were being carried out on pipework using radioactive rays.
The worker was employed by offshore engineering firm Sparrows. Lomond was not producing gas at the time.
The platform is undergoing an upgrade, overseen by Stork.
A BG spokesman said: “We will be working with Stork and Sparrows to understand why the individual was located where he was and what process improvements are required in future…http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-31504158
Doubts on future of S Korea’s Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor
Fate of Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor up in the air , Jorea Times,
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The fire in Rossing uranium mine
Inferno engulfs Rössing uranium mine February 13th, 2015 | by New Era Staff Reporter By Eveline de KlerkWALVIS BAY – Rio Tinto Rössing uranium mine was dealt a heavy blow yesterday at around lunchtime when a massive fire broke out at the mine.
The fire started at the final product recovery (FPR) plant of the mine, where uranium oxide is packed for export.
Although the fire was contained about two hours later, fears of a possible radiation leak and or radiation exposure was a huge concern among some employees, especially those directly employed at FPR.
Some employees of the mine yesterday said they were worried about radiation leakage although the mine’s emergency service responded quickly and evacuated all workers to designated assembly points on time.
“The fire happened very quickly and spread rapidly within the recovery plant and our guys had to call the fire brigades from Swakopmund and Arandis to assist. Our only worry now is the possibility of a radiation leakage as this is the final plant where we pack uranium,” one miner said.
When asked about the cause of the fire and the possibility of a radiation leakage, the public relations officer of the mine, Botha Ellis, said the mine’s management was assessing and monitoring the situation……..http://www.newera.com.na/2015/02/13/inferno-engulfs-rossing-uranium/
Radiation leakage fear from fire in Rossing uranium mine
Workers evacuated in Namibian mine fire with fear of radiation leakage gbooza.com 13 Feb 15 The fire-hit Rossing Uranium is located near the town of Arandis, some 65 kilometers from the coastal city of Swakopmund. Its main shareholders are British-Australian mining cooperation Rio Tinto Group (69 percent), the Iranian government (15 percent) and the Namibian government (three percent).
The mine’s emergency service evacuated all workers to safe areas after the fire broke out at the final product recovery plant of the mine, where uranium oxide is packed for export, according to a statement issued Thursday afternoon by the mine.
There were no injuries to the employees. Mining operations in the areas were not affected by the incident and continue as normal, the statement said.
“The fire happened in a sudden and spread quickly within the plant. We had to call the fire brigades from Swakopmund and Arandis to assist us,” said a worker who declined to name himself.
The fire was contained two hours later, however some workers feared a possible radiation leakage.
“Our only worry now is the possibility of a radiation leakage as this is the final plant where we pack uranium,” the worker said.
The mine’s spokesperson Botha Ellis said the mine is assessing and monitoring the situation.
“We are aware of such a possibility, but it is too early to comment on it as we are currently busy with the assessment and investigation to find out the cause of the fire,” Ellis said.
Discovered in 1928, the Rossing Uranium Mine is one of the largest and longest-running uranium mines in the world and in 2013 produced 3.4 percent of global output of uranium. http://www.gbooza.com/page.html#ixzz456 http://www.gbooza.com/group/insideafrica/forum/topics/workers-evacuated-in-namibian-mine-fire-with-fear-of-radiation-le?xg_source=activity#ixzz3Rf8wPplu
Elliott Capital Advisors put $152 million into UK’s solar industry
One of the world’s largest activist hedge funds has made a $152 million bet on Britain’s solar power industry Business Insider, THE TELEGRAPH FEB 9 2015, by Marion Dakers Financial services editor from The Daily Telegraph One of the world’s largest activist hedge funds has made a bet worth nearly £100m on Britain’s solar power industry, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose.
Elliott Capital Advisors, the UK arm of the American hedge fund, has put money into half a dozen unnamed projects capable of generating about 85 megawatts — making it one of the largest privately-held solar power operators in the country.
Elliott has hedged its bets by taking out short positions in five other renewable energy funds listed on the London stock market. It made its biggest bet against a firm last week, spending an estimated £9m to short 2.21pc of The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG).
The hedges amount to a £17m position against the publicly-traded renewable firms. Elliott is thought to have spent up to four times as much so far in building its own solar projects……..http://www.businessinsider.com.au/one-of-the-worlds-largest-activist-hedge-funds-has-made-a-152-million-bet-on-britains-solar-power-industry-2015-2
India nuclear deal protects USA nuclear companies from legal action after accidents
Suppliers Can’t Be Sued For Accidents, Operators Can: Details of Nuclear Deal With US NDTV NEW DELHI, 8 Feb 15 : The Indian government has released details of its nuclear agreement, which was sealed in meetings between India and the US, during US President Barack Obama’s recent visit to India.
Here are some of the points, which have been made public by the Ministry of External Affairs:
- On the controversial issue of tracking of supplied nuclear fissile material by the US, India has refused, saying it will only go by IAEA safeguards.
- In case of a nuclear accident, the victims cannot sue the suppliers for damage. It is only the operators of a plant who can be taken to court…….
Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks out for green energy and action on climate change
Schwarzenegger calls for climate action, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/schwarzenegger-calls-for-climate-action/story-fni0xqll-1227212488918?nk=12eb6391f5cbbe65f220fb12fca19ba4for AAP FEBRUARY 09, 2015 FORMER California governor and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger is calling for more to be done to combat climate change, saying it is “the issue of our time”.
SPEAKING on Sunday to a small group at the Munich security conference, where he introduced a new policy paper The Future of Energy, Schwarzenegger said his experience in California was that the adoption of green energy creates jobs and leads to energy independence.
He applauded formal efforts to come to new agreements to reduce carbon emissions and fight global warming, but says there is no need for governments to wait for summits. He says “we should be fighting climate change right now”.Schwarzenegger says the issue shouldn’t be politicised and people should work together on solutions. He says “we all breathe the same air”.
Book: RIGHT OF BOOM The Aftermath of Nuclear Terrorism
When nuclear terrorists strike Business Standard Max Boot February 8, 2015
Benjamin E Schwartz
The Overlook Press
Nuclear terrorism has long been a staple of movies and television shows. But typically, Hollywood productions end with the bomb being defused. What would happen if heroes didn’t save the day and the United States experienced the worst 24 hours in its history?
That is the important question Benjamin E Schwartz, a career government official who has worked at the Departments of State, Defense and Energy, sets out to answer in his clunkily titled first book, Right of Boom. (“Right of boom” is government-speak for “after an explosion”.) His analysis begins with a fictional narrative that unfolds in a flat, matter-of-fact tone: “On an otherwise calm and uneventful morning, a small nuclear weapon explodes in downtown Washington, D.C. … The casualty count rises to over a hundred thousand, and the destruction is measured in hundreds of billions of dollars.”…….
Nuclear weapons have not kept safe the world’s nuclear states – President Rouhani
Iran’s president accuses nuclear powers of hypocrisy, Guardian 5 Feb 15, Hassan Rouhani says Iran doesn’t need bomb and that weapons have not kept world’s nuclear states safe Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani has berated the world’s nuclear powers, saying atomic weapons have not kept them safe and reiterating that his country is not seeking the bomb.Rouhani, in an unusually fiery speech, avoided explicit mention of ongoing nuclear talks between the west and Iran, but accused atomic-armed states of hypocrisy.
“They tell us: ‘We don’t want Iran to make atomic bombs’, you who have made atomic bombs,” Rouhani said in Isfahan on Wednesday, a city 400km (250 miles) south of the capital, Tehran.
He then took aim at Israel, which has never acknowledged that it has nuclear weapons, dubbing the state a “criminal”.
“Have you managed to bring about security for yourselves with atomic bombs? Have you managed to create security for the usurper Israel?” Rouhani said.
“We don’t need an atomic bomb. We have a great, self-sacrificing and unified nation,” he said, referring to Monday’s launch of an observation satellite into space by Iran……….http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/iran-doesnt-need-an-atomic-bomb-rouhani-nuclear-weapons
1 This Month
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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