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USA govt researchng dry nuclear waste storage

U.S. To Invest $15.8 Million For Nuclear Fuel Storage Research GovMonitor, Source: U.S. Department of Energy  17th April 2013 “……. the Energy Department has announced a new dry storage research and development project led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)… The project will design and demonstrate dry storage cask technology for high burn-up spent nuclear fuels that have been removed from commercial nuclear power plants…. http://www.thegovmonitor.com/economy/u-s-to-invest-15-8-million-for-nuclear-fuel-storage-research.html

April 18, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Navajo and uranium contamination – April 16

NavajoApril Meeting for Uranium Contamination of Navajo Nation http://eponline.com/articles/2013/04/12/april-meeting-for-uranium-contamination-of-navajo-nation.aspx The EPA, Navajo Nation, other federal agencies, and organization will be having a meeting on April 16-17 in order to address the uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation.

During the fifth annual workshop for the Navajo Nation’s uranium contamination, the attending agencies, organizations, and members will be discussing the cleanup progress of the area since its 5-year plan first kicked off. The meeting will also discuss the next five-year plan. The contaminated areas are in three states, which is about the size of West Virginia.

The EPA, Department of Energy, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are the federal agencies that will be attending the workshop. The event will kick off at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at the Gallup Inn in Gallup, NM.

For more information, please click here.

April 13, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Perhaps North Korea can send a “small” nuclear weapon by ballistic missile?

flag-N-KoreaPentagon Says Nuclear Missile Is in Grasp for North Korea NYT By THOM SHANKER, DAVID E. SANGER and ERIC SCHMITT  April 11, 2013 WASHINGTON — A new assessment of North Korea’s nuclear capability conducted by the Pentagon’s intelligence arm has concluded for the first time, with “moderate confidence,” that the country has learned how to make a nuclear weapon small enough to be delivered by a ballistic missile.

 The assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency, which has been distributed to senior administration officials and members of Congress, cautions that the weapon’s “reliability will be low,” apparently a reference to the North’s difficulty in developing accurate missiles or, perhaps, to the huge technical challenges of designing a warhead that can survive the rigors of flight and detonate on a specific target.

It is unclear whether other American intelligence agencies agree with the assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency, which has primary responsibility for monitoring the missile capabilities of adversary nations. In the case of Iraq, a decade ago, the agency was among those that argued most vociferously that Saddam Hussein had nuclear weapons…… http://cleantechnica.com/2013/04/11/asia-pacific-renewable-energy-market-to-hit-535-2-gw-by-2020-globaldata-report/#syHiBFsTlrz1xsM2.99

April 12, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Korean nuclear conflict would result in utter devastation

Putin warns Korean nuclear conflict could make Chernobyl ‘a fairy tale’ TV NZApril 09, 2013 Source: ReutersRussian President Vladimir Putin says any nuclear conflict on the Korean peninsula could make Chernobyl look like a fairy tale.
His remark came as North Korea suspended its sole remaining major project with the South, after weeks of threats against the United States and South Korea.

Putin said conflict on the peninsula could cause greater devastation than the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

“I would make no secret about it, we are worried about the escalation on the Korean peninsula, because we are neighbours,” he told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a visit to a trade fair in Germany.

“And if, God forbid, something happens, Chernobyl which we all know a lot about, may seem like a child’s fairy tale. Is there such a threat or not? I think there is… I would urge everyone to calm down… and start to resolve the problems that have piled up for many years there at the negotiating table.”

Reclusive North Korea’s decision to all but close the Kaesong industrial park coincided with speculation that it will carry out some sort of provocative action – another nuclear weapons test or missile launch – in what has become one of the most serious crises on the peninsula since the end of the Korean War in 1953….. http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/putin-warns-korean-nuclear-conflict-could-make-chernobyl-fairy-tale-5399414

April 9, 2013 Posted by | general | 1 Comment

South Korea: backdown on claims about North Korea’s nuclear test preparations

S. Korea official backpedals on North’s nuclear test preparation Pyongyang has underground tunnels for nuclear tests CBC News, 9 Apr 13 The Associated Press  A top South Korean official says he misspoke when he told legislators there is an “indication” that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test. But that doesn’t change what Seoul has been saying for months: that Pyongyang has already prepared a tunnel for a nuclear blast and can use it whenever it wants….. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/08/north-korea-fourth-nuclear-test-possible-south-korea.html

April 9, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Diplomatic talks with Iran will continue

Iran says nuclear talks with P5+1 group to go on  TEHRAN, April 7 (Xinhua) — The head of Iran’s Majlis ( parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said Sunday that the talks between Iran and world powers will continue, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Boroujerdi said that the talks with the P5+1 group, namely the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany, should encompass Iran’s considerations……

While Iranian officials stressed that any mechanism to settle Iran’s nuclear issue in the talks should take into consideration the recognition of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment activities, the revised proposal by the world powers asked Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and shut down its underground Fordow enrichment facilities in return for limited sanction relief…. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/07/c_132290704.htm

 

April 8, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Scotland wants to be free of UK’s nuclear missile fleet

Salmond open to non-nuclear Nato bases in Scotland Reuters/New York 8 Apr 13  Alex Salmond wants to see an independent Scotland free of submarines laden with nuclear missiles, but he says he is open to hosting Nato bases without weapons of mass destruction.

As leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which controls the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh, the Scottish first minister announced last month that on September 18, 2014, Scots would have a chance to decide whether or not to break from the United Kingdom after more than 300 years.

A Scotland free of British Trident nuclear submarines has been a long-standing aim of the SNP….. http://www.gulf-times.com/uk-europe/183/details/348256/salmond-open-to-non-nuclear-nato-bases-in-scotland

April 8, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Today in history

In 1966, the U.S. Navy recovered a hydrogen bomb that the U.S. Air Force had lost in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain following a B-52 crash.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter announced he was deferring development of the neutron bomb, a high-radiation weapon. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/today-history-18899295#.UWMieKJwpLu

April 8, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Fidel Castro calls on North Korea for moderation

Fidel Castro urges North Korea to avoid nuclear warfare LA Times By Emily Alpert April 5, 2013,   Former Cuban President Fidel Castro urged North Korea to steer clear of atomic warfare, saying Koreans faced “one of the most grave risks of nuclear war” since the Cuban missile crisis half a century ago.

North Korea has stepped up its belligerent talk, recently declaring it had entered a state of war with South Korea and threatening a nuclear attack on the United States. Analysts say North Korea is not yet capable of carrying out such a strike, but the escalating threats have grabbed global attention.

Castro said he delivered his message as a friend, recalling “the honor of knowing” former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, “a historic, strikingly valiant and revolutionary figure” and the late grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un…… http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-fidel-castro-north-korea-nuclear-war-20130405,0,2215182.story

April 6, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Distressed sea lions ? caused by Fukushima radiation

sea-lions-deadExperts look into sea lion die-off  By ERIKA I. RITCHIE / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5 April,  LAGUNA BEACH – A team of experts assembled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency is looking into radiation from Japan’s nuclear disaster as one of several possible causes of the ongoing sea lion stranding along Southern California beaches.

The federal agency announced the team’s formation during a media conference call Thursday. The team was assembled after the agency last week declared the massive stranding an “unusual mortality event.”

In three months 1,100 sea lions pups, born on rookeries in the Channel …subscription only

April 6, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

MOX nuclear plant – unaffordable?

Budget cuts for MOX plant feared, Augusta Chronicle By Rob Pavey, 4 April 13,  The consortium building the mixed oxide fuel plant at Savannah River Site is bracing for possible budget cuts that could stall a project already facing criticism for cost overruns and delays. “It’s reasonable to say there would be a big impact,” said Kelly Trice, the president of Shaw AREVA MOX Ser­vices. He said Thursday that it is possible the fiscal 2014 federal budget could include cuts for the program…..

April 5, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Calming information about North Korea’s nuclear weapons

US acts to calm fears over North Korea’s ‘alarming’ nuclear plan Country announces plans to restart facilities at Yongbyon complex as Pentagon denies report of warships off South’s coast  in Washington and  in Seoul The Guardian, Tuesday 2 April 2013

North Korea said it would re-activate all facilities at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex to ease its electricity shortage and strengthen its nuclear capability. The reactor was shut down in 2007 as part of international nuclear disarmament talks that have since stalled.

The move came a day after Pyongyang announced a “new strategic line” focusing on its nuclear programme and economy.

But the Obama administration, trying to reduce tension, stressed that it would take time between Tuesday’s announcement heralding resumption of North Korea’s nuclear programme and the North’s ability to restore its nuclear programme. Analysts estimated it would take about a year.

The North Korea move marked a further escalation in a confrontation in which tensions rise almost on a daily basis….. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/02/us-north-korea-nuclear-plan

April 3, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

No more leaks, lies, lawyers – Vermont anti nuclear protest

Hundreds march against Yankee nuclear plant
Rutland Herald, By Susan Smallheer Staff Writer | March 31,2013 Brattleboro More than 500 people marched along Main Street in Brattleboro on Saturday, carrying banners and pledging to end what they claimed was a year of illegal operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant by Entergy Nuclear.
The exuberant gathering, bolstered by Vermont’s famous Bread and Puppet Theater, chanted “shut it down, Vermont Yankee, shut it down, now” along the length of Main Street.
Several people from the street joined the parade, which occurred in the late afternoon on a sunny early-spring day.
“We’re here to mark one year of Entergy operating illegally,” said organizer Chad Simmons of the SAGE Alliance. “We’re not going to let them operate any longer.”…. Anti-nuclear groups have been stymied in the past year, as Entergy continued to operate, even without the state’s required certificate of public good. Hearings before the Public Service Board are currently pending. Continue reading →

April 3, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

North Korea ramps up its nuclear weapons ambitions

N Korea vows to raise nuclear arms Sky News, April 1, 2013 North Korea has vowed to strengthen its nuclear weapons, a day after announcing it is in a ‘state of war’ with South Korea, and says it will never trade its atomic deterrent for aid….. http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=85941

 

April 3, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Good Friday protest march to Livermore nuclear weapons labs

Activists begin 30-mile march to end nuclear war San Ramon Express 27 March 13 Annual Good Friday protest to be held at Livermore labs

by Jessica Lipsky About a dozen anti-nuclear weapons activists began a 30-mile march to Livermore Wednesday morning against nuclear weapons and war. A group of protestors left the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center with banners and signs on March 27 and walked 12 miles to Peace Lutheran Church in Danville. The group wants to bring attention to the upgrading of nuclear weapons and encourage conversion of the labs to a more peaceful use.

“We are very much against nuclear weaponry and the upgrading of it, it’s a waste of taxpayer money and we believe we should stop using them,” said the center’s Margli Auclair. “They should use that money for more pressing scientific needs, climate change, solar energy, renewable things that would solve problems rather than contribute.”
Marchers will spend the night at Peace Lutheran and walk 17 miles to the Quality Inn in Livermore using city streets to increase awareness. The group will walk to the entrance of the Livermore Nuclear Weapons Lab at 6:45 a.m. on the morning of Good Friday for an annual mass and rally. …
The event is sponsored bythe Ecumenical Peace Institute, and will consist of a procession to the lab gates, stations of the cross and nonviolent acts of witness. Hanson expects between 75 and 100 attendees at this year’s event. About 25 to 30 will get arrested, he estimated. http://www.sanramonexpress.com/news/show_story.php?id=7187

March 29, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

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