nuclear-news

The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

Germany ready to help Japan go non-nuclear The Local, 15 Sep 12 Germany stands ready to help Japan with the “demanding” goal of phasing out nuclear energy by drawing on its own nuclear exit progress, a government spokesman said on Friday.Steffen Seibert said it was a “big political and social task” to phase out nuclear energy but was worthwhile – and reaped new technological and industrial benefits.

In the immediate wake of the 2011 disaster at Japan’s Fukushima
nuclear plant, Germany decided to shutter its nuclear reactors by 2022
and ramp up the use of renewable power sources.

Japan announced its plan to phase out nuclear power by 2040 on Friday,
apparently bowing to public pressure after last year’s disaster, the
worst atomic accident in a generation.

“You can imagine that Germany, which has now had some experience of
the path towards the future of renewable energy, willingly stands with
all Japanese institutions with help in both word and action,” Seibert
told reporters, before underlining that Tokyo had only just made its
decision.

“The Japanese know what we too know – that they have posed themselves
a very big political and social task,” he said.

“It’s worth it for the nation that goes down this path. It creates new
technological possibilities, it creates new industry export potential,
but it is definitely a very demanding task, as we can say from
experience, he added.

Seibert also said he could see broad scope for Germany and Japan
swapping advice and expertise….
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120915-44981.html

September 19, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Australian Greens urge Prime Minister Gillard to raise human rights issue in India

Senator Scott Ludlam. 16 September 2012. The Australian Greens have urged the Prime Minister to use her impending visit to India to speak out on the ongoing repression of Indian communities opposed to nuclear power.

Massive protests against new reactors in India are adding to the global pressure on the slumping nuclear power industry.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said the democratic right to protest was being steamrolled by the Indian police.

“In Koodankulum nuclear reactors are being forced on local residents at gunpoint, and uranium fuel loading is imminent despite 10 safety guidelines having not been met.  Brutal repression has been carried out by the police against tens of thousands of peaceful protestors at the reactor.  Two people have been shot dead by police, most recently Anthony Samy just five days ago.  There have been at least five deaths in the struggles against Koodankulam, Jaitapur (Maharashtra) and Gorakhpur (Haryana) nuclear power plants since 2010.

“In 2011 one of India’s pioneer nuclear scientists and formerly a member of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, Dr MP Parameswaran, said India should suspend its entire nuclear program because of safety risks and the unresolved problem of nuclear waste.

“Earlier this year India was ranked 28th out of 32 countries in terms of the security of their nuclear stockpiles.  Making matters worse, the new Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority (NSRA) has fewer powers and less independence than the previous Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.  The NSRA is a puppet body: answerable to a handful of government ministers who can issue orders to the body, and sack its members.”

Senator Ludlam will move a motion for the Senate to call on the Prime Minister to make nuclear safety, nuclear proliferation, and the human right to peaceful protest major issues in her October visit to India.

September 17, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

The nuclear industry has had a Bad Week

The Worst Week for the World’s Nuclear Industry  Dianuke.org, 16 Sept 12 Anamika Badal JAPAN, BELGIUM, SPAIN, FRANCE, USA, CANADA, INDIA, GERMANY, ITALY, SWITZERLAND By all signs, it appears that the whole of planet Earth has at once decided to shun nuclear energy. The popular sentiment was definitely negative towards the use of nuclear power, and now it seems that governments have had to bow to people’s wishes.

Within one week, the industry has been dealt such a severe body blow that it will have to struggle hard to even survive. Let us take a look at the week’s news:…….
If one adds the fierce opposition to the start of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant in southern India, the future of the nuclear energy industry itself is at stake.

Long accustomed to shoving its way out of trouble by using a mix of mis-information, powerful lobbying, and other dubious means, the industry is now faced with a popular dissent from the citizens of the countries it operates in.

This will be difficult, if not impossible, to conquer. After all, Governments depend on their voters to get them elected to power and going against such a vociferous and strident people’s movement would mean certain electoral losses. No government in its right mind would want to take such a suicidal step. http://www.dianuke.org/the-worst-week-for-the-worlds-nuclear-industry/

September 17, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Emergency preparedness on nuclear power – don’t be lulled by pro nuke propaganda

Emergency Preparedness–Nuclear 911 Campaign    http://www.nirs.org/reactorwatch/emergency/emergencyhome.htm   includes excellent VIDEO 
 September 13, 2012.Statement of Michael Mariotte, NIRS Executive Director, at NRC scoping meeting on emergency planning on need to expand EPZs, not be fooled by computer accident simulations, and public’s expectations of protection from radiation exposure.Statement of Dominique French, NIRS Campaigner, at same NRC meeting, on lessons from Fukushima & Chernobyl…….

September 15, 2012 Posted by | general, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

Strong push for American Clean Energy Agenda – join us!

End Dirty Energy! Support the American Clean Energy Agenda September, 2012

Nearly 100 organizations, including NIRS, representing more than 1 million Americans, have joined together to fight for a new American Clean Energy Agenda and create a renewable energy reality by 2030. We ask you to join us and add your voice.

Make no mistake, the American people are with us. An April 25, 2012 poll commissioned by Civil Society Institute found that more than eight out of 10 Americans (83%)–including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 95% of Democrats–agree with the following statement: “The time is now for a new, grassroots-driven politics to realize a renewable energy future.”

The dirty energy lobbyists–those representing the nuclear, coal, oil, fracking and unsustainable biomass industries–count on dividing us and marginalizing us.

No more. We are united. No matter who wins the elections, no matter what the new Congress looks like, we will not sit back. We will not accept the status quo. We are going on the offensive. This petition will be presented to the new Congress early in 2013. Please sign, please share with your friends and colleagues, please organize, educate and mobilize.

Note: if your organization supports these principles and can join in this new effort, please send your name, title, organization name, address, phone and e-mail to nirsnet@nirs.org. You will be contacted with more info.

The full text of the American Clean Energy Agenda principles can be found here……http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5502/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11127

September 15, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Spain’s Garona nuclear plant to close

Another people power victory this week!
Garoña nuclear power plant in Spain has been confirmed to begin closing! Congratulations to Greenpeace España and all of YOU for your years of hard work and determination. Truly an amazing job!

September 15, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Nuclear Exposed Cars To Be Banned From Entering Uganda   http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/business/nuclear-exposed-cars-to-be-banned-from-entering-uganda/27254.aspx   Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde wants all cars affected by the nuclear explosion in Japan banned from entering the country.

The explosion was caused by a Tsunami that hit the country earlier leading to the explosion of the Fukishima nuclear power plant affecting residents and automobiles.

Many of the affected cars have been recalled from the market but they continue to be imported into Uganda.

Kyambadde says that the cars were affected by the high radiation that is dangerous to human life.

She warns of more health complications if these cars continued to flood the Ugandan market.

She also wants the pre-export Verification mechanism reinstated to check the quality of imported goods including cars.

The mechanism was stopped on request from the private sector on grounds that it was too costly.

September 14, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Solving California’s Nuclear Dilemma HUFFINGTON POST Craig Lewis and Bill Ritter Jr,  09/13/2012 More than seven million Californians live within 50 miles of the San Onofre nuclear plant, which was abruptly shut down after safety inspectors discovered radioactive steam leaking at the facility in late January. The unexpected closure of San Onofre raises legitimate concerns about the safe operation of nuclear plants. To further complicate matters, both of California’s aging nuclear plants — San Onofre and Diablo Canyon — are located near active fault lines, greatly jeopardizing the safety of millions of Californians in the event of an earthquake comparable to the one that caused multiple meltdowns at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
There is, however, one upside of San Onofre’s indefinite closure. Now, state policymakers have a pivotal opportunity to significantly expand the use of distributed renewable energy resources to offset San Onofre’s lost generation capacity. A shift to distributed solar, wind and biomass energy generation would prove cost-effective for California ratepayers and enhance grid reliability should future outages at nuclear plants take place.

In fact, reliance on San Onofre nuclear plant has proven exorbitantly costly for Californians. Southern California Edison (SCE), the majority owner of the plant, charges ratepayers about $54 million per month for San Onofre, even now, as the plant provides no services whatsoever. Furthermore, ratepayers funded a $671 million replacement of the plant’s ailing steam generators just two years ago — the very same generators that are now leaking, forcing the plant to shut down….. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-lewis/solving-californias-nucle_b_1881859.html

September 14, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Arundhati Roy expresses solidarity with villagers of Idinthakarai

KKNPP protest will be taken up at national level: Kejriwal THE HINDU 12 Sept 12  “……. Writer Arundhati Roy on Wednesday expressed solidarity with villagers of Idinthakarai who are resisting the loading of fuel in the nuclear reactor at Kudankulam.

In a statement, she said when the government had shown itself incapable of even disposal of garbage, could not be expected to know how to deal with nuclear waste. Questioning whether nuclear reactors in the country were safe, she said no amount of compensation could ever right a nuclear disaster.

“I do believe what is being done in Kudankulam in the name of development is a crime.” http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3888410.ece

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

UK petition to support Chernobyl children’s recuperative holidays

STOP THE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITHDRAWING GRATIS VISAS FOR CHERNOBYL CHILDREN COMING TO UK FOR RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS FROM BELARUS & UKRAINE http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/37945
Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The future of vital recuperative holidays for children living with the after effects of the Chernobyl disaster is threatened because the FCO has announced that gratis visas for Chernobyl Children will end in March 2013.

The UK will be only government in the EU to start charging. All others grant gratis visas as they acknowledge the important work done helping children living with the after effects of radiation by boosting their immune systems & improving their health.
This would add £86 per child to the cost of bringing them to the UK, placing a heavy burden on charities already struggling to raise funds. Consequently this will result in either less children coming to the UK for recuperative breaks or the closure of smaller charities.
Many MPs support us, having met these children in their constituencies. Government departments also support our work as does the PM. Now they must prove it by withdrawing plans to charge for these vital visas.
Victor Mizzi MBE & Linda Walker MBE

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | 1 Comment

High time to abort Progress Energy’s Florida new nuclear power plant

Put a stop to planned nuclear plant, Tampa Bay Times editorial , September 12, 2012 “…..There is no rational argument to force Progress Energy customers to keep paying in advance for a nuclear plant that is too expensive and too far down the road.

The cost has soared to $24 billion, the plant would not generate power until 2024 and the energy landscape is quickly changing. Yet the PSC has rolled over, the Legislature refuses to repeal a 2006 law that lets Progress bill customers in advance, and Gov. Rick Scott is
silent. Who is going to stand up for consumers?……

No unregulated private company would risk its own capital to pursue a project that was estimated to cost up to $6 billion when proposed and now will cost more than four times as much. Continue reading →

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Corporate disinformation on nuclear power

The World Health Organisation and nuclear power, Le Monde Diplomatique
Chernobyl: the great cover-up“……Stronger than the tobacco lobby For decades the tobacco, agrochemical and petrochemical lobbies have obstructed implementation of public
health and environmental measures that might interfere with their profits.

But the nuclear lobby is incomparably more powerful than any of these as it comprises governments of nuclear states, most significantly, the United States, the United Kingdom and France, and powerful intergovernmental organisations. The disinformation emanating
from industrial and military lobbies is overwhelming – and dangerously, it carries state authority. Continue reading →

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Sister Megan Rice could face 16 years in gaol

DC hearing focuses on nuclear weapons plant breach  : http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/DC-hearing-focuses-on-nuclear-weapons-plant-breach-3860050.php#ixzz26OOxIhdu   ERIK SCHELZIG, Associated Press , September 12, 2012 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An 82-year-old Roman Catholic nun accused of breaching security at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Tennessee with two fellow peace activists elicited both praise and criticism Wednesday at a congressional hearing on the intrusion.

Sister Megan Rice and her co-defendants face federal charges that could carry a maximum prison sentence of 16 years in prison if convicted. Authorities said the activists cut through security fences July 28 surrounding the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility at Y-12 and defaced the building with blood and spray paint.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, asked Rice to stand in the audience at Wednesday’s hearing of the House Energy and Commerce oversight and investigations subcommittee in Washington.

“While I don’t totally agree with your platform that you were espousing, I do thank you for bringing out the inadequacies in our security system,” Barton said.http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/DC-hearing-focuses-on-nuclear-weapons-plant-breach-3860050.php#ixzz26OOpOmJD

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

San Onofre nuclear plant to be offline for months, Market Watch,  By Ryan Tracy, Sept. 12, 2012,   WASHINGTON–-The chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Wednesday that the shut-down San Onofre nuclear station in California will remain offline for months while the agency reviews Southern California Edison’s assessment of the plant’s problems…. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-to-be-offline-for-months-2012-09-12

September 13, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Koodankulam anti nuclear protest – in photos

20,000 Villagers Occupy Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september102012/india-koodankular-jjs.php
 PHOTOS Joseph John Sunder Special to Salem-News.com Includes timeline of events unfolding in India.
Special thanks to countercurrents.org (CHENNAI Countercurrents) – More than 20,000 villagers have put the Koodankulam nuclear power plant under siege to protest fuel loading in preparation for the commissioning of the plant. More than 4000 police personnel, including Rapid Action Force (RAF), are deployed around the plant. People are camping in front of the nuclear plant and refuse to go back to their homes.

Here are the days events as it happened -…..

September 12, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

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