nuclear-news

Majority of Americans want renewable energy: petition launched

Today, EcoWatch.org is launching a petition that outlines a renewable energy policy that we believe everyone in the grassroots movement and fellow Americans can support. We are asking you to sign the petition directed to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources andHouse Energy & Commerce Committee. This petition can help serve as a basis for bipartisan legislation that members of Congress can introduce in their committees and ultimately on the House and Senate floor.

Congress: Expedite Renewable Energy HUFFINGTON POST, Stefanie Penn Spear, : 07/19/2012  In 2009 it seemed as though Congress was finally going to pass legislation that would transition our country to a renewable energy future. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey Bill, would have created a cap and trade system on greenhouse gases, required electric utilities through a renewable electricity standard (RES) to meet 20 percent of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020, subsidized renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, and financed modernization of the electrical grid, among many other provisions.

The bill was approved by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009, by a vote of 219-212, but died in the Senate. Continue reading →

July 21, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Radioactive risks of ‘rust belt’ nuclear reactors

Resisting “Rust Belt” reactors’ radioactive risks! Beyond Nuclear 19 julyThe Great Lakes, which “host” 33 atomic reactors along its shores in the U.S. and Canada, is the drinking water supply for 40 million North AmericansAs if the closing steel mills and automobile manufacturing plants weren’t bad enough, some of the oldest, most risky atomic reactors in the U.S. are located in the Midwest. Worse still, they are on the shores of the Great Lakes, putting at risk the drinking water supply for 40 million people downstream in the U.S., Canada, and a large number of Native American First Nations. Altogether, 33 atomic reactors are located on the shorelines of the Great Lakes.

July 21, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

No sign of restart to Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant, shut since April 2011

Nebraska nuclear plant not restarting soon Bloomberg, By Josh Funk   July 18, 2012  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Utility workers continue inspecting the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant, but it’s not clear whether the plant will be ready to restart in September as Omaha Public Power District officials hoped.

The nuclear plant about 20 miles north of Omaha is being scrutinized closely by regulators because it has been offline since April 2011 and several safety violations have been found…..
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-07-18/nebraska-nuclear-plant-not-restarting-soon

July 19, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

USA’s heatwave contributes to nuclear power plant shutdowns

Limerick among four nuclear power reactors shut down Wednesday Leigh Valley Morning Call, 18 July Several nuclear plants on the U.S. East Coast, including Exelon’s Limerick nuclear plant, were shut down early Wednesday and New York’s Consolidated Edison power company reduced the voltage in parts of Manhattan as the obsessive heat wave stressed the region’s power system…..

Temperatures in New York City — the biggest metropolitan region in the United States — hit 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) on Monday, 96 F on Tuesday, and were expected to reach 96 F again on Wednesday before thunderstorms Wednesday night were likely to drive temperatures back to near-normal levels in the 80s F on Thursday, according to AccuWeather.com. Continue reading →

July 19, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Exposure to ionising radiation – a national disaster says Japanese politician

Local Japanese Official: “This is the worst nation in history”
http://enenews.com/local-official-this-is-the-worst-nation-in-history-its-equal-to-the-war-when-i-think-of-medical-cost-and-sharing-of-social-burdens-from-radiation-exposure
   — It’s equal to the war, when I think of medical cost and sharing
of social burdens from radiation exposure July 17th, 2012  By ENENews  by Koichi Oyama, Minamisoma city council member, translated by Dissensus Japan:
Radiation Effects Research Foundation issued “There’s no threshold amount” which covered the theory of the scholars patronized by the government from the bottom.
The Japanese Government ignores it.
The politicians ignore it.
The media ignores it.
They ignore their own people !!!!

English: Radiation Effects Research Foundation
Japanese: Radiation Effects Research Foundation
In the article of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation is written that “everybody in Japan is a victim.” Continue reading →

July 18, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Special BHP “protected area” gives police stronger rights over peaceful anti uranium protest

Elder Kevin Buzzacott, who had previously tried to stall the mine expansion through a legal challenge, said the uraniumindustry was ”deadly”. “The sooner it stops the better. If people really knew what they were destroying they wouldn’t touch it.”

Police accused over Olympic Dam protest BY: SARAH MARTIN,  The Australian July 16, 2012 PROTESTERS at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine have accused police of heavy-handedness, as more than 400 people joined a “mutant zombie march” to the Roxby Downs site yesterday.

Organiser Nectaria Calan said police were harassing protesters and depriving the group of their civil liberties by demanding identification and controlling access to and from their campsite. ”They have barricaded us into camps . . . and you can’t get out with a two-wheel-drive,” she said.

“They are forcing us to go through the roadblock with an escort through the protected area, where police have increased powers. We feel like our civil liberties are being undermined.” Continue reading →

July 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

In South Australia, police firmly protect BHP against peaceful anti nuclear protestors

The protestors intend to march again on Monday. Donna Jackson, from the Larrakia people – the traditional owners of
land around Darwin – says she travelled to the mine to protest against uranium being transported through the Northern Territory. ”We don’t want uranium coming through our harbour. It’s too unsafe,” she said. ”We have a big wet season every year, nearly two metres of rain and there’s been lots of spillage. (photo  from ABC)

(includes video} Anti-nuclear protesters disperse after police stand-off  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-15/anti-nuclear-protesters-disperse-after-police-standoff/4131790  July 16, 2012 Anti-nuclear demonstrators called off Sunday’s protest outside the Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia’s outback after a two-hour stand-off with police.

Organisers say about 450 people had just started their march from their campsite to the gate of the BHP Billiton mine, when their route was blocked by police officers. Continue reading →

July 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

An argument in favour of letting Iran have the nuclear bomb

Iran’s leaders are not irrational, as often portrayed, and that far from being emboldened they would be less bellicose if they acquired nuclear weapons for fear of sparking a nuclear conflict.

Most experts believe Iran has not yet made a decision on whether to go ahead and is
12-18 months away from a bomb were it to decide to pursue that option.

Let Iran have the bomb: US professor Kenneth Waltz THE AUSTRALIAN, BY: CHRISTINA LAMB, WASHINGTON From: The Times July 16 A LEADING US foreign policy expert has suggested Iran should be allowed to develop atomic weapons amid growing frustration at the failure of efforts to persuade it to halt its nuclear program. Continue reading →

July 16, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Police taking a tough line with Australian anti uranium protestors

“Whilst the police have publicly stated that our right to protest will be upheld, policing approaches to date have set an unreasonable precedent for depriving people of their civil liberties and their right to engage in political demonstration and communication,”

LIZARD’S REVENGE KICKS OFF AT OLYMPIC DAM  Saturday 14^th July  Protestors continue to gather for the Lizards Revenge music and arts festival at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam uranium mine. The event officially begins today and is scheduled to run for the next five days. Continue reading →

July 14, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

The sickness toll of uranium for USA veteran

Uranium Illness Leaves Veteran Without A Doctor  http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/07/12/uranium-illness-leaves-veteran-without-a-doctor/    FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – James Fitch of Fort Worth has spent the last five years connected to an oxygen tank. “I have to have oxygen 24 hours a day,” said Fitch.

It’s a sad irony, because after serving in the Air Force, he spent roughly the same amount of time grinding uranium for the Phillips Petroleum Mill in Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico. “You had a lot of dust from crushing it down. The dust gets airborne and you breathe it in,” explained Fitch.

It was the 1960s during the Cold War and the U.S. government had contracted with the Mill to extract uranium to build nuclear weapons. Back then, the men worked without covering their mouths and noses.

It would eventually catch up with Fitch in 2004 when he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis from exposure to uranium. Continue reading →

July 13, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

More cops than locals at Roxby Downs

Show of blue force at protest camp The Transcontinental, Port Augusta 13 Jul, 2012  “MORE cops than locals” is how the police presence in Roxby Downs has been described by residents ahead of a protest rally at Olympic Dam this weekend.
A blockade remains in place on the Olympic Way – the main throughfare to the BHP Olympic Dam mine – with police checking the credentials of motorists who try to gain access.

Hundreds of protestors have set up camp about four kilometres from the mine gates.

Spokeswoman for the protestors Nectaria Calan from Friends of the Earth is encouraging locals to engage with their cause. “Roxby residents are absolutely welcome to come out and have a chat,” she said. The group is opposed to uranium mining……
http://www.transcontinental.com.au/news/local/news/general/show-of-blue-force-at-protest-camp/2623692.aspx

July 13, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Anti uranium protestors arriving at Olympic Damn

Protesters gather at Olympic Dam, Herald Sun, AAP July 13, 2012  ANTI-NUCLEAR activists are gathering at Olympic Dam in South Australia’s north to protest against the proposed $30 billion expansion of BHP Billiton’s copper, uranium and gold mine.

Organisers say the five days of action, beginning on Saturday, are planned to be peaceful, with   people expected from across Australia. “We anticipate a vibrant protest camp which combines educational workshops, entertainment and non-violent direct action,” Nectaria Calan said.

“We will converge on the site of the current mine and approved expansion as the South Australian and Australian governments have failed to put the environment and people’s health before short-term economic concerns.

“The impacts of this project will remain long after BHP Billiton packs up, repatriates its profits, and moves on to the next project.”

Police are taking no chances, setting up a major security operation, closing several roads and declaring the area a protected zone……
The protest over Olympic Dam follows court action by Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott in his bid to block the mine’s expansion. Mr Buzzacott asked the Federal Court to block the project on the grounds that federal Environment Minister Tony Burke had not given enough consideration to a number of issues including the risks posed by the storage of radioactive tailings.

His case was dismissed but he has since appealed to the Full Court of the Federal Court which is yet to hand down its judgment. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/protesters-gather-at-olympic-dam/story-e6frf7kf-1226425607523

July 13, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

IAE predicts huge growth in renewable energy

Renewable Energy to See Huge Growth Over Next 5 Years  July 11th 2012  GetSolar  . Renewable energy, including solar energy, will be even more popular over the coming years, according to a new International Energy Agency report.

Over the next five years, the report predicts a 40 percent increase in the generation of energy from renewable sources worldwide. If that comes to pass, then renewables would generate 1.5 times the amount of energy currently produced in the United States. Continue reading →

July 12, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Big nuclear powers annoyed at the idea of ASEAN nuclear free zone treaty

 Nuclear-armed countries will try to make things difficult because, simply put, they don’t want any restrictions on the option of transporting weapons material anywhere. They will obfuscate, delay, harangue and act superior, but don’t let that derail a good treaty.

Asean nuclear stance irks bigger powers
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Asean-nuclear-stance-irks-bigger-powers-30185870.html  Ken Albertsen,  Chiang Rai. July 11, 2012   Critics bash Asean for its habit of holding meetings that usually wind up accomplishing not much more than playing golf, staying and eating at fancy resorts, and receiving nice shirts from host countries.

Now, with news from its most recent meeting, as reported in The Nation – “Nuclear states shun Asean treaty” – it appears the grouping is endeavouring to do something worthwhile.

Regarding Asean’s attempts to hammer out a treaty that forbids the transport or use of nuclear weapons or materials in Southeast Asia, my message to Asean reps is: Stick with it!

Don’t be disheartened by resistance from representatives of nuclear-armed countries. Continue reading →

July 11, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Taiwan petition for a referendum on nuclear power is close to its goal

A petition booth will be set up at Fulong train station and a speech by the Yenliao Anti-Nuclear Self-Help Association will be held at 2:30pm on Thursday.

Anti-nuclear-group plans rock fest signature drive, Taipei Times, 10 July 12, POWER GAMES:Calling for a stop to the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, activists have questioned Taiwan Power’s qualifications in building the new facility By Lee I-chia  Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU) yesterday said it would hold a signature drive at the five-day Ho-Hai-Yan
Gongliao Rock Festival in New Taipei City (新北市) starting tomorrow in an effort to stop the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant near the rock festival’s venue.

TEPU chairman Lin Wen-yinn (林文印) said the annual rock festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Fulong Beach (福隆海灘) in Gongliao District (貢寮) to enjoy music in beautiful surroundings, but the ongoing construction of a nuclear power plant near to the beach is destroying the environment.
“We hope that visitors who join the rock festival in pursuit of beautiful music and self-expression will also put their passion into the pursuit of a safe and beautiful environment,” he said.
Kao Cheng-yan (高成炎), a professor at National Taiwan University and a former TEPU chairman, said the group had initiated a petition for a local referendum in New Taipei City, asking residents whether fuel rods should be installed to start test operations at the plant. Continue reading →

July 10, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment