nuclear-news

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

Rare earths plant a national issue as Malaysians increase opposition to it

the cost of decommissioning the plant 60 years later would be five times the cost of building it.

Lynas ‘devil’ waiting at every doorstep, Free Malaysia Today, Stephanie Sta Maria,  February 22, 2012  “…..At a press conference organised ahead of Himpunan Hijau 2.0, the nationwide anti-Lynas rally this Sunday, the groups said that the severe repercussions of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) has made it a national issue. Continue reading →

February 27, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

India’s government, not the anti nuclear protestors, is promoting foreign interests

The question, Shankar says, is to address whether or not nuclear plants are safe. “If they are safe, why did the government agree to free the companies of liability for safety of people,” asks Shankar.

 The power plant itself is a foreign entity. It is a Russian plant in Koodamkulam. So whose interest would it serve?”…

PM’s statement on foreign hands unites NGOs, divides govt, Ramesh clarifies freeze on BT brinjal done not under influence of NGOs Business Standard, Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi Feb 27, 2012, A finger of suspicion that Manmohan Singh pointed at non-governmental

organisations last week for pushing foreign agendas has united such bodies in the country, while leaving the government itself divided.

The prime minister’s remarks that foreign-funded NGOs were pushing alien agendas to thwart nuclear enterprises and biotechnology research in India have found the most vocal protests and denials coming not just from such not-for-profit organisations, but even from union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh, while responding to the matter, said yesterday that a moratorium he imposed on BT brimjal was not under the influence of NGOs. It was done, after taking into account the views of states, scientific opinion and the community, he added.
The remarks have created a wedge between the government and the civil society, while indicating that the country’s administration is itself split on key issues….. Continue reading →

February 27, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Naomi Wolf on the future of nuclear power

Q&A with Naomi Wolf: America’s nuclear future, Guardian UK, 24 Feb 12,  After the Fukushima disaster, Germany ditched nuclear power. So why has the US stopped worrying and learned to love nukes?

This week, Naomi wrote about nuclear power, nuclear weapons and nuclear safety, as the Obama administration prepares to go ahead with a new expansion of both a civilian nuclear power program and nuclear weapons-producing facilities.

Is America’s nuclear industry unsafe at any size? How will the US meet emissions targets and move beyond a fossil-fuel energy economy without nuclear power, as some environmental activists have accepted is necessary?

Naomi will be joining commenters for her weekly live webchat here in the discussion thread from 1pm till 2pm EST (6-7pm UK time). Commenting will be switched on then, and the thread will remain open afterwards. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/24/qanda-naomi-wolf-americas-nuclear-future?newsfeed=true

February 25, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

At Nuclear Security Summit, japan will raise problem of terrorist attacks on nuclear plants

Japan to propose backup power sources in event of nuclear terrorism, Mainichi Daily News 25 Feb 12,   TOKYO (Kyodo) –– The government intends to propose at a global nuclear security summit next month the creation of backup systems to secure power supplies in the event that electricity sources are lost due to terrorist attacks against nuclear plants, government sources said Thursday.

Japan intends to make the proposal at the Nuclear Security Summit to be held March 26 to 27 in Seoul, and incorporate it in a document to be adopted at the meeting, the sources said.

The government, drawing lessons from the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, will also emphasize the need to map out detailed procedures on how to deal with potential terrorist attacks on nuclear plants, they said…… http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120224p2g00m0dm022000c.html

February 25, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Our generation should not pass the nuclear problem on to our grandchildren, says US Senator

Senator Wolf calls for Pilgrim nuclear plant shutdown By Rich Eldred, Herald news, Cape Codder, Feb 24, 2012 CAPE COD — State Sen. Dan Wolf, who represents most all of Barnstable County, called for the shutdown of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant at a forum
sponsored by the Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative Wednesday night at Cape Cod Community College..

… Wolf said if this was a brand new proposed plant it would never be built in Plymouth, close to so many people. Pointing to two 13-year olds in the audience he said, “When you’re 32 you’re going to have to figure out what you’re going to do with a 60-year old piece of technology. Our generation is kicking the can down the road.”..

February 25, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Renewable Energy World Africa gearing up for Exhibition 2012

Renewable Energy World Africa 2012 launches Website and announces new Sponsor Renewable Energy World Africa Conference and Exhibition 2012, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa on 6-8 November 2012, have launched their eagerly anticipated website at www.renewableenergyworldafrica.com.

Environmental Expert.com. 24 feb12, The Renewable Energy World Africa website contains important information with regards to exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, travel and accommodation for the event, registration prices and will in time contain the preliminary conference programme, as well as the latest industry news and information on Renewable Energy World Africa as a whole.

Renewable Energy World Africa is co-located with the inaugural POWER-GEN Africa and will include a dedicated conference stream featuring three days of presentations and debate about the strategic challenges and technical solutions for expanding renewable energy power generation across sub-Saharan Africa. Exhibitors will also have a dedicated Renewable Energy World Africa pavilion on the show floor which will be a focus of expertise and global technological excellence in the green energy sector…..  http://www.environmental-expert.com/news/renewable-energy-world-africa-2012-launches-website-and-announces-new-sponsor-282593

February 25, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Obama promised to renew Renewable Energy Tax Credits

If the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit is renewed, the renewable energy investments in the U.S. will continue to grow – and promote green jobs growth as well.

Green Jobs: Obama to Renew Renewable Energy Tax Credits  Green Buildings. com Advice provided by: Claire Moloney, LEED Green Associate, Cornell University 24 Feb 12,  As I reported in my most recent article, “Green Jobs: Renewable Energy Stocks, Investments“, renewable energy stocks showed rapid growth in early 2012. This growth followed a major renewable energy milestone – a total of $1 trillion in global clean energy investments to date in late 2012. Continue reading →

February 25, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Anti nuclear protestors will target UK’s Hinkley nuclear site

EDF’s U.K. Hinkley Nuclear Power Site Faces Protests Next Month February 22, 2012,  By Catherine Airlie Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) — Electricite de France SA’s Hinkley Point nuclear power station in southwest England will next month be targeted by protestors against new reactors in the U.K.

The Stop New Nuclear Alliance, a grouping of campaigners who oppose nuclear power stations, plans to blockade the station for 24 hours from about 5 p.m. on March 11, Zoe Smith, a campaigner helping arrange the protest, said by telephone from Bristol today. Protesters will gather at the site from midday, she said.

“We aren’t intending to stop production but we are going to blockade the entrance,” preventing vehicles from entering the site. “We’re planning to surround the power station,” she said. The group is against EDF’s plans to build a new nuclear power station at the site,
next to the current one, which has capacity of 860 megawatts……
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-22/edf-s-u-k-hinkley-nuclear-power-site-faces-protests-next-month.html

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Independent radiation monitoring – call adds to San Onofre’s woes

Nuclear Critics Continue Pleas for Independent Radiation Monitors, Cancer Studies  San Clemente Times, Feb 22, 2012  A sea of red-clad, anti-nuclear activists called for independent radiation readings and studies of cancer rates at the City Council meeting Tuesday.
The council did opt to ask city staff to prepare a report detailing what agencies collect radiation measurements in the area. The turnout of dozens of protesters comes amid growing woes at neighboring San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Both reactors at the Southern California Edison-run plant remain offline. Unit 3 was pulled from service January 31 after a radiation leak, prompting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week to call for a reactor inspection. Unit 2 was taken offline for scheduled maintenance and upgrades in January and has required the plugging of some of its steam generator tubes.

On January 27, a contract plant worker fell into a reactor pool and an ammonia leak November 1 forced SCE to issue an NRC-required alert. A “follow-up focused baseline inspection” must now be performed on Unit 3. San Clemente Times – Nuclear Critics Continue Pleas for Independent Radiation Monitors Cancer Studies

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Okinawa snow event cancelled due to radiation fears

Radiation fears see Okinawa snow event cancelled Asia One News, , Feb 22, 2012 TOKYO – A Japanese city on subtropical Okinawa island was forced to cancel a traditional snow event for kids after parents said the snow shipped from the northeast may be radioactive, officials said Wednesday.

The city of Naha had planned the annual event on Thursday with the Maritime Self-Defence Force’s aircraft group, which carried more than 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) of snow from northern Aomori prefecture.

But dozens of parents, who have fled from the disaster-hit region to the southern island in fear of radioactive contamination from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, demanded the event be cancelled……  http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20120222-329496.html

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

The economic benefits of renewable energy

Renewable energy has both environmental and business dividends, EPA administrator says at Stockton symposium  Feb 22, 2012. Press of Atlantic City, By JOEL LANDAU, Staff Writer | GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Renewable energy is not only important for the country’s environmental future but the nation’s economic recovery as well, said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson… Continue reading →

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Caution advised on international action about Iran’s nuclear plans

Russia warns against ‘hasty conclusions’ over Iran NewsDay February 22, 2012  
 GEORGE JAHN (Associated Press) VIENNA – – Russia said Wednesday the world should not draw “hasty conclusions” over Iran’s most recent rebuff of U.N. attempts to investigate allegations the Islamic Republic hid secret work on atomic arms, but the U.S. and its allies accused Tehran of nuclear defiance. Continue reading →

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Chaos in information after the Fukushima nuclear accident

Fukushima Disaster Left U.S. NRC Confused, Documents Show Bloomberg, February 22, 2012, “…….More than 3,000 pages of transcripts released yesterday by the NRC show the agency was struggling to assess the severity of Japan’s nuclear disaster, even as it gave the White House a recommendation for U.S. citizens to evacuate within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the damaged reactors. Continue reading →

February 23, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Nuclear energy unaffordable and unwise, for Kenya

Heed UN caution on nuclear energy quest, Business Daily, February 19  2012, The government may have stumbled in its quest for nuclear energy after the United Nations cautioned it last week against entering the venture.The government announced plans to start generating nuclear energy for her electricity needs by 2020. It plans to construct a plant along the Coast and is awaiting approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

While we believe it is prudent to look for other alternative and viable energy sources, given that the hydro-electric power that provides around 65 per cent of the country’s needs is not reliable especially during periods of drought, the government should adopt cheaper and renewable sources.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya has other sustainable sources of energy that can meet her needs. We believe that the agency has a point as what the government needs to do is to invest more in renewable energy sources like wind and geothermal.

It should also heed the caution from the UN that the cost of decommissioning a power plant is quite prohibitive and that there are no permanent disposal sites form nuclear waste.

The UN says that the cost of decommissioning a nuclear plant would currently cost close to a trillion shillings, which begs the question; can Kenya afford it?… http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion+++Analysis/Heed+UN+caution+on++nuclear+energy+quest++/-/539548/1330980/-/j8yg5z/-/

February 21, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

UK government disregards the danger of nuclear reactors

 In the UK, the government is determined to push ahead with the development of a new fleet of nuclear reactors, as the partnership announced by David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy shows.

 The orchestrated effort between coalition officials and the nuclear industry to create a pro-nuclear public information campaign in the days after Fukushima showed that not even a large-scale nuclear incident could halt ministers’ obsession with new nuclear. Officials did not even wait for the results of the government’s own safety review before rushing to assure the British people that a similar disaster is not possible in the UK.

Why we must phase out nuclear power The inherent risk in the use of nuclear energy can and does have disastrous consequences, Guardian UK, ,   Rebecca Harms,  Dany Cohn-Bendt, 18 Feb  While global attention has long since shifted elsewhere, the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima is far from over. This is the nature of nuclear accidents: they leave a long-lasting radioactive legacy.

 One year on, the situation is not under control. The announcement by the Japanese government that the damaged reactors were in a state of “cold shutdown” was met with scepticism and anger from a concerned public – and with disbelief among nuclear experts. Continue reading →

February 18, 2012 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

« Previous Entries     Next Entries »