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

‘Fourth Generation’ nuclear reactors sound good, BUT…

fast reactors cannot use water as a coolant, since this would slow the neutrons down. The coolant of choice is molten sodium metal. Sodium is highly reactive, burning readily in air and exploding on contact with water.

Why James Hansen is wrong on nuclear power | Links   April 8, 2010“……Compared to earlier installations, the projected fourth-generation plants – specifically, the “integral fast reactor” (IFR) designs that have drawn most attention – promise important advantages. Continue reading

April 9, 2010 Posted by | 2 WORLD, technology | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Romanian government’s secret plans for nuclear reactors in earthquake zone

Greenpeace 8 April 2010 Romania has currently one nuclear power plant with two functional reactors in Cernavoda (South-East of Romania). Cernavoda is situated in an area with high earthquake risk. The Romanian Government plans to build two more nuclear reactors (Cernavoda 3 and 4). These reactors are of an outdated Canadian design, the CANDU 6.

The Romanian government proposes yet another nuclear power plant in the North of the country, in Transilvania. It announced that it chose three sites on the Somes River, but keeps the information secret because of fear for protests.

Please sign the petition here:

http://www.greenpeace.org/romania/campaigns/nucleare/signthepetition

April 8, 2010 Posted by | 1, EUROPE, safety | , , , , , | Leave a comment

At U.S. nuclear summit, China will back Pakistan’s demand for nuclear technology

China to back Pak demand for civil nuclear deal at US summit  Daily Times –   Pakistan 8 April 2010, Gilani says civil nuclear power generation essential part of energy strategy* Parliamentary parties to be taken into confidence over national policies ISLAMABAD: China will back Pakistan at an upcoming nuclear summit in Washington over a number of issues, including Islamabad’s case for a civil-nuclear deal with the US and its efforts to improve nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes, according to sources privy to a special meeting the parliamentary committee on national security.

Daily Times – Leading News Resource of Pakistan – China to back Pak demand for civil nuclear deal at US summit

April 8, 2010 Posted by | Pakistan, politics international | , , , , | Leave a comment

A network of illicit sales of nuclear equipment to Iran

Iran has managed to substantially advance its nuclear-weapons program in recent years by using a network of middlemen to carry out illicit purchases of nuclear equipment in other countries.

Germany Charges Two Over Iran Equipment Deal THE WALL STREET JOURNAL By DAVID CRAWFORD APRIL 8, 2010 BERLIN—Federal prosecutors in Germany have charged two men with delivering to Iran embargoed tools that were intended to build missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload. Continue reading

April 8, 2010 Posted by | Iran, safety | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor under scrutiny for radioactive leaks and lies

NRC To Increase Oversight Of Vermont Yankee VPR News 04/07/10  John Dillon – Montpelier, Vt. Host) Federal regulators will increase oversight of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant because of recent radiation leaks and misstatements by plant executives……. Continue reading

April 8, 2010 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear Posture Review plans nuclear weapons for Air Force

Nuclear Upgrade for the Pentagon’s Gajillion-Dollar Fighter  Wired.com  Danger Room |By Nathan Hodge Email Author * April 7, 2010 As part of a newly unveiled Nuclear Posture Review, the Pentagon has made public plans to make its all-purpose stealth fighter capable of carrying nuclear weapons. According to the review, the Air Force wants to “retain a dual-capable fighter” that can drop both conventional and nuclear weapons as the F-16 Fighting Falcon is phased out and replaced by the F-35….. Continue reading

April 8, 2010 Posted by | USA, weapons and war | , , , , | Leave a comment

Westinghouse trying to sell nuclear plants and nuclear fuel to Bulgaria

Bulgaria: Westinghouse May Build Nuclear Reactor in Bulgaria’s Kozloduy – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency 8 April 2010, “…Westinghouse has made it clear it is interested in participating in a future tender for the construction of a new 1000 MW reactor in the Bulgarian nuclear power plant Kozloduy which has four inactive 440 MW reactors and two working 1000 MW units, all of which are Soviet-made.The US energy company has also told Traikov that it was ready to obtain a license so that its nuclear fuel could be used for the Russian reactors in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: Westinghouse May Build Nuclear Reactor in Bulgaria’s Kozloduy – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency

April 8, 2010 Posted by | Bulgaria, business and costs | , , , , | Leave a comment

Lou Zeller, anti-nuclear activist’s vision of hope

“I’ve been doing this for over 24 years,” Zeller said. “Whether it’s a Democrat or a Republican administration, they all love nuclear power.” In either case, he added, “We’ve been able to turn back the drive to support it.”

Anti-nuclear in the age of Obama , Los Angeles Times, By Richard Fausset April 7, 2010 Longtime activist Lou Zeller struggles to generate opposition to the president’s vision in a much different era, when jobs and climate change are bigger concerns than Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. “…. Continue reading

April 8, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

Indian Point nuclear power plant fails water quality certificate

Nuclear power plant’s water permit denied, POWER-GEN WorldWide. 7 April 2010-– The New York Department of Environmental Conservation denied Entergy’s request for a water quality certificate for the Indian Point nuclear power plant, saying the plant “will not comply” with the state’s water quality standards. Continue reading

April 8, 2010 Posted by | Legal, USA | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transparency lacking in China’s nuclear programs

U.S. says China nuclear programs lack transparency, NewsDaily:  by Phil Stewart and Paul Eckert, Editing by Alan Elsner 2010/04/06  WASHINGTON, Apr. 6, 2010 (Reuters) — Lack of transparency surrounding China’s nuclear programs raises questions about its strategic intentions, the United States said on Tuesday. Continue reading

April 7, 2010 Posted by | China, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Environment Department fines Medical Centre for violating ionising radiation controls

Consuming Interests: Pollution violations around Maryland: Naughty Businesses of the Week  baltimoresun.com 6 April 2010, The Maryland Department of the Environment issued 28 enforcement actions with penalties totaling more than $637,000 last week…………..Fairfax Cardiac Imaging – Hanover, Anne Arundel County: On March 3, 2010, MDE issued a Complaint and Administrative Penalty for $50,000 for alleged violations of Maryland regulations for the control of ionizing radiation from the use of radioactive materials (radioisotopes).

Consuming Interests: Pollution violations around Maryland: Naughty Businesses of the Week – News and tips for consumers on shopping, saving money, deals and credit – baltimoresun.com

April 7, 2010 Posted by | Legal, USA | , , | Leave a comment

Higher costs, lower profits for Cameco uranium mining

Cameco downgraded to sell  FP Trading Desk: April 05, 2010, by David Pett Uranium, Mining, CamecoThe ongoing saga at Cigar Lake continues to haunt Cameco Inc. investors.Late Thursday, the uranium miner released its long-awaited technical report on the Northern Saskatchewan project, revealing higher costs and a slower-than-expected ramp-up of production.
“While the company had recently disclosed a revised capital cost estimate of around $1.0 billion and a revised start-up timeline of 2013, the technical report disclosed higher than forecast life of mine cash operating costs of $23/lb (up from $14/lb) and a relatively slow production ramp up timeline (with full capacity not expected until 2017),” Orest Wowkowdaw, Canaccord Adams analyst, said.

April 6, 2010 Posted by | business and costs | , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Energy dept in legal trouble over nuclear wastes, and still no solution

Utilities sue Energy Department to stop nuclear waste management fees, The Hill, By Ben Geman – 04/05/10 Nuclear power companies and state utility regulators are suing the Energy Department.The companies filed the lawsuit to force the suspension of a fee that utility customers pay for federal management of nuclear waste……….The Obama administration has abandoned plans for the long-delayed Yucca Mountain waste site, and Energy Secretary Steven Chu has created a “blue ribbon” commission to help create a new long-term waste policy. Continue reading

April 6, 2010 Posted by | Legal, USA | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

American Presidents’ limited ability to reduce nuclear weapons

Obama’s dream of a nuke-free world will encounter the stiffest resistance at home—from the people who make and safeguard nuclear weapons.

Why Obama Can’t End Nukes, The Doomsday Dilemma This Spring, Barack Obama will push toward his goal of a nuclear-free world. But the stiffest resistance may be at home.By John Barry and Evan Thomas | NEWSWEEK Apr 3, 2010 “…..Ever since the dawn of the atomic age at Hiroshima in August 1945, American presidents have been trying to figure out how to climb off the nuclear treadmill…….. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | politics international, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uranium enrichment hardware acquired by Iran

Report: Iran gets parts needed for uranium enrichment, Wall Street Journal says little-known Tehran firm linked to Islamic Republic’s nuclear program was able to acquired special hardware despite sanctions News agencies  04.03.10,  Ynetnews The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and western intelligence agencies are probing how an Iranian firm linked to Tehran’s nuclear program acquired special uranium enrichment hardware, despite sanctions intended to keep such equipment out of Iran. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | Iran, weapons and war | , , , , , , | Leave a comment