nuclear costs « nuclear-news

Nuclear plants are not safe from terrorist attack

Major Fallout Predicted Over Obama’s Nuclear Power Proposal. by: Grace Huang, t r u t h o u t 22 February 2010“……..According to NuclearBailout.org, though Mohammed Atta, one of the 9/11 hijackers, said that he had considered targeting a nuclear facility instead of the World Trade Center, nuclear reactors are still “not required to be protected against air attack.” Continue reading →

February 23, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive, reactors | Leave a comment

No U.S. revival of nuclear power while no waste solution

Nuclear energy can’t expand without a nuclear-waste site The Columbus Dispatch, February 21, 2010 “….No permanent place exists in the United States to store high-level radioactive waste. ………. the waste from the power plants already in operation just keeps piling up in temporary storage sites around the nation, which is not safe.
Without a permanent solution to the waste problem, nuclear energy cannot fulfill its promise as a means to reduce Americans’ dependency on foreign oil and cut emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution. To ramp up nuclear-energy production without solving this problem would be irresponsible.

Editorial: Nuclear energy can’t expand without a nuclear-waste site | The Columbus Dispatch

February 22, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Wind energy more viable for S.Africa than nuclear

‘Renewable energy is viable’ Times LIVE (Africa) Feb 21, 2010 By ZWELI MOKGATA Eddie O’Connor is adamant that 90% of the world’s electricity could easily come from renewable sources by 2050 if only world governments would commit to key energy policies in time.

Continue reading →

February 22, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | South Africa, spinbuster | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, renewable energy | Leave a comment

Nuclear waste reprocessing problems

Digging up the dirt on uranium – The National Newspaper Tamsin Carlisle, February 20. 2010 “……Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods to extract more of their energy potential is another option but is expensive and intensely controversial. Continue reading →

February 22, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France | cancer, fast breeder, France, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear technology, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reprocessing | Leave a comment

Nuclear workers afraid to speak out on safety issues

Workers at San Onofre nuclear plant fear retaliation for reporting problems, memo says | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times 19 Feb 2010 –Shelby Grad Workers at the San Onofre nuclear power plant fear retaliation if they report problems at the facility operated by Southern California Edison, according to an internal memo released by an Orange County environmental group.The memo, written by a plant engineer, said 25 workers who reported problems at the plant said they feared retaliation from management after they made complaints…..

San Onofre has been the subject of several investigations by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over the last few years for various safety issues

Workers at San Onofre nuclear plant fear retaliation for reporting problems, memo says | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

February 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Nuclear scientist missing in Canada

Police give up search for missing nuclear scientist thestar.com Adrian Morrow
On January 18, Lachlan Cranswick left the Chalk River nuclear reactor, where he worked, and took a bus to Deep River, the small town on the Ottawa River where he lived.

The 41-year-old physicist, whose job entailed running experiments for the National Research Council, had just finished some work for a researcher overseas…..Then, he vanished without a trace

Police give up search for missing nuclear scientist – thestar.com

February 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, secrets,lies and civil liberties | nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy | Leave a comment

Public insurance essential for nuclear industry to survive

The Other Nuclear Power Subsidy – A Liability Cap, ThePopTort 19 Feb 2010 “…. loan guarantees aren’t the only potential subsidy from which this industry benefits. Since the 1950s, when it passed the Price Anderson Act, Congress put a cap on the liability of the nuclear industry in the event of a major accident. So if there’s anything like, say, the Chernobyl disaster (the 1986 accident in the Ukraine where the containment structure couldn’t hold an explosion causing lethal radiation to spill out killing thousands, harming hundreds of thousands and rendering hundreds of square miles uninhabitable), the industry won’t be responsible beyond a relatively small amount. Taxpayers will.

In other words, if the nuclear power industry were fully responsible for the health and safety risks of these plants, the industry wouldn’t exist……. Continue reading →

February 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, reactor, reactors | Leave a comment

Update on America’s nuclear reactors

Nuclear News- What’s happening in your backyard? Fox News February 19, 2010 by: Molly Line

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute there are currently 19 nuclear reactors nationwide that are seeking re-licensing. Continue reading →

February 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear technology | Leave a comment

Nuclear ‘s problems unsolved, while taxpayer will pay up

President Obama’s Nuclear Reversal, THE HUFFINGTON POST, by Eric Pica 18 Feb 2010 President Obama announced Tuesday that the Department of Energy is awarding $8 billion in taxpayer dollars towards loan guarantees to build the United States’ first nuclear reactors in nearly thirty years. This move may be politically expedient, but for the public, it’s a raw deal.

As a candidate, Obama expressed openness to new reactors, but said, “Before an expansion… is considered, key issues must be addressed including: security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage, and proliferation.”

President Obama should heed candidate Obama’s advice. These issues have not been addressed. If anything, the challenges facing the nuclear industry have grown worse. Continue reading →

February 19, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | cancer, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation | 1 Comment

Despite Bill Gates’ support, Fourth Generation nuclear reactors look dodgy

some nuclear experts who warn that the promise is a snare and a delusion.

Fourth generation nuclear power may not be the clean energy silver bullet, FinancialTimes, by Ed Crooks, 18 Feb 2010

The huge cost, and delays and budget over-runs in construction, of third generation reactors such as Areva’s EPR, along with concerns about their safety, has inspired a search for new smaller designs, including some that are only the size of a garden shed. Continue reading →

February 19, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA | antinuclear, AREVA, fast breeder, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, radioactive | Leave a comment

Obama’s resuscitation of nuclear industry is bound to fail

Obama’s Nuclear Option – Amy Goodman Truthdig 16 Feb 2010
“……….Obama’s publicly financed resuscitation of the nuclear power industry in the U.S. is bound to fail, another taxpayer bailout waiting to happen.Opponents of the plan, which includes a tripling of existing nuclear plant construction-loan guarantees to $54.5 billion, span the ideological spectrum. Continue reading →

February 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, climate change, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, renewables | Leave a comment

The delusion of nuclear power as ‘clean’ and ‘safe’

Why has the President set aside $11 million to “fight nuclear-related lawsuits” brought by citizens against the Federal Government if this is so safe? It seems the President is very aware of the problems inherent in the use of nuclear power and enriching nuclear material for these plants. Otherwise, why put away funds for lawsuits in the budget? Can’t have it both ways, Mr. President!

President Obama’s Delusion and the “Nuclear Power = ‘Clean’ Energy” Meme by Quannah February 17, 2010 One more time. Nuclear power is neither safe nor clean.As I listened to Obama give his speech, I couldn’t understand why he was buying into this big lie. Nuclear energy is not clean. It does not equate to wind and solar. It’s not even close. Just a couple of points here:Emissions are not the only consideration at a nuclear plant.
Contamination is much more serious. And the recent reports of nuclear plants contaminating surrounding ground water are more than a little alarming. Continue reading →

February 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Shaky financial outlook for new loan-backed nuclear plants

The loan guarantee is conditional upon NRC approval. But if the project ever gets off the ground, there are plenty of red flags signaling that it’s a very bad investment for taxpayers.

Obama’s Nuclear Boondoggle | Mother Jones By Kate Sheppard| Wed Feb. 17, 2010 In its eagerness to woo Republicans with nuclear-friendly policies, the Obama administration plans to hand out $54.5 billion in government-backed loans to kick-start a nuclear renaissance. On Tuesday, it announced the first beneficiary of this largesse—and apparently the best candidate it could find was a proposed plant that’s been put on hold by federal regulators due to serious safety concerns. Continue reading →

February 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs | Leave a comment

Obama’s big financial gamble on nuclear power

The government backing of the Georgia project is a major financial gamble, but the White House seems to see it as worth the risk politically………..
The case the administration has made is that they will give Republicans more nuclear power, offshore oil and gas drilling, and incentives for coal, if they will accept a cap on carbon emissions and investments in renewable energy.

Obama’s risky nuclear renaissance The Guardian, Kate Sheppard 17 February 2010 Barack Obama’s promise to fund new nuclear power plants is a major financial gamble – and US taxpayers will foot the bill Continue reading →

February 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, renewables | Leave a comment

U.S. Energy Secretary does not understand nuclear power’s financial risk?

Chu said he was not aware of a Congressional Budget Office study showing that the chances of default on these loans are “very high—well above 50 percent.

Energy Sec Unaware That Nuclear Loans Have 50 Percent Risk of Default— Mother Jones By Kate Sheppard| Tue Feb. 16, 2010 The Obama administration on Tuesday announced a loan guarantee for thefirst new nuclear reactor to be built in the US in decades—part of a planned $54.5 billion program to kickstart a nuclear revival using government-backed loans. Continue reading →

February 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | cancer, nuclear, nuclear costs | Leave a comment