Nuclear power: just not economic

Meltdown: A Gloomy Look at the Economics of Nuclear Power

The WALL STREET JOURNAL

By Keith Johnson 16 Sept 09

There’s a new paper out from Spanish researchers at Universidad Pontificia Comillas exploring nuclear economics. Spain, you may recall, has its own debate about the future viability of nuclear energy.

The paper poses a simple question: Does nuclear energy add up to a rational investment in a liberalized energy market? Continue reading →

September 18, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, business and costs | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive | Leave a comment

Big push for nuclear in italy

Energy Collective by Dan Yurman on 09/16/2009″…………Italy is moving to build eight new nuclear reactors after earlier this year overturning a two-decade old ban on them……… Continue reading →

September 17, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, Italy | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Uranium’s toxic legacy in Texas

Nukes mean mines
Are we digging a new toxic legacy before the last one’s filled in?

CURRENT By <!– –>Greg Harman 16 Sept 09
“……………..an official of the Railroad Commission’s Surface Mining & Reclamation Division wrote that uranium mill tailings at the edge of his lake emit “up to” 850 micro-Rem of radioactivity per hour. In the time it takes you to thread a worm on a hook and reel in a catch, your body could be hit with nearly twice the average annual dose of ionizing radiation you receive from natural and medical sources……. Continue reading →

September 17, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, wastes | Leave a comment

Nuclear power, tax-payer subsidised, and not popular in France

European Expert: U.S. Policymakers Are ‘As Wrong As They Can Be’ About The French Experience With Nuclear Power Marignac Says

REUTERS WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-

Nuclear power in France is not popular. The pursuit of the nuclear program in France is a permanently undemocratic choice. Contrary to the image presented in the United States, the French population is no more in favor of nuclear power than the European average – indeed a majority is opposed to the building of new plants. Surveys repeatedly show that the public lacks confidence in the institutional promoters of nuclear power. Continue reading →

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, spinbuster | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin | Leave a comment

Myth that nuclear power promotes ‘energy security’

European Expert: U.S. Policymakers Are ‘As Wrong As They Can Be’ About The French Experience With Nuclear Power Marignac Says

REUTERS WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire

“………– Nuclear power in France has not promoted energy independence. Nuclear power in France is a major presence, providing 76 percent of electricity produced in 2008. However, electricity accounted for only 20.7 percent of the final energy consumption in France that year. Excluding electricity exports, the overall contribution of nuclear power to France’s final energy consumption is only in the range of 14 percent. Continue reading →

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, France | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin | Leave a comment

AREVA’s flagship nuclear reactors – costs are out of control

European Expert: U.S. Policymakers Are ‘As Wrong As They Can Be’ About The French Experience With Nuclear Power Marignac Says

REUTERS WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/

………………..The French EPR Reactor is a new reactor design developed by the company Areva in cooperation with the German firm Siemens. Serious doubts have been raised about the safety and cost of the EPR. Experience in the construction at the two sites where EPRs are being built, in Finland (Olkiluoto 3) and France (Flamanville 3), has revealed serious and fundamental weaknesses in design, problems during construction phases and soaring costs. Continue reading →

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, France | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive | 1 Comment

US govt warned on failure of France’s nuclear system

European Expert: U.S. Policymakers Are ‘As Wrong As They Can Be’ About The French Experience With Nuclear Power Marignac Says “Far From Being a Model, France Should be a Powerful Cautionary Tale for the U.S. about the Folly of a Headlong Rush into More Nuclear Power” Continue reading →

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, spinbuster | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, radioactive | Leave a comment

US nuclear wastes a burden to taxpayers

Homeless nuclear waste
Some 60,000 metric tons of radioactive waste is stored at nuclear power plants across the country, awaiting federal action that’s already a decade late.
By Colin Woodard , Christian Science Monitor/ September 15, 2009

“…………….The massive concrete containment dome, the spent fuel storage pool, and the six-story-high turbine hall were all torn down earlier this decade, leaving a rain-soaked meadow of grass. The engineers and technicians who tended the 900-megawatt reactor packed up and left town a decade ago, when the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station stopped producing power.All that’s left is radioactive waste: Continue reading →

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, USA, wastes | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, wastes | Leave a comment

Mega Uranium’s losses due to mismanagement

Mega Shareholders
Megames, African September 15, 2009
Are the shareholders aware of the loses incurred by the public officers because of negligence :

1. US$ 35,000 (LOSS) – Legal Fees – Lost court battle in SA and Mega Uranium subsidiary was liquidated

2. US$ 54,000.00 (LOSS) – Cash in bank – Mega Uranium subsidiary was liquidated

3. US$ 246,000.00 (LOSS) – Drilling Machine – Mega Uranium subsidiary was liquidated

This equates to a loss of more than US$ 335,000.00 LOSS which is a lot less than creditors were owed in SA for which Mega Uranium refused to settle.So is this the way shareholders funds should be used?
Megamess: Mega Shareholders

September 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, South Africa | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, uranium | Leave a comment

French expert debunking the myths of the nuclear “renaissance”

Leading European Industry Expert to Debunk Myth of ‘French Nuclear Model’
REUTERS 14 Sept 09
For U.S. 50 Years of French Failings in Nuclear Power Seen As Poor Model for U.S.; Nation’s Nuclear Woes Seen Escalating in Huge Cost Overruns at Finnish, Flamanville Reactor Projects Continue reading →

September 15, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, 2 WORLD, business and costs | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Grim financial outlook for nuclear power

The medical and economic costs of nuclear power
OnLine opinion By Helen Caldicott – 14 September 2009
“………………Turning from the human health costs to the monetary, another relevant study related to the nuclear power debate examined the economic feasibility of a “nuclear renaissance” at this time. The World Nuclear Industry Status Report published in August 2009 states that the nuclear industry continues to face steadily increasing construction costs and future cost estimates. Continue reading →

September 15, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, 2 WORLD, business and costs | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Germany: Nuclear power an issue pre-election

Merkel, Steinmeier Clash on Jobs, Taxes in TV Debate
and Foreign Minister

By Tony Czuczka and Brian Parkin Sept. 13 (Bloomberg) — Chancellor Angela MerkelFrank-Walter Steinmeier clashed on jobs, taxes and who can best steer Germany’s economy out of the crisis during their only television debate before Sept. 27 elections…………………. Continue reading →

September 14, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Germany, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive | Leave a comment

Energy company to pay up for waste violations at nuclear plant

Energy NW to pay $80,000 penalty
The News Tribune By Drew Foster, 09/09/09
Energy Northwest must pay an $80,000 fine to the state for waste management violations after a penalty against the Richland-based power supplier was recently upheld.

The state Pollution Control Hearings Board upheld the 2007 complaint, filed by the state Department of Ecology after waste management violations were found at the Columbia Generating Center nuclear power plant outside Richland. But the board reduced the amount of the penalties from $120,000 to $80,000.

Energy NW to pay $80,000 penalty | The News Tribune – Northwest | Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars | South Puget Sound’s Destination

September 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes | 2 Comments

‘Nuclear Renaissance’ dragging on slowly but not surely

A ‘Nuclear Renaissance’ Stumbles Forward
The New York Times September 9, 2009, By Matthew L. Wald
A dispatch from the uneven march toward new nuclear reactor construction:…………………..With a recession that has both reduced demand for electricity and made it difficult for utilities to borrow money, considerable uncertainty surrounds planned reactor projects — despite the expedited process.. Continue reading →

September 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs | Leave a comment

Oyster Creek nuclear plant aging and problematic

Nation’s oldest nuclear plant showing its age
Google News By WAYNE PARRY (AP) 10 Sept 09 LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — As the nation’s oldest nuclear power plant shows its age, some call it Oyster Creak.The latest problems — a series of radioactive water leaks — were found just days after the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station got a new 20-year license that environmentalists bitterly fought for four years. Continue reading →

September 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive | Leave a comment