nuclear-news

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

Grave financial risks in nuclear power

The last generation of nuclear plants left taxpayers on the hook for more than $300 billion in bailouts and rate hikes following ‘mishaps.’ All signs indicate that the new class of reactors will be just as problematic.

Solar Is A Bargain Deal Compared To Nuclear, Change.org,  by Ben Buchwalter July 28, 2010 Proponents of nuclear energy rely on three key reasons our country should develop new nuclear reactors rather than invest in cleaner solar power. One: They claim nuclear is cheaper than alternatives. Two: They say it is more efficient. Three: They say it relies on existing technology. Continue reading

July 29, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, USA | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear radioactive threat to the Great Lakes

natives, like 40 million Canadians and Americans draw their drinking water from the Great Lakes and they also rely on fish caught in them.

(Canada) Coalition opposes shipping plan, By CHIP MARTIN, The London Free Press : July 27, 2010 Aboriginal voices have joined the growing international chorus opposing plans to ship radioactive nuclear generators along the Great Lakes. Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | Canada, environment | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

France steps up security in its uranium colony, Niger

Areva extracts almost half its uranium from Niger, where it has been active for 40 years.

French nuclear giant steps up security after hostage killing, Expatica France, 27 July, 2010, French nuclear power giant Areva said Tuesday it had stepped up security around its sites in the West African country of Niger after Al-Qaeda murdered a French hostage captured in the region…… Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | Niger, safety | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iran now offers talks, following new sanctions

The announcement appeared to be a move by Iran to show willingness to negotiate as a net of U.N., EU and U.S. sanctions tightens around it, but it was not clear that the quick offer of fuel swap talks would be enough to placate world powers….

U toughens  screw on Iran; Tehran offers talks EU, U.N. and U.S. sanctions against Iran  , Jul 26 2010 By Luke Baker and Robin Pomeroy BRUSSELS/TEHRAN, July 26 (Reuters)Iran said unexpectedly on Monday that it was prepared to return to talks on a nuclear fuel swap, shortly after the European Union agreed tougher sanctions including action to block oil and gas investment. Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | Iran, politics international | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wake up call: review of “Countdown to Zero”

…Nuclear weapons are supposed to be a deterrent. They are supposed to keep us safe. But that’s crap.

Take a Friend to the Movies — Before It’s Too Late, Steven Crandell, 23 July 2010, “………. They are designed to kill civilians in cities, to wipe out families, neighborhoods and communities. Yes, nuclear weapons bring influence and power. Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | general | , , , | Leave a comment

EDF takeover in France’s nuclear empire?

it has ambitions to dominate the global market, building its latest-generation EPR reactor around the world and introducing it next-generation reactor ATMEA.

French Govt: EDF, Areva In Strategic Nuclear Partnership – WSJ.com-By A.H. Mooradian and Geraldine Amiel, Dow Jones Newswires;PARIS  27 July 2010, –The French government Tuesday announced a far-reaching alliance between State-controlled utility giant Electricite de France (EDF.FR) and State nuclear engineering group Areva SA (CEI.FR), Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear power future in Germany very much in doubt

According to a law passed in 2002 by the then-ruling SPD and the Green coalition, all of Germany’s nuclear power plants are to go off line by 2022…

Opposition party pledges to fight nuclear power extension | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 26.07.2010 Richard Connor , German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s governing coalition has been put on notice that it will face a fight over any change to the law on nuclear energy without approval from the country’s upper house of parliament. Continue reading

July 27, 2010 Posted by | Germany, politics | , , , , | Leave a comment

Poland’s nuclear company’s volley of nuclear spin

State-controlled Polska Grupa Energety (PGE) is attempting to build public support for nuclear power.

PGE Sponsors Women’s Volleyball Team to Promote Polish Nuclear Power Plans;  Bloomberg, By Nathaniel Espino – Jul 27, 2010 A Polish women’s volleyball team will change its name to Atom after receiving sponsorship from Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA, the country’s largest utility, which plans to build the country’s first nuclear power station. Continue reading

July 27, 2010 Posted by | EUROPE, spinbuster | , , , | Leave a comment

USA – some not so good nuclear news

USA 10 $Billion to nuclear loans, Beyond Nuclear 24 July 2010, Earlier this week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an energy funding bill for next year that includes $10 Billion in nuclear loans (along with $7+ billion for fossil fuels and about $3 billion for renewables). Those are clearly some misplaced priorities–and $10 billion for new reactors is $10 Billion too much, but it is less than half of the $25 Billion passed by the House Appropriations Committee.

Unfortunately, the Committee also approved two pro-nuclear bills: S. 2052, which would authorize the Department of Energy to spend $50 million/year through 2015 to reduce the cost of new reactors (although it’s hard to see how that kind of money can accomplish that goal, utilities already have plenty of incentive to reduce costs) and S. 2812, which would encourage the development of “small, modular reactors” and seek their design certification by the NRC by 2018 (although it is highly unlikely these could ever prove economical–see Amory Lovins’ factsheet here).

July 24, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , , | Leave a comment

Call to USA citizens to push for safety in nuclear industry

ActNow! Don’t React Later!ActNow! is a new campaign of Beyond Nuclear designed to avert an atomic catastrophe similar – or possibly even worse – than the oil disaster unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico.

Just like the U.S. Minerals Management Service that failed to oversee Big Oil, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission allows the nuclear industry to cut safety margins. Lax oil industry oversight is destroying the Gulf. Lax nuclear industry oversight could cost countless lives today, threaten human health for generations, and leave vast areas of our country uninhabitable indefinitely. Continue reading

July 24, 2010 Posted by | general | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

USA “Tea Party” campaign against nuclear weapons control

conservative nationwide campaign to convince ordinary Americans to actively oppose the new nuclear reductions treaty with Russia

Tea Party activists come out against START  The Cable,  By Josh Rogin Friday, July 23, 2010 – A lobbying group affiliated with the Tea Party has joined the effort to derail President Obama’s new arms-control agreement with Russia, launching a grassroots campaign by spreading misleading information about the pact to the general public. Continue reading

July 24, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , | Leave a comment

Unreliable information from International Commission on Radiological Protection

their dose estimates are based on the “average man” in spite of the fact that young children and pregnant mothers are at a much greater risk from ionising radiation.

Latest documents advocating the ban of depleted uranium. By Jerry Mazza Online Journal, 23 July 2010, “……International Commission on Radiological ProtectionThe ICRP is an undemocratic, self-sustaining body, which issues recommendations to governments and supranational bodies on radiological protection. Continue reading

July 24, 2010 Posted by | 2 WORLD, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear scientist was spy for Iran – report

Iranian nuclear scientist spied on CIA: report, CBC News, July 21, 2010 An Iranian nuclear scientist spy who returned home last week from the United States provided valuable information about the CIA, a semi-official news agency reported Wednesday.Shahram Amiri’s tale will be made into a TV movie, the agency reported. Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission not concerned with weapons proliferation risks

a systemic flaw at the NRC: The commission does not conduct broad assessments of the proliferation concerns associated with licensing projects…….

Nuclear Licensing Process Raises Proliferation Concerns « The Washington Independent, NRC Not Required to Assess Proliferation Risks When Approving New Technology, By Andrew Restuccia 7/21/10 This Thursday in Wilmington, N.C., officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the government agency responsible for overseeing the country’s nuclear energy activities, are slated to present a report laying out the environmental impacts of a proposed uranium enrichment facility, a key step in approving the facility’s license. Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | safety, Uranium, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

India’s Nuclear Liability Bill lets foreign reactor suppliers off the hook

The nuclear scientist favoured more strengthening of the clause to ensure proper channelling of liability on the supplier of the nuclear equipment……

PK Iyengar raises key ‘flaws’ in nuclear liability bill – dnaindia.com, 21 July 2010, New Delhi: Former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman PK Iyengar today raised a red flag over certain provisions of the nuclear liability bill, including keeping civil courts off-limits in case of a nuclear accident… Continue reading

July 22, 2010 Posted by | India, politics | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment