nuclear wastes « nuclear-news

Ralph Nader spells out the case against nuclear power

Nader shares locals concerns about uranium, GoDanRiver.com, 19 Sept 10, “…… Nader pushed for more energy efficiency and conservation and clean energy, which he said didn’t include more nuclear reactors or uranium mining.

“We don’t believe the country needs nuclear power,” Nader said in a Thursday interview. “It’s too costly. The opportunities for energy efficiency and electric generation to the consumer are far greater.”…

Nader said money should be invested in solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy rather than nuclear power, which he called a “gigantic technological lemon.” Nuclear plant projects can’t go forward without federal loan guarantees, he said, because Wall Street won’t invest in them without that backing.

Additionally, nuclear plants have the problem of radioactive waste, he said. The enrichment of uranium to concentrate it for use in fuel rods for nuclear reactors also takes coal-fired power, Nader said.

“Why do we need uranium mines?” Nader said. “They are extremely dirty.”….

Nader shares locals concerns about uranium | GoDanRiver.com

September 20, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

French nuclear giant AREVA struggles to clean up its dirty reputation in Niger

several NGOs have decried the French company’s rosy picture of its activities in northern Niger. The president of local NGO Aghir In Man, Almoustapha Alassane, has accused Areva of poisoning water and air near its mining sites, blaming uranium contamination for several “mysterious” deaths in the region.

Kidnapping comes as French nuclear giant Areva works on image, France24 , 17 Sept 10, The kidnapping of seven foreign nuclear employees in Niger comes as the French nuclear giant Areva is trying to improve its image in a region threatened by robbery, widespread resentment, and radical Islamism.”In nearly 40 years, Areva didn’t care at all for the locals. But in the last few years, Areva changed its strategy and started implementing development projects”, says Moussa Kaka, RFI’s correspondent in Niger. Continue reading →

September 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Niger, spinbuster, Uranium | antinuclear, AREVA, France, indigenous, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission conning the American people on radioactive wastes

This latest decision will now block any attempt by environmental groups or concerned citizens to challenge the generation of irradiated nuclear fuel at atomic reactors, as in new reactor licensing proceedings or old reactor license extension proceedings, for NRC now considers the matter closed……concerned citizens should contact U.S. House Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA), as well as U.S. House Domestic Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), urging that they launch investigative oversight hearings into this latest NRC “favor” for the nuclear power industry — approving unlimited generation of forever deadly high-level radioactive waste, while blocking citizen interventions seeking to prevent it.

NRC plays “Nuclear Waste Con Game” on the American people, Beyond Nuclear, 18 Sept 10

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission yesterday updated its “Nuclear Waste Confidence Rule,” expressing “confidence” that commercial irradiated nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste (implying reprocessing) can be stored safely and securely, either on-site or off-site, for 60 years after operation licenses have expired at atomic reactors. Continue reading →

September 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Further proof of radiation-caused cancers in large scale research study

“People exposed to radiation who developed cancer also had a high risk of developing a second cancer, and the risk was similar for both solid tumors and leukemias in both men and women, regardless of age at exposure or duration betweenfirst and second primary cancers,” he said. The association between radiation exposure and risk of second cancers was particularly significant for radiation-sensitive cancers, such as those of the lung, colon, breast, thyroid and bladder, as well as leukemia.

Study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors shows radiation exposure poses similar risk of first and second cancers, Health Canal.com, 17 Sept 10, First large-scale study to assess how radiation influences risk of multiple cancers Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, Japan | antinuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Very high radiation releases from Japanese nuclear reactor

Radiation rose to 2,100 times the normal level at Niigata plant. Japan Today: 17th September, NIIGATA —Radiation at about 2,100 times the normal level was detected in gaseous waste at a nuclear reactor at Tokyo Electric Power Co’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant in Niigata Prefecture on Thursday but no harm was done to the surrounding environment, according to the company…..

.The power company said Sept 10 that it detected radiation at 27 times the normal level in gaseous waste at the reactor and was closely monitoring the situation.

In July last year, the company halted operation of the No.7 reactor after radioactive gas leaked from the capsular vessel in the fuel pin. The company replaced the fuel after the incident. Radiation rose to 2,100 times the normal level at Niigata plant › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Japan | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, reactor | Leave a comment

Staggering cost and slowness of cleaning up radioactive wastes

GAO: Nuclear Waste Mitigation Too Slow and Costly HStoday, by Phil Leggiere Friday, 17 September 2010 Report cites extensive cost overruns and construction delays in mitigating radioactive waste at Savannah River site. Emptying, cleaning, and permanently closing the 22 underground liquid radioactive waste tanks at the Savannah River Site is likely to cost significantly more and take longer than estimated by the Department of Energy (DOE), according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).The report,titled NUCLEAR WASTE: Actions Needed to Address Persistent Concerns with Efforts to Close Underground Radioactive Waste Tanks at DOE’s Savannah River Site , found that the original cost estimate of $3.2 billion contained in the December 2008 contract between DOE and Savannah River Remediation, LLC (SRR), had increased by more than $1.4 billion or 44 percent by June 2010……..Homeland Security Today – preparedness and security news – GAO: Nuclear Waste Mitigation Too Slow and Costly

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, wastes | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radioactive | Leave a comment

Navajo water supply would be contaminated by uranium mining’s radiation

The group Eastern Navajo Dine against Uranium Mining presented convincing evidence that mining would contaminate groundwater, including the communities’ primary drinking water source, the NMELC said.

NM uranium mining case appealed to US Supreme Court « New Mexico Independent, By Marjorie Childress 9/16/10 The New Mexico Environmental Law Center filed an appeal Wednesday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a lower court’s decision to allow (ISL) uranium mining in the Four Corners region of New Mexico. Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Western Australia’s sham uranium safety study panel

Sitting on the panel are pro-nuclear lobbyists and behind the scenes are corporate sponsors including some that are anything but independent.

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are two of the sponsors – companies with operating uranium mines in Australia and uranium interests in WA.

Uranium industry’s record raises doubts, The West Australian, By Mia Pepper September 16th, 2010, The Barnett Government recently announced that the Australian Centre for Geomechanics had won a tender to form an “independent panel on uranium mining regulations”. Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, spinbuster | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Colorado Public Health Dept concerned about radiation from uranium mill

State regulators asserted that people at fences around Energy Fuels’ 880-acre site could be exposed to radiation approaching a 25-millirem limit. “A projected dose that approaches a regulatory limit cannot be considered trivial,” a CDPHE document said.

Uranium-mill plan near Naturita raises concerns about toxic waste – The Denver Post, Bruce Finley, 16 Sept 10, State regulators have raised concerns about toxic waste, radiation and water supply at what would be the nation’s first conventional uranium mill opened since the Cold War. Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Radiation study in nuclear reactor area, cancer cluster mystery

In addition to recent monitoring, health officials reviewed records of past discharges by FirstEnergy’s Davis-Besse nuclear plant in Oak Harbor, Ohio, plus historical data from various other industrial sources within 25 miles of Clyde.

Sandusky County officials receive radiation report, The Blade ~ Toledo Ohio, CLYDE, Ohio 16 Sept 10, — Families who are a part of eastern Sandusky County’s mysterious childhood cancer cluster will soon get results of an Ohio Department of Health radiation study. Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, USA | antinuclear, cancer, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Radioactive Dounreay fast breeder nuclear reactor site dangerous for over 300 years

the whole 150-acre Dounreay site is likely to remain closed to the public for almost 300 years after it is decommissioned because of continuing contamination.

Doomsday for Dounreay dome as site is too costly to develop – Herald Scotland David Ross, 17 Sep 2010“……… plans are being finalised to demolish the Dounreay’s nuclear reactor’s iconic golf- ball dome. Continue reading →

September 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | decommission reactor, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear decommissioning, nuclear technology, nuclear wastes, reactor | Leave a comment

Great Lakes at risk from radioactive waste shipments

“There is a huge amount at stake with the largest body of surface fresh water in the world that serves as drinking water for over 40 million people.”

Nuclear shipments draw more fire The Sarnia Observer – Ontario, CA, SHAWN JEFFORDS, 15 Sept 10, A group of Great Lakes city mayors oppose a plan to ship nuclear waste through the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, representing 70 municipalities, wants halted Bruce Power’s plan to ship sixteen steam generators contaminated with low levels of radiation to Sweden for recycling. Continue reading →

September 16, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, opposition to nuclear | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactors | Leave a comment

The nuclear energy Quick Fix reactors are sitting ducks for terrorism

These countries, exactly like China and India, are however committing themselves to the same gleaming high-tech Quick Fix nuclear solution to power shortages, to keep their economies growing at record rates. This will vastly extend the Doomsday threat of large reactors being treated as sitting duck military targets in regional conflicts……..Each new large-sized civil reactor is potentially a Chernobyl-type Dirty Bomb

Nuclear Renaissance or The End of Nations ? : The Market Oracle, By Andrew McKillop, 15 Sept 10, NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE T he 2010-2020 decade marks the world’s “Nuclear Renaissance” according to triumphal industry spokesmen. Continue reading →

September 15, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety | antinuclear, depleted, nuclear, nuclear renaissance, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, plutonium, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | 2 Comments

Legal action looming against German govt’s nuclear plans

Greenpeace, the environmental NGO, suspects foul play and intends to sue. Its assumption is that the government has tried to hide the fact that demand for nuclear energy is falling and that there is no need to extend the lifespan of nuclear plants.

Merkel’s ‘nuclear tour’ remains inconclusive | EurActiv, 14 Sept 10, For several months, Germany has been discussing the future of its energy policy. Last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel went on an ‘energy tour’ across the country to meet different stakeholders and visit various power plants. These included renewable energy as well as nuclear sites. EurActiv Germany reports.

Merkel’s energy journey identified energy security as its highest priority, but did not address issues of safety such as the question of final storage of radioactive waste. Continue reading →

September 15, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Germany, Legal | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Moscow facing up to its nuclear radiation mess

There is also an issue of unknown radioactive dumps. Tens of them are found every year all over Moscow…People just do not know whether any nuclear waste is nearby and what the level of radiation on the surface is.

Radiation scare for Moscow parks The Moscow News, – Evgeniya Chaykovskaya – 13 Sept 10, Levels of radiation on Moscow’s streets have reached a level so high that the authorities are about to spend 4.7 billion roubles to get rid of it.The $153 million clean-up will run from 2011-2013 amid reports of no fewer than 18 dangerous radioactive objects within the capital.