nuclear « nuclear-news

Secrecy over six month shutdown of nuclear reactor

It’s our flagship nuclear power station and it’s been out of action for the last six months and the local people don’t know and have not been told enough about how or why.

(UK) Consultant speaks out over N-plant ‘secrecy’, East Anglian Daily Times, By Chris Harris Monday, 4 October, 2010 A NUCLEAR expert who co-founded Greenpeace UK has hit out at “secrecy” surrounding a Suffolk nuclear power station’s six-month closure. Continue reading →

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, reactors | Leave a comment

U.S. senators questioning shipment of nuclear generators across Great Lakes

Great Lakes nuclear shipment plan sparks U.S. queries CBC News, October 4, 2010 | By Max Paris, Seven U.S. senators have sent a letter to Environment Minister Jim Prentice and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission demanding answers about an Ontario utility’s plan to ship used nuclear steam generators through the Great Lakes to Sweden. Continue reading →

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, reactors | Leave a comment

Pakistan’s nuclear policy problems

Pakistan’s nuclear policy dilemmas – The Express Tribune, 4 Oct 10, On September 27, Pakistan became the new chair of the UN nuclear watchdog’s governing body, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This comes a week after Pakistan expressed its resolve to block all talks proposing a treaty to ban production of fissile material used as fuel for nuclear weapons.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva argues that India’s strategy of proliferation of nuclear technology poses an unfair advantage with bigger fissile material stockpiles and raises concerns about the “discriminatory” nuclear cooperation deals with the US. Pakistan has come to rely on its nuclear weapons and their dispersal to prevent Indian preemption…….

the world perceives the selection of Pakistan as the chair of the IAEA as problematic. The most sinister concern, however, lies in the assertion of nuclear terrorism emerging out of Pakistan……… Pakistan’s nuclear policy dilemmas – The Express Tribune

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Pakistan, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Delays continue in fixing Point Lepreau Nuclear reactor

AECL officials would not speculate on what the consequences would be if the reactor was turned on and the calandria tubes leaked. But the risks of nuclear power include negative health effects due to radiation, which in some cases could lead to cancer and genetic damage

Refit of nuclear plant still nowhere near completion telegraphjournal.com BRETT BUNDALE – 4 Oct 10, New Brunswick, CanadaFREDERICTON – As a new Progressive Conservative government settles into office, one little-discussed issue during the election campaign is casting a shadow over New Brunswick’s political landscape: the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant Continue reading →

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, reactor | Leave a comment

Russian and American concern over decommissioning nuclear reactors

Russian-Norwegian delegation visits US to talk about nuclear decommissioning, The Canadian Press:By The Associated Press (CP) 54 Oct 10, SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. — A group of Russian and Norwegian nuclear scientists, regulators and activists is visiting Vermont and Massachusetts to learn about nuclear decommissioning. Continue reading →

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear decommissioning, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

Stuxnet worm ushers in cyber war threat to nuclear plants

For advanced industrial nations, cyber-warfare is simultaneously a huge opportunity and a huge threat.

An undeclared war in cyberspace, FT.com m By Gideon Rachman : October 4 2010 In recent months, senior western officials have become discernibly more relaxed about the Iranian nuclear programme. It is not that they suddenly welcome the prospect of an Iranian bomb. It is just that, as one official put it recently: “We’re having quite a lot of success, disrupting what they are doing.”…..The Iranian government complains that it has been hit by “electronic warfare” in the form of the Stuxnet virus that has infected more than 30,000 computers in their country. Continue reading →

October 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, reactors | Leave a comment

Insurance for losses related to nuclear reactors – no way!

it is very clear that general insurance will not cover coastal property owners from losses related to nuclear plants.

NO INSURANCE FOR COASTAL – or any – PROPERTY NEAR NUCLEAR REACTORS | Coalition Against Nuclear Energy 4 oct 10, Energy Minister Dupuo Peters said that by the time a nuclear plant was constructed in SA, this country would not be able to afford enriched uranium.She also raised the valid point that coastal homes would be affected, since nuclear power plants would be built on the coast. Continue reading →

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, South Africa | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, reactors | Leave a comment

Stuxnet “spies” arrested in Iran

Iran arrests ‘nuclear spies’ – The Times of India, 4 Oct 10, LONDON: Iran has arrested several “spies” who were involved in an attempt to sabotage the country’s nuclear programme, said Iranian intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi.The arrest followed an attack on Iran’s industrial computer network by a software bug Stuxnet that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, including its main Bushehr power plant, British newspaper The Guardian reported Sunday.
Iran had discovered the “destructive activities of the arrogant (western powers) in cyberspace” and “different ways to confront them have been designed and implemented”, The Guardian quoted Moslehi as saying.

The Stuxnet attack infected more than 30,000 computers in Iran. Suspicions have also been growing in recent days that the Stuxnet worm may have been designed as much to spy on the systems as to destroy them.

Iran arrests ‘nuclear spies’ – The Times of India

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy | Leave a comment

Nuclear cooling pond an environmental and terrorist danger

Not only does nuclear waste pose an environmental risk, opponents say, the ever-growing collection of spent fuel rods inside the power plant also makes it an inviting target for terrorists…..

Nuclear waste to lingerTown unhappy as Pilgrim rods stay, PLYMOUTH The Boston Globe By Robert Knox October 3, 2010 A new ruling by nuclear power regulators that concludes it’s safe to store nuclear waste at a nuclear power plant for 60 years after the plant closes — the previous limit was 30 years — has led Plymouth officials to concede that nuclear waste will remain in town longer than anybody wants. Continue reading →

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, wastes | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactor | Leave a comment

Dangerous ionising radiation lingers at Scottish beach

Some of the particles found on the foreshore near a sailing club used by thousands of families are so highly radioactive that they could be lethal if they found their way inside the body. According to Sepa, outside the body they are “hot” enough to cause radiation burns on exposed skin.

Visitors at risk as MoD stops radiation monitoring at resort – Herald Scotland | News, Rob Edwards, 3 Oct 2010The health of visitors to one of Scotland’s most popular coastal resorts is being put at risk from radioactive contamination because the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stopped monitoring the area. Continue reading →

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | 1 Comment

Sri Lanka worried about safety of Indian nuclear plant

Sri Lankan government to discuss safety precautions of nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu with the Indian authorities Oct 03, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has expressed concern over the safety precautions adopted by a nuclear power plant being set up in Tamil Nadu in Southern India.The government has initiated a dialogue with Indian authorities on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant that is currently under construction in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu in South India.
Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka has been quoted in the local media as saying that Sri Lanka would discuss the safety precautions adopted by the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. Sri Lanka : Sri Lankan government to discuss safety precautions of nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu with the Indian authorities

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ASIA, safety | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, uranium | Leave a comment

Theft of uranium discovered in India

Man caught with uranium in Purulia – The Times of India, 4 Oct 10, PURULIA: A criminal with alleged links to gangs across the country and even Afghanistan was nabbed in Purulia with nearly 1 kg of uranium on Sunday. The market value of the radioactive element is said to be about $7 million……Man caught with uranium in Purulia – The Times of India

October 4, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, uranium | Leave a comment

Earthquake danger to Armenian nuclear reactor

Concerned over the plant’s high-risk location and ageing facilities, the European Union in 2004 offered to provide 100 million euros (135 million dollars) in compensatory aid if Yerevan agreed to shut down the reactor.

Environmentalists decry risks of new Armenia nuclear reactor, Google hosted news, By Mariam Harutunian (AFP) –4 Oct 10, YEREVAN — A short drive from the Armenian capital, the enormous cooling towers of the Metzamor nuclear power station sit in a seismic zone that has suffered one of the worst earthquakes in modern history. Continue reading →

October 3, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | EUROPE, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, reactor | Leave a comment

South Africa says no to South Korea nuclear power deal

S.Africa will not sign S.Korea nuclear power deal: official, Google hosted news, (AFP) 4 Oct 10, JOHANNESBURG — South Africa said Sunday it would not sign an agreement with South Korea to design and build nuclear power plants in the African country, dismissing an earlier report, the foreign ministry said.South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is due in Seoul on Friday “to discuss our bilateral relations in general”, spokesman Saul Molobi for the foreign ministry said.”Motlanthe is not going to sign any deal… We are not going to discuss any possibility for South Africa to buy a nuclear plant,” he added.

AFP: S.Africa will not sign S.Korea nuclear power deal: official

October 3, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, South Africa | antinuclear, nuclear | Leave a comment

Breast cancer increase due to radiation, environmental factors

widely understood risk factors for breast cancer such as genetic mutations, reproductive history and lifestyle factors do not address a considerable portion of risk. “A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and [ionising] radiation also contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer,

New Report Catalogues Chemical and Radiation Links to Breast Cancer, PR Newswire, 1 Oct 10, Scientists, health advocates call for national breast cancer prevention plan SAN FRANCISCO, – A report released today by the Breast Cancer Fund presents a comprehensive summary of the scientific data on the environmental causes of breast cancer. Continue reading →

October 2, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, USA | antinuclear, cancer, nuclear, nuclear spin, radioactive | Leave a comment