reactors « nuclear-news

India’s govt makes several changes to the Nuclear Liability Bill

it [ The Indian Government]has been keen that a liability law is in place ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to India in November. .

Amended Bill blocks private role in nuclear power – India – The Times of India, 18 Aug 2010, NEW DELHI: The government has ensured a safe passage for the civil liability for nuclear damage bill after sealing a deal with BJP on Tuesday by agreeing to bump up the “no-fault” liability from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,500 crore and a guarantee against private firms running nuclear power plants. Continue reading →

August 18, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, Legal | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, reactors | Leave a comment

No ‘nuclear renaissance’ – in fact it’s a decline

The view that the amount of energy derived from nuclear power worldwide will continue its slow decrease during the coming years is further supported by the 2008 annual report of the Euratom Supply Agency, which coordinates the long-term uranium needs of nuclear power plants within the European Union. According to the agency’s forecast, uranium demand in Europe will fall from 21,747 tonnes in 2010 to roughly 16,000 tonnes by 2024.

The reality of nuclear energy is inconsistent with dreams of a renaissanceNuclear energy is not on the rise – the hard facts point to a continuing, slow phase-out around the world Michael Dittmar guardian.co.uk, 16 August 2010 Repeatedly in recent years there have been calls for a revival of nuclear power. Yet that renaissance never seems to come. Continue reading →

August 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, EUROPE | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Uncertainty over nuclear power plants in Canada

Quebec N-station repair delayed amid AECL uncertainty Nicolas Van Praet, Financial Post · Aug. 16, 2010 MONTREAL — Hydro-Québec is pushing back the revamp of its Gentilly-2 nuclear station amid the continuing uncertainty of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Continue reading →

August 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Canada | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, reactors | Leave a comment

Nuclear plant shut down

Braidwood Nuclear Plant Shuts Down, Vents Steam http://www.wbez.org, by Gabriel Spitzer , August 16, 2010 Reactors at the nuclear power plant in southwest suburban Braidwood shut down early this morning. Large plumes of steam could be seen escaping from the plant, but its owner says there’s no safety concern………….

City Room™ – Science – Braidwood Nuclear Plant Shuts Down, Vents Steam

August 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, reactors | Leave a comment

How come USA will let Vietnam enrich uranium?

The Shotgun: Filibuster: The first nuclear commandment, Western Standard, 15 Aug 2010, In a story that did not get a lot of press this week, the Obama administration has announced that it plans to go ahead with a nuclear technology deal with the Communist nation of Vietnam, despite that country’s refusal to make a pledge to not enrich uranium. Continue reading →

August 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, Vietnam | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

Little chance of Indian govt passing Nuclear Liability Bill

Desperate govt reaches out to Left. Indian Express.com, 16 Aug 2010, Keen to push through the nuclear liability Bill in the ongoing session of Parliament, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday reached out to the Left to build a consensus on the contentious Bill.

However, given the Bill is crucial to implementing the India-US nuclear deal, which they had unsuccessfully tried to block, there is little chance of the Left parties coming on board.
At the meeting, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury and CPI’s D Raja listed the Left’s four objections to the Bill. Its primary concern is that it virtually exempts foreign suppliers from any liability in case of an accident — this, Left leaders say, was done at the instance of the US…… Desperate govt reaches out to Left

August 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

Public mistrust of nuclear power, anxiety over nuclear wastes

if President Obama is seeking to promote nuclear energy and find a new waste strategy, the waste panel needs to focus on the issue of public mistrust as well as technological solutions

Address Mistrust, Scientists Urge Nuclear Panel – NYTimes.com, August 13, 2010, By LESLIE KAUFMAN “……60,000 tons of radioactive waste are being stored at or near nuclear plants that churned it out, Continue reading →

August 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | spinbuster, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, reactors, uranium | Leave a comment

With Russia’s help, Iran’s nuclear plant starts August 21

The Russian Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) said earlier in the day that the launch of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran has been set for Aug. 21

Iran confirms launch of its first nuclear power plant, TEHRAN, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) — Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi confirmed on Friday next week’s launch of his country’s first nuclear power plant Continue reading →

August 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, reactors | Leave a comment

Nuclear energy looking uneconomic in Germany

The government’s plans to impose taxes on nuclear power plant operators are part of a package–totaling around EUR82 billion between 2011 and 2014–to cut public budget deficits. The duty on nuclear fuel rods is expected to contribute EUR2.3 billion in tax income each year…..

German Utilities Warn Fuel Tax May Herald End Of Nuclear Energy – WSJ.com, By Jan Hromadko, Dow Jones Newswires; AUGUST 12, 2010, FRANKFURT -Germany’s plan to tax the fuel used to fire nuclear power plants could make reactors unprofitable and hasten the country’s exit from atomic energy generation, Continue reading →

August 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Germany | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

Westinghouse and EDF hang on delayed nuclear sales to Poland

Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE), has recently signed a number of non-exclusive cooperation agreements with Westinghouse Electric, GE Hitachi and France’s EdF.

Poland delays nuclear plant scheduleWarsaw (Platts)–13Aug2010 The revised schedule is contained in the government’s nuclear program project. Continue reading →

August 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, EUROPE | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

India to adopt the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership idea

India will establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. PIB Press Release, 14 Aug 2010, The Centre will be owned and managed by the Government. It will be open to international participation through academic exchanges, training and research and development efforts. The Centre is aimed at strengthening India’s cooperation with the international community in the areas of advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and radiation technology applications in areas such as health, food and industry. This initiative was announced by Prime Minister at the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on 13th April 2010.A phased approach will be followed for setting up of the Centre and no expenditure has so far been incurred on the Centre.This information was given by Sh. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha recently.

PIB Press Release

August 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, reactors | Leave a comment

Loopholes in India’s Nuclear Liability Bill would make taxpayer pay up

the operator who in the event of a nuclear incident shall claim the insurance and leave the taxpayers on the hook for most damages, as the amount paid over and above the capped limit shall be paid by our Government. Hence, the nuclear operators actually end paying nothing………..

The dangerous leaks and lacunae in the 2010 Nuclear Liability Bill | Legal opinions, 13 Aug 2010, The new 2010 Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill is a double-edged sword full of loopholes and unanswered questions that are more likely to cut the Indian public than protect it from nuclear disasters, argue advocates Sangmitra Sawant and Vishnu Anand. Continue reading →

August 13, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, Legal | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, reactors | 1 Comment

Nuclear proliferation in the ’emerging world’

Environmental risks are effectively unlimited with nuclear power…..proliferation is no-no word for the nuclear industry. Civil and military nuclear power are each day described by world leaders like President Obama as different and separate,…Unfortunately this lyrical vision has no relation to the real world….

The reality bundle inside which nuclear proliferation hides, but which the nuclear industry and leading politicians tirelessly deny, distort or confuse, especially applies in the Emerging economies. ….

The Doomsday Threat Of The “Nuclear Renaissance” : The Market Oracle, By Andrew McKillop, 12 Aug 2010, “……..new power reactors are under construction at this moment, in what industry promoters call “The Nuclear Renaissance”. This renaissance however threatens to be as complex, ambiguous and murky as the Medieval renaissance. Continue reading →

August 12, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear renaissance, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, peace, peaceful, reactors | Leave a comment

Delays and changes forced in India’s Nuclear Liability Bill

BJP forces Centre to defer Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, By Anil Anand, New Delhi | Agency: DNA 11 Aug 2010, Bowing to opposition pressure, the government has decided against rushing through the controversial Civil Nuclear Liability Bill. It will, instead, hold further discussions with BJP and others. Continue reading →

August 12, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear technology, reactors | Leave a comment

Nuclear radiation threat always there for 3 million Americans

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.

Although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission monitors these facilities closely, accidents are always possible. Dangerous levels of radiation could come our way.

Nuclear threats close to home – Honesdale, PA – Wayne Independent. 11 Aug 29010, What took place at PPL’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick shook a few people up on Tuesday. It also served notice that nuclear disasters are possible — or at least the threat of them.Nuclear power plants aren’t on our radar that much these days. We don’t often think about Three Mile Island or the movie “The China Syndrome.” For the most part, we have grown to believe that the production of nuclear power plant energy is almost as safe as flying the friendly skies each day. There are no incidents and everything goes off without a hitch.