Kazakhstan radiation hotspot

The world’s worst radiation hotspot
THE INDEPENDENT 10 September 2009
At the start of the Cold War, Stalin chose one of the furthest outposts of his empire to test the Soviet Union’s first nuclear bombs. Sixty years on, their cancerous legacy is still being felt. Jerome Taylor reports from Kurchatov Continue reading →

September 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, Kazakhstan | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Australian uranium royalties scheme damaging for aborigines

Royalties scheme hurts Indigenous: Greens

ABC News By Kirsty Nancarrow

Sep 8, 2009

The Australian Greens have accused the Federal Government of bowing to the uranium mining industry at the expense of the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal people over the issue of mining royalties.

The Senate is debating a bill that would extend the system whereby miners only pay royalties in the Territory if they are making a profit. Continue reading →

September 9, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, indigenous issues | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, indigenous, nuclear, uranium | Leave a comment

Nuclear power’s uncertain prospects

The New Nukes
The WALL STREET JOURNAL

By REBECCA SMITH

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
“…………..nuclear is far from a sure thing. Yes, the plants of tomorrow—some of which could enter construction as soon as 2012—go at least part way toward solving some of the problems of yesterday. But they are still more expensive than fossil-fuel plants, and they still generate waste that must be stored safely somewhere. Continue reading →

September 8, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, 1 NUCLEAR ISSUES, 2 WORLD | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Belarusian Nuclear Power costly and dangerous

Belarusian Nuclear Power Project: Dangerous and Expensive
BIELAR.US 8 Sept 09 “…………a nuclear plant built by Russia on a Russian loan, serviced by Russian technicians and fed with Russian fuel might be a very good deal for Russia, but will hardly make Belarus more independent. Continue reading →

September 8, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Belarus, business and costs | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

The secret scandal of depleted uranium

The Betrayal » The Biggest Con: Democrats & Republicans Work Together To Destroy America
oilforimmigration 6 Sept 09
Depleted uranium weapons were first given by the US to Israel for use under US supervision in the 1973 Sinai war against the Arabs. Since then the US has tested, manufactured, and sold depleted uranium weapons systems to 29 countries. Continue reading →

September 8, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, MIDDLE EAST | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

50,000 join anti-nuclear power march in Berlin

The Local 5 Sep 09
Some 50,000 anti-nuclear protestors demonstrated in Berlin on Saturday against Germany possibly reversing a decision to abandon atomic energy and extending the life of its nuclear power plants. Continue reading →

September 8, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Germany, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Millions affected by nuclear tests in Kazakhstan?

Soviet nuclear tests leave Kazakh fallout

BBC News 7 Sept 09

Decades of Soviet nuclear testing on the steppes of Kazakhstan have been blamed for an alarming number of health problems suffered by residents in the area. Continue reading →

September 7, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, Kazakhstan | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

North Korea moving ahead with uranium enrichment

Pyongyang is in ‘final phase’ of uranium program
North’s envoy tells Security Council about its ‘weaponized’ plutonium
Joongangla Daily By Yoo Jee-ho 5 Sept
North Korea said yesterday its uranium enrichment program for nuclear weapons production has entered its final phase and that it is making more weapons from extracted plutonium. The North also claimed it is prepared for both dialogue and punitive measures. Continue reading →

September 5, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, North Korea, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

Ban on nuclear power upheld in six US states

Attempts to Overturn Nuclear Bans Fail in Six States

West Virginia is not the only state that declined to overturn a ban on nuclear power this year.

The State Journal by Pam Kasey 3 Sept 09

West Virginia is not the only state that declined to overturn a ban on nuclear power this year.

As the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers licensing applications for new nuclear generation in 14 states, attempts to overturn explicit or effective bans failed in six other states in 2009, according to the nonprofit Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

“Things will be even tougher for their state lobbyists in 2010 now that the freeze on Yucca Mountain has taken long-term waste disposal off the table,” said NIRS Executive Director Michael Mariotte.

The last new nuclear power generation unit to be ordered in the U.S. was in 1978, just before the partial core meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979.

Since that time, first California and then about a dozen states passed laws that outright or effectively banned new nuclear generation.

West Virginia’s law is titled a ban in the state code, but functions as an effective ban…….. The code requires at least 24 months’ prior operation of a national facility “which safely, successfully and permanently disposes of any and all radioactive wastes associated with operating any such nuclear power plant, nuclear factory or nuclear electric power generating plant.”

That condition has never been met.

And because the federal government withdrew its support for the Yucca Mountain facility earlier this year, there is no process in place for it ever to be met.

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=65865

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Giant uranium companies spinning nuclear to kids

Tenex to Launch Children Nuclear Academy

Gainesville, FL, USA, September 3, 2009 (PRESSbooth.ORG) — Sigma Transnational, Techsnabexport (Tenex) North American Associate Partner, announced that Russian’s Uranium Giant, Tenex, will soon launch the Children Nuclear Academy in the Southeastern region of USA. ……………………… The Russian Children Nuclear Academy project was launched in Russia in January 2002 on the initiative by the Institute of Pandeia textbook and Educational Society public association. See additional information at http://www.dya.ru

Since 2003, the JSC Techsnabexport (Tenex) has been the chief sponsor of the annual Russian scientific and educational projects so-called the “Power of the Future” contest…………. As part of Techsnabexport (Tenex) social responsibility, Tenex supports education, charity and other community involvement.

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Russia, spinbuster, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Colorado: town board vote might stop uranium mining

Uranium mining may get buried in Nunn

Powertech says its process is safe but a vote by Nunn’s town board could make permitting difficult.

The Denver Post, by Monte Whaley 3 Sept 09

NUNN — Opponents of a huge uranium- mining operation northwest of Greeley say they are ready for a showdown tonight before the Nunn town board. Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction — a citizens group formed in 2007 — wants the Nunn board to back a resolution against a plan by Powertech Uranium Corp. to extract uranium from the windy plains that surround Nunn and two other small towns, Wellington and Carr………… CARD claims the mining will damage air and water and bring other health problems. A negative vote by the Nunn board will make state and local officials more reluctant to approve any permits for Powertech’s Centennial Project, said the group’s spokeswoman, Jackie Adolph……….. “The time is now for the town board to speak for the overwhelming majority of residents who think uranium mining this close to the town represents unacceptable risks,” resident Dan Rapelje said.

The project, opponents say, may reap more jobs but would be a detriment to long-term economic growth in the area.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13256900

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Shock of indigenous people on uranium exploration agreement

Lutselk’e shocked by chief’s support of Ur-Energy exploration

CBC NewsSeptember 3, 2009

Some residents in Lutselk’e, N.W.T., were surprised Wednesday to hear their leadership is supporting a uranium company that’s exploring for uranium in the Upper Thelon area.

Members of the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation, which has long opposed uranium mining there, say they were shocked when Chief Steve Nitah told CBC News the First Nation signed an agreement allowing Ur-Energy Inc. to conduct a small exploration project this summer at its Screech Lane property, just south of the Thelon Game Sanctuary.

……….. Lutselk’e residents have been apprehensive about uranium mining for good reason: toxic waste tailings from a uranium project there in the 1950s were reportedly dumped into nearby Stark Lake.

People in the area have said that as a result, fish in the lake have since become deformed and infested with parasites.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/09/03/lutselke-ur-reax.html

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | indigenous issues, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

US Dept of Energy preventing tax-payer comment about nuclear loan money?

civil-liberty-2sm The U.S. Department of Energy is attempting to fast track its nuclear loan guarantee program by drastically limiting the opportunity for the public to comment on changes to its regulations.

On August 7^th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) posted an announcement in the Federal Register in which it weakened the rules, as by moving taxpayers further back in the line of lenders who would be paid back in the event of nuclear project default. This puts taxpayers at increased risk of being left holding the bag for tens of billions of dollars in loan repayments when new nuclear projects go belly up.

Despite such astronomical financial risks, and the complex technical nature of the regulatory changes, DOE has allowed just 30 days for the submission of public comments. The month-long comment period just happened to coincide with the August Congressional recess, with watchdog groups as well as House and Senate Members and staff away on travel. Many could well remain unaware of the changes until Congress resumes the day after Labor Day – the very day comments are due – Tuesday, Sept. 8^th.

Read the details on DOE’s proposed nuclear loan guarantees.

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, uranium | Leave a comment

Anti-radiation pills for people living near nuclear plants

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills
by MONICA VON DOBENECK, Of The Patriot-News September 01, 2009,
“……………free doses of potassium iodide being distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in case of a radioactive release. The potassium iodide pills can partially protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure if there is a nuclear accident. They are being distributed over the next few days to anyone who lives or works within ten miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants………..

Alice Gray, director of community health systems for the Department of Health, said the state last distributed the pills in 2002, but those expired Monday. The state has enough tablets for the 1.2 million people within the 10-mile radius of the five nuclear plants, she said. She did not know how many will take advantage of the free distribution.

The potassium iodide, or KI pills, protect the thyroid gland against radioactive iodine that may be released in an emergenc……………..The pills do not protect against other forms of cancer or illnesses caused by radiation…

….The state has five nuclear plants: Three Mile Island, Beaver Valley Power Station, Limerick Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills – PennLive.com

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, radiation, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Finland’s nuclear plant: more delays, cost overruns

More Delays at Finnish Nuclear Plant
The New York Times. September 2, 2009, By James Kanter
AREVA a French nuclear construction company, said this week that its project to build the world’s most powerful reactor remained mired in delays and was over-budget by 2.3 billion euros, or about $3.3 billion.

The price tag of the plant in Olkiluoto, Finland — the first of a fleet of so-called evolutionary power reactors that Areva foresees building in coming years — was about $4.3 billion in 2003 and costs have steadily increased.

The reactor was meant to have gone online early this summer but Areva no longer is committing to any dates for its completion. Patrice Lambert de Diesbach, an energy analyst with CM-CIC Securities in Paris, said the latest developments were “bad news” for Areva and “should be sanctioned by the market.”

The problems faced by Areva are important a time when the nuclear power industry is promising to build safer and more reliable reactors than during the last building boom in the 1960s and early 1970s. …………………………

So far there are few signs of a breakthrough in Finland.

Areva said this week that it would not begin work on the final stages of the reactor until the Finnish utility agreed to a new set of proposals and modifications.

More Delays at Finnish Nuclear Plant – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com

September 3, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, business and costs, Finland | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment