Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

Secrecy of China’s nuclear programs

U.S. says China nuclear programs lack transparency, NewsDaily:  by Phil Stewart and Paul Eckert, Editing by Alan Elsner 2010/04/06  WASHINGTON, Apr. 6, 2010 (Reuters) — Lack of transparency surrounding China’s nuclear programs raises questions about its strategic intentions, the United States said on Tuesday. Continue reading

April 7, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , | Leave a comment

UK govt clamping down on unnecessary medical radiation

Radiation fears lead to curb on CT scans, Ministers stop short of banning whole body scans for the worried well  Sarah Boseley,   guardian.co.uk,   6 April 2010, A clampdown on clinics offering MOT health checks to the worried well – which can include whole body scans – was signalled by the government today, amid concerns over the exposure of healthy people to unnecessary radiation. Continue reading

April 7, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , , , , | Leave a comment

When it comes to Nuclear Disarmament, Obama’s hands pretty much tied

Obama’s dream of a nuke-free world will encounter the stiffest resistance at home—from the people who make and safeguard nuclear weapons.

Why Obama Can’t End Nukes, The Doomsday Dilemma This Spring, Barack Obama will push toward his goal of a nuclear-free world. But the stiffest resistance may be at home.By John Barry and Evan Thomas | NEWSWEEK Apr 3, 2010 “…..Ever since the dawn of the atomic age at Hiroshima in August 1945, American presidents have been trying to figure out how to climb off the nuclear treadmill…….. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , , | Leave a comment

Christians blockade nuclear base at Easter

Communion shared at blockade of Faslane nuclear base  Ekklesia, 3 April 2010, Christians have shared communion while participating in a blockade of the Faslane nuclear weapons base in Scotland. The “symbolic blockade” today (3 April) forms part of a day of action across Europe, as campaigners from various countries call for the removal of nuclear arms from the entire continent. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , , , | Leave a comment

$Millions paid to nuclear executives in UK, too

included paying £3.8 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses to staff during 2008…The payments, which ranged from an average of just under £12,000 to nearly £37,000, were made on top of regular salary payments totalling £19.5 million.

Top jobs go in shake-up at nuclear quango,  The Times April 3, 2010, Two of Britain’s most highly paid civil servants have been axed and dozens more jobs are under threat at the quango charged with cleaning up nuclear plants, The Timeshas learnt. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , | 1 Comment

Uranium mining’s damage to Niger

“You can’t just fight against nuclear power plants and waste repositories,” he said. “If you want to kill the tree, kill the roots”. He was referring to the uranium mines.

Uranium Mining in Niger ‘Tuareg Activist Takes on French Nuclear Company’ The Blogger: 2 April 2010, “……..A total of 80,000 people live in the two cities Areva created in the desert to service the mines. There are no paved roads, but there is plenty of reddish-brown dust, which penetrates into every crack and pore. Well water is radioactively contaminated, and precious fossil groundwater is used in the uranium ore processing plant. The region’s nomads are finding fewer and fewer pastures for their cattle, and people are affected by fatal illnesses. Continue reading

April 5, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

$Million salaries for nuclear power industry executives

Salary Survey: Nuclear Exec Earns $3 Million, Energy Section, Amy Harder,  April 2, 2010 The nuclear power industry may be stagnant, but the sector’s top trade group is banking on turning that around — and as one sign, it’s giving its top executive a hefty salary.

Continue reading

April 3, 2010 Posted by | 1, energy, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

The uranium mining industry makes it easier for terrorists

An IAEA database counts scores of thefts, losses and other incidents involving nuclear materials each year.

Uranium-mining nations flout UN on nuclear terror  Norwalk News 03/31/2010 By CHARLES J. HANLEYAP NEW YORK (AP) — Years after a six-month deadline passed, dozens of nations, including uranium producers, remain potential weak links in the global defense against nuclear terrorism, ignoring a U.N. mandate on laws and controls to foil this ultimate threat. Continue reading

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uranium mining devastates indigenous communities

“It is critical for people in New York City, as well as nation- and world-wide, to understand how mining uranium, possibly destined for one of these six reactors, devastates indigenous communities throughout the Southwest.”

Resisting the Nuclear Boom: A new wave of uranium mining threatens Indigenous communities in the Southwest By Klee Benally and Jessica Lee April 2, 2010 Continue reading

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment

Obama soon to announce the USA’s Nuclear Posture Review

Nuclear Madness Month at the White House, The Atlantic, Mar 31 2010, Next week kicks off nuclear madness month at the White House — or, as one senior administration official resignedly describes it, “all nukes, all the time.” By mid-May, the world ought to know whether President Obama is really a deterrencer in a dove’s clothing. Continue reading

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , | Leave a comment

Taxpayer’s uranium mining clean-up costs not factored in to nuclear’s ‘revival’ costs

While the nuclear power loan guarantees essentially subsidize new power plants, what has not been factored in are the hidden costs of “clean” nuclear power: the financial legacy of past mining and milling operations have reached into tens of billions of dollars in the West’s “National Sacrifice Areas.”

Hot Rocks: Hidden Cost and Foreign Ownership of “Clean” Nuclear Fuel Emerging,THE HUFFINGTON POST, D.A. Barber, 1 April 2010, “…..Unlike coal, which goes straight from the mine to the power plant, uranium goes through several steps to become fuel for “clean” nuclear power plants and then needs to be disposed of. Continue reading

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. EPA warns on water risks with in situ uranium mining

a major hurdle for dozens of proposed in-situ uranium proposals in the region

Water concerns delay Wyoming uranium projects, 30 march 2010, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to go back to the drawing board with its site-specific environmental reviews of three proposed in-situ uranium mines in Wyoming. Continue reading

April 2, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium, water | , , | Leave a comment

Fires at 3 U.S. nuclear plants illustrate safety risks

Fires break out at three U.S. nuclear plants over the weekend, FACING SOUTH,  By Sue Sturgis , March 29, 2010 Emergencies were declared at two Progress Energy nuclear power plants in the Carolinas over the weekend due to fires. There was also a fire at a nuclear power plant in Ohio on Sunday that sent two firefighters to the hospital. The blazes were put out and disaster averted, but the incidents underscore concerns about U.S. nuclear plants’ failure to comply with fire safety regulations…… Continue reading

March 29, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear power spread will promote peace – nuclear lobby’s spin

Access To Civil Nuclear Energy Voice of America News.com 29 March 2010“Our efforts to reinvigorate the U.S. domestic nuclear industry go hand-in-hand with our efforts in the international arena.”
Speaking about the vital role that nuclear energy plays in our low-carbon future, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman said the United States is working to reinvigorate its domestic nuclear industry. At the same time, he said the U.S. is working with other nations “to ensure that all countries can access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in a manner that minimizes proliferation risks.”….. Continue reading

March 29, 2010 Posted by | 1 | , | Leave a comment

Anti uranium protest in Western Australia

Kalgoorlie residents protest against uranium industry, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Mar 27, 2010
Traditional owners from across WA have joined residents and politicians in an anti-uranium protest in Kalgoorlie. The protesters are opposed to development in WA’s emerging uranium industry.

There are also concerns about BHP Billiton’s plans to transport yellow cake from its proposed Yeelirrie mine near Wiluna to Kalgoorlie where it will be loaded on to freight trains bound for Adelaide or Darwin.

Kalgoorlie residents protest against uranium industry – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

March 29, 2010 Posted by | 1, uranium | , , , | Leave a comment