Vermont Yankee – just one of many aging, leaking nuclear power plants
Indeed, a desperate national industry now pushing for massive federal subsidies to build new reactors may not survive a flood of elderly clunkers being forced to close by the weight of their own contamination….
Vermont’s radioactive nightmare FDL The Seminal Harvey Wasserman
February 10, 2010
Like a decayed flotilla of rickety steamers, at least 27 of America’s 104 aging atomic reactors are known to be leaking radioactive tritium, which is linked to cancer if inhaled or ingested through the throat or skin. Continue reading
Angela Pamela uranium mine – a threat to Alice Springs’ water supply?
Uranium mine’s future depends on water supply ABC Rural News , 09/02/2010 The project manager for uranium exploration at the Angela Pamela deposit, 25 kilometres south of Alice Springs, says mining will only go ahead if the company can prove that it won’t harm the town’s water supply.
The Angela Pamela exploration site lies close to the aquifer that supplies the town with water.
Stephan Stander says it won’t be known until the end of this year whether or not Cameco Paladin will apply for a mining licence.”The joint venture partners are committed to the fact that we won’t develop the project or even consider it if we can’t, technically, for ourselves, prove that we won’t impact on the town’s water supply,” he says.
Highly radioactive leaking water continues from Ranger uranium mine
Uranium mine leak ‘5400 times normal level’ – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) By Emma Masters Feb 9, 2010 Contaminated water seeping from a mine in Kakadu National Park has a uranium concentration more than 5,000 times the normal level, a Senate estimates committee has heard.
The Office of the Supervising Scientist is the environmental regulator of the Ranger uranium mine, which is owned by Energy Resources of Australia. Continue reading
Radioactivity found in wells near nuclear power plant
SENECA, S.C. (AP) – Officials say they’ve found elevated levels of a radioactive form of hydrogen in water in two wells at a South Carolina nuclear reactor site.Duke Energy said Tuesday that samples from two wells at Oconee Nuclear Station near Seneca showed tritium levels above the nuclear industry’s voluntary reporting level.
Canada developing renewable energy, leaving nuclear to languish
This gives the government a chance to ramp up efforts to have green energy replace nuclear, which now accounts for about half of Ontario’s power,
Nuclear industry left hanging
Rob Ferguson Queen’s Park Bureau With files from Tanya Talaga thestar.com 10 Feb 2010
The McGuinty government is leaving Ontario’s nuclear industry “drifting in the wind” after handing foreign-based Samsung a $7 billion deal to develop green power, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak charges. Continue reading
Nuclear engineer advises shutdown of Yankee Nuclear Plant
Nuclear Expert Says Yankee Should Shut Down VPR News: 02/10/1 John Dillon – Montpelier, Vt. An expert on nuclear power hired by the Legislature says Vermont Yankee should shut down voluntarily to stop its radiation leaks. Continue reading
Sarah Palin advocates war with Iran
(USA) Palin beating drums of war on Iran PRESS TV, 08 Feb 2010 US conservative darling Sarah Palin says she thinks President Barack Obama should declare war on Iran. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson says No Uranium Sales to India
Australian minister rules out uranium export to India DAWN.COM By Afshan Subohi , 11 Feb, 2010 CANBERRA: The Australian government does not intend to export uranium to India, according to Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism Martin Ferguson. Continue reading
India ramping up nuclear weapons
India announces long-range nuclear-capable missile test Google News By Pratap Chakravarty (AFP) – 11 Feb 2010 NEW DELHI — India will test a nuclear-capable missile with a range of over 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) within a year, its top military scientist said Wednesday, risking a rise in regional tensions. Continue reading
Olympic Dam uranium mine’s very costly accident
Olympic Dam accident may cost $228m Matt Chambers The Australian February 11, 2010 THE failure of a hoist at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine last October that sent a full skip of ore plummeting hundreds of metres was caused by a computer braking system fault and could cost the company more than $US200 million ($228.6m) in lost profit………
The October 2009 incident has rendered the Clark shaft unusable and sliced 75 per cent of capacity from the big mine at Roxby Downs in South Australia.
Nuclear weapons in Europe – a handicap for global safety
Europe’s Nuclear Deterrent Debated Voice of America 8 Feb 2010 Jennifer Glasse | London Germany’s new coalition government is calling for U.S. nuclear missiles to be removed from Europe. A London research organization says Germany’s announcement has reopened the global debate about whether nuclear weapons help or hinder global security…… Continue reading
Nuclear weapons in Europe – a handicap to global safety
Europe’s Nuclear Deterrent Debated Voice of America 8 Feb 2010 Jennifer Glasse | London Germany’s new coalition government is calling for U.S. nuclear missiles to be removed from Europe. A London research organization says Germany’s announcement has reopened the global debate about whether nuclear weapons help or hinder global security…… Continue reading
Review: AREVA, Climate Policy, Iran’s uranium enrichment
Au
stralia. Areva takes over Australian solar company. Continuing chaos on Australia’s Climate Change policy, as Rudd dithers over the Greens’ modest carbon tax plan, and Abbott is encouraged, as media publicises cranky extremist views of Lord Monckton. Sustainable Northern Australia report raises debate. W.A. govt refuses to hold public inquiry into uranium industry’s impact.
International: Obama appoints nuclear lobbyist as nuclear safety regulator. France’s AREVA joins powerful Korean nuclear industry competitor, while acquiring several solar companies. Iran ramps up uranium enrichment, while U.S and Israeli hawks preach war. Continuing anxieties over overuse of medical radiation – the week that has been
Can nuclear giant AREVA be trusted with solar energy industry?
There are two ways of looking at the French nuclear company AREVA taking over an Australian solar company.
1. Areva’s resources, financial and expert, can bring the necessary push to really make this solar industry happen. And, with the financial mess that is developing in AREVA’s nuclear industry, this solar move could herald a very positive transition away from nuclear, and to renewables.
2. In Australia, we have a sad history of fossil fuel interests buying up solar industry initiatives precisely for the purpose of killing them off. AREVA has just joined forces with its powerful Korean nuclear competitor, KEPCO. Can corporations like Areva be trusted to really develop renewable technologies – or are they out to suppress them so as to promote their nuclear power empire?
I would like to think that Areva is truly diversifying, and promoting renewable energy technologies. I bear in mind the work of people like Ralph Nader, who has always been willing to talk with polluting corporations, and work for improvements.
Nevertheless, the fear remains.
Australian solar companies taken over by multinationals
Local solar power leaders taken over by Areva and Silex THE AUSTRALIAN, Giles Parkinson February 10, 2010 TWO of Australia’s most promising solar energy technologies changed hands yesterday, with the world’s largest nuclear energy group Areva buying Ausra and Silex Systems acquiring the assets of the collapsed Solar Systems. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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