Safety problems at AREVA’s new nuclear reactors
Changes to the initially proposed cladding design would affect the operating economics of the reactor and would present “a serious safety problem”
Safety Fears Raised at French Reactor, NYTimes.com, By PATRICIA BRETT: July 26, 2010, PARIS — Anti-nuclear activists are seeking to halt construction of France’s latest-generation nuclear power plant at Flamanville, on the Normandy coast, arguing that changes introduced to solve problems with the reactor’s fuel pellet cladding have invalidated the plant’s original building permit. Continue reading
Aboriginals take Muckaty protest to Martin Ferguson’s electorate
Elders from Muckaty on Monday travelled to the seat of Batman in Melbourne’s north, calling for the waste dump to be stopped………….
Nuclear dump opposed by elders, Sydney Morning Herald, EDWINA SCOTTJuly 26, 2010 Aboriginal landowners have protested in Resources Minister Martin Ferguson’s electorate to oppose the establishment of Australia’s first radioactive waste dump on their land. Continue reading
Airport scanning: why not use non radiation type?
Given that the two types of machines are both deemed effective by the T.S.A., why doesn’t the agency just abandon backscatters and use the millimeter wave machines, which don’t pose radiation issues?
Radiation Questions Over a Body Scanner – NYTimes.com. By JOE SHARKEY July 26, 2010“………Let’s just focus today on radiation, a concern with one kind of body scanner that is being installed at airports, the so-called backscatter machines. Continue reading
Nuclear’s Brave New Confidence Trick to hijack Walk Against Warming
August 15 will be the day for “Walk Against Warming”. The nuclear lobby will try to use this occasion to promote nuclear power as a solution to global warming.
I like their slogan – “Brave New Climate”. It has echoes of “Brave New World” – a book in which the State exercised complete surveillance over people’s lives. And that would be the scenario, in a nuclear Australia. It’s an aspect not often discussed – but nuclear power is so dangerous, that it requires huge surveillance, and secrecy – indeed a Brave New World style influence on our lives.
Nuclear power far from being any solution to Climate Change, simply creates a new and potentially greater problem.
At the website below, a Double-sided A4 flyer can be downloaded, for printing off, and used to counter this attempt by the nuclear lobby to hikack the Walk Against Warming.
Nuclear Power & Climate Change — Friends of the Earth Australia
Greens MP Mark Parnell will continue fight against uranium mining in Arkaroola
Greens MLC Mark Parnell’s proposal to declare the wilderness sanctuary off-limits for miners.
Arkaroola mining debate delayed, The Independent Weekly, SUZIE KEEN24 Jul, 2010 A parliamentary showdown over mining at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges will be delayed until September. Continue reading
US Senate rejects 2 Bills about nuclear loans
The House will almost certainly have to accept the Senate version; those loans are now history.
SENATE REJECTS EMERGENCY FUNDING BILL WITH $9 BILLION IN NUKE LOAN GUARANTEES
SENATE DROPS NUKE-LARDED CLIMATE BILL AND SENATE COMMITTEE CUTS HOUSE COMMITTEE’S NUKE LOAN PROGRAM, Beyond Nuclear 24 July 2010, First, the Senate last night rejected the House-passed emergency supplemental funding bill by a 51-46 vote.* This is the bill that included $9 Billion in “emergency” loans for new nuclear reactor construction. Continue reading
France investigating hereditary effects of nuclear plants’ radiation emissions
French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) wants new investigation into hereditary effects from tritium exposure, better monitoring and more restriction of tritium releases from nuclear facilities.
Tritium – Government nuclear authority admits tritium health risks could be underestimated, Beyond Nuclear, 24 July 2010, Continue reading
Australia’s Nuclear Reactor Agency cutting staff, reducing costs
there will be reductions in fixed costs and around 80 staff of ANSTO’s workforce of 1,009.”
Nuclear body ANSTO to cut 80 staff, cheap nike air, by selena on July 23rd, 2010 Continue reading
Report from UK Uranium Weapons Network
UWN is campaigning for the UK government to adopt a precautionary approach to the use of DU in conventional weaponry and for greater transparency over where DU has been used
Latest documents advocating the ban of depleted uranium. By Jerry Mazza, Online Journal, 23 July 2010, “…… recent documents gathered from reliable government and non-government sources. ………According to the UK Uranium Weapons Network, now submitting its evidence to the Iraq War Inquiry, “The UK Uranium Weapons Network (UWN) announced today that it has submitted its report on British military use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition in the 2003 Iraq War to the Chilcot Inquiry. Continue reading
Greens call for ALP, Liberals to be honest about nuclear issue
“The Labor Party says they are against it but have let ANSTO head Dr Zigmunt Switkowski travel all over the country as atomic energy salesman-in-chief…..”An election campaign is when cards should go on the table. The Australian Greens oppose nuclear power in Australia. Where do the others stand?”
Greens call on major parties to declare their hand on nuclear energy , Scott Ludlam, 22nd July 2010, The Australian Greens are calling on Labor and the Coalition to be up-front with Australians about their position on nuclear power after a renewed push by the uranium lobby. Continue reading
Uranium marketers getting a bit desperate?
Mr Connor says with the current world oversupply of uranium, potential miners need to consider…..”You know, any customer they can find who gives them the money they need to be profitable and stable works,” he says
Think creatively on sales, says uranium marketer, ABC Rural News, 22/07/2010 A leading uranium marketer is encouraging emerging Australian producers to ‘think outside the box’ when selling yellowcake.
Mike Connor, from Nuclear Resources International, says…. Continue reading
Uranium accident shuts U.S. highway
U.S. Highway 412 …has been shut down …They initially reported that the chemical spilled was uranium
(USA) Uranium Accident Prompts Road Closure , Evacuations Reported Near Fairview, KOCO Oklahoma City, July 22, 2010 An accident involving a vehicle carrying cesium has forced the closure of a road in Major County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. According to a news release from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, U.S. Highway 412 at Bouse Junction east to State Highway 58 at Ringwood has been shut down for containment purposes. They initially reported that the chemical spilled was uranium.Fairview police said there have been evacuations about 1,000 feet around the area. It has not been determined whether anything is leaking.Authorities at the scene are waiting for officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to arrive from Tulsa.Chemical Accident Prompts Road Closure – Oklahoma City News Story – KOCO Oklahoma City
No U.S. waste dump in sight, as Yucca stays sghut
Hanford’s high level radioactive waste has been expected to go to Yucca Mountain, but the Obama administration is shutting the project down…..
HANFORD: Yucca Mountain funding voted down, Tri-City Herald, 22 July 2010, Annette Cary, An amendment to restore money to license the Yucca Mountain, Nev., nuclear repository failed in the Senate Appropriations Committee today. Continue reading
Greed and stupidity in uranium investment world
You would think that investors would wake up to the hype! The so-called “nuclear renaissance” is just not happening.
Even the market for nuclear weapons is now looking dodgy – these being no protection whatever from terrorists, (in fact a target for them)
China is looking to slow down its economy.- China’s supposed great uranium binge is a BHP executives’ fantasy
There is a glut of uranium supply, made worse by the weapons reduction program, which now supplies uranium (mining not needed)
From today’s CTV News: “Despite the low spot and term prices, uranium producers have shown almost no discipline by reducing current or planned output,”…Despite falling uranium prices, worldwide spending on exploration and mine development grew 133 per cent to $1.6-billion in 2008 from 2006″
In sunny Australia, passing up the chance to develop 21st Century renewables, we are mindlessly letting banks, super funds etc, put our money into this gaping hole of impending loss – the almost certainly doomed uranium industry.
Keep Fremantle nuclear and uranium free!
“Fremantle has been a nuclear-free city since 2000, and we are against any form of transportation of uranium through Fremantle.”
Uranium protesters rally in Fremantle, Sydney Morning Herald, ANGIE RAPHAEL, July 21, 2010 – Protesters have rallied against uranium mining ahead of a conference with major mining companies in Western Australia. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 