Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Will Secretary Moniz Put Energy Back Into The Department of Energy?

Will Secretary Moniz Put Energy Back Into The Department of Energy?

President Barack Obama announced Monday that he will nominate Dr. Ernest Moniz to head the U.S. Department of Energy as Secretary. This was a wise move. There are not many who are better qualified, few with as much experience, and none with more chutzpah than Ernie Moniz. And he will need all three if he is to accomplish anything in a job that has been a standing nightmare for decades.http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/03/09/will-secretary-moniz-put-energy-back-into-the-department-of-energy/

Nuclear Risk in Perspective: Making Fact-Based Energy Choices

Nuclear Risk in Perspective: Making Fact-Based Energy Choices


http://www.progressivepolicy.org/2011/12/nuclear-risk-in-perspective-making-fact-based-energy-choices/

Nuclear power is our only hope, or, the greatest environmentalist hypocrisy of all time

Nuclear power is our only hope, or, the greatest environmentalist hypocrisy of all time


http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/147814-the-nuclear-power-vendetta-or-the-greatest-environmentalist-hypocrisy-of-all-time

Economic impact study released on closing Kewaunee nuclear power plant


Economic impact study released on closing Kewaunee nuclear power plant

http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2013/mar/08/economic-impact-study-released-on-closing-kewaunee-nuclear-power-plant/

Providing lessons on nuclear policy

Providing lessons on nuclear policy

FALLOUT FROM FUKUSHIMA, by Richard Broinowski. Scribe Publications, 2012, 273 pp., A$27.95 (paperback)
Most books about the nuclear reactor accident of Fukushima No. 1 are very opinionated. Given the many repercussions of the disaster, it is not surprising that people find it difficult to discuss in a disinterested way, sine ira et studio.
The book under review here is no exception. Its author is a retired Australian diplomat who some time ago decided to devote himself to awakening the world to the dangers of nuclear power and to observing Australia’s nuclear ambitions.
“Fallout from Fukushima” is Richard Broinowski’s take on Fukushima No. 1 and the March 11, 2011, catastrophe. Those who have made up their mind that nuclear power is the devil’s work will read it with pleasure, while those who think that nuclear power is good are unlikely to read it at all. But what about those who are in doubt; those who confess that they lack qualified knowledge to make a decision with far-reaching consequences; those who don’t know how the imperatives of employment, electricity supply and curbing climate change can be reconciled? What can they learn from this book?http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/03/10/books/providing-lessons-on-nuclear-policy/#.UTuKwBjy-pI

 

Few follow German no nukes policy

Few follow German no nukes policy

The Local.de - ‎7 hours ago‎
Two years after the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe, nuclear energy usage is growing – except in Germany and in Japan, where the meltdown took place, a story on Saturday in Die Welt said. Nuclear power will 'never return' to Germany - National (4 Jan 13) ...http://www.thelocal.de/national/20130309-48435.html#.UTuKfBjy-pI

Nuclear Power Post -Fukushima YouTube


Nuclear Power Post -Fukushima
YouTube
Nuclear is a vital component to provide this base-load power to these growing countries. Right now according to Tom Drolet there are around 400 operating reactors. We could see massive demand from China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pQX2EcKBpo

Alsom Cutting 80 Jobs


Alstom Cutting 80 Jobs Due To Decline In Nuclear Power Plant Demand
The Chattanoogan
Chattanooga's Alstom plant announced is cutting 80 positions due to a decline in demand for new or refurbished nuclear power plants. Officials said a number of market factors, including the Fukushima disaster in Japan and the growing availability of ...http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/3/8/246186/Alstom-Cutting-80-Jobs-Due-To-Decline.aspx

Nuclear waste problem could have been resolved long ago Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/05/2447597/nuclear-waste-problem-could-have.html#storylink=cpy

Nuclear waste problem could have been resolved long ago 

The imperative for federal lawmakers and scientists to find safe methods of storing high-level radioactive waste did not begin 10 days ago with the discovery that temporary storage tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are leaking.
The search for safe storage began 56 years ago. That we are still storing nuclear waste in metal containers whose useful life died about the time The Beatles invaded America, speaks volumes about the ineptitude of the U.S. government.
Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/05/2447597/nuclear-waste-problem-could-have.html#storylink=cpy

 


Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/05/2447597/nuclear-waste-problem-could-have.html#storylink=cpy

Nature's Prophet: Bill McKibben as Journalist, Public Intellectual, and Activist


Nature's Prophet: Bill McKibben as Journalist, Public Intellectual, and Activist

http://theenergycollective.com/matthewnisbet/196506/natures-profit-bill-mckibben-journalist-public-intellectual-and-activist?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

It Was Safety, Safety, Safety. Lawyers can't rescue a weak case

It Was Safety, Safety, Safety.  Lawyers can't rescue a weak case


In 2011, the Vermont state senate voted to close down Vermont Yankee. In 2012, federal judge Gavan Murtha ruled that the reason for their vote was the concerns with nuclear safety.  Since nuclear safety is regulated solely by the federal government, not state legislatures, Murtha ruled against the state.  The state appealed the ruling. Nuclear opponents claimed they had been "out-lawyered," so the state hired a more high-powered attorney for its appeal. However, if the senators weren't voting on nuclear safety, what was the basis for their vote?  The new attorney argued the senators were voting on economics. To bolster his argument, he cited two facts about Vermont Yankee: it provides low-cost power, and it will share money with the state utilities if prices rise on the grid. These facts are completely correct, but most people would say these are economic arguments for keeping the plant, not shutting it down. 

Meet The New US Petroleum Pipelines

Meet The New US Petroleum Pipelines

Still confused why crony capitalist #1, the "rustic" Octogenarian of Omaha, and Obama tax advisor #1, Warren Buffett has been aggressively attempting to corner the railroad market, while the administration relentlessly refuses to allow assorted new, and very much competing petroleum pipelines from America's neighbor to the north to cross through the US (in gratitude for the former's generous "tax advice" and pedigree by association)? Hint: it's not concern about the environment. The answer is the chart below.http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-09/meet-new-us-petroleum-pipelines

We're Screwed: 11,000 Years' Worth of Climate Data Prove It


We're Screwed: 11,000 Years' Worth of Climate Data Prove It

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/03/were-screwed-11-000-years-worth-of-climate-data-prove-it/273870/

Moniz's Interest in Energy Efficiency May Favor Electricity Storage

Moniz's Interest in Energy Efficiency May Favor Electricity Storage
from The Energy Collective -If energy efficiency is going to be a top priority of the Obama Administration over the next four years, electricity storage technology should be able to benefit.
http://theenergycollective.com/jim-greenberger/196406/monizs-interest-energy-efficiency-may-favor-electricity-storage?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Bill Gates Still Believes In A Carbon Tax

Bill Gates Still Believes In A Carbon Tax


http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/03/09/bill-gates-still-believes-in-a-carbon-tax/

NGNP aims to expand nuclear fission out of its electricity producing niche (box)

 

NGNP aims to expand nuclear fission out of its electricity producing niche (box)

http://atomicinsights.com/2013/03/ngnp-expands-nuclear-fission.html

Why Nuclear Energy Matters to South Carolina


Why Nuclear Energy Matters to South Carolina

http://us.arevablog.com/2013/03/07/why-nuclear-energy-matters-to-south-carolina/

Why Environmentalists Oppose One of the Best Ways to Cut Carbon Emissions


Why Environmentalists Oppose One of the Best Ways to Cut Carbon Emissions

Humans may be wired to respond more to immediate issues like fracking than longer term ones like global warming.
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512331/why-environmentalists-oppose-one-of-the-best-ways-to-cut-carbon-emissions/

CERAWEEK-Gates favors nuclear power to help limit climate change

CERAWEEK-Gates favors nuclear power to help limit climate change


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/ceraweek-gates-nuclear-idUSL1N0C01HV20130308

Industry Chiefs See Growing Diversity of US Fuels

Industry Chiefs See Growing Diversity of US Fuels


http://www.voanews.com/content/energy-industry-leaders-ihs-cera-week/1617839.html

Calif. nuclear owner disputes Mitsubishi report on design flaws

Calif. nuclear owner disputes Mitsubishi report on design flaws


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/09/utilities-nuclear-edison-sanonofre-idUSL1N0C0K4Q20130309

Robert Bryce: Rise of the nuclear Greens

Robert Bryce: Rise of the nuclear Greens


http://washingtonexaminer.com/manhattan-moment-rise-of-the-nuclear-greens/article/2523570

U.S. Nuclear Energy: Where I've Been and Where It's Going By Dr Patrick Moore

U.S. Nuclear Energy: Where I've Been and Where It's Going

San Onofre steam generators – honest error driven by search for perfection


San Onofre steam generators – honest error driven by search for perfection

Is Bill McKibben really serious about climate change?

Is Bill McKibben really serious about climate change?

Fukushima Updates 3/9

Today's Fukushiam updates -
 
Summation of Fukushima 2nd Anniversary Articles in Japan
 
The Japanese Press is focussing on the negative, as expected. The accident scenario, evacuation stresses, and on-going public fear are emphasized. Tepco's emergency cooling pumping systems, water decontamination technology and reactor building enclosures are called "makeshift", implying they could fail. Unit #4 reactor building continues to be identified as "fragile". Many indie filmakers in Japan are exploiting the 2nd anniversary with frightening, emotionally-appealing videos. Negativity in the Press is omnipresent.
 

San Onofre - nonproprietary version of Mitsubishi root cause analysis report (and supplement) released

San Onofre - nonproprietary version of Mitsubishi root cause analysis report (and supplement) released


http://news.nuclear.com/blog7.php/san-onofre-nonproprietary-version-of

Japan’s Economic Troubles Spur a Return to Nuclear

Japan’s Economic Troubles Spur a Return to Nuclear

Some of the nuclear power plants shut down after the Fukushima disaster could restart soon.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/512151/japans-economic-troubles-spur-a-return-to-nuclear/

Hanford Nuclear Waste Cleanup Could Take Years

Hanford Nuclear Waste Cleanup Could Take Years


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/hanford-nuclear-waste-leak-cleanup-could-tak_n_2831474.html

Controversial Report Released for Nuclear Plant


Controversial Report Released for Nuclear Plant

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-feds-196496781.html

Report cites federal agency for failing to address nuclear safety problems


Report cites federal agency for failing to address nuclear safety problems

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/08/us/nrc-nuclear-report

Friday, March 8, 2013

Filtered Vents and Boiling Water Reactors: It’s Not About the Costs

Filtered Vents and Boiling Water Reactors: It’s Not About the Costs

Recently, we've seen a spate of media reports that have accused the nuclear industry of opposing the installation of filtered vents on Mark I and II boiling water reactors (BWRs) simply because of cost considerations.

Needless to say, a number of us here at NEI are troubled by that accusation given the extensive research industry has produced buttressing our position that demanding that filtered vents be installed on every Mark I and II BWR is a "one-size fits all" solution.http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2013/03/filtered-vents-and-boiling-water.html

Southern California Edison Comments on MHI Evaluation of San Onofre Nuclear Plant Steam Generators


Southern California Edison Comments on MHI Evaluation of San Onofre Nuclear Plant Steam Generators

Posted March 8, 2013 - 2:00 p.m. PDT
 
 
Media Contact: Media Relations, (626) 302-2255
 
ROSEMEAD, Calif., March 8, 2013 — An evaluation by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) made public today cites ineffective tube supports, dry steam and high steam flow velocity as causes of excessive wear in the steam generators MHI supplied to Southern California Edison's (SCE) San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
SCE previously disclosed these same causes based on its own investigation, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) augmented inspection team report last July found that MHI's use of faulty computer modeling in the design process caused MHI engineers to inadequately predict the dryness of the steam, measured by void fraction, in the replacement steam generators.
 
MHI repeatedly reassured SCE of the efficacy of the design. During the design phase of the project, MHI advised SCE that, based on its own review and analysis, the maximum void fraction that MHI expected to occur was acceptable, did not require additional design changes or measures, and that the replacement steam generators would perform as warranted.
 
"SCE's own oversight of MHI's design review complied with industry standards and best practices," said Pete Dietrich, SCE senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. "SCE would never, and did not, install steam generators that it believed would impact public safety or impair reliability."
 
In fact, MHI states in its root cause report (page 41), that its analysis of conditions in the steam generator during the design phase (which calculated void fraction and steam flow velocity) concluded that the thermal hydraulic conditions in the San Onofre steam generators were acceptable, and specifically that there was no need to reduce void fraction1.
 
Additionally, SCE never rejected a proposed design change to address void fraction based on its impact on compliance with 10 CFR 50.59.
 
"At no time was SCE informed that the maximum void fraction or flow velocities estimated by MHI could contribute to the failure of steam generator tubes," said Dietrich. "At the time, the design was considered sound."
 
SCE is disappointed that MHI decided on its own to redact some information in its evaluation about the flaws in the computer codes. However, the NRC publicly disclosed the computer code flaws three months before MHI completed its evaluation. In addition, the corrective actions and other statements included in the evaluation make it evident that there were problems with the computer modeling that failed to predict conditions that led to the tube-to-tube wear.
 
SCE has proposed operating Unit 2 at 70 percent to decrease velocity and decrease steam dryness to increase damping, thus preventing the conditions that led to excessive wear. The proposed restart plan was validated using a different computer model and has been reviewed by independent experts.
 
The San Onofre nuclear plant is the largest source of baseload generation and voltage support in the region and is a critical asset in meeting California's summer electricity and clean energy needs. Both units at San Onofre are currently safely shut down. Unit 2 remains shut down since it was taken out of service Jan. 9, 2012, for a planned outage. Unit 3 was safely taken offline Jan. 31, 2012, after station operators detected a leak in a steam generator tube.
 
NRC approval is required before SCE can restart Unit 2. The repair, corrective action and restart plan for Unit 2, along with additional technical information to address questions from the NRC, are available to the public at www.SONGScommunity.com
 
More information, including videos that explain how a steam generator works and the role San Onofre plays in providing reliable electricity to the region, is available at www.edison.com/SONGSupdate and at www.SONGScommunity.com. San Onofre is jointly owned by SCE (78.21 percent), San Diego Gas & Electric (20 percent) and the city of Riverside (1.79 percent). Follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/SCE) and like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SCE).
 
About Southern California EdisonAn Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
1MHI Root Cause Analysis, page 41: T/H condition "was judged acceptable by FIV analysis" and "T/H analysis (FIT-III) did not indicate the necessity to reduce the high steam quality (void fraction)."

San Onofre news update 3/8

NRC releases Mitsubishi report on San Onofre nuclear problem ...
HOUSTON, March 8 (Reuters) - Nuclear regulators on Fridayreleased a report from the manufacturer of steam generatorsinstalled in Edison International's ...
www.reuters.com/.../utilities-nuclear-edison-sanonofre-idUSL1...
NRC releases docs on San Onofre design flaws - Fox 5 San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- Documents that show Southern California Edison and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries knew about design flaws in steam generators installed at the ...
fox5sandiego.com/.../nrc-released-docs-on-san-onofre-design-...
Officials rejected some fixes to crippled San Onofre nuclear generators
Experts say they don't expect a quake larger than 7.0 near the San Onofre nuclear plant, nor do they expect one bigger than 7.5 near Diablo Canyon, despite the ...
thepoliticalcarnival.net/.../officials-rejected-some-fixes-to-crip...
Officials rejected some changes to crippled San Onofre generators ...
A report on the root causes of problems at the San Onofre nuclear plant shows that officials considered making design changes to the plant's new steam ...
www.coastlinepilot.com/.../tn-cpt-officials-rejected-some-chan...
San Onofre - Friends of the Earth
San Onofre: Secret report confirms Edison knew of major problems. Posted Mar. 8, 2013 / Posted by: Lisa Matthes. Friends of the Earth: 'Bombshell' for plans to ...
www.foe.org/.../2013-03-san-onofre-report-confirms-edison-k...

Seven Next-Generation Energy Technologies Showcased by ARPA-E

Seven Next-Generation Energy Technologies Showcased by ARPA-E

Companies showed off their latest clean energy innovations at the ARPA-E Summit.
The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy funds R&D in energy technologies that are too early for private funders to pick up. It’s funded hundreds of projects since it was first funded in 2009 in areas including carbon capture and storage, power electronics, and solar power. http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512241/seven-next-generation-energy-technologies-showcased-by-arpa-e/

Federal Court Reopens Case Disputing Nuclear Waste Fund Fees


Federal Court Reopens Case Disputing Nuclear Waste Fund Fees
POWER magazine
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit last week reopened and set a relatively expedited briefing schedule for a case in which several states and nuclear utilities have claimed collection of a nuclear waste fee by the Department of Energy (DOE ...http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/Federal-Court-Reopens-Case-Disputing-Nuclear-Waste-Fund-Fees_5441.html

NuScale highlights its small modular reactor technology

NuScale highlights its small modular reactor technology
PennEnergy (press release)
NuScale Power LLC announced today that it has launched a newly redesigned and revamped corporate website that highlights the key features of its small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The site offers potential customers and key stakeholders a ...http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/03/nuscale-highlights-its-small-modular-reactor-technology.html

Vermont Yankee's safety record gets NRC approval


Vermont Yankee's safety record gets NRC approval
vtdigger.org
This finding comes after former Public Service Department Commissioner Liz Miller sent the NRC a series of letters asking why the NRC was not strengthening its oversight of the plant in light of a string of human performance errors in 2012 (for more on ...http://vtdigger.org/2013/03/07/vermont-yankees-safety-record-gets-nrc-approval/
NRC Gives Yankee Good Grades For 2012
Vermont Public Radio
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant did a good job last year in protecting public health and safety. The nuclear agency released its annual assessment report on Thursday. Spokesman Neil Sheehan said Yankee does ...http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/97723/nrc-gives-yankee-good-grades-for-2012/

Fukushima Updates 3/7

Here are the topics of today's Fukushima updates. Click the link for the full reports.
Numerous 3/11/11 second anniversary articles are being posted in the Japanese Press. Tomorrow, we will post a summary of the Fukushima-specific articles, and Sunday a summary of tsunami-specific articles... The Tokyo government is reviewing the disaster recovery subsidy policy of the former political regime... The former regime’s Fukushima decommissioning policy is also under review... Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority wants the on-going Fukushima Prefecture health survey to continue indefinitely... The NRA says they will not make the mistakes of their predecessor; NISA... Tokyo Electric Company (Tepco) drilled a hole in the roof of F. Daiichi unit #6 reactor building on March 18, 2011... The Mainichi Shimbun says the government is not doing enough to protect the health of Fukushima residents.

The Hanford triangle, where radiation, engineers and Gov. Jay Inslee meet


The Hanford triangle, where radiation, engineers and Gov. Jay Inslee meet

For the governor, newly-leaking tanks of radioactive waste made a trip to Eastern Washington the biggest thing on his agenda this week.

The Hanford triangle, where radiation, engineers and Gov. Jay Inslee meet: http://crosscut.com/2013/03/08/olympia-2013/113341/hanford-engineers-and-jay-inslee-triangle-made-nee/

US NRC Blog Update: Two Important Reports about Steam Generators at SONGS go public

U.S. NRC Blog

Two Important Reports about Steam Generators at SONGS Go Public

by Moderator
Victor Dricks
Senior Public Affairs Officer
 
sanoThe NRC made public today redacted versions of two reports prepared by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries concerning the steam generator replacement at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
The Steam Generator Root Cause Analysis Report and a Supplemental Technical Evaluation Report  were prepared by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as part of its effort to determine what contributed to the unusual wear in the steam generators after they were installed in 2010 and 2011 at Units 2 and 3, respectively.
The NRC is using a variety of regulatory actions, such as inspections and investigations, to ensure that it is comprehensively addressing the issues that have arisen at the SONGS nuclear power plant.
On Sept. 28, 2012, the NRC began an expansive investigation on the completeness and accuracy of information that Edison provided to the NRC regarding the steam generator degradation under the NRC’s regulatory requirements.
These reports are included in an array of documents being reviewed by the NRC as we investigate whether Edison demonstrated sufficient due diligence in its oversight of the redesign of the steam generators; how design changes that were made or rejected may have affected the safety of the steam generators; and the truthfulness and accuracy of all the information Edison has provided to the NRC regarding the redesign and replacement of the steam generators.
Separately from the ongoing investigation, the NRC is evaluating Edison’s responses to questions the NRC has raised about their request to restart Unit 2 at the plant.
Additionally, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is reviewing issues related to the Confirmatory Action Letter issued by the NRC staff to Southern California Edison.
Moderator | March 8, 2013 at 2:57 pm | Tags: NRC, nuclear power plants, San Onofre, SONGS, steam generator | Categories: Operating Reactors | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-10w
Comment    See all comments

Fukushima nuclear plant flooded daily by 400 tons of groundwater

Fukushima nuclear plant flooded daily by 400 tons of groundwater

Published time: March 08, 2013 19:44 http://rt.com/news/fukushima-nuclear-plant-disaster-013/
This photo taken on March 6, 2013 shows members of the media wearing protective suits and masks being escorted by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) employees as they visit near the No.4 reactor (C) and the construction of a foundation (R) for storage of melted fuel rods at TEPCO's tsunami-crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, ahead of the second anniversary of the March 11, 2011 tsunami and earthquake. (AFP Photo/Issei Kato)
This photo taken on March 6, 2013 shows members of the media wearing protective suits and masks being escorted by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) employees as they visit near the No.4 reactor (C) and the construction of a foundation (R) for storage of melted fuel rods at TEPCO's tsunami-crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, ahead of the second anniversary of the March 11, 2011 tsunami and earthquake. (AFP Photo/Issei Kato)

Inevitable US Nuclear Phase-Out Part of a Broader Evolution

Inevitable US Nuclear Phase-Out Part of a Broader Evolution

Published on March 4, 2013 at 6:16 AM

In a 2012 report, the Obama administration announced that it was "jumpstarting" the nuclear industry. Because of the industry's long history of permitting problems, cost overruns, and construction delays, financial markets have been wary of backing new nuclear construction for decades. http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=18060

Nuclear No-go Zone Shepherd Protects Livestock from Cull

Nuclear No-go Zone Shepherd Protects Livestock from Cull

New Tang Dynasty Television - ‎Mar 5, 2013‎
Two years from the meltdown at Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Naoto Matsumura continues his daily routine of caring for his flock of animals. With one major difference. Matsumura now lives alone inside of the nuclear exclusion zone with ...http://ntdtv.org/en/news/world/asia/2013-03-05/nuclear-no-go-zone-shepherd-protects-livestock-from-cull.html

Fukushima report sheds light on future health risks


Fukushima report sheds light on future health risks

News-Medical.net - ‎Mar 6, 2013‎
A detailed report carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the risk to the general public inside and outside Japan from the Fukushima nuclear accident is minimal with no anticipated increases in cancer rates. However, for those living ...http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130306/Fukushima-report-sheds-light-on-future-health-risks.aspx

Radiation levels at Fukushima plant still too high, two years after nuclear meltdown


Radiation levels at Fukushima plant still too high, two years after nuclear meltdown

The Japan Daily Press - ‎Mar 6, 2013‎
Two years after the second worst nuclear disaster in the world, scientists are still no closer to understanding the exact conditions of the reactor cores inside the Fukushima nuclear plant. That is because the radiation levels are still too high for anyone to enter ...http://japandailypress.com/radiation-levels-at-fukushima-plant-still-too-high-two-years-after-nuclear-meltdown-0724695

Exclusive: Inside Japan's Fukushima, two years on



Exclusive: Inside Japan's Fukushima, two years on

The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant suffered meltdowns in three reactors as a result of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. FRANCE 24's Japan correspondent Justin McCurry visits the highly radioactive site.

By Guillaume BRESSION / Justin McCURRY (text) http://www.france24.com/en/20130307-inside-japans-fukushima-plant-two-years-later

Two Years Later, the Battle for Truth Continues Fukushima’s Nuclear Casualties by JOSEPH J. MANGANO


Two Years Later, the Battle for Truth Continues

Fukushima’s Nuclear Casualties

Book Review: Japan's Catastrophic 2011 Temblor

Book Review: Japan's Catastrophic 2011 Temblor

Asia Sentinel - ‎7 hours ago‎
Strong in the Rain: Surviving Japan's Earthquake, Tsunami, and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. By Lucy Birmingham and David McNeill. Palgrave Macmillan. Hardcover, 226 pp. US$17.82. Anyone who was in Japan on March 11, 2011, when the 9 pt. Richter ...http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5236&Itemid=604

World Energy Council calls for 'effective' nuclear governance

World Energy Council calls for 'effective' nuclear governance

Energy Live News - ‎2 hours ago‎
It is vital to have an “effective global governance” of the nuclear power industry to restore the public's trust in the sector. That's the view of the World Energy Council, commenting ahead of the second anniversary of the tragic Fukushima accident in Japan. http://www.energylivenews.com/2013/03/08/world-energy-council-calls-for-%E2%80%98effective%E2%80%99-nuclear-governance/
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IAEA: Fast reactors offer "thousands of years" of nuclear power


IAEA: Fast reactors offer "thousands of years" of nuclear power

PennEnergy (press release) - ‎10 hours ago‎
Using currently known uranium resources, "fast reactors operating in a closed fuel cycle would be able to provide energy for thousands of years as well as easing concerns about waste," says Stefano Monti, Team Leader for the IAEA's Fast Reactor ...http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/03/iaea-fast-reactors-offer-thousands-of-years-of-nuclear-power.html
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Bill Gates says nuclear power is the key to solving climate change

CERAWEEK-Gates favors nuclear power to help limit climate change

Reuters -
HOUSTON, March 7 | Fri Mar 8, 2013 2:03am EST. HOUSTON, March 7 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates said that expanding nuclear power and making it safer was the most economic way to ward off climate change. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/ceraweek-gates-nuclear-idUSL1N0C01HV20130308

Bill Gates Touts Nuclear Power in Climate Change Battle

Energy Tribune -
Bill Gates said he favors expanding the use of nuclear energy around the world in an effort to limit climate change. The Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) co-founder, according to Reuters, told a group of international energy company executives Thursday ...http://www.energytribune.com/74905/bill-gates-touts-nuclear-power-in-climate-change-battle

Bill Gates says nuclear power is the key to solving climate change

Power Engineering Magazine -
Speaking to a group of international energy executives at the IHS CERAWeek conference this week, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates called nuclear power the most economically viable way to combat climate change. “The only way to solve the ...http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/03/bill-gates-says-nuclear-power-is-the-key-to-solving-climate-chan.html

Gates Calls for Increased Spending on Energy Research, Renewed Focus on ...

POWER magazine -
Bill Gates didn't mince words last night when sharing with the IHS CERAWeek crowd his thoughts about public support for basic scientific research in the United States. “It's an incredible travesty that we're spending so little,” he said. Delivering the final ...http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/Gates-Calls-for-Increased-Spending-on-Energy-Research-Renewed-Focus-on-Nuclear_5438.html

Bill Gates urges government to spend more on energy R&D

FuelFix (blog) -
Microsoft Chairman and co-founder Bill Gates urged the U.S. government and other countries on Thursday to spend more money on energy research and development as a catalyst to innovation that he believes will bring more options to people around the ...http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/03/07/bill-gates-urges-government-to-spend-more-on-energy-rd/

Two years after Fukushima, Japan's nuclear lobby bounces back

Two years after Fukushima, Japan's nuclear lobby bounces back


http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/us-japan-nuclear-discontent-idUKBRE92619S20130307

Japan to revise Fukushima decommission roadmap by June

Japan to revise Fukushima decommission roadmap by June

Related Topics

TOKYO, March 7 | Thu Mar 7, 2013 8:34am EST
(Reuters) - Japan's government plans to impose a revised roadmap by June on decommissioning reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, putting pressure on the operator to push ahead with an unprecedented project expected to take 30 to 40 years.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/tokyo-electric-fukushima-idUSL4N0BZ2DL20130307

Wilson testifies in Congress about SRS cuts

Wilson testifies in Congress about SRS cuts


http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130307/AIK0101/130309742/1007/AIK0101/wilson-testifies-in-congress-about-srs-cuts

UPDATE 1-U.S. nuclear plant inspections need to improve -report


UPDATE 1-U.S. nuclear plant inspections need to improve -report

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/usa-reactors-inspections-idUKL1N0BZAS520130307

Editorial Two Enlistees in the Climate Wars


Editorial

Two Enlistees in the Climate Wars

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/opinion/two-enlistees-in-the-climate-wars.html?_r=0

Pearce looks to WIPP to help solve nuke problem

Pearce looks to WIPP to help solve nuke problem


http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Pearce-looks-to-WIPP-to-help-solve-nuke-problem-4336900.php

Large rise in CO2 emissions sounds climate change alarm


Large rise in CO2 emissions sounds climate change alarm

Hopes for 'safe' temperature increase within 2C fade as Hawaii station documents second-greatest emissions increase
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/08/hawaii-climate-change-second-greatest-annual-rise-emissions

Nuclear Power and the Emptiness of Political Promises

Nuclear Power and the Emptiness of Political Promises
http://www.nippon.com/en/column/g00080/

Japan’s Economic Troubles Spur a Return to Nuclear

Japan’s Economic Troubles Spur a Return to Nuclear

Some of the nuclear power plants shut down after the Fukushima disaster could restart soon.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/512151/japans-economic-troubles-spur-a-return-to-nuclear/

Flooding complicates clean-up at Japanese nuclear plant

Flooding complicates clean-up at Japanese nuclear plant


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/us-fukushima-disaster-delays-idUSBRE9270A820130308

Bill Richardson On Science, Politics and Energy

Bill Richardson On Science, Politics and Energy


http://energy.aol.com/2013/03/08/bill-richardson-on-science-politics-and-energy

Why Almost Nobody Likes News About Pakistani Nuclear Security

Why Almost Nobody Likes News About Pakistani Nuclear Security

Pakistani soldiers prepare for a December 2012 operation against Taliban fighters near Peshawar. Pakistani officials say the Western media focus on militant attacks against military installations overstates the potential for terrorists to seize  a nuclear weapon from the nation's arsenal (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad). By Elaine M. Grossman
Global Security Newswire
HONOLULU -- There’s an old adage about blaming the messenger who bears bad news – a practice often applied to journalists -- but when it comes to disturbing media revelations about the potential theft or unauthorized use of Pakistani nuclear weapons, fingers point in all directions.
Pakistani officials blame their U.S. counterparts for press leaks on some of the most sensitive aspects of their security apparatus. South Asia experts in Washington decry media coverage for sometimes being inaccurate, inflammatory or harmful to relations between the two countries. Public interest advocates in both nations criticize the Pakistani military for a lack of transparency on nuclear security policies and practices that might endanger the region’s population.

Carbon footprint of grid-scale battery technologies calculated

Carbon footprint of grid-scale battery technologies calculated

Solar and wind power pose a challenge for the U.S. electrical grid, which lacks the capacity to store surplus clean electricity and deliver it on demand. Researchers are developing grid-scale storage batteries, but the fossil fuel required to build these technologies could negate some of the environmental benefits of new solar and wind farms, say scientists.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130308111310.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_technology+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+News+--+Top+Technology%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

China may start exporting AP1400 nuclear reactor this year

China may start exporting AP1400 nuclear reactor this year

Officials behind China's self-developed nuclear reactor, known as the CAP1400, expect to sign its first overseas orders for the technology this year, most likely from South America or Asia.

Sun Qin, the chairman of China National Nuclear Corp told China Daily in an exclusive interview, that the deals could seal should the construction of a CAP1400 reactor in China begin by the end of this year, after approval from the State Council.

The Chinese technology is attractive because of the “favorable and unconditional” credit conditions offered to other nations.


The construction site of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. China's nuclear plant construction, after a 20-month halt due to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan, gradually resumed by the second half of last year. Geng Yuhe / For China Daily

Read more »http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/03/china-may-start-exporting-ap1400.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fadvancednano+%28nextbigfuture%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Obama Energy nominee will be hit with green energy loan questions Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/08/obama-energy-nominee-will-be-hit-with-green-energy-loan-questions/#ixzz2My1yJSAj


Obama Energy nominee will be hit with green energy loan questions

http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/08/obama-energy-nominee-will-be-hit-with-green-energy-loan-questions/

ANS Update: A Tour of EBR-I: Birthplace of Nuclear Energy

A Tour of EBR-I: Birthplace of Nuclear Energy

By pbowersox on Mar 08, 2013 08:45 am

Don Miley, Tour Guide at Idaho National Laboratory, takes viewers on a trip to the Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I).  In 1951, the first electricity from nuclear power was generated at EBR-I – using a reactor which actually bred more … Continue reading
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