Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Indian Point and Arkansas Nuclear One Receive NEI Awards
Blog Post: Indian Point and Arkansas Nuclear One Receive NEI Awards
The 2011 Top Industry Practice awards were given by the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington D.C. with Entergy garnering national recognition in two categories: excellence in plant operations by the Indian Point Energy Center in New York for an equipment hatch plug and to Arkansas Nuclear One for materials and services excellence for the creation of the tungsten shielding and vest.Commercial Nuclear Waste: Effects of a Termination of the Yucca Mountain Repository Program and Lessons Learned -- GAO
Commercial Nuclear Waste: Effects of a Termination of the Yucca Mountain Repository Program and Lessons Learned -- GAO
This report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO-11-229), dated April 2011, finds that "terminating the Yucca Mountain repository program could bring benefits, such as allowing DOE to search for a more acceptable alternative, whichcould help avoid the costly delays experienced by Yucca Mountain. However,
there is no guarantee that a more acceptable or less costly alternative will be
identified; termination could instead restart a costly and time-consuming
process to find and develop an alternative permanent solution. It would also
likely prolong the need for interim storage of spent nuclear fuel at reactor
sites, which would have financial and other impacts. For example, the federal
government bears part of the storage costs as a result of industry lawsuits
over DOE’s failure to take custody of commercial spent nuclear fuel in 1998,
as required. These costs exceed $15.4 billion and could grow by an additional
$500 million a year after 2020."
China's Energy and Carbon Emissions Outlook to 2050
China's Energy and Carbon Emissions Outlook to 2050
China keeps nuclear power target unchanged at 70 mln kw by 2020, but access threshold to be raised
China keeps nuclear power target unchanged at 70 mln kw by 2020, but access threshold to be raised
Xinhua Economic News Service
Slovenia joins OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
Slovenia joins OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
The Republic of Slovenia has become the 30th member country of the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). The country, which obtains some 25% of its electricity from the Krsko nuclear power plant which it co-owns with Croatia, has been an observer on NEA standing committees since 2002 and joined the OECD in 2010. The NEA describes its mission as to assist its members in maintaining and developing the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally friendly and economical use of nuclear energy through international cooperation.
Nuclear Catastrophe: How the lack of fundamental research on alternative energy led to a wrong energy policy
Nuclear Catastrophe: How the lack of fundamental research on alternative energy led to a wrong energy policy
The expansion of nuclear power during the past 60 years was dominated by the opinion that there is no alternative to nuclear energy. Presently it provides about 14% of the total energy. The policy makers even envisioned that this would be the energy of the future. The dangerous consequences, however, were not correctly predictedhttp://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2011/05/14/nuclear-catastrophe-how-the-lack-of-fundamental-research-on-alternative-energy-led-to-a-wrong-energy-policy/
US nuclear power generators fail during tests news
US nuclear power generators fail during tests news
China's Nuclear Safety Review Impact 'Small,' Official Says
China's Nuclear Safety Review Impact 'Small,' Official Says
A Hole at Fukushima, and Problems with U.S. Reactors
A Hole at Fukushima, and Problems with U.S. Reactors
The situation at Fukushima may be worse than thought, and the disaster response plans of U.S. plants are found wanting.
Kevin Bullis 05/13/2011
U.S. Needs To Be More Proactive In Protecting Our Nuclear Power
U.S. Needs To Be More Proactive In Protecting Our Nuclear Power
Fukushima reactor has a hole, leading to leakage
Fukushima reactor has a hole, leading to leakage
By Yoko Kubota and Scott DiSavino TOKYO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - One of the reactors at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has a hole in its main vessel following a meltdown of fuel rods, leading to a leakage of radioactive water, its operator said on Thursday.
The Importance of the Nuclear Option
The Importance of the Nuclear Option
Greenpeace Co-Founder Remains Supporter
Plan to flood Fukushima reactor could cause new blast, experts warn
Plan to flood Fukushima reactor could cause new blast, experts warn
Plant operator Tepco reveals meltdown and breach of pressure vessel, with Greenpeace warning against pumping water in
Understanding the complete meltdown at Fukushima unit 1 - May 13, 2011
Understanding the complete meltdown at Fukushima unit 1 - May 13, 2011
Nuclear watchdog points to gaps in U.S. safety regulations
Nuclear watchdog points to gaps in U.S. safety regulations
Nuclear Expert Warns Congress U.S. Power Plants Not Safe
Nuclear Expert Warns Congress U.S. Power Plants Not Safe
Congressional lawmakers were warned today that U.S. nuclear power plants are by no means safe and that government agency and nuclear industry representatives have not been telling the whole story.
Japan moves to secure 'too big to fail' TEPCO
Japan moves to secure 'too big to fail' TEPCO Tokyo (AFP) May 13, 2011 Stricken Tokyo Electric Power is "too big to fail", analysts say, not only because it powers Japan's economic heart but also because its collapse would create turmoil for the country's financial system. Asia's biggest power company, TEPCO supplies electricity for the megacity of Tokyo and the wider Kanto region, an area that accounts for more than a third of the nation's gross domestic product. The firm at the centre of the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years is also Japan's largest corpora ... read more
Top DOE official: US “had difficulty grasping what was actually happening” at Fukushima (VIDEO)
Top DOE official: US “had difficulty grasping what was actually happening” at Fukushima (VIDEO)
May 13, 2011, 10:32 pm EST - Energy Dept: US will help contain Fukushima crisis, NHK, May 13, 2011: A high-ranking official at the US Energy Department says the United States will continue helping Japan to put the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant under control. Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman is the US government’s contact for the ongoing accident at the plant. [...] Referring to information offered by Japan right after the accident, Poneman said the US side had difficulty grasping what was ...
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What Those Fukushima Radiation Counts Really Mean: Analysis
What Those Fukushima Radiation Counts Really Mean: Analysis
Radiation safety expert Andrew Karam has written for Popular Mechanics about what went wrong at Fukushima and how Japan reacted to the emergency. Now he's just back from a trip to Japan, where he took radiation detectors to assess the contamination levels himself. Not all radiation measurements are created equal, so Karam walks us through what the numbers, and the different radiation units, really mean.
福島第１原発：１号機２階 １０００ミリシーベルト
福島第１原発：１号機２階 １０００ミリシーベルト
2011年5月11日 13時2分 更新：5月11日 13時20分
経済産業省原子力安全・保安院は１１日、東京電力福島第１原発１号機の原子炉建屋２階で、１時間当たり１０００ミリシーベルトを超える高濃度の放 射性物質を測定したと発表した。１号機は冷却装置の設置に向けた準備を進めている。この数値は短時間での作業すら難しくする高い線量で、保安院の西山英彦 審議官は「冷却のための配管のつなぎこみ作業に影響するかもしれない」との見方を示した。
高かったのは、炉心を緊急に冷却するための装置の弁付近。１０日午後０時４５分から５分間計測したところ、床から１．６メートルの高さ付近では、計測器が振り切れたという。
１号機では９日にも同建屋１階で１時間当たり６００～７００ミリシーベルトが検出されている。【足立旬子】
高かったのは、炉心を緊急に冷却するための装置の弁付近。１０日午後０時４５分から５分間計測したところ、床から１．６メートルの高さ付近では、計測器が振り切れたという。
１号機では９日にも同建屋１階で１時間当たり６００～７００ミリシーベルトが検出されている。【足立旬子】
Draft Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission
The draft recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission are now online. These are PDF files accessible at the cited URL.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Fukushima - One Step Forward and Four Steps Back as Each Unit Challenged by New Problems
Fukushima - One Step Forward and Four Steps Back as Each Unit Challenged by New Problems
Gundersen says Fukushima's gaseous and liquid releases continue unabated. With a meltdown at Unit 1, Unit 4 leaning and facing possible collapse, several units contaminating ground water, and area school children outside the exclusion zone receiving adult occupational radiation doses, the situation continues to worsen. TEPCO needs a cohesive plan and international support to protect against world-wide contamination.
Gundersen says Fukushima's gaseous and liquid releases continue unabated. With a meltdown at Unit 1, Unit 4 leaning and facing possible collapse, several units contaminating ground water, and area school children outside the exclusion zone receiving adult occupational radiation doses, the situation continues to worsen. TEPCO needs a cohesive plan and international support to protect against world-wide contamination.
At Reactor, Damage Worse Than Feared Unit at Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Plant Came Closer to Meltdown Than Previously Revealed;
At Reactor, Damage Worse Than Feared
Unit at Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Plant Came Closer to Meltdown Than Previously Revealed; Questions Over Quake's Role
Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes TEPCO concedes severe fuel damage at Fukushima
Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes
TEPCO concedes severe fuel damage at Fukushima
For the first time utility says fuel has "melted" and may be "crumbled" at bottom of the reactor pressure vessel for reactorUPDATE 1-Bulgaria opens dry spent nuclear fuel depot
UPDATE 1-Bulgaria opens dry spent nuclear fuel depot
US NRC rules on backup power, fuel inadequate, lawmaker says
US NRC rules on backup power, fuel inadequate, lawmaker says
Bloomberg Japan Reactor Core Damage Worse Than Feared, Delaying Cleanup
Bloomberg
Japan Reactor Core Damage Worse Than Feared, Delaying Cleanup
Disaster Plan Problems Found at U.S. Nuclear Plants By MATTHEW L. WALD
Disaster Plan Problems Found at U.S. Nuclear Plants
By MATTHEW L. WALD
Nuclear fission can help solve George Monbiot’s environmentalist dilemma
Nuclear fission can help solve George Monbiot’s environmentalist dilemma
Al Qaeda planned attacks on US nuclear power plants after 9/11: WikiLeaks
Al Qaeda planned attacks on US nuclear power plants after 9/11: WikiLeaks
99 percent on siren test at NY's Indian Point nuke
99 percent on siren test at NY's Indian Point nuke
NRC:No Environmental Risks From Proposed Maryland Nuclear Reactor
NRC:No Environmental Risks From Proposed Maryland Nuclear Reactor
Planned nuclear reactor clears environmental review
Planned nuclear reactor clears environmental review
Staying the Course, Post-Fukushima By MATTHEW L. WALD
Staying the Course, Post-Fukushima
By MATTHEW L. WALDFans of nuclear power neglect to list high risks and costs
Fans of nuclear power neglect to list high risks and costs
Bushehr N. Reactor on Threshold of Full Launch
Bushehr N. Reactor on Threshold of Full Launch
TEHRAN (FNA)- The main reactor of Iran's first nuclear power plant in the Southern port city of Bushehr will be launched within weeks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
Nuke plant may face 2nd violation
Nuke plant may face 2nd violation
The nuclear power plant near Omaha has been notified by federal regulators that it may face consequences for a second significant safety violation.
Giant Polyester Sheets To Cover Nuclear Reactor Buildings
Giant Polyester Sheets To Cover Nuclear Reactor Buildings
Japan, Germany curtail nuclear power plans, but industry moves forward in rest of the world
Japan, Germany curtail nuclear power plans, but industry moves forward in rest of the world
Panel on Nuclear Waste Disposal to Propose Above-Ground Storage By MATTHEW L. WALD
Panel on Nuclear Waste Disposal to Propose Above-Ground Storage
By MATTHEW L. WALD
TEPCO Press Releases 5/13
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