Monday, June 17, 2013

FAS Roundup: June 17, 2013 Nukes in Europe, ricin, whistleblowers and much more.

FAS Roundup: June 17, 2013

Nukes in Europe, ricin, whistleblowers and much more.

From the Blogs

National Security Secrecy and the Right to Know: Steven Aftergood writes that while almost everyone would agree that national security secrecy has a role to play in an open society, such secrecy must be carefully circumscribed if robust public access to government information is to be preserved. A set of principles that open societies around the world can use to help guide and limit the application of secrecy was recently published by the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Edward Snowden, Source of NSA Leaks Steps Forward: Last week, a former CIA employee and NSA contractor named Edward Snowden identified himself as the source of the the serial revelations of classified documents concerning U.S. intelligence surveillance activities that were disclosed. In the history of unauthorized disclosures of classified information, a voluntary admission of having committed such disclosures is the exception, not the norm. And it confers a degree of dignity on the action. Yet it stops short of a full acceptance of responsibility.
Nukes in Europe- Secrecy Under Siege: Two former Dutch prime ministers publicly confirmed the presence of nuclear weapons at Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, one of six bases in NATO that still host US nuclear weapons. It's not news that U.S. nukes are stored at this base, it's news that two Dutch prime ministers have confirmed it. This situation presents an opportunity to engage Russia about increasing the transparency of non-strategic nuclear weapons in Europe. Hans Kristensen writes that the continuation of nuclear secrecy no longer serves a beneficial purpose. The secrecy is not needed for safety or national security; those needs are taken care of by guards, guns, gates, and overall military and political postures. Instead, the secrecy fuels mistrust and rumors that lock NATO and Russia into old mindsets, postures, and relations.
NASA Releases Online Library on Risk Mitigation: NASA has produced a library of “knowledge bundles” describing how various technical problems that arose in the course of its space technology programs were successfully resolved. The library was released online last week.
DoD Warns Employees of Classified Info in the Public Domain: In the wake of a new wave of classified documents appearing online last week, the Department of Defense instructed employees and contractors that they must neither seek out nor download classified material that is in the public domain.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and More from CRS: Secrecy News has obtained recently released CRS reports on topics such as current developments on the CTBT, carbon capture and sequestration, foreign assistance to North Korea and responding to changes in the Middle East.
On to Mars: Deep space is a dangerous place. No air, millions of miles to the nearest food and water, stray comets and meteors. And then there’s the radiation as well – outside the protection of Earth’s magnetic field radiation levels are much higher than what we experience at the surface of our planet, and the radiation that suffuses space is a lot more damaging than what penetrates to sea level. In a new post on the ScienceWonk Blog, Dr. Y examines the risks from radiation in space.
Secret Surveillance and the Crisis of Legitimacy: The public uproar over the latest disclosures of secret domestic surveillance by The Guardian and the Washington Post different cannot produce a precisely analogous result, because the oversight mechanisms intended to correct abuses already exist and indeed had signed off on the surveillance activities. Steven Aftergood takes a look at all three branches of government and how they have misrepresented the scope of official surveillance, misgauged public concern and evaded public accountability.
FISA Court Says It Cannot Easily Summarize Opinions: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) told the Senate Intelligence Committee last March that there are “serious obstacles” that would prevent it from preparing summaries of Court opinions for declassification and public disclosure. FISC Presiding Judge Reggie B. Walton replied in a March 27 letter that the preparation of unclassified (or declassifiable) summaries was not a simple matter. Judge Walton did not completely dismiss the proposal. He said that he would encourage the members of the Court “to consider structuring opinions to facilitate declassification, if they believe doing so is warranted in a particular case.

Barely Lethal

What explains the growing use of of ricin as a toxin, despite it causing only a handful of deaths? In a new article published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Senior Fellow on State and Non-State Threats Charles Blair examines the use of ricin as a weapon and how its popularity in pop culture leads many to continue to use it as an agent of harm.
Read the article here.

Workshop on Terrorism Analysis: July 25-26, 2013

FAS Senior Fellow on State and Non-State Threats Mr. Charles Blair will be hosting a workshop at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, titled Terrorism Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies and Tools on July 25-26, 2013.
This non-credit course introduces participants to a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies for the study of terrorism and learn how to create and utilize analytical tools for preventing, preparing for, responding to, or predicting terrorism.
Early bird registration ends Monday, June 17. For more information on the workshop and to register, click here.

Postdoctoral Research Associate Opportunity

The Program on Science and Global Security at Princeton University is seeking one or two postdoctoral research associates who have a background in physics, engineering or other relevant fields to conduct technical and policy research on issues related to arms control and disarmament, nonproliferation, prevention of nuclear terrorism, nuclear energy and cyber-security. A Ph.D is required, the position is for 12 months beginning in September 2013 , with the possibility of renewal for a second year depending on satisfactory performance. Salary will be determined on the basis of experience and accomplishments.
To apply: Apply on-line at: http://jobs.princeton.edu. The job requisition # is 1300374. Please attach a cover letter, a writing sample, a curriculum vita, and the names and contact information for two individuals who can provide letters of reference.

FAS in the News

Jun 16: Houston Chronicle, "NSA Plant In San Antonio Shrouded in Secrecy"
Jun 16: Associated Press, "Glasnost On The Potomac Under Obama? Not Quite"
Jun 15: The Outlook, "The Greater Spy"
Jun 14: NBCNews.com, "Post Presidency, What's Next For Iran's Ahmadinejad?"
Jun 14: Popular Mechanics, "What's On The Menu For The Proxy War In Syria?"
Jun 14: Politico, "'Top Secret' Is The New 'Secret'"
Jun 14: The New Zealand Herald, "Big Bucks For Big Brother Spies"
Jun 14: Foreign Policy, "Syria's Rebels Already Have Advanced Missiles. But How Did They Get There?
Jun 13: Politico, "NSA Scandal Boosts Privacy Advocates"
Jun 13: Science, "Finding Less Risky Ways To Make Medical Isotopes"
Jun 13: Center for Public Integrity, "Security Lapse Provokes New Criticism Of Huge Role Played By Costly Intelligence Contractors"
Jun 12: Huffington Post, "FISC Will Not Block Release Of Secret Ruling On Unconstitutional Surveillance"
Jun 12: Federal Times, "DOJ Planned 'State Secrets' Privilege in Booz Allen Case"
Jun 12: NPR, "NSA Surveillance Fails To Rile Congress"
Jun 12: National Journal, "Every Secret Court Order For Your Data, Since The Patriot Act"
Jun 11: NPR, "Will Surveillance Disclosure Lead To More Oversight Of NSA?
Jun 11: Yahoo! News, "Wyden Warns Clapper: Americans Need 'Straight Answers' On Spying"
Jun 11: Washington Journal (CSPAN), "U.S. Surveillance Program"
Jun 11: The Week, "Why We Can't Have A Real Debate On NSA Snooping"
Jun 11: Think Progress, "Pentagon Releases New Military Doctrine For Responding To Mass Killings"
Jun 11: Associated Press, "Private Contractors' Key Role At Issue In NSA Leak"
Jun 11: The Hill, "K Street Lobbyists Tight-Lipped About Efforts To Influence The NSA"
Jun 11: The Boston Globe, "Leaks Show US Intelligence Vulnerability" (subscription required)
Jun 11: The Hill, "NSA Leak Is Treason, Says Feinstein"
Jun 10: Washington Examiner, "Obama Now Defends Surveillance Programs He Opposed"
Jun 10: New York Times, "Debate On Secret Data Looks Unlikely, Partly Due To Secrecy"
Jun 10: Associated Press, "Snowden, An Employee of Booz Allen, One Of 500,000 Contractors With Top Security Clearance"
Jun 10: Washington Post, "Edward Snowden's NSA Leaks Are Backlash Of Too Much Secrecy"
Jun 10: Reuters, "If Past Is Indicator, Ex-NSA Contractor May Escape Long Jail Term"
Jun 10: The Guardian, "Snowden Leak Shines Light On US Intelligence Agencies' Use Of Contractors"
Jun 10: Mother Jones, "Too Much Essential Information On Intelligence Surveillance Policy Has Been Withheld"

EDF to Install Software from Chicago-Based InStep at 58 Reactors

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2013/06/14/edf-to-install-software-from-chicago_2d00_based-instep-at-58-reactors-061401.aspx

Bradwell-on-Sea identified as potential site to dump radioactive waste

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority proposes use of Essex site to store intermediate level waste until 2040

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jun/16/bradwell-on-sea-radioactive-waste-dump

Abe, E. Europe leaders agree to deepen nuclear cooperation

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130617p2g00m0bu030000c.html

What to do about climate change

The Post’s View

What to do about climate change

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/climate-change-needs-a-rational-response/2013/06/16/00673116-d2db-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html

Memo to the new energy czar: We need a new approach to nuclear waste

Memo to the new energy czar: We need a new approach to nuclear waste
The Hill (blog)
Too few Americans know that the world's largest nuclear waste site, which dates back to the Manhattan Project of the 1940s, resides in Hanford, Wash. It houses massive underground tanks that hold 56 million gallons of nuclear waste, and one million ...http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/305653-memo-to-the-new-energy-czar-we-need-a-new-approach-to-nuclear-waste

Fukushima Update 6/17

Today's Fukushima update topics are -

The Nuclear Regulatory Authority says the 3/11/11 quake did not damage safety systems at F. Daiichi unit #1... Another waste water leak has been discovered at F. Daiichi... Currently-operating Oi units 3&4 have been given a “thumbs-up” by NRA investigators... Futaba Town, adjacent to F. Daiichi, is considering a future repopulation... The Environment Ministry will create two panels for contaminated waste storage... Former PM Naoto Kan attacks PM Abe over nuclear exports. Other news from this past week includes - The Tokyo government feels Japan’s energy future includes nukes... A Reconstruction Agency official has been fired due to remarks made on Twitter...Tepco has shifted reactor cooling for unit #2 at F. Daiichi back to the plant’s installed system... Last week the Japanese Press was dominated by articles that PM Shinzo Abe’s wife is antinuclear... Thyroid screenings for Fukushima children now living in Tokyo show no adversities.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

US NRC Blog Update: Palisades Tank Leak Repaired — Safe to Restart

After intense NRC scrutiny that confirmed the plant is safe to operate, the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan restarted yesterday after more than a month shutdown.

In total 10 NRC inspectors performed a wide range of inspections to ensure the leak in a refueling water tank, the reason for the shutdown, was fixed.

Entergy employees identified a leak from the tank on May 5.The leak exceeded the level Entergy had committed to the NRC, which required the plant to shut down to ensure structural integrity of the tank.

The tank is used during refueling outages and to supply water to the reactor during emergencies. It has leaked before. That’s one reason why, in a July 2012 letter, the plant made a commitment to measure and trend daily leakage from the tank, and shut down the plant if the leak exceeded certain limits.

The NRC responded quickly once the leak was reported. The resident inspectors headed into the plant that Sunday, May 5, to closely follow Entergy’s actions to shut down the plant and inspect their efforts to identify the leak. We also sent a specialist with a background in materials engineering to further inspect the plant’s detailed actions to identify and repair the leak.

And we had additional inspectors review and assess the plant’s test and repair plan, look into the area beneath the tank, understand and analyze the stresses on the tank, review the root cause of the leak, and observe the actual welding and testing of the tank components.

NRC’s Region III also continued our commitment to openness and transparency by publicly documenting phone call discussions between Entergy and NRC management on this issue. Additionally, the region held a webinar on radioactive releases during which Region III staff addressed the public’s questions and concerns about the tank leak. More than 70 people participated in the webinar.

Going forward, the NRC will continue to make sure the tank remains safe. We will independently inspect the areas around the tank where leaks can be identified and will follow Entergy’s actions to monitor the tank. If small leaks are discovered we expect Entergy to evaluate them according to the NRC’s rules, and take appropriate action.

We have received dozens of calls and inquiries about this issue. We want to assure you that the public and plant workers continue to be safe. We remain committed to being open and transparent about issues of concern to the local public. To that end, we will hold an internet event to discuss NRC regulations regarding this tank and why Palisades was safe to restart. Once a date has been determined details will be posted on the NRC website.

Moderator | June 17, 2013 at 4:33 pm | Tags: NRC, nuclear power plant, Palisades | Categories: Operating Reactors | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-16s

Thorium: Cleaner Nuclear Power?

http://www.power-technology.com/features/feature1141/?goback=.gde_3360244_member_250427796

Japan and V4 pledge cooperation

Japan and V4 pledge cooperation (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Japan_and_V4_pledge_cooperation-1706137.html)
A summit meeting of the leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Japan has led to a pledge for continued cooperation in fields including nuclear energy.

Shrinking Prospects for Nuclear Power Plants

Shrinking Prospects for Nuclear Power Plants 24/7 Wall St. Following the disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants in 2011, Germany said it would shut down all its nuclear generation and Japan has already closed down all but two of its reactors. In May, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) ...http://247wallst.com/2013/06/17/shrinking-prospects-for-nuclear-power-plants/

Pandora’s Promise: Nuclear Power’s Trek From Too Cheap To Meter To Too Costly To Matter Much

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/06/17/2158951/pandoras-promise-nuclear-powers-trek-from-too-cheap-to-meter-to-too-costly-to-matter-much/?mobile=nc

Bumpy Road for Nuclear

Environmental Leader - ‎

The closure of Southern California Edison's troubled San Onofre 2 and 3 nuclear power reactors may not be the most troubling recent development for that power sector. Two other US reactors have closed this year, leaving exactly 100, but one of the ...http://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/06/17/bumpy-road-for-nuclear/

Southern California Edison Partners with Customers to Conserve Energy

Wall Street Journal (press release) - ‎1 hour ago‎

As Southern Californians prepare for summer, Southern California Edison (SCE) is asking customers to be especially conservation-minded to help keep the electric grid stable and reliable during hot weather when energy use spikes, particularly without the ...http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130617-907458.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

San Onofre: Anatomy of a Nuclear Shutdown

Bay Area Indymedia - ‎Jun 15, 2013‎

Shock waves shot across Southern California on June 7, 2013, from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. They didn't originate at earthquake faults adjacent to this nuclear plant, located above the Pacific Ocean. Rather, they emanated from the facility's ...http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/06/15/18738487.php

Nuclear power Difference Engine: Too hot to handle

Nuclear power

Difference Engine: Too hot to handle

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2013/06/nuclear-power

Is Wind Energy Tornado Proof?

http://theenergycollective.com/joshshill/238416/wind-turbines-are-tornado-proof

2013 EIA Energy Conference

About the Conference

2013 EIA Energy Conference
Keynote Speakers

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will hold its 2013 EIA Energy Conference June 17 and 18 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.
The EIA Energy Conference has become a premier forum for addressing energy issues in the United States and around the world. This event will bring together thought leaders from industry, government, and academia to discuss current and future challenges facing domestic and international energy markets and policymakers.
Session topics include:

Global Natural Gas Outlook
Renewable, Storage, and Grid Integration
World Hydrocarbon Resources
Energy Consumption and Building Efficiency
Energy in the Americas
Alternatives to Oil in Transportation
U.S. Natural Gas Production Growth and its Implications
Coal and Nuclear: World and Domestic Outlook
U.S. Oil Production Growth and its Implications
International Energy Statistics: Coverage and Quality

In the coming days, EIA will post additional information about the 2013 EIA Energy Conference, including additional topic session participants, as well as a complete schedule for the Conference.
Our 2011 conference was a great success, hosting more than 800 participants with presentations and discussions featuring former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, Shell Oil Company President Marvin Odum, and many other distinguished guests. The annual conference attracts U.S. and international attendees from government, industry, non-profits, press, and academia.
This event provides a unique opportunity to meet and network with fellow energy experts and decision-makers.
To be added to the mailing list to receive Conference updates and additional information, email us at conference@eia.gov

Energy Secretary Moniz on Energy Issues

Jun 17, 2013

Energy Information Administration

Ernest Moniz, sworn in as Energy Secretary in May, delivers the keynote address at the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2013 conference, where he discusses the President's "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, and major .. Read More

http://c-spanvideo.org/event/220243

Indiaâ€™s nuclear expansion not targeted at Pakistan but at China

Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN Jun 16, 2013, 04.57AM IST

Earlier this month, SIPRI, the respected Sweden-based arms control and non-proliferation think tank, reported that China, India, and Pakistan had increased their nuclear arsenals by 10 to 20 weapons each during the past year. In this interview with Chidanand Rajghatta, SIPRI researcher Phillip Schell explains how they estimate the arsenal size of each country and the motivations driving their expansion.
How does one arrive at the number of nuclear weapons that countries have when they don't declare it themselves or confirm your assessment?

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-16/stoi/40006429_1_nuclear-arsenal-sipri-nuclear-weapons

Nuclear Plants, Old and Uncompetitive, Are Closing Earlier Than Expected

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/business/energy-environment/aging-nuclear-plants-are-closing-but-for-economic-reasons.html?_r=0

The real reason to fight nuclear power has nothing to do with health risks

http://qz.com/94817/the-real-reason-to-fight-nuclear-power-has-nothing-to-do-with-health-risks/

Nuclear Decommissioning Surge Is Investor Guessing Game

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-16/nuclear-decommissioning-surge-is-investor-guessing-game.html

Britain 'should not rely on French for new nuclear power plants'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/10123805/Britain-should-not-rely-on-French-for-new-nuclear-power-plants.html

Old Nuclear powerplant retirements would not be notable if there was a faster pace of nuclear construction

http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/06/old-nuclear-powerplant-retirements.html

The Future and Economics of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/04/the-future-and-economics-of-small.html

Building the Business Case for Energy Storage

A novel software tool could make it far easier to bring new energy storage technologies to market.

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/516146/building-the-business-case-for-energy-storage/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_source=newsletter-weekly-energy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20130617

What Carbon Capture Can’t Do

New tech will lower the cost of carbon capture, but the sheer scale needed to reduce emissions prevent it from being a panacea.

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/516166/what-carbon-capture-cant-do/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_source=newsletter-weekly-energy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20130617

Japan PM promotes nuclear exports at central Europe summit

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/japan-pm-promotes-nuclear/712358.html

Abu Dhabi nuclear plant site prepares for 17,000 new arrivals Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/abu-dhabi-nuclear-plant-site-prepares-for-17-000-new-arrivals#ixzz2WUjNFbdU Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

Abu Dhabi nuclear plant site prepares for 17,000 new arrivals

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/abu-dhabi-nuclear-plant-site-prepares-for-17-000-new-arrivals

How opposed to nuclear energy are liberals?

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2013/06/how-opposed-to-nuclear-energy-are-liberals/#.Ub9Dd5zNlsw

Xcel Energy investing $1.8 billion in two nuclear power plants

http://www.startribune.com/business/211650531.html

How Fracking Killed Nuclear Power

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/06/16/fracking-not-wind-killed-exelons-nuclear-upgrades/

It was a most beautiful wedding

Dear Readers
I am returning from a beautiful weekend of love, family, friendship, comraderie, happiness, sadness, and a slurry of mixed emotions. Will resume posting soon.
Best regards.
Michele Kearney

Friday, June 14, 2013

Pandora's Promise Commentary

'Pandora's Promise' promotes nuclear power as a solution to fossil fuel crisis

Chicago Sun-Times -

Impact Partners presents a documentary written and directed by Robert Stone. Running time: 87 minutes. Opening Friday at Landmark Century. Nuclear power is the best energy fix on Earth, claims the documentary “Pandora's Promise.” Evidence persuaded ...

'Pandora's Promise': No nukes — or know nukes?

Boston Globe -

Much of the population of the Third World aspires to that standard of living, and many have begun to attain it. Why should Nigerians and Indonesians be denied what Americans take as a kind of birthright? All right then, but the primary means of generating ...

'Pandora's Promise': Opening up pro-nuclear dialogue

The Seattle Times -

A movie review of “Pandora's Promise,” a documentary that methodically makes the case for nuclear power using environmentalists as the main talking heads. By Mick LaSalle. San Francisco Chronicle. PREV of NEXT. Michael Shellenberger, an outspoken ...

A one-sided campaign for nuclear energy

Philly.com -

Director Robert Stone (left) and British climate change expert Mark Lynas in the documentary "Pandora's Promise." About the movie. Pandora's Promise. Genre: Documentary. MPAA rating: Unrated. Running time: 01:26. Release date: 2013. Rating: Cast:.

Review: 'Pandora's Promise' devotes too much energy to its own dogma

Los Angeles Times -

It's one thing to hear a legislator or industrialist extol "clean nuclear energy"; it's something else when the person singing those praises is an environmentalist. In "Pandora's Promise," Robert Stone has gathered the testimony of five people whose change of ...

'Pandora's Promise' movie review

Washington Post -

It has got to be a weird experience, for both environmentalists and supporters of nuclear power alike, to watch “Pandora's Promise.” Although the documentary ultimately argues in favor of nuclear power, an energy source that's anathema to many tree huggers ...

Time to Go Nuclear

New Yorker (blog) - ‎

I am not sure I gave much thought to nuclear power before 1979, when the accident at Three Mile Island made environmental apathy impossible—or, at least, detestable. But there are few more obvious signs that the world is moving in the wrong direction than ...

Seeking Constructive Debate on Nuclear Energy

New York Times (blog) - ‎

Behind the histrionics and talking points framing the decades-long battle over the place of nuclear power in America's (and the world's) energy menu, there have long been hints of a path forward, both for dealing with existing, aging reactors and considering a ...

A Film Presses the Climate, Health and Security Case for Nuclear Energy

New York Times (blog) - ‎‎

After a vigorous debate following a June 10 screening of Courtesy of the Jacob Burns FIlm Center After a vigorous debate following a June 10 screening of “Pandora's Promise,” a documentary defending nuclear energy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Robert ...

Former opponent takes another look at nukes in 'Pandora's Promise' 1/2

Chicago Tribune (blog) -

Not quite an H-bomb dropped on the environmentalist zeitgeist, "Pandora's Promise" does provoke those who have long opposed nuclear power to at least reconsider it, presenting its arguments in a green light and asking the question: Can one be committed ...

"Pandora's Promise" asks us to rethink nuclear energy

CBS News - ‎

"The nuclear industry is death," a protester at demonstration says in the opening of the documentary feature "Pandora's Promise." But filmmaker Robert Stone, with the backing of Impact Partners and CNN Films, is hoping to turn that idea on its head. Opening ...

Michaud: A persuasive case to rethink nuclear power

Newsday -

Director Robert Stone made his reputation with documentaries such as "Radio Bikini," which in 1988 exposed the hazards of nuclear testing, and "Earth Days" in 2009, which celebrated the rise of environmentalism. So it's startling to witness the pro-nuclear ...

'Pandora's Promise' Advocates Nuclear Energy

New York Times (blog) -

Early in “Pandora's Promise,” Mark Lynas, a British environmental activist, walks around the ghostly environs of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, near the second-worst nuclear disaster in history. There, amid spookily forsaken homes and ...

Will "Pandora's Promise" Start A New Environmental Movement FOR Nuclear ...

Huffington Post -

The last line in Pandora's Promise, Robert Stone's new documentary about the environmental advantages of nuclear power, comes from Michael Shellenberger, co-head of the Breakthrough Institute. "I have a sense that this is a beautiful thing..." "...the ...

Pandora's Promise

West End Word -

Opening at an anti-nuclear power rally, protesters with bullhorns inform listeners of the dangers of nuclear power: cancer dangers, weaponization and the myriad of deaths that have occurred from nuclear accidents. They tout the need to convert to solar and ...

Pandora's Promise (CNN Films, NR)

Play by Play

pandoraspromise 75 Unfortunately, too many people confuse convincingly expressed belief with actual evidence about the true state of the world, and that's what documentarian Robert Stone is banking on. pandoraspromise 500. Pandora's Promise is a ...

'Pandora's Promise' is a contrarian documentary on nuclear power

STLtoday.com -

In a perfect world, our information would be reliably sourced. The documentary “Pandora's Promise” tells us that this world would be closer to perfect if it had more nuclear power plants. This is a polished production that will convince some people to question ...

Nuclear Exchange

Outside Magazine -

Pandora's Promise, a new film by Robert Stone, argues that our only chance of escaping climate-change doom is a global shift to atomic energy. David Biello has a few hard questions, including: What will we do with all that waste? By: David Biello.

'Pandora's Promise': A love letter to atomic energy

Berkeleyside - ‎

It takes balls to make a pro-nuclear power film two years after the Fukushima Daiichi, but that's what Robert Stone has done with Pandora's Promise. Over the years I've reviewed more than my fair share of 'right-on' left-wing documentaries, so it's only fair that ...

'Pandora's Promise' review: Pro nuclear power docu sure to cause, well, a ...

Pioneer Press - ‎

After Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island, there's one thing we can all agree on: Nuclear power is a disaster, right? Not so fast. The documentary "Pandora's Promise" convincingly argues that we should take second, third and fourth looks at the ...

Movie review: 'Pandora's Promise'

vita.mn -

It's rare when a longtime proponent of a cause reconsiders the facts and performs a public about-face. That's exactly what makes the pro-nuclear power documentary “Pandora's Promise” so refreshing. The film presents a gallery of scholars, experts and ...

The Nuclear Option: Is Atomic Energy the Key to Ending Climate Change?

TakePart -

Willy Blackmore is TakePart's Food editor. He has written for The Awl, LA Weekly, and elsewhere. Full Bio. Follow Me. Twitter · Google +. nuclear energy climate change. A single cube of uranium could provide power for your entire life—but at what cost?

Pandora's Promise: A Documentary That May Change Your Opinion of Nuclear ...

TheStranger.com -

While people are quick to dismiss nuclear energy as bad, Pandora's Promise shows how some leading environmentalists have converted to support its use. Many activists have become disillusioned with the traditional environmental approaches to climate ...

Pandora's Promise: When Greens Embrace Nuclear

Popular Mechanics - ‎

Robert Stone's new documentary, out today in New York and this weekend around the country, follows environmentalists who have reached the same difficult conclusion he has: When it comes to generating electricity, nuclear power is only practical way to ...

Film Review: Pandora's Promise

Film Journal - ‎

The nuclear-energy and defense industries will be rubbing their hands over this shameless recantation of anti-nuke opinion, led by director Robert Stone, who brought the issue to Sundance back in 1987 with his Academy-Award nominated Radio Bikini.

'Pandora's Promise' review: Surprising new perspective on nuclear power

Examiner.com - ‎

Director Robert Stone is by all accounts a passionate environmentalist, having made the anti-nuclear weapons documentary, “Radio Bikini” (nominated for an Oscar), and “Earth Days,” which was the closing night film at Sundance Film Festival in 2009.

Movie Review: Put “Pandora's Promise” Back in the Box

All Things Nuclear -

There's nothing I enjoy more than a good documentary: one that makes its case in a compelling way without resorting to crude propaganda techniques or insulting the intelligence of its audience. A good documentary treats opposing views with respect but ...

Pandora's Promise: Would You Buy a Nuclear Reactor From Paul Allen?

Seattle Weekly - ‎

My ears prick up whenever I hear how Bill Gates and Paul Allen are spending their money. Putatively a documentary about the resurgence of nuclear power, Pandora's Promise is actually an infomercial for a business still stigmatized by Three Mile Island, ...

Change of heart: Environmentalists revisit nuclear in a new film

Medill Reports: Chicago -

How radioactive is your town? To dispel preconceptions, filmmakers measured radiation across major cities and nuclear disaster sites worldwide using a Geiger counter, shown here in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Guarapari, Brazil clocked in with a normal ...

Pandora's false promise.

Environmental Health News (blog) - ‎

Pandora's Promise, a documentary film by director Robert Stone that opens in U.S. cities on June 12th, unabashedly promotes nuclear power as the only energy source that can both meet worldwide demand and help reduce carbon emissions quickly enough ...

Pandora's Promise

West End Word

- ‎23 minutes ago‎

Pandora's Promise (CNN Films, NR)

Play by Play

- ‎2 hours ago‎

'Pandora's Promise' promotes nuclear power as a solution to fossil fuel crisis

Chicago Sun-Times

- ‎5 hours ago‎

'Pandora's Promise': No nukes — or know nukes?

Boston Globe

- ‎5 hours ago‎

'Pandora's Promise': Opening up pro-nuclear dialogue

The Seattle Times

- ‎6 hours ago‎

A one-sided campaign for nuclear energy

Philly.com

- ‎6 hours ago‎

'Pandora's Promise' is a contrarian documentary on nuclear power

STLtoday.com

- ‎6 hours ago‎

Seeking Constructive Debate on Nuclear Energy

Energy Tribune

- ‎6 hours ago‎

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Editor's Note

Dear Readers
My son is getting married on Saturday. I will be unavailable to post
for a couple of days and will return next week.
Best regards.
Michele Kearney

Go-slow on new US capacity

Go-slow on new US capacity (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Go_slow_on_new_US_capacity_1306132.html)
US power market conditions have seen four uprate projects cancelled and a reactor completion slowed to a crawl. They amount to 1587 MWe that look unlikely to be online at the end of the decade.

EU expands ambitions for regulatory role

EU expands ambitions for regulatory role (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_EU_expands_ambitions_for_regulatory_role_1306131.html)
The European Commission proposed today that European Union (EU) member states repeat comprehensive stress test safety checks at their nuclear plants every six years and ensure that radioactive releases in any accident are "practically eliminated."

Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Monday, June 17, 2013

FAS Roundup: June 17, 2013

From the Blogs

Barely Lethal

Workshop on Terrorism Analysis: July 25-26, 2013

Postdoctoral Research Associate Opportunity

FAS in the News

EDF to Install Software from Chicago-Based InStep at 58 Reactors

Bradwell-on-Sea identified as potential site to dump radioactive waste

Abe, E. Europe leaders agree to deepen nuclear cooperation

The Post’s View

What to do about climate change

U.S. Sustains Support For Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Watts Bar Nuclear Plant ready to start in 2015

Thorium: Cleaner Nuclear Power?

Nuclear power

Difference Engine: Too hot to handle

Is Wind Energy Tornado Proof?

2013 EIA Energy Conference

Jun 17-18, 2013 JW Marriott Washington, DC

About the Conference

Energy Secretary Moniz on Energy Issues

Jun 17, 2013

Indiaâ€™s nuclear expansion not targeted at Pakistan but at China

Nuclear Plants, Old and Uncompetitive, Are Closing Earlier Than Expected

The real reason to fight nuclear power has nothing to do with health risks

Nuclear Decommissioning Surge Is Investor Guessing Game

Britain 'should not rely on French for new nuclear power plants'

Building the Business Case for Energy Storage

What Carbon Capture Can’t Do

Japan PM promotes nuclear exports at central Europe summit

Abu Dhabi nuclear plant site prepares for 17,000 new arrivals

Xcel Energy investing $1.8 billion in two nuclear power plants

How Fracking Killed Nuclear Power

Friday, June 14, 2013

Related articles

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Jun 17-18, 2013
JW Marriott
Washington, DC