DOCSLIB.ORG

Retroactivist New Tritium Leaks Keep Emerging - to Be Our Canaries

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Retroactivist New Tritium Leaks Keep Emerging - to Be Our Canaries A publication of Nuclear Information and Resource Service APRIL 2006 Volume II: Issue 3 ISSN 15568822 Linda’s Log - Condemning the ritium, tritium, every where . and way too many Canaries Tdrops to drink. In the wake of the Illinois cover-up (see Feb/Mar Atomic Watchdog), some reactor owners are coming forward with their tritium leaks rather than be A new book on the Chernobyl busted later. First, Arizona Public Service, which operates the Palo Verde accident alleges the catastrophe plant, notifi ed the state that tritium had leaked into underground vaults. was not caused by worker Th e utility claimed rainfall had washed tritium fallout from the plant’s negligence but by technical defects roof after venting tritium into the air. As Department of Environmental in the reactor’s construction, fl aws Quality director, Steve Owens aptly pointed out, “that raises a heck of a lot more questions in my mind than it answers.” Th en we learned that that were pointed out in 1983 by the Perry plant, in Ohio, had leaked tritium into Lake Erie. With tritium two state inspectors. Th ese alarms leaks already the latest albatross around the neck of the nuclear power were of course ignored but have industry, the Government Accountability Offi ce (GAO) has compounded been documented by Vladimir the nightmare revealing that NRC Commissioners eased reactor security Kuznetsov - formerly with the requirements likely due to industry lobbying. All this should leave little Russian nuclear monitoring agency doubt that the Bush administration plan for 100 or more new reactors in - and six colleagues. In Illinois, the the U.S. should be permanently consigned to the nuclear dustbin. nuclear industry has condemned the children around the Dresden and Braidwood reactors - where RetroActivist new tritium leaks keep emerging - to be our canaries. Concerned The Chernobyl Aftermath 20 Years On residents, especially parents, are The house at asking questions about the safety left stands in of the water, while the industry Belarus. It is and NRC insist there is no hazard abandoned, to human health. Why should as is the land around it. The children - born and unborn and the house serves most vulnerable to such exposures as a ghostly - be subjected to needless risk reminder to satisfy the fi nancial anxieties of the of the nuclear industry? Th is consequences obfuscation is reminiscent of the of a serious tobacco company executives who nuclear famously raised their hands before accident Congress insisting cigarettes involving a don’t kill. Recipes for prevention signifi cant release of radioactivity. Such a disaster occurred 20 years ago at are historically less popular than Chernobyl in Ukraine. This area in Belarus - like that around Chernobyl - was quests for cures. But the children sacrifi ced to humanity’s folly and the residents evacuated. The accident’s near all nuclear sites can’t wait for health impacts are still felt today, especially by children (see page 4.) that. Let’s fi nd and remove the (Photo: Gabriela Bulisova) cause as well. also downsized its protective company cost considerations. Th e THUMBS DOWN requirements regarding the explosive message this sends to the public power of truck bombs that could be – particularly those living close to detonated at nuclear power plants. nuclear reactors – is that you are GAO Implicates NRC Commissioners Over Weakened Reactor Security Th e following comments on these on your own in the event of an revelations are by Paul Gunter, NIRS attack. Th e Commissioners would On April 4, 2006, a House Director of the Reactor Watchdog rather gamble with people’s lives Subcommittee on National Security, Project. than demand the nuclear industry Emerging Th reats and International foot the bill to protect the public “It seems obvious that once Relations, held hearings at which from these radiological targets. again the Nuclear Energy alarming revelations were made. Institute successfully lobbied the “Th e NEI has long realized that Chaired by Rep. Christopher Commissioners at the Nuclear reactor site security is a slippery Shays (R-CT), the Government Regulatory Commission on behalf slope for the rising capital costs Accountability Offi ce reported of the nuclear power industry. of nuclear power in view of what that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Th e eff ect - to water down NRC’s is available today to terrorists Commission (NRC) had downgraded own professional security staff on the global weapons market. the regulatory requirements for what recommendations for reactor It is inexcusable for industry nuclear power station operators must site defenses - does no service and NRC to deliberately leave defend against. Th ese requirements to the public. It is alarming that commercial power reactors are known as the Design Basis site defenses from terrorist and their radioactive inventory Th reat. Th e report implied that the attack on an atomic power plant inadequately defended from downgrade occurred after NRC are currently based on what the weapons easily smuggled across Commissioners bowed to industry corporations are willing to aff ord. our borders or legally obtainable. pressure that such defenses would Th e tenaciousness of this industry cost too much. Th e weapons dropped “It is more alarming that the to protect its profi ts rather than its from consideration included rocket Commission overruled its own perimeters is frightening.” propelled grenades and .50 caliber staff , despite information from sniper rifl es using armor piercing latest intelligence reports on Th e full GAO report is available at: ammunition, both available to and terrorist capabilities, in favor http://www.gao.gov/new.items/ in use by terrorists. Th e Commission of recommendations based on d06388.pdf WHAT YOU CAN DO Help us place our PSA. We have a compelling and eye-catching Public Service Announcement. Help us get it placed in your local publications. Call NIRS for more details at 301.270.NIRS (6477.) Tell your friends about NIRS! Can you identify two to three people you know who feel passionately about our issue? Let us know who they are. Host a small luncheon and invite a NIRS speaker. Write. A short letter to the editor or a longer opinion-editorial is an 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 340 excellent way to spread the word and raise awareness about the detriments Takoma Park, MD 20912 of nuclear power. NIRS staff will help you edit and submit it to your local Tel: 301.270.NIRS (6477) newspaper. Web: www.nirs.org Open doors. Do you know someone at a foundation or other philanthropic organization? Introduce that person to NIRS development staff or set up an appointment for yourself and a NIRS staff er. Help us boost our The Atomic Watchdog was designed by funding! Mary Schrider. It is edited by Linda Gunter, Table. If your community hosts events like street or folk festivals, set NIRS Director of Development and Media up a table of information for NIRS. Call our offi ces. We can supply you with Relations, with additional contributions by brochures, postcards, fl iers and stickers. Call today: 301.270.NIRS. NIRS staff and board members. NIRS in the Gabriela Bulisova News By Kevin Kamps March 28: Gabriela Bulisova (right with * Paul Gunter and NIRS Board dog Wobbly) hails from the former Czechoslovakia, where member, Harvey Wasserman, she studied art history at are interviewed on WPFW university. She and Kevin (Pacifi ca, New York) about Th ree Kamps, NIRS nuclear waste Mile Island, to tie in with the specialist, fi rst met and became anniversary of the accident. partners on the Walk Across Europe for a Nuclear-Free World in 1995. Th ey walked from April 2: Brussels to Moscow, over the * Kevin Kamps is quoted in the course of nine months, against Kalamazoo Gazette on Palisades nuclear weapons and nuclear power, spending several months in and around license renewal concerns. the Chernobyl-contaminated regions of Ukraine, Belarus, and western Russia. Gabriela and Kevin moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1996. Th ere they April 4: founded the World Tree Center for Peace, Justice and Mother Earth. Gabriela * Kevin’s new report outlining curated the Center’s art gallery, featuring such shows as “Other Realities,” an the multiple fl aws in U.S. exhibit by mentally ill artists. In 1998 and 1999, Gabriela and Kevin hosted irradiated nuclear fuel policies is visually-impaired Belarussian youngsters as part of the Chernboyl Children’s Project. It was also at this time that Gabriela fi rst began pursuing her interest cited by Kim Smith in the Joliet in photography. (IL) Daily News. * A NIRS press release on Kevin’s When Kevin began work at NIRS in 1999, Gabriela studied photography at the university level. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography radioactive waste policy paper is at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore in 2002. Her fi nal show reproduced on the New American featured images from the autumn 2001 protests in Gorleben, Germany against Patriots Web site. radioactive waste shipping and dumping. Gabi received her Master of Fine Arts in Photography from MICA in 2005. Her April 5: masters’ thesis, “Chernobyl: Half-Lives, Half-Truths,” featured images from the * NIRS is cited in an Associated 2003 Irish Chernobyl Children’s Project’s twenty-fi rst humanitarian aid convoy Press story on the Exelon tritium to Belarus. Gabriela took part in and documented the medical aid delivery to leaks. Th e story is used by WLS orphanages and asylums. A number of awards and grants, including a Puffi n Channel 7 (ABC Chicago.) Foundation Grant, a CANON “Explorer of Light” Award, and the 2002 Meyer Photo Travel Fellowship at MICA, made Gabi’s trip to Belarus possible. * Kevin is quoted in a WOODTV Channel 8 (NBC Grand Rapids) In 2004, Gabi also took part in an international photo-journalist project on-line story on Palisades safety.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nuclear Power and Harm to Animals, Wild and Domestic
    THE CASE AGAINST NUCLEAR POWER Nuclear power and harm to animals, wild and domestic A PUBLICATION OF BEYOND NUCLEAR Nuclear power and harm to animals, wild and domestic 1 Cover image: Gray Wolf, by Gunnar Ries, Creative Commons/Flickr Acknowledgements This booklet would not have been possible without all the incredible work that has already been done on this subject by our colleagues around the world. Many of our sources are acknowledged in the endnotes, but we would like to give special thanks to two scientists in particular. Dr. Timothy Mousseau and his colleagues have worked extensively in the radioactively contaminated zones around both the Chernobyl nuclear disas- ter site in Ukraine, and the stricken Fukushima reactors in Japan. Far from finding animals “thriving” in the absence of humans, Mousseau and his colleagues discovered birds suffering sterility and cataracts, small mammals with tumors, and generally reduced life expectancies. Dr. Bruno Chareyron, and his France-based laboratory, CRIIRAD, have sampled and analyzed wild habitats in Europe, North America, Siberia and Africa with alarming results. Dr. Chareyron found high levels of radioactive contamination in lakes, rivers, aquatic plants, desert sands and rocks and in the air. His conclusions about the negative impacts to human health apply to animals as well. In 2001, two of us now at Beyond Nuclear, but then at other organizations, published an in-depth study about the impact on marine animals from the routine operation of coastal US nuclear power plants. We have quoted our report — Licensed to Kill—extensively because sadly, since then, almost nothing has changed for the better.
    [Show full text]
  • Consent-Based Siting
    Consent-Based Siting From: Karen Hadden [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 01, 2016 12:00 AM To: Consent Based Siting <[email protected]> Subject: Comments regarding Consent‐Based Siting 1 SEED Coalition and No Nuclear Waste Aqui Comments – July 31, 2016 In Response to DOE Invitation for Public Comment regarding Consent-Based Siting Dear U.S. Department of Energy, These comments are being submitted on behalf of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, a non-profit environmental organization based in Texas, with 2500 members, and the No Nuclear Waste Aqui network, which includes individuals and organizations in Texas and New Mexico. Several of our members attended the Tempe meeting, at great expense. Everyone had to fly to the meeting since it was too far to drive. It’s 743 miles to Tempe from Andrews, Texas. Former State Rep. Lon Burnam from Ft. Worth, Humberto Acosta from Andrews, Rose Gardner from Eunice and Noel Marquez from Artesia, NM, and I joined others from New Mexico at the Tempe meeting. I was also able to attend the Minneapolis meeting and listened to several other meetings through internet. Our comments address the questions that you have asked as well as some that should have been asked. They include: 1) How can the Department ensure that the process for selecting a site is fair? 2) What models and experience should the Department use in designing the process? 3) Who should be involved in the process for selecting a site, and what is their role? 4) What information and
    [Show full text]
  • April 30, 2012 Hon. Barbara Boxer Chair, Senate Environment And
    April 30, 2012 Hon. Barbara Boxer Chair, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Hon. James Inhofe Ranking Member, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senators Boxer and Inhofe, We are writing to urge you to do everything in your power to oppose the confirmation of Kristine Svinicki to a second term as a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The purpose of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is to regulate the nation’s nuclear power industry in order to protect the public health and safety. Yet during her first term as an NRC Commissioner, Ms. Svinicki uniformly voted for nuclear industry interests at the expense of public health and safety. The March 2011 nuclear disaster at the U.S.-designed reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi site has brought a new level of public attention and scrutiny to the manifest dangers of nuclear power. The ability of U.S. nuclear reactors—23 of which are virtually identical to those at Fukushima Daiichi with a dozen more using the same design concept—to withstand earthquakes, loss-of-power situations and other challenges both natural and man-made is of critical importance. Yet on March 9, 2012, Ms. Svinicki, alone among the five current NRC Commissioners, voted against the implementation of all of the first three post-Fukushima safety measures recommended by NRC staff through the use of a regulatory framework that concludes that they are necessary for the adequate protection of nuclear reactors. This follows a long pattern of similar votes that gives the appearance Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Korean Ship Sinking After Hit by Iraqis
    PZC hearing tonight Jackson mulls Soviet trip Manchester wins on. Keeney subdiyislon to try to free Sakharov Rutland tourney ... page 3 ... page 4 page 11 Variable cloudiness Manchester, Conn. through Tuesday Monday. July 2, 1984 . — See page 2 iianrljratPr IrralJi Single copy: 25® Barbecue Korean ship features diplomacy ’■ ' i- sinking after WASHINGTON (UPI) ’-P resi­ dent Reagan, rebuffed by Moscow hit by iraqis in an attempt to begin talks on space-based weapons, pursued his J: election-year arms controls efforts m ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (UPI) A at a White House barbecue and South Korean freighter hit by two Iraqi missiles../ found Soviet Ambassador Anatoly appeared to be sinking in the Persian Gulf today after Dobrynin a willing partner. ■ its 23 crew men abandoned the burning hulk, shipping A Western-style barbeque that officials said. 2 offered several hundred foreign The 10,205-ton Wonjin, owned by Joongang Shipping diplomats a taste of Americana Co. of Seoul, was the only vessel confirmed hit among afforded Reagan an opportunity a convoy of seven Iraq claimed to have struck Sunday. Sunday to spend 50 minutes with The freighter, chartered by the National Iranian Dobrynin at a time of continued Shipping Corp., was en route to Iran from Japan with testing between the superpowers. a cargo of 9,000 tons of iron plate.' The informal tete-a-tete, which M i Iran made no comment on the reported attacks, took place against a backdrop of although a Seoul official said the crew members, country music with Dobrynin including four who received burns, were evacuated to seated next to Reagan by virtue of Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Renaissance” in the United States, Its Underlying Reasons, and Its Potential Pitfalls
    ENERGY LAW JOURNAL Volume 29, No. 2 2008 THE CURRENT “NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE” IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS UNDERLYING REASONS, AND ITS POTENTIAL PITFALLS Roland M. Frye, Jr.* Synopsis: The nuclear renaissance is indeed a reality within the United States today. This is apparent from the number of nuclear plant construction applications and new uranium mining applications filed with or expected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as the major merger-and-acquisitions activity within the nuclear industry. This renaissance stems from such factors as concern over global warming, nuclear energy‘s advantages over competitor fuels, a significant increase in public and governmental support, major scientific and technological developments, and the financial community‘s increasing interest in nuclear energy. But, a number of factors could still undermine the success of nuclear energy – such as workforce and component manufacturing constraints, the recent ―Wall Street meltdown,‖ a catastrophe at a nuclear power facility anywhere in the world, a terrorist attack using nuclear material, blocked transportation of radioactive material, regulatory and adjudicatory delays, self-inflicted wounds by the industry, and concerns about proliferation and spent fuel management. The industry‘s success in the coming years will turn largely on money, attention to detail, and an ability to earn and retain the trust of all its stakeholders. Summary ............................................................................................................ 281 * Mr. Frye has practiced in the field of federal energy regulation for thirty-one years, in both the public and private sectors, and has served for the last sixteen years as the Senior Attorney in the Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
    [Show full text]
  • Official Transcript of Proceedings NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
    Official Transcript of Proceedings NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Title: Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Fukushima Subcommittee Meeting Docket Number: (n/a) Location: Rockville, Maryland Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011 Work Order No.: NRC-971 Pages 1-118 NEAL R. GROSS AND CO., INC. Court Reporters and Transcribers 1323 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 234-4433 DISCLAIMER UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS The contents of this transcript of the proceeding of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, as reported herein, is a record of the discussions recorded at the meeting. This transcript has not been reviewed, corrected, and edited, and it may contain inaccuracies. 1 1 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3 + + + + + 4 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS 5 (ACRS) 6 + + + + + 7 FUKUSHIMA SUBCOMMITTEE 8 + + + + + 9 THURSDAY 10 JUNE 23, 2011 11 + + + + + 12 ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 13 + + + + + 14 The Advisory Committee met at the Nuclear 15 Regulatory Commission, Two White Flint North, Room 16 T2B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, at 17 1:00 p.m., Said Abdel-Khalik, Chairman, presiding. 18 19 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: 20 SAID ABDEL-KHALIK, Chairman 21 JOHN W. STETKAR, Member-at-Large 22 J. SAM ARMIJO, Member 23 DENNIS C. BLEY, Member 24 CHARLES H. BROWN, Member 25 MICHAEL L. CORRADINI, Member NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W. (202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 (202) 234-4433 2 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT (CONTINUED): 2 JOY REMPE, Member 3 MICHAEL T.
    [Show full text]
  • MARCH AGAINST NUCLEAR MADNESS GLOBAL EVENTS CALENDAR Updated February 28, 2010
    MARCH AGAINST NUCLEAR MADNESS GLOBAL EVENTS CALENDAR Updated February 28, 2010 FRIDAY MARCH 2 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 OYSTER CREEK, NJ. No More Fukushimas Peace Walk. From Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant (Forked River, NJ) to Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant (Buchanan, NY) to Vermont Yankee Power Plant (Vernon, VT). Information: http:// nomorefukushimaswalk.tumblr.com/. SEABROOK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, NH. Remember Fukushima: The Walk for a New Spring. nineteen-day walk from Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in NH to Plymouth Nuclear Power Plant in Ply­mouth, MA on the anniversary of the catastrophe at Fukushima, Japan and ending the walk in Vernon, VT at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Our walk is a prayer for the sufering of the Japanese people and a plea for the people of New England to recognize the grave dangers that nuclear energy poses to our lives, our property, and all life on our Mother Earth. Nuclear energy is neither safe nor clean. The threat of a nuclear accident at one of our own aging nuclear facilities is all too real and the consequences would be unimaginably catastrophic. We walk together in love and solidarity for a nuclear free future. A more just, sustainable, and compassionate world built on respect for all living beings and for the earth that sustains us is possible now more than ever. Please join us to help make it a reality. Full walk schedule can be found here: http://nipponzanmyohoji.tumblr.com/post/ 17057484948/walk-for-a-new-spring For details, to join the walk or to support the walk when it comes to your community, contact:Tim Bullock at 413-485-8469 or email [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Illuminating the Life of Dr. Helen Caldicott
    LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: ILLUMINATING THE LIFE OF DR. HELEN CALDICOTT LEAH HANES A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Ph.D. in Leadership and Change Program of Antioch University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy January, 2015 This is to certify that the Dissertation entitled: LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: DR. HELEN CALDICOTT: THE UNTOLD STORY prepared by Leah Hanes is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Change Approved by: Carolyn Kenny, Ph.D., Chair date Laurien Alexandre, Ph.D., Committee Member date Elaine Gale ,Ph.D., Committee Member date Timothy Mousseau, Ph.D., External Reader date Copyright 2015 Leah Hanes All rights reserved Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Carolyn Kenny for her ongoing support and encouragement, Dr. Laurien Alexandre, who nurtured the idea through to my chosen methodology, and Dr. Elaine Gale, whose wisdom as a writer gave me confidence in my own voice. Dr. Paula Caplan has played an important role in the development of my dissertation topic and approach to my research. Nancy Fawcett sent me to Antioch University Los Angeles in the first place armed with the confidence I needed to apply. Dr. Albert Erdynast encouraged me to pursue this degree. Finally, the faculty and students at Antioch University Los Angeles for their ongoing support. i Abstract This dissertation is a biographical study of the life of Dr. Helen Caldicott that details her life and work over the years from 1997 to 2014. The history of her significant role in the end of the Cold War and her influence in public opinion regarding nuclear power and nuclear arms has been well-documented through many books, films, and articles as well as her own autobiography up to this twenty-year-period.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear ZEC Comments NIRS-CCAN-CPSR, Etal
    NUCLEAR INFORMATION AND RESOURCE SERVICE • CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK • CHESAPEAKE PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND NUCLEAR • CRABSHELL ALLIANCE • MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH NETWORK • PUBLIC CITIZEN • SUN DAY CAMPAIGN September 7, 2018 Bob Sadzinski Power Plant Siting Assessor Power Plant Research Program Maryland Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue, Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Re: Draft Analysis of Implementing Zero Emissions Credits or Procurement Support for Nuclear Power Dear Mr. Sadzinski, Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the draft analysis presented on zero emissions credits or procurement support for nuclear power, which was presented at the August 29, 2018 meeting of the Renewable Portfolio Standard Work Group. Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Beyond Nuclear, Crabshell Alliance, Maryland Environmental Health Network, and Public Citizen, and SUN DAY Campaign oppose the implementation of a ZEC program or other subsidies for nuclear power in Maryland. It would be counterproductive to the purpose and success of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and other related energy and environmental policies, including and especially the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and Chesapeake Bay conservation and restoration programs. The draft analysis recognizes some of the problems with subsidies for nuclear power – including the enormous costs and environmental risks – and it makes a broad survey of nuclear subsidy programs that have been adopted in other states in recent years. However, the description of those programs is incomplete and, in a number of ways, inaccurate. It would be a mistake for Maryland to assume that the programs recently adopted in other states establish a legitimate precedent or good example for our state to follow.
    [Show full text]
  • Retroactivist Course Not
    A publication of Nuclear Information and Resource Service MAYJUNE 2006 Volume II: issue 4 ISSN 1556-8822 Iran Irony Linda’s Log non-proliferation groups are rightly working hard to persuade the The U.S. government not to use military might to end Iran’s uranium Meaning Nenrichment program. Meanwhile, those of us concerned with the of proposed proliferation of new nuclear reactors - as well as plans to build Green? a new uranium enrichment facility of our own in New Mexico - can’t help but smile at the irony. No better example of the inextricable bond between nuclear power and nuclear weapons could have emerged than the situation Th e fi ve-minute environmentalist, in Iran. For decades the International Atomic Energy Agency has upheld Patrick Moore, also dubbed the disingenous philosophy that splitting the atom to turn the lights on is “plastic surgeon to the polluters,” allright as long as countries promise not to make an atomic bomb as well. Th e has had to come clean about his panic over Iran has emerged not only because it is impossible to be sure Iran status. He is a paid fl ak for the has only commercial intentions but precisely because it could use the same nuclear industry (oh and yes the technology for nuclear weapons. It’s time the U.S. led by example and, as a logging industry and possibly the fi rst step, at least abandoned new uranium enrichment projects on home soil. chemical industry and proponents of genetically modifi ed foods and....) Does this sound like an environmentalist to you? Of RetroActivist course not.
    [Show full text]
  • Questioning a Nuclear Renaissance
    Benjamin K. Sovacool Questioning a Nuclear Renaissance GPPi Policy Paper No. <8> 2010 Global Public Policy Institute Reinhardtstr. 15 10117 Berlin · Germany Tel +49-30-275 959 75-0 Fax +49-30-690 88 200 E-Mail [email protected] www.gppi.net Web www.gppi.net Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 3 2. COST ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 3. SAFETY AND ACCIDENTS .............................................................................................................................. 8 4. FUEL SCARCITY ...........................................................................................................................................10 5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .........................................................................................................................12 Water............................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Air and Climate ........................................................................................................................................................... 15 Land and Nuclear Waste........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Whitepaper/Letter to James Hansen
    Nuclear Power: Totally Unqualified to Combat Climate Change An Open Letter from the World Business Academy to leading climatologist Dr. James Hansen regarding his advocacy of nuclear power as a solution to global warming. by Rinaldo S. Brutoco 2020 Alameda Padre Serra Suite 135, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 892-4600 • www.worldbusiness.org © World Business Academy 2014 January 27, 2014 Re: Nuclear Power as an Agent in Combatting Climate Change Dear Professor Hansen: I am the founDer anD President of the World Business AcaDemy,1 a non-profit business think tank established in 1987 with a mission to (i) explore the role anD responsibility of business in relation to critical moral, environmental, and social issues of our day; (ii) inspire the business community to assume responsibility for the whole of society; and (iii) assist those in business who share our values to take greater responsibility for positive social outcomes from business initiatives. The Academy’s projects and numerous publications take on today’s challenges including environmental degradation; the shift away from dirty energy anD towarD clean, renewable energy; anD the existential threat posed by climate change. In fact, the Academy has had an active Energy Task Force working continuously on these issues since 1997. Academy Fellows, representing some of the best and brightest men and women shaping today’s global landscape, have analyzed, reported and predicted the transforming paradigm shifts in business and society.2 My colleagues anD I at the WorlD Business AcaDemy have followeD your climate activism for many years and your on-going campaign to restrain the coal and oil industries with great interest.
    [Show full text]