This week’s nuclear news
Some bits of good news. Eight things that went right this week, including big energy and health wins. Once Biologically Dead, the River Mersey in England is “Best Environmental Story in Europe”.
Pandemic. The world needs a COP-like process for pandemic preparedness
Climate. A few pieces of good news on climate change (and a reality check)
Nuclear. Am I the only one who thinks that it’s a bit bizarre to see the World Nuclear News bragging about new nuclear reactors going ahead in Ukraine – just as the IAEA staff are tearing their hair out about the dangers of nuclear reactors in Ukraine?
CLIMATE. The first breach of 1.5°C will be a temporary but devastating failure. Absurd that we listen to those causing the climate crisis’ in Davos, says Greta Thunberg. The ‘all-of-the-above’ story used to sneak nuclear power in as a climate-action technology along with renewables . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU6vQXif5Xo Suffolk: Sizewell C nuclear ‘should not get licence’ due to coastal erosion.
CIVIL LIBERTIES. UK police powers increased, to shut down climate protests. UK govt to tighten anti-protest restrictions, despite criticism from human rights groups .
ECONOMICS. As the war rages on and military spending booms, the US arms industry is a big winner in Ukraine. Marketing: South Korea keen to market nuclear technology to United Arab Emirates, and missile technology, too. Poland’s energy company agrees to buy France’s NOT YET DESIGNED so-called “small” Nuward nuclear reactor!
The British government’s Regulated Asset Base – the test case for reviving its nuclear power dream. “Great British Nuclear “- it’s high time that they came clean on what this will cost. David Schlissel: Small modular reactor project likely to end badly for Utah utilities.
EMPLOYMENT. The French nuclear sector up against the wall in terms of recruitment.
ENERGY. Germany aims for faster expansion of wind energy, not nuclear. Prolonged outages of France’s nuclear reactors. Renewable energy is the only credible path forward -António Guterres. Four separate reports show that the UK could save over €120 bn by 2050 by switching to a renewable energy strategy.
HEALTH. Investigation underway after nine nuclear missileers develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
LEGAL. Fukushima: court upholds acquittals of three Tepco executives over disaster. UK High Court to hear challenge against plans for Sizewell C nuclear station
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. The Nuclear Fallacy: Why Small Modular Reactors Can’t Compete With Renewable Energy. U.S. approves design for NuScale small modular nuclear reactor, but significant problems remain.
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR. Demonstrators gather in Hamburg against threat of nuclear confrontation in Ukraine.
POLITICS.
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. The Problem With Primacy – America’s Dangerous Quest to Dominate the Pacific. Diplomatic Cables Show Russia Saw NATO Expansion as a Red Line. Pacific islands urge Japan to delay release of nuclear plant waste water.
SAFETY.
SECRETS and LIES. Man arrested on suspicion of terror offences after uranium found at Heathrow.
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. NATO activating space war center in France. New NASA Nuclear Rocket Plan Aims to Get to Mars in Just 45 Days
SPINBUSTER. A bit of panic in the UK small nuclear reactor lobby?
TECHNOLOGY. Canadian MP Charlie Angus Questions the Claims of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7nR4P39ALo
WASTES.
WAR and CONFLICT. US may assist Ukrainian strikes on Crimea – NYT. Ukraine: Is the Hammer About to Fall?.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. CNN: Ukraine Has Become a ‘Weapons Lab’ for Western Arms . Ukraine Narrative Fraying, But Weapons Will Continue To Flow. Ukraine war boon/boondoggle for U.S. arms makers, Pentagon’s warfighting capabilities. Germany Says US Must Lead Way On Tanks For Ukraine, As Republican Party Also Piles On Pressure Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023.
Nuclear submarines deal an exercise in futility and should be sunk. Push in US Congress to exempt Australia from International Traffic in Arms Regulations, so that it can import nuclear submarines.
Plutonium Pit Bomb Plans Excoriated by General Accounting Office. Pentagon can’t account for $220 billion in govt property, fails fifth audit. US Installs New Nukes in Europe: As Destructive as 83 Hiroshima Bombs.
The US has a new nuclear proliferation problem: South Korea. The Disastrous Downsides of South Korea Building Nuclear Weapons. It comes down to weapons.
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
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