Nuclear news to 13 June

Although climate change is still the monumental threat to all life on earth, I’ve decided to return, above all, to the original focus of this newsletter – nuclear news.

The nuclear issue is the perfect subject for examining how  prevailing journalism and shonky history distort genuine historiography.  And, this week, there’are fine examples of this in articles about the HBO TV min-series “Chernobyl”. There are articles claiming that the series is “inaccurate”, “exaggerated”, and quoting minimal health effects, and the area as a wildlife paradise.

In fact, series writer Craig Mazin extensively researched the subject, to faithfully retell the events of the April 1986 nuclear disaster. Historian Kate Brown thoroughly examined copious records of the huge health toll in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia and reported on this, and on its implications for the future.   Daniel Taylor discusses the accuracy of the series, and reflects on the secrecy, bureaucratic mismanagement, and the war on truth which prevails concerning the nuclear industry, both in the Soviet era, and in today’s world, whether East or West.

AUSTRALIA

Australia heads for authoritarian rule, as Federal Police under government control, threaten press freedom. Australia’s police raids on the media will silence whistleblowers. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton “knew nothing” about police raids on Australian media offices, and on a home!!  Statement by Ita Buttrose, ABC Chair, on the public’s right to know. Journalists who joined in the attack on Julian Assange may find themselves to be the next victims.

NUCLEAR. Liberal National Coalition’s “nuclear cowboys”. Despite the evidence, the Australian government refuses to accept Chronic Radiation Syndrome in nuclear test veterans. The health toll of Australia’s uranium nuclear industry.

CLIMATE. Australia’s reputation in the Pacific now trashed due to its failure to help, in climate crisis.  Adani’s flawed protections for groundwater: its Carmichael mine may dry up ancient desert springs.  Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor delayed releasing data that shows greenhouse gas levels continue to rise.  Al Gore – Australia is at climate crossroads, – could lead on renewable energy.  ClimateWorks to launch platform to track business pledges on zero emissions.

RENEWABLE ENERGY – AEMO to model “step change” in energy transition and major emission cuts  CEFC big solar investments pass $1 billion, with stake in Kiamal Solar Farm. Colonial backs solar and battery roll-out in major shopping centres. Sydney Catholic schools  install 1.3MW “power generator” worth of solar. Victoria’s biggest solar farm secures finance, may add huge battery.  NSW notches up 2GW of rooftop solar, as record installs continue.  Renewable hydrogen getting cheaper, Australia could lead global market.  Sydney Opera House turns to wind and solar, may add battery for perfect match.

INTERNATIONAL

Investigative journalism : Detailed history of violence of nuclear power – from start, to finish in the very very long future.

These Are the Banks and Financial Institutions Investing $748 Billion in Nuclear Weapon Producers.

Mars and travel to Mars – will kill astronauts with ionising radiation.

Global extinctions of plant species – going at a frightening rate.

A ‘P5+4’ summit could break the nuclear weapons deadlock.

AFRICA. Extreme heat and humidity a killer combination now affecting one third of the African urban population.  Solar panels all over the Sahara desert?

JAPAN. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pretending that all is well at Fukushima, using this lie to promote Olympics.  Japan’s government plans more nuclear energy, and of course increased pile of plutonium wastes. According to Japan govt’s official statistics on pediatric cancer, children cancers doubled since Fukushima. Japanese parish priests shared stories of suffering from victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.  Not a single watt of electricity, but still 1 trillion yen in basic revenue.

UKRAINE. Mini series Chernobyl unfolds the horror of radiation sickness – a warning for the future. Chernobyl miniseries could not be made in the real Chernobyl wasteland – radiation would have damaged the film kit.  Holtec’s involvement in  Ukraine’s Chernobyl’s dry store facility

USA.

• A rogue regulator worth reading.
• Top National Security Democrats Call on Trump to Extend New START Nuclear Treaty with Russia.   Contentious discussion expected as USA House debates annual Defense Bill.  A mistake for USA to deploy the low-yield Trident nuclear warhead. Trump Admin Approved Seven Transfers of Nuclear Tech to Saudi; Two After Jamal Khashoggi Murder . US Senators Announce 22 Joint Resolutions to Block Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE without Congressional Approval.
•  The high costs of bailing out FirstEnergy Solutions’ two Ohio nuclear plants . A Cool $20 million Bailout to Ohio’s Seven Utility Scammers.
• 30 years ago, voters forced shutdown of Rancho Seco nuclear plant in Sacramento County.
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “Reference Man” gives a distorted, inaccurate picture of radiation impacts.
• NO to high-level nuclear waste– governor of New Mexico.  Governor of New Mexico: Holtec Nuclear Waste Storage Bad for the Economy and Environment; Unacceptable Risk to Agriculture and Oil  and Gas Industry. America’s largest radioactive clean-up operation – at Hanford – has stalled.  USA in a real mess over nuclear wastes: stalemate in storage options.  US House “Oversight” Hearing on Nuclear Waste Appears Designed to Create Gridlock; Ignore Critical Problems and Needed Solutions.  USA aims to save money and time by classifying some “high level” radioactive wastes as “low level”.  The arguments for and against reclassifying nuclear wastes. Holtec nuclear waste canisters – a pot of gold for the company – a load of trouble for the future?  Plymouth nuclear station permanently shut down – into the arms of Holtec.  Town of Pilgrim now faces long lasting problem of dangerous nuclear wastes. Texas Governor vetoes a Bill (on domestic violence) because a pro nuclear amendment was tacked onto it at the last minute.
• America came close to having its own Chernobyl-level nuclear catastrophe.
• Increasing danger of cyberattacks on nuclear power plants.
• USA court deliberates on whether or not global warming violates children’s rights.  Mike Pompeo thinks that climate change is not really a serious problem, could be good for trade.
• New Documentary Explores Chelsea Manning’s Fight To Live Her Truth.

UK.

• In UK civilian nuclear power’s real purpose is to subsidise nuclear weapons, nuclear submarines.
• Chernobyl disaster: how radiation affected the UK, and which parts of Britain are most radioactive today. 12 year old children from irradiated areas in Ukraine helped by a Scottish charity. Concern in Suffolk, UK, over the environmental threat of Sizewell nuclear project.
• Energy experts doubt the viability of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).
•  Uranium Enrichment in the UK – in Leafy Cheshire!  Chernobyl 2.0? Cracks found in UK nuclear reactor could lead to evacuation of millions.
• Theresa May will ignore cost warnings and bring in net zero emissions goal.  UK Labour party has accused the government of “actively dismantling” the UK’s solar power industry.

CANADA. Dispute over Ottawa River nuclear waste dump: more transparency needed.

RUSSIA.  Leading Russian Journalist Detained On Apparently Trumped Up Narcotics Charges.  30 years later, a Soviet general still suffers from effects of radiation at Chernobyl nuclear disaster.  Putin warns that New START nuclear arms treaty is at risk.

KAZAKHSTAN.  Top Uranium Producer Gloomy About the Prospects for Nuclear Power.

SWEDEN. Scandinavian farmers still impacted by radioactive fallout from Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

IRAN. Germany’s foreign minister has arrived in Tehran in hopes of saving nuclear agreement.

ARGENTINA. China wants to sell nuclear technology to Argentina – but big problems plague the industry.

MARSHALL ISLANDS.  Marshall Islands giant clams – a delicacy – except for the plutonium.

GERMANY.  Germany’s energy plant operators as well as government are clear that nuclear station lifetimes will not be extended.