Theenergynet's Favorite Links on policy from Diigo

CounterPunch: New Nukes Not Ready for Prime Time

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:33:02 -0000

A devastating blow to the much-hyped revival of atomic power has been delivered by an unlikely source---the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC says the "standardized" designs on which the entire premise of returning nuclear power to center stage is based have massive holes in them, and may not be ready for approval for years to come.

Tags: nuclear energy policy nrc us

Posted by: theenergynet

Sen. Salazar goes to bat for Rocky Flats workers. - The Denver Post

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:27:22 -0000

Sen. Ken Salazar told reporters Wednesday that he would introduce legislation to address how workers from the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant are compensated for illnesses incurred as a result of exposure to radioactive materials.

He termed as "abhorrent" the manner in which the Department of Labor has managed programs intended to compensate employees for their illnesses.

Tags: nuclear n-weapons workers health compensation

Posted by: theenergynet

Britain tries to block green energy laws | Environment | The Guardian

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:17:43 -0000

Britain is trying to water down tough new European legislation to boost the uptake of renewable energy, despite a pledge by Gordon Brown last month to launch a "green revolution" based on clean technology.

Documents obtained by the Guardian show the UK wants to block attempts to give renewable electricity sources such as wind farms priority access to the national grid. The European official who drafted the legislation accused Britain of "obstructing" EU efforts on renewables and said UK officials wanted to protect traditional energy suppliers and their coal, gas and nuclear power stations.

Tags: energy energy.news uk policy renewables

Posted by: theenergynet

BBC NEWS | South Asia | New opposition alliance in India

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:37:11 -0000

India's communists and several other opposition parties have launched a joint campaign over rising prices and a controversial nuclear deal with the US.

The new group contains four left-wing former allies of the government and a Dalit leader tipped as a future PM.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Tags: nuclear energy policy india nuke.news.int

Posted by: theenergynet

Al Gore: A Generational Challenge to Repower America | We Can Solve It

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:42:36 -0000

There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes. Those who, for whatever reason, refuse to do their part must either be persuaded to join the effort or asked to step aside. This is such a moment. The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk. And even more - if more should be required - the future of human civilization is at stake.

Tags: energy energy.news policy gore us

Posted by: theenergynet

Newsvine - Political drama in India nears its climax

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:36:13 -0000

After nearly an year since the terms of the Indo-US nuclear deal were concluded the Indian government will be facing a no-confidence motion on 22nd July. The Indian Prime Minister was forced to prove his government's majority in the Parliament after the Left parties withdrew their support to the government on 9th July. The Left parties are of the opinion that the deal would undermine India's freedom to take crucial foreign policy decisions which includes the decision on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

Tags: nuclear energy policy us india

Posted by: theenergynet

Newsvine - Energy tsunami coming, ex-policymakers warn

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:23:21 -0000

A bipartisan group of 27 elder statesmen is sending an open letter to both presidential candidates and every member of Congress saying the country faces "a long-term energy crisis" that threatens the security and prosperity of future generations if swift action isn't taken.

Tags: energy energy.news policy us

Posted by: theenergynet

Daily Herald | Task force to study nuclear power issues in Illinois

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:10:05 -0000

A new government task force will study the use of nuclear power in Illinois and investigate whether it should be expanded, lawmakers announced Friday.

Safety and security concerns will be among the issues explored by the 11-member Nuclear Power Issues Task Force, which was jointly formed by the state Senate and House.

Tags: nuclear energy policy il nuke.news

Posted by: theenergynet

Sanders wants restitution for ratepayers: Rutland Herald Online

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:01:53 -0000

U.S. Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., said Friday that Vermont consumers shouldn't have to pay for Entergy Nuclear's cooling tower mistakes, and called on the Vermont Public Service Board to review the situation.

Last week, Entergy Nuclear was forced to shut down both cooling towers at Vermont Yankee because of a leak in one tower and cracked support beams in the other.

Tags: nuclear energy vt policy entergy

Posted by: theenergynet

Standoff over waste from Italy to drag on - Salt Lake Tribune

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:43:10 -0000

It might be another year before a judge decides who has the final say on importing foreign radioactive waste to Utah.
EnergySolutions Inc. requested the federal court ruling in hopes of securing the right to import low-level nuclear waste from Italy and other foreign countries over the objections of the state, the public and members of Congress.
U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart will preside at a weeklong bench trial in the case next fall, according to recently filed papers. Critics hope Congress will pass a bill to outlaw most foreign waste imports before the judge decides.

Tags: nuclear energy fuel-cycle n-waste energysolutions

Posted by: theenergynet

The true costs of the nuclear deal (India - US)

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:37:25 -0000

If you had asked members of the Left parties only a few months ago whether the United Progressive Alliance government should be toppled on the issue of the US-India nuclear deal, a majority would have said: "No."

Tags: nuclear energy treaty us india

Posted by: theenergynet

Report doesn't urge guards at nuclear plants' entrances- PennLive.com

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:40:09 -0000

Federal regulators, who have done much to beef up security at commercial nuclear power plants in the last seven years, are stopping short of requiring armed guards at the front door.

That decision should be left to plant owners, according to a 548-page U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission document that recommends several new security enhancements and would make permanent policies implemented in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Tags: nuclear energy security reactors policy

Posted by: theenergynet

Progressive Politics Examiner - Is Nuclear Power A Lousy Investment? - Examiner.com

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:32:05 -0000

I've written a number of posts here about the call for offshore and ANWR oil drilling, the resultant cost neutrality and time constraints of that drilling, and alternative energy development. Invariably, a number of commenters stress the need for nuclear power as a power generator. President Bush, in his news conference yesterday, called for the development of nuclear power for the U.S.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Tags: nuclear energy economics us policy

Posted by: theenergynet

Governors can't agree on climate change fix - Salt Lake Tribune

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:06:41 -0000

Governors from across the country agree that it will take bold leadership to confront the nation's energy crisis.
But they couldn't come to a consensus position on climate change or nuclear expansion or the future of coal.

Tags: energy energy.news climatechange us policy

Posted by: theenergynet

Matheson pushes alternative Yucca Mountain nuke waste shipment plan - Salt Lake Tribune

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:53:27 -0000

Dumping the nation's nuclear waste in the Nevada desert could cost billions more and take even longer than previously anticipated.
But the plan to open Yucca by 2020 - three years later than previously estimated - hinges on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approving a license for the facility, for Congress to give its final nod to the arrangement and for enough money to be earmarked to the project.

Tags: nuclear energy llw fuel-cycle n-waste

Posted by: theenergynet

Democracy Now! | Amory Lovins: Expanding Nuclear Power Makes Climate Change Worse

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:03:03 -0000

There’s one issue that President Bush and presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama all agree on: expanding the use of nuclear power. We speak with Amory Lovins, the co-founder, chairman and chief scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, who has been described as “one of the Western world’s most influential energy thinkers.”

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Tags: energy nuclear lovins policy renewables

Posted by: theenergynet

TBO.com - US picks compromise over confrontation with Iran

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:16:58 -0000

For now, the Bush administration has chosen compromise over confrontation in dealing with Iran's disputed nuclear program with a dramatic gesture intended to demonstrate commitment to a negotiated solution.

In breaking with past policy to send a top diplomat to weekend talks with Iran's chief nuclear envoy, the administration has in its waning months refined its position on contact with the hardline Iranian regime, much as it did in the ongoing effort to rid North Korea of its atomic weapons, which has shown recent promise.

Tags: us policy nuclear n-weapons iraq

Posted by: theenergynet

TheHill.com - Pelosi: Drilling in protected areas ‘a hoax’

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:09:53 -0000

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday shut the door on expanding oil and gas drilling beyond areas that have already been approved for energy exploration, drawing a clear distinction from her counterparts in charge of the Senate.

“This call for drilling in areas that are protected is a hoax, it’s an absolute hoax on the part of the Republicans and this administration” Pelosi said at her weekly press conference. “It’s a decoy to punt your attention away from the fact that their policies have produced $4-a-gallon gasoline.”

Tags: energy energy.news oil ecology policy

Posted by: theenergynet

ANALYSIS-Zealous nuclear France may be vulnerable at home | Markets | Reuters

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:10:33 -0000

Tags: energy europe france nuclear nuke.news

Posted by: theenergynet

German Minister Criticizes French Nuclear Stance | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 21.01.2008

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:10:04 -0000

Tags: energy europe france germany nuclear

Posted by: theenergynet