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NUCLEAR POLICY
1 Iraq: UN Completes Annual Check Of Nuclear Sites For Non-proliferati
2 NewsMax.com: Physicist: Saddam's Uranium Stockpile Enough to Yield 1
3 Xinhuanet: IAEA completes annual check of nuclear sites in Iraq
4 AFP: Bush: Iran must abandon nuclear program
5 Las Vegas SUN: Rice: Iran's Nuclear Intentions Worrisome
6 Las Vegas SUN: Iran Seeks Support on Nuclear Technology
7 NEWS.com.au: Iran on nuclear hit list
8 US: [du-list] Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act -
9 US: [NukeNet] Omaha anti-nuclear demonstration--SpeakOut at
10 SDTU: Peruvian authorities search for missing radioactive material
11 INQ7: RP, US affirm ‘strong’ ties amid ‘serious disagreement’ -
12 Mich News: Israel May be Compelled to Pre-empt
13 Daily Times: Kasuri rules out IAEA nuclear inspections
14 deepikaglobal: Russia conducts sub-critical N-tests
15 Mos News: Russia Not to Allow NATO Observers Visit Nuclear Sites —
16 ITAR-TASS: Russia to bar NATO specialists from its nuclear projects
17 AFP: Russia denies NATO access to nuclear sites
NUCLEAR REACTORS
18 US: BBC: 4 people killed at Japanese nuclear reactor
19 UN Nuclear Watchdog In Touch With Japan Over Power Plant Accident
20 [NukeNet] Mihama-3 Accident
21 Guardian Unlimited: List of Recent Nuclear Accidents in Japan
22 US: NRC: NRC Announces Team, Schedule for Engineering Inspection at
23 Las Vegas SUN: Japan Nuke Plant Accident Kills 4 People
24 Mainichi Interactive: 4 workers die in nuclear plant accident
25 Manila Times: Conversion of BNPP no longer a priority
26 Guardian Unlimited: Leak at Japan Nuclear Plant Kills Four
27 Daily Yomiuri: 4 killed in N-plant accident / No radioactivity relea
28 Bellona: Russia to test spent nuclear fuel from Lithuanian NPP
29 BBC: Accident at Japan nuclear plant
30 BBC: Japan's wobbly nuclear safety
31 US: Hanford News: Energy NW delays restart of nuclear power plant
32 Japan Times: NATION'S WORST NUCLEAR ACCIDENT
33 US: NRC: NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector to Columbia Gener
34 ITAR-TASS: Two accidents in a day befall Japan nuclear power plants
35 AFP: UN nuclear watchdog monitors situation after Japanese accident
36 US: FCW: NRC licensing Web site revamped
37 AFP: Fatal accident another blow to Japanese confidence in nuclear p
38 AFP: Four dead in accident at Japanese nuclear plant
NUCLEAR SAFETY
39 US: [du-list] Uranium Enrichment: Decontamination and
40 [du-list] My God! My country is using poison gas in Iraq -
41 [du-list] U-236
42 [du-list] The big lie of the 'radiation antidote'
43 AFP: IAEA thinks Iran uranium traces came from Pakistani equipment
44 The Australian: Radioactive leak at hospital
45 US: U.S. Newswire: Kerry to Meet with First Responders and Community
46 US: Hawk Eye: Analyst looks at claims move
NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE
47 US: Las Vegas RJ: EPA challengedover health risksat nuclear dump
48 US: Las Vegas RJ: Guinn to revisit mine cleanup
49 Japan Times: Nuclear fuel plant not biz as usual
50 US: KDUH: Nebraska may have a new option for its nuclear waste.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
51 [progchat_action] Targeting Civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
52 Japan Times: Nagasaki mayor asks Americans to bar nukes
53 Japan Times: The dream of nuclear disarmament
US DEPT. OF ENERGY
54 SF New Mexican: LANL retirees angry over security issues
55 Hanford News: Group meeting tonight on FFTF business plan
56 Hanford News: Public asked to provide input on Hanford's future
57 Hanford News: FFTF sodium drain to begin next week
58 Oak Ridger: Protestors unite; 12 charged
59 Lamonitor.com: Board to have special review
OTHER NUCLEAR
60 [du-list] DU in the news - 9th Aug.04
61 Google News Alert - nuclear
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FULL NEWS STORIES
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1 Iraq: UN Completes Annual Check Of Nuclear Sites For Non-proliferation Treaty
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 15:00:23 -0400
IRAQ: UN COMPLETES ANNUAL CHECK OF NUCLEAR SITES FOR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
New York, Aug 9 2004 3:00PM
The United Nations atomic watchdog agency has completed its annual
inspection of remaining nuclear materials in Iraq to ensure that
they conform to the country's safeguard obligations against the
spread of weapons under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (<"http://www.iaea.org/index.html">IAEA),
carried out at the request of Iraq's
Foreign Minister, is separate from UN Security Council-mandated
inspections which probed whether ousted leader Saddam Hussein
was developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Those checks
ceased in mid-March 2003 shortly before the war.
The material - natural or low-enriched uranium - is not sensitive
from a proliferation perspective.
"This week's mission was a good first step," IAEA Director-General
Mohamed ElBaradei <"http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/2004/prn200406.html">said
on its completion at the end of last
week. "Now we hope to be in a position to complete the mandate entrusted
to us by the Security Council."
The removal of remaining sanctions imposed on Iraq in connection
with its 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent 1991 Persian
Gulf War is dependent on completion of this latter mission by teams
from the IAEA and the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection
Commission (UNMOVIC) to ensure that <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=50&Body=Iraq&Body1=">Iraq
has eliminated
all WMDs. Such teams have not returned since the war.
The latest inspection was not the IAEA's first related to the NPT
since the war. In June 2003 a team went to Baghdad to determine
how much nuclear material was missing after the reported looting
of the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Centre, which had been under IAEA
seal. It found that uranium compounds dispersed in the looting
posed no danger from the point of view of proliferation.
2004-08-09 00:00:00.000
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
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2 NewsMax.com: Physicist: Saddam's Uranium Stockpile Enough to Yield 142 Nukes
August 09, 2004
With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
Five hundred tons of yellowcake uranium ore stored at Saddam
Hussein's al Tuwaitha nuclear weapons research laboratory near
Baghdad could have been enriched to produce 142 nuclear weapons,
a prominent British physicist has determined.
Addressing the claim by British intelligence last year that Iraq
had sought uranium in Niger, Norman Dombey, professor of
theoretical physics at the University of Sussex, argued, "Iraq
already had far more uranium than it needed for any conceivable
nuclear weapons programme."
In an op-ed piece for London's Evening Standard, Professor Dombey
explained that standard yellowcake ore consists of 99 percent
Uranium 238 [U238], "which is radioactive but is not used in
normal nuclear weapons as it cannot sustain a chain reaction."
To cause a nuclear chain reaction, he noted, "you need U235,
which only makes up less than 1 percent [0.7] of natural
uranium."
After doing the calculations, Professor Dombey explained, "You
have a warehouse containing 500 tons of natural uranium; you need
25 kilograms of U235 to build one weapon. How many nuclear
weapons can you build?
"The answer is 142."
Though most reporters continue to insist that Iraq had abandoned
its nuclear weapons program after the first Gulf War, chief U.S.
weapons inspector Charles Duelfer told Congress earlier this year
that the Iraqi scientists were "preserving and expanding [their]
knowledge to design and develop nuclear weapons."
One laboratory at al Tuwaitha "was intentionally focused on
research applicable for nuclear weapons development," the top
weapons inspector revealed.
Iraq War critics have argued that Saddam's uranium stockpile was
safe because it was subject to once-a-year inspection by the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
But the IAEA was also in charge of monitoring North Korea's
nuclear program right up until 2002, when Pyongyang announced it
would begin producing nuclear weapons.
All Rights Reserved © 2004 NewsMax.com
*****************************************************************
3 Xinhuanet: IAEA completes annual check of nuclear sites in Iraq
www.xinhuanet.com
www.chinaview.cn 2004-08-10 04:28:53
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations
atomic watchdog agency has completed its annual inspection of
remaining nuclear materials in Iraq to ensure that they conform
to the country's safeguard obligations against the spread of
weapons under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA),carried out at the request of Iraq's interim government,
is separate from the UN Security Council-mandated inspections
which probed whether ousted leader Saddam Hussein was developing
weaponsof mass destruction (WMDs), UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told
reporters on Monday.
The council-authorized checks ceased in mid-March 2003
shortly before the US-led war on Iraq. They have not been resumed
since then.
The remaining nuclear material in Iraq -- natural or
low-enriched uranium -- is not sensitive from a proliferation
perspective.
"This week's mission was a good first step," IAEA
Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei was quoted as saying late last
week. "Now we hope to be in a position to complete the mandate
entrusted to us by the Security Council."
The latest inspection was not the IAEA's first related to the
NPT since the war. In June 2003 a team went to Baghdad to
determine how much nuclear material was missing after the
reportedlooting of the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center near
Baghdad, which had been under IAEA seal. It found that uranium
compounds dispersed in the looting posed no danger from the point
of view ofproliferation. Enditem
Copyright ©2003 Xinhua News Agency. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
4 AFP: Bush: Iran must abandon nuclear program
WAR.WIRE [http://www.spacewar.com/]
WASHINGTON (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
US President George W. Bush said Monday that Iran "must abandon
her nuclear ambitions" and vowed to stand with US allies to
pressure Tehran to do so.
"Iran must abandon her nuclear ambitions," Bush said during a
campaign event, stressing international diplomacy at a time when
his Democratic White House rival, Senator John Kerry, has accused
him of alienating US allies.
"We've got to continue to keep pressure on the government, and
help others keep pressure on the government, so there's kind of a
universal condemnation of illegal weapons activities," said Bush.
The president also noted that the international community had
convinced Iran to sign the additional protocol to the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty, providing for beefed-up inspections of
nuclear sites.
But he also suggested that there were few arrows in Washington's
diplomatic quiver, noting that Washington and Tehran do not have
formal relations and that "we're out of sanctions" because most
of those that can be applied have already been imposed.
"And so we've relied upon others to send the message for us. And
the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Great Britain have
gone in as a group to send a message on behalf of the free world
that Iran must comply with the demands of the free world," he
said.
Bush said that the United States was trying to promote a change
of government in Iran, using radio broadcasts and urging Iranians
living in the United States "to send message to their loved
ones."
He also said that building a democracy in nearby Iraq "is going
to send a clear message to people in Iran, as well, that free
societies are possible."
"In other words, there are reformers and people who want to be
free watching carefully as to whether or not this country, which
is the beacon of freedom, is strong enough not to wilt when the
pressure gets significant," he said.
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
5 Las Vegas SUN: Rice: Iran's Nuclear Intentions Worrisome
By WILLIAM C. MANN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) -
President Bush vowed Monday to keep pressuring Iran to give up
its nuclear ambitions, but he tempered his tough words with talk
of diplomacy, countering Democrats who say he takes a
go-it-alone approach on the world stage.
"Iran must comply with the demands of the free world and that's
where we sit right now," Bush said at an "Ask the President"
campaign event in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale, Va.
"My attitude is that we've got to keep pressure on the
government, and help others keep pressure on the government - so
there's going to be universal condemnation of illegal weapons
activities."
Bush stressed U.S. efforts to work with other nations to make
sure the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency asks Iran "hard questions"
about its weapons activities. "Foreign ministers of Germany,
France and Britain have gone in as a group to send a message on
behalf of the free world," he said.
For 3 1/2 years, the administration has insisted to a largely
disbelieving world that Iran was developing a dangerous nuclear
capability. The administration is contending now that its
doggedness is paying off.
Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, had said
Sunday that the world finally is "worried and suspicious" over
the Iranians' intentions and is determined not to let Tehran
produce a nuclear weapon.
In appearances on two nationally broadcast interview shows, she
said the United States would act alone to end the program if the
administration could not win international support.
For its part, Iran said Monday the international community has
no reason to be suspicious about its nuclear ambitions, despite
allegations by the United States that it is trying to produce
nuclear weapons.
"Iran has not violated any of its commitments to international
treaties in its nuclear program," Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi was quoted as saying by the official Islamic Republic
News Agency.
Kharrazi announced a week ago that his country had resumed
building nuclear centrifuges. He said at the time that his
country was retaliating for the West's failure to force the U.N.
nuclear watchdog agency to close its file on possible Iranian
violations of nuclear nonproliferation rules.
But Kharrazi also said Iran was not resuming enrichment of
uranium, which requires a centrifuge. He said that Tehran had
restarted manufacturing the device because Britain, Germany and
France had not stopped the investigation by the International
Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA.
At one point on Monday, Bush started to say that the United
States got Iran to sign an agreement that would permit
inspections, but then quickly corrected himself to say the
"world" got the Iranians to sign a protocol to allow site
inspections.
Rice, appearing on CNN"s "Late Edition," said, "The United
States was the first to say that Iran was a threat in this way,
to try and convince the international community that Iran was
trying, under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, to
actually bring about a nuclear weapons program."
"I think we've finally now got the world community to a place,
and the (IAEA) to a place, that it is worried and suspicious of
the Iranian activities," she said. "Iran is facing for the first
time real resistance to trying to take these steps."
Bush, in his 2002 State of the Union address, included Iran with
North Korea and Iraq in an "axis of evil" dedicated to
developing nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
Since then, North Korea has publicly resumed its nuclear
development program. In Iraq, invading U.S.-led forces have
found no such programs after President Saddam Hussein was
deposed.
--
*****************************************************************
6 Las Vegas SUN: Iran Seeks Support on Nuclear Technology
By GEORGE JAHN ASSOCIATED PRESS
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -
Iran has told Europe's leading powers that it wants them to back
its right to nuclear technology that can be used to make
weapons. Diplomats said Monday the move has dismayed the
Europeans and strengthens Washington's push for U.N. sanctions
against Tehran.
France, Germany and Britain have not formally responded to the
demands Iran presented to them in a document during a meeting
last week in Paris. Contents of the document were obtained by
The Associated Press
Diplomats said Iran's conditions effectively stall the European
attempt to convince Tehran to give up the technology that would
allow them to make nuclear arms and pushes Europe closer to the
U.S. view that Iran should be hauled before the U.N. Security
Council for violating the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The demands, presented last week to the European powers during
talks in Paris, stunned senior French, German and British
negotiators, said an EU official familiar with the Paris
meeting.
Ignoring the list, the Europeans instead urged Tehran to act on
their pledge to clear up nagging suspicions about their nuclear
ambitions by Sept. 13, when the International Atomic Energy
Agency meets to review Iran's nuclear dossier, said the
official.
The Paris talks ended "with the two sides talking past each
other," said a diplomat familiar with the meeting, who - like
the other diplomats and the EU official - demanded anonymity.
The United States insists Iran wants to make nuclear weapons,
despite Tehran's claims that it is interested in uranium
enrichment and other "dual use" technology only to generate
power.
The Iranian demands include:
- a call on the EU Three to back Iran's insistence that it have
access to "advanced (nuclear) technology, including those with
dual use" - a term for equipment and know-how with both peaceful
and weapons applications;
- a demand that they "remove impediments" - present sanctions -
preventing Iran access to such technology;
- an assurance that the European powers stick to the commitments
even if faced with "legal (or) political ... limitations" - an
apparent allusion to potential Security Council sanctions on
Iran;
- agreement by the EU Three to meet Iran's conventional weapons
requirements;
- and a commitment to push "rigorously and systematically" for a
non-nuclear Middle East and to "provide security assurances"
against a nuclear attack on Iran - both allusions to Israel,
which is believed to have nuclear arms and destroyed Iraq's
nuclear reactor in a 1981 strike to prevent it from making
atomic arms.
--
*****************************************************************
7 NEWS.com.au: Iran on nuclear hit list
(August 10, 2004)
From correspondents in Washington
THE United States could not rule out taking covert action against
Iran to disrupt its nuclear weapons program, National Security
Adviser Condoleezza Rice said yesterday.
"We will use many means to try to disrupt these programs," Dr
Rice said. "The President will look at all the tools that are
available to us."
Dr Rice was asked about a New York Times report that quoted
unnamed senior US officials as saying they were seeking to step
up covert actions against Iran "to disrupt or delay as long as we
can" Tehran's nuclear weapons drive.
"We are having diplomatic successes, but these are very tough
problems," Dr Rice said.
"For a long time . . . we were the only ones who seemed to think
that Iran really did have an aggressive program to try to develop
nuclear weapons.
"We are now getting stronger (International Atomic Energy Agency)
action against them.
"We believe in September we will get a very strong statement out
of the (IAEA) board that Iran will either be isolated or it will
submit to the will of the international community," she said. AFP
Herald Sun
Copyright 2004 News Limited. All times AEST (GMT+10).
http://www.news.com.au
*****************************************************************
8 [du-list] Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act -
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:49:14 -0700
Given the current global situation, it's time once again to
look at HR-2647, the "Nuclear Disarmament and Economic
Conversion Act" (NDECA) currently in the US House of
Representatives, set to expire in January. See
http://prop1.org/prop1/
If it becomes law, it goes into effect when all nuclear
powers pass and enact similar laws.
In essence, it's a promise from the U.S. Government,
enforceable as national law, that we will get rid of all our
nuclear weapons while everyone else does, and will use the
money and humanpower saved to shut down and clean up the
nuclear weapons industries and convert other arms industries
to mass-producing clean energy systems and providing other
environmentally-friendly products. In other words, within
three years the arms manufacturers would begin producing
solar panels and windmills, geothermal taps, hydrogen fuel
cells, and other woundrous energy inventions rather than
missiles, bombs, and guns. This would wean us from fossil
fuels and nuclear power, and create a whole new industry
which would be as profitable and more useful than the
automobile and computer industries.
It is important to make this national law, because
international treaties are basically unenforceable,
particularly against the United States. Although the U.S.
Constitution requires that treaties are to be considered
national law, in reality they're signed and unsigned at the
whim of the President, with little or no input from the
people. However, if the NDECA is made law, we can impeach
the President for failing to abide by its terms.
When I give talks about this idea, people invariably
applaud. The worst criticism I receive is "It's a nice
idea, but it'll never happen." Such pessimism has meant
that this legislation has been introduced into the U.S.
House of Representatives six times in 12 years, has won a
Washington-DC voter initiative, has gained 10 cosponsors,
but is virtually unheard of even among allies in the
antinuclear movement.
Recently at a workshop at the Institute for Energy and
Environmental Research (IEER), President and founder Arjun
Makhijani said he thinks this idea's time has come. I
agree. What do you think? Please reply; I'd like to know.
Because the legislation has been stuck in committees for 12
years, it has become obvious that it needs to be brought to
the voters in other locations. Hopefully people will be
inspired to put it on the ballots wherever voter initiatives
are allowed, or to convince their legislators to place it on
the ballot as a referendum. Town resolutions would also be
helpful. The politicians in Washington only listen to their
constituents, so it's up to you to take this idea further.
More information about its history and ideas for promotion
are at http://prop1.org/prop1/
We call this idea "Proposition One", as the first order of
business toward a safer, cleaner world.
What are you willing to do?
Ellen Thomas
Proposition One Committee
P.O. Box 27217, Washington, DC 20038 USA
202-682-4282 (phone and fax)
prop1@prop1.org | http://prop1.org
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9 [NukeNet] Omaha anti-nuclear demonstration--SpeakOut at
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:46:31 -0700
Peace activists focus attention on nuclear disarmament.
by Jon Vote and Cary Vigneri
Omaha, Nebraska. About 50 people and two 10 foot tall
puppets with large styrofoam hands that read "NO MORE WMD"
gathered in Gene Leahy Mall downtown August 7 in somber
remembrance of the tragedy that befell the cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were devastated by atomic
destruction 59 years ago. Socially progressive music and
impassioned speeches by local activists made up the program
that lasted from 7:00 PM until dusk.
Then on August 8, the second annual SOS 2004-Farewell to
Arms SpeakOut was held at the nearby military base of
StratCom. It was a polite anti-nuclear protest, blessed by
uncharacteristically fabulous Omaha weather. The protest
was singularly underreported in the local media and very
nearly ignored by even the local and base police, yet
despite some of this less than glowing detail, SOS
2004-Farewell to Arms was a marvelous testament to the
spirit of peacemakers.
Participants affirmed and strengthened their commitment to
working in their diverse ways for a cooperative and
harmonious society, and found strength in acknowledging one
another's great worth and purpose. They presented a
consistent theme, that the US' illegal use or threat of use
of nuclear weapons, past and present, constitute crimes
against humanity. There was consensus, as well, that those
responsible for high crimes against society, of any
nationality, must acknowledge their crimes, apologize and be
held fully accountable.
Both Father Ken Vavrina, speaking at the commemoration on
Friday, and Frank Cordaro, who addressed the Saturday rally,
echoed one another in noting religious communities are
failing to adequately teach and support an anti-nuclear
position.
The Central Nebraskans for Peace exhibited the "Wall of
Remembrance," which memorializes the fallen troops from the
current Iraq hostilities at the workshops site.
Ideas for SOS 2005 already have begun percolating in
planners' heads; suggestions and comments are welcome.
Call, write or email the Omaha chapter of NFP: 402-453-0776
NFP, POBox3343, Omaha, NE 68103
nfpomaha@redjellyfish.net
_______________________________________________________________________
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10 SDTU: Peruvian authorities search for missing radioactive material
SignOnSanDiego.com
ASSOCIATED PRESS
12:27 p.m. August 9, 2004
LIMA, Peru The head of the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear
Energy said Monday that two stolen nuclear measuring devices used
by miners do not contain enough radioactive material to produce a
"dirty bomb."
Institute president Modesto Montoya told The Associated Press
that the missing 44-pound industrial measurers each contain about
3.5 ounces of removable, encapsulated cesium 137. They were
stolen on July 31, most likely for sale to a scrap collector, he
said.
Although the amount of cesium 137 would not be enough to make a
radioactive bomb, it could cause serious burns if carried around
in a pocket for several days, Montoya said.
The radioactive material could also contaminate a scrap yard if
accidentally melted down, he said after holding a news conference
to warn Lima residents.
Montoya said the measuring devices were stolen from a Lima
warehouse. Shaped like two cylinders separated by a u-clamp, the
14 inch by 8 inch contraptions can be attached to tubes and small
tanks.
The devices are used to measure density flows of slurry being
pumped from mines to determine how much of the liquefied ore is
being processed and ensure pumps are not overloaded.
In all, 23 companies in Peru have 262 of the nuclear devices,
Montoya said.
Cesium 137 is a soft, silvery white metal that melts at 83
degrees. Besides various industrial applications, it is also used
to treat cancer patients with radiation.
The greatest source of cesium 137 contamination worldwide came
from fallout generated by atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in
the 1950s and 1960s, according to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Most of that radiation has since decayed, however.
On the Net:
EPA web site about cesium-137:
[http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/cesium.htm]
the Union-Tribune | Contact the Union-Tribune
© Copyright 2004 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
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11 INQ7: RP, US affirm ‘strong’ ties amid ‘serious disagreement’ -
INQ7.net
Updated 06:24pm (Mla time) Aug 09, 2004
By Joel Francis Guinto
THE PHILIPPINES and the United States affirmed on Monday their
“strong” relationship but acknowledged that Manila’s decision to
give in to terrorists caused a “very serious disagreement.”
“Our relationship continues to be strong because of our deep
respect for each other,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert
said in a press briefing aired on GMA Network’s radio station
dzBB.
“We are going to work as hard as we can on all things that are
important to our countries,” US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone
said.
“I would associate myself with the statement of the Secretary (of
foreign affairs) in general terms,” he said.
The two diplomats met Monday, the first meeting since Ricciardone
returned from “consultations” in Washington.
Albert said the meeting was proof that relations between the two
countries were “vibrant.”
“We just had a very serious disagreement, which had an impact on
our interests, those of the Philippines, our allies, and Iraq,”
Ricciardone said, referring to the Arroyo government’s decision
to pull out its humanitarian contingent from Iraq ahead of
schedule to free truck driver Angelo de la Cruz from militants,
who held him hostage for two weeks.
Ricciardone said Washington welcomed President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s speech last Friday, where she affirmed her
administration’s resolve in fighting terrorism and rebuilding
Iraq.
The American envoy, however, did not categorically state if the
Philippines was still a member of the “coalition of the willing,”
a group of countries, which supported the US invasion of Iraq.
Last week, a State Department official said the Philippines was
no longer considered a member of the coalition after the troop
pullout.
ON INQ7.Net : Breaking News | Top Stories | Infotech
copyright 2004 www.INQ7.net [http://www.inq7.net] all rights
*****************************************************************
12 Mich News: Israel May be Compelled to Pre-empt
By Rachel Neuwirth posted Aug 9, 2004, 00:03
[http://michnews.com/artman/publish/cat_index_31.shtml]
Guest Commentary
By Rachel Neuwirth
Iran is moving rapidly to become a nuclear power. The Iranian
mullahs have publicly promised to use nuclear weapons to
exterminate Israel even if Israel were to achieve peace with the
Palestinians. They also claim that Iran, with 70 million people,
could absorb and survive any response from Israel while Israel,
with only 5.5 million Jews, is vulnerable to devastating losses
if only a few of Iran’s missiles got through.
Each time these Iranian threats were announced the U.S.
administration failed to issue any statement in opposition. (When
Saddam Hussein earlier vowed to “...burn half of Israel.” the US
administration also remained silent.) The Iranian mullahs could
not fail to notice the significant American silence and to draw
conclusions. They can also note that Israel is outside NATO and
has no mutual defense treaty with the U.S. If Iran attacks Israel
they need not fear any U.S. response.
All of Israel’s past experiences with America and U.N. underscore
the reality of Israel’s isolation and vulnerability. Some
examples: At its birth Israel totally accepted the U.N. partition
resolution. The Arabs rejected that resolution and attacked the
new state attempting to destroy it at birth. The U.N. failed to
help Israel and America imposed a regional arms embargo, which
only affected Israel because the Arabs were already well armed.
Israel survived only due to its own sacrifice and would have
perished if it depended upon the U.N. and the U.S. There was no
subsequent punishment or even criticism for Arab aggression. In
1967 Egypt and Syria were openly poised to launch an unprovoked
attack to “...drive the Jews into the sea” as Gamal Nasser vowed.
There was no strong U.S. warning to Egypt and Syria not to
attack. Instead the U.S. urged Israel not to pre-empt and to wait
on U.S. diplomacy. When it became clear that U.S. diplomacy was
failing and Israel could face catastrophic losses if the Arabs
were allowed to strike first, Israel was forced to pre-empt.
Again there was no subsequent punishment or even criticism for
Arab aggression. In 1973 Egypt and Syria again were openly poised
to launch an unprovoked attack on Israel. And again there was no
U.S. warning to Egypt and Syria not to attack. But this time
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger did not just urge Israel
“...not to fire the first shot”, he threatened Israel not to
pre-empt and to not even mobilize, lest it face the loss of
American support and then have to face Egypt and Syria backed by
Russia and be left all on her own. Israel obeyed, was attacked,
and almost lost that war while sustaining horrendous loss of life
and suffering a brutal blow to its economy. Again there was no
subsequent punishment or even criticism for Arab aggression.
These examples illustrate an ongoing pattern of U.S. behavior
from Israel’s birth until this day. The Arabs are always free to
commit aggression and launch repeated attempts to destroy Israel
without facing punishment or even criticism. It appears that the
U.S. will always act to restrain Israel from exercising its full
right of self-defense but will never act decisively to blunt Arab
aggression. If Israel obeys U.S. pressure it could gravely
endanger its security but if it acts in legitimate self-defense
it could face U.S. punishment because of a consistent U.S. double
standard.
Today the Iranian threat poses the greatest danger ever because
even a single nuclear missile reaching an Israeli population
center could cause catastrophic damage and casualties. The U.S.,
the U.N. and the Europeans are also concerned, but only because
Iranian nukes could also endanger them. However, they have so far
failed to generate a sufficient collective response to guarantee
that the ongoing Iranian quest for nuclear weapons will be halted
and dismantled in time. The U.S. is the lead player in all this
and recent reports suggest that President Bush is unlikely to act
until after the November election, assuming that he is
re-elected, and that there is still enough time left to act. Note
that President Bush, after Iraq, is now gun shy about pre-emption
and he has announced no deadline for Iran to terminate its
nuclear program.
Perhaps the west believes that Israel is their free insurance
policy. They may prefer to have Israel take out Iran’s nuclear
facilities for them as in 1981 when Israel bombed the Iraqi
reactor. This means that Israel takes all the risk, Israel takes
all the blame and the other nations benefit for free. The U.S.
and the other nations still want to avoid alienating more Moslems
and want to appear “even handed” concerning Israel. Bluntly put,
the survival of Israel may be desirable for the nations, but not
at any cost in jeopardizing their essential oil supplies and
facing increased enmity among the world’s Moslems.
It is not unreasonable to speculate that the U.S. and Europe may
have decided to wait and let Israel be forced to pre-empt and do
their dirty work, and hopefully be successful. But if something
goes wrong they can always claim plausible deniability and join
in the denunciation and possible punishment against Israel to
appease the Arabs. It has happed before after the 1981 Israeli
attack on the Iraqi reactor.
Another possibility is for the U.S. and Europe to reluctantly
allow Iran to go nuclear in the same way that we allowed North
Korea to go nuclear while downplaying the real threat. And once
they do go nuclear to then say that they have become too
dangerous to attack and now we must negotiate - just as with
North Korea which signed agreements, accepted U.S. aid and then
secretly violated their agreement and brazenly announced their
nuclear capability. We have established the pattern and Iran can
simply follow suit.
Iran will then have additional options besides overt missile
attack. They could build mini nukes and secretly distribute them
to various terrorists for smuggling into target countries to be
used against Israel and the west while adamantly denying all
culpability. Heavy western pressure might be put on Israel,
including possible threats, to not pre-empt and to rely on their
missile defense. This approach may appeal to the west because it
simply plays for time and avoids having to take unpleasant
decisions today that could upset their voters in the next
election.
What is the military option? Retired Air Force and Army Generals,
Thomas McInerney and Paul E. Vallely wrote the book, Endgame: The
Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror. At a recent lecture
they claimed that the U.S. has the military capability to
effectively take out the nuclear facilities of both North Korea
and of Iran and can reach facilities buried deep underground.
They stated that American capabilities are much greater than
Israel’s. If that is true then it is primarily a U.S. political
decision rather than one of military capability.
There are further complications if Israel feels compelled to
pre-empt. Unlike Iraq in 1981 Iran’s facilities are buried
underground, dispersed and well protected with air defenses.
Israel may not be able to readily neutralize these facilities.
Iran also had ample time to develop a counter strategy to deter
Israel that may include Syria’s launching chemical and biological
attacks on Israel combined with Iranian-backed Hezbolla attacks
on northern Israel. If Israel is forced to pre-empt, other Arab
countries may join in a general attack on Israel. This would
rapidly create an entirely new situation that could escalate out
of control. In such a situation Israel may be forced to use some
of its nuclear weapons. (Note that prior to the invasion of Iraq
the U.S. publicly reserved the right to use tactical nuclear
weapons if required.) A worst-case scenario could also include an
oil embargo and even destruction of some oil fields resulting in
major damage to western economies. Thus a western policy that
results in Israel feeling gravely threatened and forced to
pre-empt could backfire severely against western interests.
There is also the question of knowing just how close Iran is to
having the bomb. Note how often western and U.S. intelligence
have been wrong in the past. There has also been a tendency to
underestimate the capabilities of rogue nations and their ability
to deceive. We were fooled by North Korea and then surprised at
their progress. After the 1991 Iraq war we were surprised at how
close Saddam was to having a nuclear bomb. He fooled us again by
moving his nuclear weapons program to Libya while we were still
searching in Iraq. We only found out when Momar Khadaffi decided
to come clean. And Iran insists its program is only for
non-military purposes that legally allow it to progress just
short of weapons level. If all their nuclear components are
fabricated but unassembled we may not know when this happens, and
they may be able to assemble them suddenly and then announce they
are now a nuclear power. We know they are also acquiring more and
better missiles as delivery systems. We may tell Israel that
there is still plenty of time to act but we have little
credibility and Israel can also suspect that we may be lying just
to restrain her for our own convenience.
There are still other complicating factors including the paranoia
of the Iranian mullahs who may also act irrationally in response
to their own fears, both real and imagined. Nevertheless the
Iranian bomb must be stopped. The best way is to mobilize a solid
western front plus any other international support with an
ultimatum to Iran combined with support for Iran’s large internal
opposition. This will require America to lead with more firmness
and more wisdom than we have seen in the past. Any perceived
weakness by our side will only serve to increase the defiance of
the Iranian mullahs.
In summary, it is definitely not in American or western interests
to leave Israel with no other security option except to pre-empt
and thus open Pandora’s box of horrors. The longer we wait to act
the higher the stakes and the greater the danger. And to again
push this problem into the future may be the worst option of all.
Copyright© MichNews.com. All Rights Reserved.
*****************************************************************
13 Daily Times: Kasuri rules out IAEA nuclear inspections
August 10, 2004
TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri insisted on Monday that
Pakistan was cooperating with a UN probe into Iran’s suspect
nuclear programme, but ruled out allowing inspectors into the
country as part of the crucial investigation.
“Pakistan is a responsible member of the international community.
We have been cooperating with the IAEA and sharing information,”
said Kasuri, who is on a two day visit to Tehran.
He told reporters at a joint press conference with Iranian
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, “As far as inspections of
Pakistan are concerned, that is out of the question. We are not a
signatory to the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).”
Kharazi says Iran can’t be referred to UNSC for curbs: Kharazi
said he was confident the IAEA’s board of governors would not
refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions, a
step the United States says is now more likely. “America says
that Iran’s dossier should be referred to the Security Council.
But for that to happen, there have to be violations - whereas
Iran has not committed any violations,” he asserted.
Iran, Pakistan ready to give security guarantees: On the proposed
Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Kharazi said he discussed the
project with his Pakistani counterpart during talks on Monday. He
said the two countries were waiting for the Indian government to
decide on the issue. He said the Pakistani foreign minister’s
visit would help settle misunderstanding between the two
neighbours. The Indian government had requested security
guarantees for carrying out the project, he said, voicing his
country`s readiness to provide the Indian government with all the
guarantees it needed. Kasuri said Pakistan was also ready to
offer all possible international guarantees for the security of
the gas pipeline project. “The project has been called a peace
pipeline project by the Iranians,” Kasuri later told PTV.
agencies Home
Daily Times - All Rights Reserved Site developed and hosted by
WorldCALL Internet Solutions [http://www.wcis.com.pk]
*****************************************************************
14 deepikaglobal: Russia conducts sub-critical N-tests
[http://www.deepikaglobal.com] Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Moscow, Aug 9 (PTI) Russia has conducted a series of
"sub-critical" nuclear tests this year at its Arctic testing
ground Novoya Zemlya, the country's Chief of Atomic Enegery
agency said today.
"Such experiments are conducted every year to verify the
integrity of nuclear warheads," Chief of Atomic Energy Agency
Alexander Rumyantsev was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
Speaking at a Kremlin meeting presided by President Vladimir
Putin, Rumyantsev said the tests conducted jointly with the 12th
Main Directorate of the Defence Ministry involved "non-nuclear
explosive experiments".
He, however, did not say when and how many tests were conducted
by Russia.
Under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) -ratified
by Russia, but its failure to enter into force due to the US
Senate's non-ratification and India, Pakistan and Israel's
refusal to join it - allows five recognised members of the
nuclear club to conduct 'sub-critical' tests from time to time to
verify their nuclear arsenals and virtually develop new
generations of the deadly weapons.
On the anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombardment today, Russian
Foreign Ministry lamented that due to North Korea's denunciation
of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and India, Pakistan
and Israel's refusal to sign it the non-proliferation regime has
not become global.
Site Designed &Maintained by [http://www.jacobsonsoft.com] ©
Copyright DeepikaGlobal.com 1997-2003. All rights reserved
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15 Mos News: Russia Not to Allow NATO Observers Visit Nuclear Sites —
DM - NEWS - MOSNEWS.COM
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov / Photo from MN Archive
Created: 09.08.2004 16:00 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 16:00 MSK
MosNews
NATO representatives will never be allowed to inspect Russian
nuclear installations or warheads, the Interfax news agency
quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov as saying on
Monday.
“We have never allowed them to inspect our nuclear sites or
nuclear warheads, and we never will. But it is quite a different
matter to let our partners from the alliance familiarize
themselves with the system of security and cleanup of possible
nuclear weapons accidents,” the minister said.
“In contrast to NATO member countries, Russia still does not know
about the protection of nuclear weapons from terrorists in
nuclear powers of the alliance,” Ivanov said. He was commenting
on the results of Russia’s Accident 2004 exercises, which
practiced the protection of nuclear sites.
“Representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry have seen
nothing of the alliance’s nuclear weapons protection against
terrorists, in contrast to NATO colleagues, who attended the
Accident 2004 exercises near Murmansk,” Ivanov said.
“But we trust that we will see NATO precautions against the
seizure of nuclear weapons by terrorists next year. We have been
invited to attend similar NATO exercises, and that invitation was
one of the conditions for NATO observers to come to our
exercises,” Ivanov said.
“Representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry will visit one
of the NATO nuclear powers — the United States, the United
Kingdom, or France — to see a drill in the protection of nuclear
weapons. Other countries of the alliance are of no interest for
us in this respect,” he said.
Russia has exercises of this kind each year, but this was the
first time that NATO observers, about 50 in number, watched such
a drill. SEE ALSO
Write us: [info@mosnews.com]
Copyright © 2004 MOSNEWS.COM
*****************************************************************
16 ITAR-TASS: Russia to bar NATO specialists from its nuclear projects -
[ITAR-TASS News Agency of Russia]
Sergei Ivanov
09.08.2004, 15.43
MOSCOW, August 9 (Itar-Tass) - Russia has never permitted and
will never permit visits by NATO representatives to its nuclear
projects and to see nuclear ammunition at exercises, conducted
in the country, to improve protection and defence of nuclear
weapons, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters
on Monday, commenting on the results of the exercise Avaria
(Accident)-2004 on defence of nuclear facilities.
He noted that such exercises are conducted in Russia every year.
However, observers from 17 NATO countries were present for the
first time at an exercise, carried out near Murmansk.
“However, we have never permitted and will not permit them to
visit nuclear projects and to see our nuclear ammunition. It is
quite another thing to familiarize our partners in the alliance
with the organisation of the system of protection and overcoming
of aftermaths of a possible accident with nuclear ammunition,”
Ivanov explained.
© ITAR-TASS. All rights reserved. You undertake not to copy,
*****************************************************************
17 AFP: Russia denies NATO access to nuclear sites
WAR.WIRE [http://www.spacewar.com/]
MOSCOW (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Monday that Moscow
would never allow NATO inspectors to check its nuclear sites
despite fears that they are poorly protected and weapons and
material could be stolen.
"We have never allowed them to inspect our nuclear sites or
nuclear warheads, and we never will," Ivanov was quoted as saying
by Interfax.
Ivanov conceded that Russia was still not up to NATO standards in
protecting nuclear material.
"But we believe that we will see NATO ways of nuclear weapons
protection from seizure by terrorists next year," he was quoted
as telling Russian reporters.
His comments came after some 50 NATO observers came to Russia to
oversee military exercises aimed at shoring up the country's line
of defense against attacks on the former Soviet-republic's
nuclear weapons and energy sites.
During last week's exercises, Ivanov angrily dismissed
speculation that Russia's nuclear arsenal was not safe.
"We have never had terrorist attacks on any of our sites," he
said in response to a reporter's question last week.
"But unfortunately, myths are spreading in various regions of the
world that Russia's nuclear arsenal is of poor quality and
unsafe."
The West has expressed increasing concern about the state and
safety of Russia's nuclear arsenal amid the troubles of its
cash-starved military.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed his close ally Ivanov
in charge of army reforms and has since promoted him to head the
whole massive military infrastructure, demoting the status of the
general chiefs of staff.
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
18 BBC: 4 people killed at Japanese nuclear reactor
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:54:45 -0700
Last Updated: Monday, 9 August, 2004, 10:32 GMT 11:32 UK d73f8.jpg
Accident at Japan nuclear plant
d740a.jpg
Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident
At least four people have been killed in the deadliest accident to have hit
a Japanese nuclear power plant.
Seven people were also injured, after steam leaked from a turbine at the
Mihama plant in Fukui prefecture.
Officials insist that no radiation leaked from the plant, and there was no
danger to the surrounding area.
An official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told news
agency AFP that "about 10 people suffered burns" from the steam leak.
Kansai Electric Power Company, which operates the Mihama plant, said it had
stopped power generation at 3:28pm (0628 GMT), and was still investigating
the cause of the accident.
d7434.jpg
"Steam spewed in the turbine building area at the number three nuclear
reactor," a spokesman for Kansai Electric Power said.
Officials said a lack of cooling water caused the accident, forcing steam
to escape from the turbines.
The steam was at a temperature of 200C, according to media reports.
In the aftermath of the accident, no evacuation order was given to
residents living near the plant, and city official Nobutake Masaki denied
there was any danger to the surrounding area.
An official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told AFP that
it would be impossible for the leaked steam to contain radioactivity, as
the turbines did not come into contact with water used in the nuclear reactor.
Safety doubts
Japan relied on nuclear power to supply 25% of its electricity in 2003,
according to figures from the UN's nuclear agency.
But a string of safety problems, including an accident in 1999 which killed
two workers and affected hundreds of others in Tokaimura, north-east of
Tokyo, has undermined public confidence.
At Mihama itself, a leak of cooling water from the number two reactor in
1991 spurred a Japanese campaign against building further reactors.
Our correspondent in Tokyo, Jonathan Head, says questions will again be
raised about the safety of nuclear power in Japan.
Attachment Converted: d73f8.jpg: 00000001,31a61087,00000000,00000000
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Attachment Converted: d7434.jpg: 00000001,31a61089,00000000,00000000
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19 UN Nuclear Watchdog In Touch With Japan Over Power Plant Accident
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 14:00:53 -0400
UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG IN TOUCH WITH JAPAN OVER POWER PLANT ACCIDENT
New York, Aug 9 2004 2:00PM
The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency is in contact with Japanese
authorities over an accident in the steam generator turbine
circuit of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant some 320 kilometres west
of Tokyo.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (<"http://www.iaea.org/index.html">IAEA)
said it had received information from
Japanese nuclear regulatory authorities who reported that the accident
occurred in a non-radioactive part of the plant.
The IAEA <"http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/2004/prn200407.html">said
it expected to receive updates on a continuous basis,
adding that no request for assistance had been received.
According to latest reports from Japan, four workers were scalded
to death when a pipe burst and seven others were injured, three
seriously.
2004-08-09 00:00:00.000
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
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*****************************************************************
20 [NukeNet] Mihama-3 Accident
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:46:09 -0700
As most people have no doubt heard, at 3:30 pm on Monday 8 August there was
a steam leak in the turbine building of Kansai Electric Power Company's
(KEPCO) Mihama-3 reactor (PWR, 826 MW).
At the time of writing this message 4 workers had died. One other was in a
critical condition and a further 6 had sustained serious injuries. All were
employees of Kiuchi Instrumentation Pty. Ltd., a subcontractor at the
plant. It appears that the workers were in the room where the leak occurred
and suffered their injuries from direct contact with the high temperature
steam. The steam was over 150 degrees Celcius.
The leak occurred while preparations were being made for the annual
inspection, which was to be carried out from August 14th.
The reactor shut down automatically and, according to KEPCO, no radiation
was recorded on the radiation monitors. But even if the monitors were
unable to measure the low level of radiation involved, we don't assume that
no radiation was released at all. We would expect that some tritium would
have been released with the steam. The workers may well have been exposed
to radiation, though it certainly seems that the steam itself is the cause
of their immediate injuries.
We understand that the accident occurred while the reactor was operating at
full power. Even while it was preparing to enter a phase of annual
inspections, KEPCO was trying to maintain output. The reactor should first
be shut down, then the preparations and the inspections should begin. In
order to maximise profits, power companies try to minimize downtime for
inspections, jeopardizing safety in the process.
Mihama-3 commenced operations on 1 December 1976. There have been many
steam leaks in the past, but none comparable with this. But it is an aging
reactor and as such it was an accident waiting to happen. Attempts to fix
problems at old reactors like this are just as likely to induce problems
somewhere else. It should be closed down.
KEPCO must conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of this
accident and provide a full explanation to the public.
Philip White
International Liaison Officer
--
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
1-58-15-3F, Higashi-nakano, Nakano-ku,Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81-3-5330-9520 Fax: +81-3-5330-9530
_/_/_/_/
_/_/_/
_/_/ cnic-jp@nifty.com
_/ http://cnic.jp/english/
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21 Guardian Unlimited: List of Recent Nuclear Accidents in Japan
From the Associated Press
[UP]
Monday August 9, 2004 7:16 PM
By The Associated Press
Recent nuclear accidents in Japan:
- December 1995: Sodium leaked in a secondary cooling system at
the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor operated by the
state-run Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp., or
Donen. No one was injured in that accident, and no radioactivity
escaped, but Donen was found to have concealed videotape footage
that showed the extensive damage to the reactor.
- March 1997: At least 37 workers were exposed to low doses of
radiation at a March 11 fire and explosion at a nuclear
reprocessing plant operated by Donen in Tokaimura, northeast of
Tokyo. Donen later admitted to initially suppressing information
about the fire.
- September 1999: Two workers were killed in a radiation leak at
a fuel-reprocessing plant in Tokaimura when they tried to save
time by mixing excessive amounts of uranium in buckets instead of
using special mechanized tanks. Hundreds were exposed to
radiation, and thousands of residents evacuated. The government
assigned the accident a level 4 rating on the International
Nuclear Event Scale ranging from 1 to 7.
- February 2002: Two workers were exposed to a small amount of
radiation and suffered minor burns when they accidentally
punctured a spray can that ignited a plastic sheet during an
inspection at Onagawa Nuclear Power Station in northern Japan.
- February 2004: Eight workers were exposed to low-level
radiation at another power plant in Tsuruga, western Japan, when
they were accidentally sprayed with contaminated water. The doses
were not considered dangerous.
- Aug. 9, 2004: A cooling pipe at a power plant in Mihama burst,
burning at least four workers to death and injuring seven others
with a scorching explosion of steam. No radiation was released.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004
*****************************************************************
22 NRC: NRC Announces Team, Schedule for Engineering Inspection at Vermont Yankee
News Release - 2004-09
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
No. 04-092 August 6, 2004
Starting August 9, a team of eight inspectors from the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, including three contractors, will spend
three weeks at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon,
Vt., performing an engineering design inspection.
The inspection, part of an NRC effort to enhance the Reactor
Oversight Process, will also provide information relevant to
reviewing Entergy Nuclears application to increase the plants
power output by 20 percent. The team will devote more than 700
inspection hours towards identifying any latent issues in the
plants design, focusing on those components and systems
important to safety, including some impacted by the proposed
power uprate. The NRC expects to hold a public meeting in
September to discuss the inspection results.
None of the NRC employees on the team has been involved in
Vermont Yankee oversight in at least the past two years, and
none of the private contractors has been employed by Entergy
Nuclear in at least the past two years. The NRC is closely
coordinating the inspection with the State of Vermont. Vermont
states Nuclear Engineer, Bill Sherman, will observe the
inspection.
Based on the teams qualifications and demonstrated ability to
identify issues on previous inspections, Im confident this team
will perform a rigorous inspection at Vermont Yankee, said Jim
Dyer, Director of the NRCs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
(NRR) at NRC headquarters.
The team leader is the NRCs Jeffery Jacobson, a Program Manager
in NRRs Inspection Program Branch. He has led inspection teams
numerous times during his 19 years with the agency, including
several that raised significant safety issues. He is currently
the overall project lead for the NRC's pilot engineering design
inspection program. Jacobson earned a Bachelor of Science degree
in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, and a Master of
Science degree in Technical Management from John Hopkins
University.
The other team members are:
Fred Bower, currently a Senior Reactor Inspector in the Division
of Reactor Safety for the NRCs Region I Office, has been with
the agency for 14 years, including stints as Resident Inspector
at the Calvert Cliffs and Salem nuclear power plants. Bower
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Virginia Tech, and a Masters degree in Engineering
Management from Old Dominion University.
Steven Dennis is a Senior Operations Engineer in Region Is
Division of Reactor Safety, and has held a variety of positions
in Region I and NRR during his eight years at the NRC. Prior to
joining the agency, he worked 12 years at the Hope Creek nuclear
power plant, including as an NRC-licensed Reactor Operator and
Senior Reactor Operator. Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Applied Science and Technology from Thomas Edison
State College, and served for seven years in the U. S. Navys
nuclear propulsion program.
Gregory Bowman is a Reactor Inspector in Region Is Division of
Reactor Safety, and joined the NRC in October of 2002. Prior to
that, he worked for five years with Bechtel-Bettis in Goose
Creek, S.C., training students for the Navys nuclear propulsion
program. Bowman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical
Engineering from the University of Virginia.
Michelle Snell is also a Reactor Inspector in Region Is
Division of Reactor Projects, and joined the NRC in November
2003. Prior to that she worked as a nuclear core
manager/designer for Exelon Nuclear, and completed internships
in nuclear engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology,
Stockholm, Sweden, and the NRC. Snell earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from North Carolina State
University.
George Skinner is a independent electrical engineer with 26
years of experience in the nuclear power industry, including 13
years of consulting and technical assessments on electrical and
instrument and control systems. Skinner earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Missouri, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state
of Pennsylvania.
Stanley Spiegelman is a mechanical engineer with 37 years of
experience in the nuclear power industry. He is currently
president of The Churchill Associates in Pittsburgh, where he
has worked since 1997 providing a variety of engineering
consulting services to clients, and he holds five U.S. patents.
Spiegelman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical
Engineering from Drexel University, and is a registered
Professional Engineer in the state of Pennsylvania.
Craig Baron is a mechanical engineer with 24 years of experience
in the nuclear power industry. For the past six years he has
provided engineering consulting services to various clients.
Prior to that he spent 18 years working on several engineering
service and support assignments at various nuclear power
facilities for the Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation.
Baron earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, and a Masters
of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Colorado at Denver. He is a registered Professional Engineer
in the states of Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington.
The NRC will not approve the Vermont Yankee uprate, or any
proposed changes to a reactors license, unless the agency can
conclude the changes can be implemented safely. Additional
information on Vermont Yankee is available on the NRC web site
at this address:
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/plant-specific-items/vermont-yankee-i
ssues.html.
Last revised Monday, August 09, 2004
*****************************************************************
23 Las Vegas SUN: Japan Nuke Plant Accident Kills 4 People
By MARI YAMAGUCHI ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIHAMA, Japan (AP) -
0809japan-nuke A nonradioactive steam leak killed four people
and injured seven Monday in the worst-ever accident at a
Japanese nuclear power plant, officials said. Two workers were
reported in critical condition.
No radiation leaked during the incident, and there was no need
to evacuate the area around the city of Mihama, about 200 miles
west of Tokyo, officials said. Mihama's population is about
11,500.
The four dead suffered severe burns, said Takanori Amimoto, at
the nearby Fukui state government office. Two workers had
critical injuries, while three were in serious condition and two
had minor injuries, a police official said on condition of
anonymity.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi promised a thorough
investigation of the accident, which follows a string of safety
problems and attempted cover-ups at Japan's nuclear power
plants, the source of 30 percent of Japan's electricity.
Worries about the safety of the country's 52 nuclear power
plants have surged in recent years. A 1999 radiation leak
northeast of Tokyo killed two workers and exposed hundreds to
radiation, and three years later an investigation revealed that
Tokyo Electric Power, the world's largest private utility,
systematically lied about cracks in its reactors during the
1980s and 1990s.
Underscoring the safety concerns, a fire broke out Monday at a
waste-disposal building next to another nuclear plant in western
Japan. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters and
there were no injuries or radioactive leakage, said Shimane
prefectural (state) government spokesman Minoru Nagao.
Monday's steam leak in Mihama was caused by a lack of cooling
water in the reactor's turbine, said Kimihito Kawabata, a
spokesman for plant operator Kansai Electric Power.
The steam was believed to be about 518 degrees. Yoshihiro
Sugiura, a doctor at the Tsuruga City Hospital who treated the
victims, said the dead "had stark white faces" - an effect of
sudden expose to extreme heat.
After the accident, Kansai Electric officials found a hole in a
condenser pipe, public broadcaster NHK reported. It did not
elaborate on the size of the hole, which it said was believed to
be the source of the problem.
Takahiro Seno, another spokesman for Kansai Electric Power, said
the plant automatically shut down when steam began spewing from
a leak in the turbine building area at the No. 3 nuclear reactor
in Mihama. The No. 3 reactor started operations 1976.
The Mihama plant's two other reactors were operating normally,
officials said.
Koizumi expressed regret at the deaths, telling reporters that
"we must put all our effort into determining the cause of the
accident and to ensuring safety." He added the government would
respond "resolutely, after confirming the facts."
The United States had a similar accident at the Surry nuclear
power plant in southern Virginia almost two decades ago when an
18-inch steel pipe burst and released 30,000 gallons of boiling
water and steam, killing four people.
In Japan's fatal 1999 accident, a radiation leak at a
fuel-reprocessing plant in Tokaimura, northeast of Tokyo, killed
two workers and forced the evacuation of thousands of nearby
residents. That accident was caused by two workers who tried to
save time by mixing excessive amounts of uranium in buckets
instead of using special mechanized tanks.
A string of safety problems and attempted cover-ups since then
has undermined public faith in nuclear energy.
In the most recent before Monday, eight workers were exposed to
low-level radiation at a power plant in February when they were
accidentally sprayed with contaminated water. The doses were not
considered dangerous.
--
*****************************************************************
24 Mainichi Interactive: 4 workers die in nuclear plant accident
MIHAMA, Fukui -- Four worker died and 7 others were injured after
a nuclear power plant building that houses a turbine was filled
with high-temperature steam Monday afternoon, police said.
Local authorities have not evacuated nearby residents since the
steam is not radioactive, Mihama Municipal Government officials
said.
At around 3:30 p.m., hot steam gushed out of a turbine in the
secondary system of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant's No. 3
reactor, and filled the structure that houses it, police
investigators said.
Four workers died after being exposed to the steam that was about
200 degrees Celsius, while 7 others were injured.
Following the accident, the No. 3 reactor automatically shut
down. The plant belongs to the Osaka-based Kansai Electric Power
Co. (Compiled from wire reports, Japan, Aug. 9, 2004)
© 2004 The Mainichi Newspapers Co.
*****************************************************************
25 Manila Times: Conversion of BNPP no longer a priority
[http://www.manilatimes.net]
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
By Ma. Theresa Torrestc "By Ma. Theresa Torres" and Paul Isla,
Reporters,tc "and Paul Isla, Reporters" Jomar Canlastc "Jomar
Canlas" and Sammy Martin Correspondentstc "and Sammy Martin
Correspondents" Converting the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant into a
gas-fired facility is no longer a priority of the government, the
President’s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, told reporters in
Malacańang on Monday. tc "Converting the Bataan Nuclear Power
Plant into a gas-fired facility is no longer a priority of the
government, the President’s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, told
reporters in Malacańang on Monday. "
Bunye said the government would concentrate first on other energy
programs because the country cannot wait for the technical
feasibility for converting the nuclear plant into a gas-fired
plant.tc "Bunye said the government would concentrate first on
other energy programs because the country cannot wait for the
technical feasibility for converting the nuclear plant into a
gas-fired plant."
“The Department of Energy is doing the technical feasibility.
But right now, I think we can proceed with the other items in the
energy independence programs of the President. With or without
this, we could go ahead with the other initiatives,” Bunye
said.tc " “The Department of Energy is doing the technical
feasibility. But right now, I think we can proceed with the other
items in the energy independence programs of the President. With
or without this, we could go ahead with the other initiatives,”
Bunye said." tc "from A1"
The government, he said, would concentrate on developing uses for
natural gas and coco-diesel and “enlisting alternative sources of
energy to stabilize prices and supply in the long term.”tc "The
government, he said, would concentrate on developing uses for
natural gas and coco-diesel and “enlisting alternative sources of
energy to stabilize prices and supply in the long term.”"
Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez said that what the President
actually wants is for the BNPP to be privatized before it is
converted. tc "Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez said that what
the President actually wants is for the BNPP to be privatized
before it is converted. "
Perez said the President wants the plant included in the Power
Sector Assets and Liabilities Corp. tc "Perez said the President
wants the plant included in the Power Sector Assets and
Liabilities Corp. "
The plant, Perez said, would be privatized after the generating
assets of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) are sold to private
firms. This would probably be by 2005, Perez said. tc "The
plant, Perez said, would be privatized after the generating
assets of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) are sold to private
firms. This would probably be by 2005, Perez said. "
Earlier, Gov. Enrique Garcia of Bataan said the government could
save about $100 million, or P5.5 billion, if it pushed ahead with
the conversion.tc "Earlier, Gov. Enrique Garcia of Bataan said
the government could save about $100 million, or P5.5 billion, if
it pushed ahead with the conversion."
In a radio interview Garcia said the country pays P144.8 billion
annually for foreign debt incurred in the construction of the
plant in 1980.tc "In a radio interview Garcia said the country
pays P144.8 billion annually for foreign debt incurred in the
construction of the plant in 1980."
He said it would be better for the country to convert the plant
into a gas-fired facility than to build a new
natural-gas-generating plant in another area because there are
facilities in the nuclear plant that could be retained and
operated after it is converted.tc "He said it would be better for
the country to convert the plant into a gas-fired facility than
to build a new natural-gas-generating plant in another area
because there are facilities in the nuclear plant that could be
retained and operated after it is converted."
President Arroyo has set a goal that by 2010, 60 percent of the
country’s energy requirements would be supplied locally. tc
"President Arroyo has set a goal that by 2010, 60 percent of the
country’s energy requirements would be supplied locally. "
The President said the government can achieve the target by
increasing reserves in indigenous oil and gas, developing
renewable sources of energy, increasing the use of alternative
fuels, forming strategic alliances with oil-producing countries
in Asean and Saudi Arabia, and carrying out an efficient energy
conservation program through the Department of Energy. tc
"The President said the government can achieve the target by
increasing reserves in indigenous oil and gas, developing
renewable sources of energy, increasing the use of alternative
fuels, forming strategic alliances with oil-producing countries
in Asean and Saudi Arabia, and carrying out an efficient energy
conservation program through the Department of Energy. "
In the Senate, Sen. Edgardo Angara supported the proposal to
convert the nuclear plant, calling it “economically viable.” tc
"In the Senate, Sen. Edgardo Angara supported the proposal to
convert the nuclear plant, calling it “economically viable.” "
He took issue with Sen. Joker Arroyo’s disagreement with the
plan.tc "He took issue with Sen. Joker Arroyo’s disagreement with
the plan."
“The reasoning of Sen. Joker Arroyo that the BNPP is connected
with Marcos is a separate issue. The issue of corruption, as well
as other ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses, is already in court.
But this is a facility that the Filipino people are paying for,
so we might as well put it to more economic use rather than
letting it lie idle,” Angara told reporters.tc
"“The reasoning of Sen. Joker Arroyo that the BNPP is connected
with Marcos is a separate issue. The issue of corruption, as well
as other ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses, is already in court.
But this is a facility that the Filipino people are paying for,
so we might as well put it to more economic use rather than
letting it lie idle,” Angara told reporters."
Sen. Ralph Recto, however, expressed caution about the plan. tc
" Sen. Ralph Recto, however, expressed caution about the plan. "
Recto, head of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the
conversion should be left to the hands of energy officials. tc
"Recto, head of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the
conversion should be left to the hands of energy officials. "
An ad hoc committee should be formed to oversee the conversion to
prevent it from becoming another source of corruption, he said.
tc "An ad hoc committee should be formed to oversee the
conversion to prevent it from becoming another source of
corruption, he said. "
“We must get the views of the private sector and atomic energy
experts. We cannot afford to have the mothballed overpriced plant
transmogrify into a white elephant,” Recto added.tc
"“We must get the views of the private sector and atomic energy
experts. We cannot afford to have the mothballed overpriced plant
transmogrify into a white elephant,” Recto added."
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice sees no legal impediment to
using the nuclear power plant to produce electricity. tc
"Meanwhile, the Department of Justice sees no legal impediment to
using the nuclear power plant to produce electricity. "
Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras said the operation of the plant
is well within the competence of the Department of Energy.tc
"Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras said the operation of the
plant is well within the competence of the Department of Energy."
Paras said using the BNPP to head off a power crisis is still the
best option for the government.tc "Paras said using the BNPP to
head off a power crisis is still the best option for the
government."
The program, however, should undergo legislation from Congress.
He also said that a regulatory body, which will regulate the use
of nuclear energy for power generation, is also needed.tc
"The program, however, should undergo legislation from Congress.
He also said that a regulatory body, which will regulate the use
of nuclear energy for power generation, is also needed."
The use of other fuels, such as thermal energy, does not need
legislation or require regulation to generate electricity.tc
"The use of other fuels, such as thermal energy, does not need
legislation or require regulation to generate electricity."
Paras said the Constitution only bans nuclear weapons in the
Philippines, not the use of nuclear energy for electricity. tc
"Paras said the Constitution only bans nuclear weapons in the
Philippines, not the use of nuclear energy for electricity. "
Rep. Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte had cited the Constitution in
opposing the use or the conversion of the nuclear plant. She said
the plant is a threat to the environment, which the government is
mandated under the Constitution to protect.
[web@manilatimes.net] Powered by: The Manila Times Web Admin.
*****************************************************************
26 Guardian Unlimited: Leak at Japan Nuclear Plant Kills Four
From the Associated Press
[UP]
Monday August 9, 2004 1:31 PM
AP Photo TOK804
By KOZO MIZOGUCHI
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO (AP) - A nonradioactive steam leak killed four people and
injured seven others Monday in the worst-ever accident at a
Japanese nuclear power plant, officials said. One other worker
was reportedly in critical condition.
The cause was not clear but no radiation escaped the plant and
there was no need to evacuate the area around the city of Mihama,
about 200 miles west of Tokyo, officials said. Mihama's
population is about 11,500.
The four died after suffering severe burns, said Takanori
Amimoto, at the nearby Fma plant's two other reactors were
operating normally, officials said.
The accident was caused by a lack of cooling water in the
turbine, said Kimihito Kawabata, another spokesman for the Kansai
Electric Power. The steam was believed to be about 518 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi vowed to launch a thorough
investigation.
``It is unfortunate there were deaths. We must put all our effort
into determining the cause of the accident and to ensuring
safety,'' Koizumi told reporters. He added the government would
respond ``resolutely, after confirming the facts.''
Monday's was the second fatal accident at a Japanese nuclear
plant.
The first was in 1999, when a radiation leak at a
fuel-reprocessing plant in Tokaimura, northeast of Tokyo, killed
two workers and caused the evacuation of thousands of local
residents. That accident was caused by two workers who tried to
save time by mixing excessive amounts of uranium in buckets
instead of using special mechanized tanks.
A string of safety problems and attempted cover-ups since has
undermined public faith in nuclear energy and left the nuclear
program in limbo. The Japanese have grown wary of possible
problems at nuclear plants after several major power-generation
companies were hit with alleged safety violations at their
reactors.
Energy-poor Japan relies on nuclear power to supply 30 percent of
its electricity.
In February, eight workers were exposed to low-level radiation at
another power plant when they were accidentally sprayed with
contaminated water. The doses were not considered dangerous.
The plant workers had turned off a pump to repair a hose used to
pump water between pools where spent plutonium rods are kept.
Another worker switched the pump on before they reconnected the
hose, drenching their faces and safety suits with contaminated
water.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004
*****************************************************************
27 Daily Yomiuri: 4 killed in N-plant accident / No radioactivity released
Yomiuri Shimbun
Four workers were killed and seven others were injured Monday in
a nonradioactive steam leak at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant's
No. 3 reactor in Mihamacho, Fukui Prefecture.
Eleven workers, all of whom are employed by Osaka-based Kiuchi
Keisoku, were taken to Tsuruga City Hospital in Tsuruga in the
prefecture and three other hospitals.
According to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the deaths
at the Mihamacho plant, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co.,
were the nation's first at an operating nuclear power plant.
The four workers killed were Hiroya Takatori, Kazutoshi Nakagawa,
Tomoki Iseki and Eiji Taoka.
According to police and other sources, the leak occurred at about
3:25 p.m. on the second floor of a three-story building housing a
turbine connected to the No. 3 reactor. A crack on a pipe with a
diameter of about 50 centimeters is suspected to be the source of
the steam leak, the police said.
According to KEPCO, the No. 3 reactor automatically shut down
immediately after the accident.
As authorities said the steam contained no radioactive material,
the Mihamacho municipal government did not issue an evacuation
order.
A spokesman from the power company said, "We'll find out the
cause of the leak as soon as possible."
KEPCO, which conducted a periodic inspection in July last year,
had planned to begin regular inspections beginning on Aug. 14.
At the time of the accident, there were about 200 people in the
building. The eleven workers were on the second floor preparing
for the periodic inspection.
The 826,000-kilowatt pressurized water reactor began operation in
December 1976. In this type of reactor, 150 bar of pressure is
used to circulate cooling water around the reactor core and
transfer the heat into the secondary cooling system by a steam
generator.
As the secondary cooling water is not radioactive, the turbine
building is not designated as a controlled area. Temperatures,
however, exceed 200 C.
In 1999, two employees of the Tokai office of JCO Co., a nuclear
fuel-processing plant in Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture, were
killed after being exposed to radiation.
The Fukui prefectural government set up an emergency center to
collect detailed information on the steam leak.
Compared with nuclear reactors, which have strictly limited
access, workers dressed in normal work attire usually enter the
building, as well as visitors in street clothes.
As there was no radioactivity leak, the most important criterion
in determining the seriousness of an accident at a nuclear power
plant, this accident can be considered a normal industrial
action, such as might occur at a thermal power generation plant.
Copyright 2004 The Yomiuri Shimbun
*****************************************************************
28 Bellona: Russia to test spent nuclear fuel from Lithuanian NPP
Russia will for the first time conduct research in this field for
a European Union country, the institute's press service told RIA
Novosti.
2004-08-09 17:26
The Research Institute of Nuclear Reactors in Dimitrovgrad,
Russia's Ulyanovsk region (Volga Area) is expected to study the
irradiated uranium fuel to be brought from Lithuania. Four fuel
assemblies that are 3.5 metres high, 80 millimeters in diameter
and contain 2.4% of uranium each, will be brought from the
Ignalinsk nuclear power plant. The project timeframe has not been
revealed for security reasons.
"These are the assemblies of an RBMK industrial 1,500 MWt reactor
with. Reactors of this type operate in Russia, and the institute
has appropriate skills to deal with such assemblies," said the
press service. The fuel for the Ignalinsk plant was produced in
Russia. Technical errors were registered at the plant and the
reactor had to be switched off, and the assemblies removed,
explained the institute.
"Lithuania laid a claim against Russia. However, Russia demanded
an expert examination. There is no place in Europe to test the
fuel without damaging the assembly, whereas the Dimitrovgrad
institute has appropriate techniques. We will have to find out
what causes assembly errors," said the press service.
The contract for the test was agreed on at the inter-government
level. The Russian and Lithuanian Prime ministers, and an
official from Belarus via which the assemblies will be
transported to Russia, signed the agreement, RIA Novosti
reported.
Publisher: [bellona@bellona.no] , President:
[frederic@bellona.no] Information: [info@bellona.no] , Technical
contact: [webmaster@bellona.no] Telephone: +47 23 23 46 00
Telefax: +47 22 38 38 62 * P.O.Box 2141 Grunerlokka, 0505 Oslo,
Norway
*****************************************************************
29 BBC: Accident at Japan nuclear plant
Last Updated: Monday, 9 August, 2004
[Mihama power station (file photo)]
Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident
At least four people have been killed in the deadliest accident
to have hit a Japanese nuclear power plant.
Seven people were also injured, after steam leaked from a turbine
at the Mihama plant in Fukui prefecture.
Officials insist that no radiation leaked from the plant, and
there was no danger to the surrounding area.
An official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
told news agency AFP that "about 10 people suffered burns" from
the steam leak.
Kansai Electric Power Company, which operates the Mihama plant,
said it had stopped power generation at 3:28pm (0628 GMT), and
was still investigating the cause of the accident.
"Steam spewed in the turbine building area at the number three
nuclear reactor," a spokesman for Kansai Electric Power said.
Officials said a lack of cooling water caused the accident,
forcing steam to escape from the turbines.
The steam was at a temperature of 200C, according to media
reports.
In the aftermath of the accident, no evacuation order was given
to residents living near the plant, and city official Nobutake
Masaki denied there was any danger to the surrounding area.
An official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
told AFP that it would be impossible for the leaked steam to
contain radioactivity, as the turbines did not come into contact
with water used in the nuclear reactor.
Safety doubts
Japan relied on nuclear power to supply 25% of its electricity in
2003, according to figures from the UN's nuclear agency.
But a string of safety problems, including an accident in 1999
which killed two workers and affected hundreds of others in
Tokaimura, north-east of Tokyo, has undermined public confidence.
At Mihama itself, a leak of cooling water from the number two
reactor in 1991 spurred a Japanese campaign against building
further reactors.
Our correspondent in Tokyo, Jonathan Head, says questions will
again be raised about the safety of nuclear power in Japan.
*****************************************************************
30 BBC: Japan's wobbly nuclear safety
Last Updated: Monday, 9 August, 2004
By Sarah Buckley BBC News Online
Japan's latest nuclear accident, which coincided with the
anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, will further
undermine the Japanese public's already shaky confidence in the
industry's safety record.
[Kansai Electric Power Co. President Yousaku Fuji makes a deep
bow at the start of a press conference at its head office at
Osaka, Monday August 9, 2004]
Japan's nuclear industry has suffered a string of PR disasters
However, the country, poor in natural resources and high in
energy demand, is very reliant on nuclear power.
This latest incident, in Fukui prefecture, has prompted analysts
to ask whether Japan is over-reliant for its energy on a
potentially dangerous industry.
Japan imported its first commercial nuclear power plant from the
UK in 1966, and completed its first indigenous reactors in 1970.
It now has more than 50 in operation, which account for about 25%
of its electricity needs. In the US, in comparison, nuclear power
provides about 20% of the country's electricity.
While Japan holds a good reputation for public safety, its
nuclear industry has suffered several setbacks in recent years.
This includes an accident at a plant in Tokaimura in 1999 caused
by workers trying to save time by mixing excessive amounts of
uranium in buckets, which killed two people and injured hundreds,
and the temporary suspension of all 17 of Tokyo Electric Power
Co's (Tepco) plants in April last year after it admitted
falsifying safety records.
This prompted considerable alarm amongst the Japanese public,
reflected in the views of the Citizens' Nuclear Information
Centre (CNIC) in Tokyo, which was created in 1975 to monitor
nuclear safety.
'Culture of secrecy'
Satoshi Fujino, public relations officer at the CNIC, said the
roots of the problems were two-fold: inadequacy in government
regulation and a culture within the industry's management of
covering up mistakes.
Mr Fujino said the safety appraisal process, which takes place
before a power plant is even built, was extremely lax, while the
inspections carried out afterwards were "very haphazard".
[Workers check for radiation inside the Tokaimura plant] The
accident at Tokaimura in 1999 set off a self-sustaining nuclear
reaction
These inspections are known about well in advance and are only
piecemeal.
Analysts also point to popular opposition to the power plants -
opinion polls show half the public believe the number of nuclear
facilities should be reduced.
Public confidence was not improved by the Tepco scandal, which
demonstrated the culture of doctoring records within the
industry.
"Secrecy seems to be a characteristic of the nuclear industry,
especially in Japan, because society is very much reluctant to
talk about things. So information is fairly easily concealed,
because the social system supports that kind of culture," Mr
Fujino said.
But not all analysts agree.
John Shepherd, director of Nucnet, an independent emergency
reporting organisation, said that the industry appeared to be
learning from its mistakes.
Safety efforts 'improving'
While his group had difficulty determining the details of the
Tokaimura incident, this time Kepco had responded quickly, and
their account has been verified by three independent sources.
"From what I know of the industry, I think there's a real
concerted effort to make people aware that safety is the utmost
priority," he said, pointing to the launch of a new independent
body last year which monitors nuclear safety.
He also argued that public support for the industry was
improving, demonstrated by the approval earlier this year of Mox
(mixed-oxide fuel) at Takahama nuclear power station - something
which had been delayed by the Tepco scandal.
Mr Shepherd said that the approval was given by the local
governor only after wide public consultation.
He also disagreed with Mr Fujino's conclusion that safety
procedures were generally lax in Japan's nuclear industry.
"The time taken from when they first take a decision, to building
a plant, can take several years... it often involves public
seminars and meetings," he said.
"It's not like shelling peas."
But even if the nation's confidence has been growing in the
nuclear industry recently, this latest incident is hardly likely
to help public relations.
*****************************************************************
31 Hanford News: Energy NW delays restart of nuclear power plant
[http://www.hanfordnews.com]
This story was published Thursday, August 5th, 2004
By Chris Mulick, Herald staff writer
It may be as long as a week before the nuclear power plant north
of Richland returns to service.
The plant shut down Friday after a closed valve caused a pressure
buildup inside the reactor vessel at the Columbia Generating
Station. Energy Northwest, the public power consortium that
operates the plant, has since decided to conduct extra
maintenance on the plant that can't be done when it's operating,
delaying a restart.
It's a costly outage. July and August typically provide the
hottest market for selling surplus power.
The electronic device that caused a valve to close in one of four
pipes that carry steam out of the reactor already has been
replaced.
Crews now are working to repair a giant steam valve elsewhere.
"It's the responsible and prudent thing to do," said Energy
Northwest spokesman Brad Peck. "We're viewing it as essential."
Energy Northwest also has asked federal regulators to allow it to
rescind the alert issued after Friday's incident. The alert, the
first declared at the plant in its 20-year history and the
second-lowest of four emergency classifications, caused emergency
operations centers to open in the Tri-Cities as well as at Camp
Murray near Tacoma and in Salem.
The alert initially was issued because initial indications
suggested the plant had failed to fully shut itself down. But
after further review, it has been determined that all 185 control
rods inserted into the reactor core to stop the nuclear reaction
were inserted fully as planned.
Regardless, Energy Northwest is reviewing its emergency response
performance. The utility now believes it may not have met
regulatory requirements for getting the right people in the right
places in a timely fashion. One person was 11 minutes late in
reporting to the plant's Technical Support Center.
Requirements otherwise were met, though Energy Northwest was
unable to reach at least a few on-call workers quickly.
© 2004 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
32 Japan Times: NATION'S WORST NUCLEAR ACCIDENT
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Steam leak at Fukui reactor kills four workers
Four workers were killed and seven others were injured Monday
when steam leaked from a nuclear reactor in Mihama, Fukui
Prefecture, in Japan's worst nuclear plant accident, rescue
officials said.
[News photo] High-temperature steam leaks from the No. 3
reactor at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama Nuclear Power Plant
in Fukui Prefecture.
According to information received by the Nuclear and Industrial
Safety Agency in Tokyo, the leak took place at around 3:28 p.m.
at a facility housing the turbines for the No. 3 reactor at
Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama Nuclear Power Plant.
Local authorities and Kepco officials said the deaths and
injuries were probably due to exposure to high-temperature steam.
Of the seven listed as injured, two were in serious condition,
according to the Fukui Prefectural Police.
The 826,000-kilowatt reactor automatically shut down after the
incident, officials at the nation's second-largest utility said,
adding they believe a lack of cooling water in the plant led to
the accident.
No radiation is believed to have leaked outside the facility,
and sources at the Defense Facilities Administration Agency said
Fukui Prefecture officials did not see a need for Self-Defense
Forces elements to be dispatched to the town to assist in
disaster relief.
The accident occurred during regular maintenance in a facility
housing the reactor turbines, according to Kepco. The dead and
injured were all employees of Kiuchi Keisoku, a Kepco
subcontractor based in Tennoji Ward, Osaka. Kepco said there were
about 200 people in the facility.
The four dead were identified as Hiroya Takatori, 29, Kazutoshi
Nakagawa, 41, Tomoki Iseki, 30 and Eiji Taoka, 46.
Kiuchi Keisoku officials said Kepco had asked for a regular
inspection of the turbines and workers had been moving the
necessary equipment into the facility when the accident occurred.
Kiuchi Keisoku conducts turbine inspections at the Mihama plant
once a year.
A 65-old woman who works in a cafeteria in the plant said:
"Staff rushed (into the cafeteria), screaming. I put in a
container all the ice I could find and gave it to them.
"I don't know exactly what happened. This is the first time an
incident like this has happened in my 14 years of work here."
The building is where steam heated to some 200 degrees moves
turbines to generate electricity. The steam is produced from
secondary cooling water and is not radioactive, Kepco officials
said.
The accident apparently occurred when steam leaked as a result
of damage to the turbines or some other problem, the officials
added. Kepco said it has found a hole in a 50-cm diameter pipe
that feeds steam in the turbine facility.
Kepco President Yosaku Fuji apologized for the accident at an
evening news conference, saying, "We are deeply sorry for those
who have died and their families, and for causing the accident."
He did not comment on how he would take responsibility, saying
he cannot answer until the exact cause of the accident is known.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said it would dispatch
a six-member expert team to look into the accident.
Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Official
Residence, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said it was
regrettable the accident led to many fatalities and injuries.
"I would like those concerned to fully grasp the facts and act
accordingly," he said.
The No. 3 reactor where Monday's accident took place began
commercial operations in December 1976.
In February 1991, a tube inside a steam generator at the No. 2
reactor in the same plant broke, resulting in 55 tons of
radioactive water leaking from the main cooling system into the
secondary system that powers the reactor's turbines.
That accident was the first time in Japan that an emergency
reactor core cooling system was activated.
Until Monday, the nation's worst nuclear accident occurred Sept.
30, 1999, at a nuclear plant in Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Two employees who were exposed to extremely high doses of
radiation died, and 663 others were exposed to lower amounts of
radiation.
The Japan Times: Aug. 10, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
*****************************************************************
33 NRC: NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector to Columbia Generating Station
News Release - Region IV - 2004-03
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs, Region IV
No. IV-04-034 August 9, 2004
CONTACT: Victor Dricks
Phone: 817-860-8128
E-mail: opa4@nrc.gov [opa4@nrc.gov]
Zachary Dunham has been assigned as the Nuclear Regulatory
Commissions senior resident inspector at the Columbia
Generating Station near Richland, WA. Dunham succeeds George
Replogle.
Zach Dunhams commitment to safety will help the NRC monitor
Columbia Generating Station to ensure that it meets the high
safety standards we insist upon for all reactors operating in
the United States. said NRC Region IV Administrator Bruce S.
Mallett.
Since June 2003, Zachary has served as the resident inspector at
the Columbia Generating Station and assumed the duties and
responsibilities of the senior resident inspector position
earlier this month. Previously, he served as the resident
inspector at the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant in Wisconsin.
Zachary joined the U.S. Navy in 1988 as a machinist mate. He was
selected for a naval officer commissioning program and in 1993
he received his Bachelors degree in physics from Oregon State
University. Zachary then served as an officer aboard nuclear
powered submarines until 1998.
Each of the countrys commercial nuclear power plants has
assigned NRC resident inspectors who serve as the agencys eyes
and ears at the facility, conducting regular inspections,
monitoring significant work projects and interacting with plant
workers and the public. The resident inspectors at Columbia can
be reached at 509-377-2627.
Last revised Monday, August 09, 2004
*****************************************************************
34 ITAR-TASS: Two accidents in a day befall Japan nuclear power plants
[ITAR-TASS News Agency of Russia]
09.08.2004, 16.25
TOKYO August 9 (Itar-Tass) - At least five people died and
several were injured on Monday in a worst accident to ever hit a
Japanese nuclear power plant on Monday.
A massive steam leak occurred, without radiation emission, at
the Mihama nuclear power plant, Fukui prefecture, in a turbine
area of No.3 reactor at 10:30 Moscow time on Monday.
The temperature of the steam was an estimated 270 decrees
Celsius. The reactor automatically shut down.
The Ministry of Economics and Industry said there was no leak of
radioactivity.
The accident is believed to have occurred because of a water
shortage in a cooling system.
A similar technical mishap stopped a reactor at the Mihama
plant, which is owned by the energy company Kansai Jenrioku, in
2003. A water leak was then found in the cooling system.
A fire broke out later in the day at a nuclear power plant in
Shimane prefecture on Honshu island.
The news agency Kyodo Tsushin said the fire occurred in a waste
disposal room near No.2 reactor.
Preliminary information suggests that there has been no leak of
radioactivity.
© ITAR-TASS. All rights reserved. You undertake not to copy,
*****************************************************************
35 AFP: UN nuclear watchdog monitors situation after Japanese accident
WAR.WIRE [http://www.spacewar.com/]
VIENNA (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna said Monday it
was monitoring the situation following an accident at an atomic
reactor in Japan that caused four deaths, but had so far received
no request for assistance.
"The IAEA today received information from Japanese nuclear
regulatory authorities about an accident in the steam generator
turbine circuit of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant," it said in a
statement.
Japanese regulators reported to the IAEA that there had been no
release of radioactivity, the text said.
"The IAEA continues to be in contact with Japanese authorities
and expects to receive updates on a continuous basis," it added.
"No request for IAEA assistance has been received at this time."
Four workers were killed and seven others severely burned Monday
by a leak of non-radioactive steam at a Japanese nuclear plant,
in Japan's worst acccident at a nuclear facility in terms of the
number of deaths.
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
36 FCW: NRC licensing Web site revamped
FCW.COM
BY Rutrell Yasin [ryasin@fcw.com]
Published on August 9, 2004
RELATED LINKS
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensing Support Network web site
[http://www.LSNNET.gov]
"Knowledge management building blocks" [Federal Computer Week,
April 11, 2003]
"Autonomy's expansions target Feds" [FCW.com, Feb. 19, 2001]
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officials have upgraded
the Web site dedicated to sharing documents related to the Yucca
Mountain, Nev., radioactive waste repository.
Energy Department officials are preparing an application to
obtain an NRC license to begin constructing the nation's first
long-term repository for used nuclear fuel and high-level
radioactive waste.
NRC officials have implemented the latest version of Autonomy
Corp.'s search and infrastructure software to enable individuals
and organizations involved in the licensing hearing to search and
share discovery documents more uniformly.
Participants and potential participants in the hearing can access
NRC's Licensing Support Network (LSN) Web site (www.LSNNET.gov)
to retrieve and share documents that might be used as evidence.
This includes officials from Nevada, several of the state's
counties, the National Congress of American Indians, various
environmental groups, DOE and NRC.
The Web site provides a single interface to access dozens of
databases that house the documents related to the Yucca Mountain
repository, said Dan Graser, LSN administrator.
The collection contains more than 2 million documents that
consist of correspondence, memos, scientific reports and other
materials stored in DOE and NRC databases, Graser said. Popular
search engines such as Google would not be applicable in this
setting, he added.
"Autonomy's [software] is more of a sophisticated knowledge
management tool" than a search engine, said Whit Andrews, a
research director at Gartner Inc.
The software integrates unstructured, semi-structured and
structured information from multiple repositories by
understanding the content, or pattern recognition, he said.
At the center of Autonomy's infrastructure is the Intelligent
Data Operating Layer server, the platform for understanding the
meaning and significance of information. The ability to perform
advanced operations can be integrated into it, company officials
said.
People using "LSN can index documents from many sources and
accept information from hundreds of repositories and formats,"
said John Cronin, vice president of Autonomy's federal group.
"The strength of the software is its ability to take text, audio
and video, [analyze it] and link together information."
NRC's Web site, built by AT&T Government Solutions and hosted at
the company's facility in Northern Virginia, began operating in
October 2001, Graser said.
of FCW Media Group, a division of 101communications
*****************************************************************
37 AFP: Fatal accident another blow to Japanese confidence in nuclear power
WAR.WIRE
[http://www.spacewar.com/
TOKYO (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
The accident at a Japanese nuclear plant which killed four
people Monday is the latest in a series of incidents which have
undermined public confidence in an industry on which they rely
for much of their energy.
The workers were killed and seven others injured by a leak of
non-radioactive steam in a turbine room at the plant in the
central Japanese town of Mihama, 350 kilometres (220 miles) west
of Tokyo.
Despite a deep-rooted aversion to nuclear facilities in Japan,
the only nation to suffer an atomic bomb attack, atomic power is
seen as a necessary evil by many here.
By an uncomfortable coincidence, the latest accident happened on
the 59th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
There are 52 nuclear reactors operating in Japan, which,
according to the Paris-based Nuclear Energy Agency, provide one
quarter of the electricity needs of a nation with virtually no
natural energy resources.
Public unease turned to alarm in September 1999 when three
workers at a uranium processing plant in Tokaimura, northeast of
Tokyo, set off a self-sustaining nuclear reaction, causing the
country's worst-ever nuclear disaster.
Many Japanese shuddered when the plant's loose operating
procedures were exposed.
The three had been using steel buckets to pour uranium into a
precipitation tank and added too much -- 2.4 kilograms (five
pounds) -- setting off the reaction.
The accident in Tokaimura, northeast of Tokyo, was classified as
the world's worst since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.
It exposed more than 600 people to radiation and forced around
320,000 to shelter indoors for more than a day. Two of the three
workers later died from their injuries in hospital.
Other nuclear accidents that shocked the nation include the
December 1995 shutdown of the Monju fast-breeder reactor in
western Japan after a massive sodium leak.
In March 1997, 37 people were exposed to radiation following a
fire at another nuclear reprocessing plant in Tokaimura.
The following month, a tritium leak at the Fugen advanced thermal
reactor in western Japan exposed 11 workers to low-level doses of
radiation.
Tokaimura was in the news again in August 1997 with the
revelation that 2,000 drums of nuclear waste had been leaking for
30 years.
In July 1999 more than 80 tonnes of primary cooling water leaked
in one of the country's worst spills, in Tsuruga, western Japan,
close to the site of Monday's accident.
A year later a nuclear reactor in Fukushima, north of Tokyo, was
shut down after a suspected interior radioactive leak, the third
closure in the area after a big earthquake struck five days
before.
The most recent black mark on the nuclear industry's record came
when Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), the world's largest private
utility company, was forced to close all 17 reactors for checks
in mid-2003 after scandals over the systematic cover-up of
inspection data showing faults in reactors.
TEPCO was forced to admit it had covered up the appearance of
cracks including those in steel "shrouds" enveloping the reactor
core at its nuclear plants for years, although it was later
independently confirmed they did not pose an immediate threat to
the safety of nuclear plants.
The International Energy Agency urged Japan last November to
regain public trust in its nuclear energy programme damaged by a
series of accidents and scandals.
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
38 AFP: Four dead in accident at Japanese nuclear plant
WAR.WIRE [http://www.spacewar.com/]
MIHAMA, Japan (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
Four workers were killed and seven others severely burned Monday
by a leak of non-radioactive steam at a Japanese nuclear plant,
in the latest blow to the country's troubled nuclear industry.
One of the three nuclear reactors at the plant in Mihama, 350
kilometres (220 miles) west of Tokyo, shut down automatically
when an alarm sounded just before super-heated steam leaked from
a turbine and scalded workers.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said an investigation was needed
into the accident, which is Japan's worst at a nuclear facility
in terms of the number of deaths.
But Kansai Electric Power Company, the operators of the Mihama
plant which went into service in 1976, stressed there was no
danger of a radiation leak and no need to evacuate the area.
"This incident will have no radiation effect on the surrounding
environment," the company said in statement.
A police spokesman in Fukui prefecture confirmed four people were
killed and seven injured in the accident, which happened in the
turbine room of a pressurised water reactor at the plant.
The dead men were aged from 29 to 46, according to local police.
A police spokesman said two others were in critical condition.
An official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
said the leaked steam would not have contained radiation as the
turbines in the water reactors do not come into contact with the
nuclear reactors.
Residents and visitors to the beaches along the plant on the
Japan Sea Coast seemed unruffled by the accident.
"Many activists against nuclear power come from other cities like
Osaka (in western Japan) in busloads to occasionally demonstrate
but there are no militant supporters and opponents among locals
at the moment," said Toshie Okuda.
The entrance of the bridge to the power plant was guarded by
security officials.
Several hundred meters (yards) away from the plant about 100
young men and women were camped and partied on the beach.
Most of them were Japanese-Brazilian families visiting from
industrial cities some 100 to 200 kilometers to the south.
"I'm a bit scared but we came all the way, so we are going to
stay for a few more days," said Sachie Omura, 30, as her
three-year-old child played on the beach.
Meanwhile, a minor fire broke out Monday evening at another
nuclear facility in Shimane prefecture, 600 kilometers (375
miles) southwest of Tokyo, but no one was injured and it posed no
threat of radiation leaks.
"A fire broke out at a waste processing site, where we also have
a laundry facility. But it was quickly extinguished," said a
spokesman for Chugoku Electric Power Co., which operates the
site.
The incidents are likely to further erode confidence in Japan's
nuclear industry which has been shaken by a series of accidents
and scandals in recent years.
By an uncomfortable coincidence, Monday's deadly accident also
happened on the 59th anniversary of the atomic bombing of
Nagasaki.
Koizumi expressed regret at the loss of life at Mihama and
stressed the need for high safety standards in an industry that
provides a quarter of Japan's energy.
"The cause of the accident must be clarified. Prevention efforts
and safety measures have to be fully enforced," Koizumi said.
Hiroshi Matsumura, managing director of Kansai Electric,
apologised. "It is extremely regrettable. To those who were
injured and to the public, we apologise," he told a press
conference at the company headquarters in Osaka.
Following the automatic shutdown of the reactor, steam --
reportedly at over 200 degrees Centigrade (390 degrees
Fahrenheit) -- filled up the turbine room causing severe injuries
to workers trapped inside, Kansai Electric said in the statement.
At least one hole was found in a pipe in the turbine room, but
officials were still investigating what caused it and what
sounded the alarm, he said.
It was the first fatal incident at a nuclear-related plant since
September 1999, when two workers were killed at the Tokaimura
uranium plant northeast of Tokyo.
More than 600 people were also exposed to radiation after the
workers set off a critical reaction by using steel buckets to
pour uranium solution into a precipitation tank.
About 320,000 people were evacuated in the incident, regarded as
the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.
Japan's nuclear power industry had only just been recovering from
the crisis of confidence caused when Tokyo Electric Power
Company, the world's largest energy utility, admitted in 2002 it
had systematically covered up inspection data showing there were
cracks in its reactors.
Japan is the third largest nuclear power producer after the
United States and France. Nuclear power accounts for over 25
percent of its electricity supply according to the Paris-based
Nuclear Energy Agency.
The area of Fukui Prefecture around Mihama hosts 13 of the 52
active nuclear power reactors in Japan, which are run by 10
private firms.
hih-mis-mxs/nj
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
39 [du-list] Uranium Enrichment: Decontamination and
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:46:21 -0700
Uranium Enrichment: Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund Is
Insufficient to Cover Cleanup Costs
GAO-04-692
July 2, 2004
Summary
Decontaminating and decommissioning the nation's uranium enrichment
plants, which are contaminated with hazardous materials, will cost
billions of dollars and could span decades. In 1992, the Energy Policy
Act created the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning
Fund (Fund) to pay for the plants' cleanup and to reimburse licensees of
active uranium and thorium processing sites for part of their cleanup
costs. This report discusses (1) what DOE has done to reduce the cleanup
costs authorized by the Fund, and (2) the extent to which the Fund is
sufficient to cover authorized activities.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has taken steps to reduce cleanup costs
by taking actions that address recommendations made by the National
Academy of Sciences and by pursuing an accelerated, risk-based cleanup
strategy at the plants. In some cases, however, DOE has only partially
addressed the Academy's recommendations. For example, one recommendation
suggested that DOE develop three plans--namely, headquarters level,
plant-complex level, and site level--that address and integrate the
decontamination and decommissioning of the facilities. Only one plant
has developed a plan, however. Additionally, DOE is pursuing an
accelerated, risk-based cleanup strategy at the plants that it believes
will reduce cleanup costs. According to DOE officials, an accelerated,
risk-based strategy will accelerate time frames for cleanup, and
establish "realistic cleanup criteria" in DOE's regulatory cleanup
agreements. Despite DOE efforts to reduce costs, we found that based on
current projected costs and revenues, the Fund will be insufficient to
cover the cleanup activities at the three plants. Specifically, our
Baseline model demonstrated that by 2044, the most likely time frame for
completing cleanup of the plants, costs will have exceeded revenues by
$3.5 billion to $5.7 billion (in 2004 dollars). Importantly, we also
found that the Fund would be insufficient irrespective of which model we
used, including models that estimated the final decommissioning at the
plants under (1) accelerated time frames, (2) deferred time frames, or
(3) baseline time frames, and with additional revenues from federal
government contributions as authorized under current law. Because the
Paducah and Portsmouth plants are now estimated to cease operations by
2010 and 2006, respectively, extending the Fund by an additional 3 years
would give DOE an opportunity to develop plans, including more precise
cost estimates, for the cleanup of these plants and to better determine
if further Fund extensions will be necessary.
to download the entire report, go to
http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/details.php?rptno=GAO-04-692
and click on the report number
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40 [du-list] My God! My country is using poison gas in Iraq -
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:48:52 -0700
http://onlinejournal.com/Special_Reports/080604Nichols/080604nichols.html
My God! My country is using poison gas in Iraq
We've weaponized uranium gas
By Bob Nichols
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Download
a .pdf file for printing.
Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
Click here to download
a free copy.
August 6, 2004—Radioactive, poison gas made from uranium was recommended to
the American military in 1943, during World War II, by atom bomb builders
working on the Manhattan Project run by Gen Leslie Groves.
Sixty one years later deadly, radioactive, poisonous, weaponized uranium
oxide gas plays a vital role in implementing the "Total Worldwide
Domination Plan" as practiced by the neocons and President [sic] Bush. It
is entitled "Rebuilding America's Defenses" and was written in September
2000 by the neocon think tank, Project
for the New American Century (PNAC).
That would be the American government's Cheney and the Pentagon's
Rumsfield, Wolfowitz, and Feith, the most hated men in the world, the Gang
of Four.
What is weaponized uranium oxide gas? It's any high velocity bullet or
shell, any High Explosive Bomb or missile made with uranium metal. The
uranium components turn into uranium oxide gas after the high velocity
bullet or shell penetrates anything solid and explodes, as much as 80
percent of it ignites, burns, and aerosolizes into tiny, tiny radioactive
pieces and floats in the air as a gas, blown about by the wind. They can
stay airborne for years and be re-suspended for years, over and over again.
Missiles and bombs that explode as planned are blasted into uranium gas by
the bomb's high explosive (HE). Pretty simple really. Once the uranium
metal is worked into the business end of a bullet, tank shell, bomb, or
missile the uranium oxide gas is "weaponized," and ready to go.
The feedstock uranium that's manufactured into war munitions is processed
one time to purify it. Less than one half of one percent, a tiny impurity,
is removed to make thermonuclear bombs and nuclear reactor cores. This
leaves more than 99.8 percent of the uranium for bullets and bombs.
The uranium is fully 88 percent as radioactive as it was before it was
processed. The Gang of Four cynically calls this uranium "depleted" as if
everything is okay with it; it is safe; it has been depleted; there is no
problem with it. No problem! To top it off and make it worse, America's
academics dutifully talk about and study "Depleted Uranium,"* at retreats
and seminars, thus keeping the Big Lie alive for the millions of common
folk who long for some straight answers from academe.
This so-called Depleted Uranium is what the American government is using to
make sniper bullets, tank shells, bombs, and cruise missiles. And, the
American government just ordered some more depleted uranium weapons. It
only takes a few months to rearm. Who's next? Iran? Syria?
The 70-ton 1,500-HP workhorse M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank actually deliver
up to eight pounds of poisonous uranium oxide gas per high velocity shell
fired. The Abrams Death Machines fired many thousands of the 10-pound
uranium "penetrator rods" during the Gulf Rape of Iraq turkey shoot. They
are fully 18 inches long and three-quarters of an inch wide. That's the
real name, too, "penetrator rods." It's an Abu Ghraib for the entire country.
The American president [sic] (Bush) stated that the International Criminal
Court's (Re: War Crimes) jurisdiction does not apply to America's leaders
or the military. Presidential translation: Go for it, dudes! Result: 4
million pounds of uranium munitions poisoned Iraq with radioactive gas and
dust, rendering large parts of it uninhabitable. We Americans have already
successfully killed Iraqis as yet unborn with radiation-induced birth
defects and cancers. This same uranium oxide gas, of course, is also
sickening and killing our kids and friends in the Army in Iraq.
Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, former Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy,
calculated that the radiation in 4 million pounds of uranium is the
equivalent of that in 250,000 unexploded Nagasaki Plutonium Bombs.[1] That
would be the bomb the US dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, three days after the
Atom Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima August 6, 1945. This current Iraq
Nuclear Radiation War was announced in the United States in the article
"There Are No Words"
by this writer on DissidentVoice.org on March 27, 2004.[2]
But, using uranium munitions is a war crime. As Vice President [sic] Cheney
would say, "Big Time!" That would be a major problem for less dedicated
countries than the United States. That is not a show-stopper for Bush, the
neocons, or the American military. The military is taught to refuse to
follow orders that embrace war crimes because they aren't legal. They
failed America and the entire world.
My God! Have the Gang of Four no humanity? Are they some kind of unfeeling
aliens from a Hollywood horror movie? The invisible, odorless, tasteless
uranium oxide poison gas in the air can't be controlled or even seen! It's
as dangerous to our kids and neighbors in the Army shooting it as it is to
the "enemy" Iraqis. What's more, it migrates with the wind. This means it
will soon be in all countries within 1,000 miles of Iraq. This includes
America's ally, the state of Israel.
Nazi Germany had the political will in WWII to commit war crimes. The
Germans finally settled on Zyklon B Gas to exterminate six million Jews
during the cruel reign of the Third Reich. Zyklon B was "effective" but
lacked a long "killing trail." After Jews in the gas chamber or mobile van
were killed, the deadly gas was withdrawn and the corpses removed from the
chamber or van. Nazi SS soldiers were required to dispense more Zyklon B to
the next killing cluster. Effective killer, short killing trail.
Well, America is nothing if not relentless. Specifically, a 1943 memo to
Gen Groves recommended uranium oxide gas be used as a gas warfare
instrument to kill people and to contaminate land. The memo did raise the
problem that the radioactive uranium gas could not be controlled and was,
and is still, dangerous to our own kids and friends: the American
Troopers.[3] It would be another 30 years before that hurdle was publicly
demolished.
In 1973 in General Alexander Haig's presence, Henry Kissinger, the National
Security Advisor, referred pointedly to military men as "dumb, stupid
animals to be used" as pawns for foreign policy.[4] Kissinger set the
public stage for the war managers to sacrifice the gullible, but patriotic
and "stupid" American Troopers to the use of weaponized uranium oxide gas.
American General Norman Schwarzkopf from the First Gulf War stated they
were not told anything about harmful uranium munitions.
Uranium gas also is a good deal for the Bush administration because it has
built in plausible deniability. Depending on the uranium gas dose the
American Troopers get, they can be expected to sicken and die over a period
days, months, and years. There is no minimum dose that is harmless.
Inhaling as little as one gram over a year means the equivalent of one
X-Ray per hour for the rest of their shortened lives. Each gram in the lung
shoots 12,000 little bullets per minute, forever, at the lung cells next to
it. What do you think is going to happen to the lung cells? All radiation
counts.
The ensuing Veteran's Administration disability payment requests can be
denied for years while the "dumb, stupid," used up vets conveniently and
obligingly die off. The former American Trooper's painful deaths go
virtually unnoticed scattered across the North American continent in some
7,000 American hospitals and among 300 million people.
Collaborating VA doctors merely chant, "You can't prove it," when
confronted by hundreds of thousands of sick and dying Troopers. Anyway, all
the well-paid necon or timid doctors need do is delay. The invisible,
deadly, ever-present radiation does the rest.
To say the least, the American military and its wealthy helpmates in the
private weapons industry have resolutely and definitively solved the Nazi
killing trail problem. Weaponized Uranium Oxide Gas, when used properly,
packs a killing trail up to a truly majestic 4.5 billion years. In fact,
that pretty well qualifies as "forever" in most American classrooms
studying "Total Worldwide Domination Theory."
Instinctively racist in nature, the political decision makers, Bush and the
neocons with a supporting crew of weak-minded Democrats, decided that the
Iraqi race had to go. It's an inescapable conclusion to any fair-minded
person contemplating the purposeful use of Four Million pounds of uranium
on Iraq. That's cold-blooded genocide.
Get a group of your friends together some lazy Sunday afternoon and appoint
yourselves as a Pentagon Procurement Committee. Would you chose uranium
munitions for our Troopers to use in Iraq? Put your own ending to this
article here.
A lot of people in the States have done everything we can think of to stop
these nuclear radiation wars, uranium poison gas, and the the use of
uranium as a munition. We've tried and failed for years. Failed! There are
no excuses for our collective failures. Why don't you give it a try? Can't
hurt anything! View this Flash animation,
"Poison Fire USA," by
Russell Hoffman to see the animated history of 60 years of major nuclear
activities in the continental United States. It will amaze you. These
events all lead up to recklessly using uranium munitions in Iraq.
For further expert scientific information, read former Lawrence Livermore
Nuclear Weapons Lab scientist Leuren Moret's:
"Depleted
Uranium: The Trojan Horse of Nuclear War."
Do you have a solution? Then write what steps you would take to turn this
situation around. If you represent your country at the United Nations
General Assembly, be creative. Who else is going to stop the United States
from committing genocide? Send it to me at this address. I'll publish it,
as appropriate, and maybe we all can make it happen:
info-radiation-wars@cox.net.
*Depleted Uranium is the result of a step in the process of creating
enriched uranium for nuclear power plant reactor cores and thermonuclear
bombs, commonly called Hydrogen Bombs and Neutron Bombs. The uranium
impurity used in bombs and reactor cores is about .711 of one percent of
natural uranium, a tiny amount. Like iodine in salt, except it kills
everything. Processing natural uranium removes about half of the bomb
making material. It is then called Depleted Uranium by the powers that be
because it can no longer be used to make bombs; but it is used to make
bullets and shells instead. The Depleted Uranium is fully 88 percent as
radioactive in total radiation as the original uranium. There are an
estimated 1.5 billion pounds of Depleted Uranium at U.S. nuclear weapons
labs and related facilities (Bomb Factories) in the US. The word depleted
does not mean the uranium is safe or okay to use, it means it has been
processed, that's all. Perhaps a less deceptive name would be "12 percent
depleted uranium." The familiar 60 percent depleted uranium figure refers
to what is called "Alpha" radiation only
1. Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat's paper presented at a medical conference in New
Delhi, India, February 29, March 1-2, 2004 titled
"Silent WMDs - Effects of
Depleted Uranium."
2. This radiation war was announced in the United States by the article
"There Are No Words"
by writer Bob Nichols on DissidentVoice.org on March 27, 2004.
3. Summary
of the report of the Committee, Dr. James B. Conant, Chairman.
4. Kissinger's quote regarding military men comes from Chapter 14 of "The
Final Days," which extensively discusses Al Haig, Kissinger and other Nixon
staff advisors' negotiations and differences over national security issues
during the 1969-1974 period. The exact, direct quote marks begin with the
word 'dumb' and terminate after the word 'used'. Source: Bob Woodward &
Carl Bernstein, "The Final Days," second Touchstone paperback edition
(1994), Chapter 14, pp. 194-195.
Copyright 2004, Bob Nichols. All rights reserved. Permission for reposting
is allowed provided the complete text and attribution are kept intact.
Bob Nichols writes in Oklahoma City and is occasionally a contributing
writer for DissidentVoice.org, LiberalSlant.com, DemocraticUnderground.com,
OnlineJournal.com, AmericaHeldHostage.com, and other online publications.
Mr. Nichols is a contributor to The Oklahoma Observer newspaper. He is a
member of CASE—Citizens' Action for Safe Energy. CASE has successfully
killed two serious, well-funded attempts to build Nuclear Power Plants in
Oklahoma and several attempts to site what is now known as the "Yucca
Mountain Used Reactor Core Dump" in Oklahoma. All these efforts to build
nuclear facilities have failed. CASE won every time.
The views expressed herein are the writers' own and do not necessarily
reflect those of Online Journal.
Email editor@onlinejournal.com
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41 [du-list] U-236
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:49:13 -0700
From a diagram of both a uranium bomb and a plutonium bomb we have a list
of the products when U-235 is fissioned when bombarded by a neutron; U-236
is on the list
[1] - Incoming Neutron
[2] - Uranium-235
[3] - Uranium-236
[4] - Barium Atom
[5] - Krypton Atom
Thus is seems to me that:
1. U-236 would be ubiquitous in the environment due to wide-spread testing
of nuclear weapons. [Tritium associated with nuclear testing shows up in
the ice caps of Antarctica--natural tritium in the environment is miniscule
compared to the man-made component].
2. Since depleted uranium contains a component of U-235 that was not
removed in the enrichment process, depleted uranium would end up with a
U-236 component, as well.
3. This means that U-236 is not just found in nuclear fuel rods. This
does not means that no weapons have been made from fuel rod waste, just
that it is not necessary that
weapons were made from fuel rod wastes for U-236 to be present.
Actually I'm not entirely sure how this whole discussion goes, but looked
up some physics for the record.
Elaine
"I am quaking in my genes knowing the mayhem men manufacture."
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42 [du-list] The big lie of the 'radiation antidote'
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:49:11 -0700
People being issued radiation pills around the Dimona
reactor in Israel - see, e.g.,
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/461606.html
- should not feel safe. This is published online by a
distributor of iodine pills:
'...It is important to understand that potassium iodide is
not a "cure all" pill for radiation emergencies, however it
is highly recommended to have on hand as an adjunct to other
personal safety plans:
"KI provides protection only for the thyroid from
radioiodines. It has no impact on the uptake by the body of
other radioactive materials and provides no protection
against external irradiation of any kind...the use of KI
should be as an adjunct to evacuation (itself not always
feasible), sheltering, and control of foodstuffs."4 '
Ellen Thomas
http://www.radiation-pills.com/
Why Potassium Iodide?
The US Department of Homeland Security recommends that
citizens "consider keeping potassium iodide in your
emergency kit" and to "learn what the appropriate doses are
for each of your family members."1
The FDA states the following:
"KI [Potassium Iodide] is a safe and effective means by
which to prevent radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland,
under certain specified conditions of use, and thereby
obviate the risk of thyroid cancer in the event of a
radiation emergency."2
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends
"potassium iodide (KI) as a protective measure for the
general public that would supplement sheltering and
evacuation." 3
It is important to understand that potassium iodide is not a
"cure all" pill for radiation emergencies, however it is
highly recommended to have on hand as an adjunct to other
personal safety plans:
"KI provides protection only for the thyroid from
radioiodines. It has no impact on the uptake by the body of
other radioactive materials and provides no protection
against external irradiation of any kind...the use of KI
should be as an adjunct to evacuation (itself not always
feasible), sheltering, and control of foodstuffs."4
Some state governments are currently stocking limited
quantities of potassium iodide for those living in the
immediate vicinity of a nuclear reactor. However, the
majority of citizens will not receive potassium iodide from
the government. It is up to you to stock up on your own
potassium iodide tablets. We are here to provide you with
the most accurate information on the topic, and also help
you procure some of your own tablets at affordable prices.
Interesting Facts:
* In the immediate aftermath of Three Mile Island,
officials prepared 237,000 doses of potassium iodide, but
the drug didn't make it to the scene for six days -- too
late to do any good."5 Radioactive-iodine plumes caused by
nuclear disasters can travel for hundreds of miles and cover
large areas threatening the health of thousands of people.
* 6 Based on data gathered after the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant disaster, the FDA states that "
* the increase in thyroid cancer seen after Chernobyl
is attributable to ingested or inhaled radioiodines. A
comparable burden of excess thyroid cancers could
conceivably accrue should U.S. populations be similarly
exposed in the event of a nuclear accident. This potential
hazard highlights the value of averting such risk by using
KI as an adjunct to evacuation, sheltering, and control of
contaminated foodstuffs."7 World supplies of
Potassium Iodide are very thin, and current
inventories will be quickly depleted in any nuclear
emergency occurring anywhere in the world.
Other points to consider:
* Potassium Iodide is approved by the FDA
* as a non prescription over-the-counter medication for
both adults and children. Only take
* Potassium Iodide KI when guided by health officials
in your area and according to FDA guidelines included with
your purchase Do not take potassium iodide if you are
allergic to iodide
* As with any medication, consult with you physician
before taking potassium iodide
* Potassium iodide is generally believed to be safe for
short-term use at appropriate doses. However, side effects may "
include iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis, which is more
common in older people and in iodine deficient areas but
usually requires repeated doses of stable iodine. In
addition, iodide goiter and hypothyroidism are potential
side effects more common in iodine sufficient areas, but
they require chronic high doses of stable iodine (Rubery
1990). In light of the preceding, individuals with
multinodular goiter, Graves disease, and autoimmune
thyroiditis should be treated with caution, especially if
dosing extends beyond a few days."8
.... more ....
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43 AFP: IAEA thinks Iran uranium traces came from Pakistani equipment
report
WAR.WIRE [http://www.spacewar.com/]
LONDON (AFP) Aug 09, 2004
UN nuclear inspectors have reached a "tentative conclusion" that
traces of enriched uranium detected in Iran came from equipment
provided by a smuggling network run by Pakistan's disgraced
former nuclear chief scientist, Jane's Defence Weekly reported
Monday.
The traces have been at the heart of an ongoing international
dispute over whether Tehran has reneged on its obligations to
inform the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of all
enrichment activities.
"IAEA inspectors have reached a tentative conclusion that the
contamination came from equipment provided by the nuclear
smuggling network headed by Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan," the
specialist magazine said, quoting "sources close to the agency".
It said inspectors believe they can confirm that a sample of
uranium enriched to 54 percent, found at one Iranian site, had
come from Pakistani equipment.
"The confirmation was only possible after Islamabad gave the IAEA
data to verify the uranium source and the US provided a
simulation of the Pakistani nuclear programme that matched the
account," Jane's said.
A separate contamination sample, of uranium enriched to 36
percent, derived from Russian equipment that Moscow had supplied
to China, which in turn passed it on to Pakistan as part of a
previous nuclear assistance program, it said.
From Pakistan, it was sold by Khan to Iran, it added.
"The sources note that the origins of several other contamination
samples are difficult to trace and may never be known," Jane's
said.
It has been known that inspectors from the Vienna-based IAEA had
found traces of highly-enriched uranium inside Iran -- leading to
suspicions Iran has been trying to produce nuclear bombs and not
just atomic energy as it insists.
But Tehran maintained that the traces found their way into the
country on equipment bought on an international black market
operated by Pakistan's disgraced former nuclear chief, Abdul
Qadeer Khan.
Pakistan's foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, on a visit to
Tehran, said Monday that Islamabad was cooperating with a UN
probe into Iran's suspect nuclear programme.
But he ruled out allowing inspectors into Pakistan as part of the
crucial investigation.
In Washington, US President George W. Bush said Monday that Iran
"must abandon her nuclear ambitions" and vowed to stand with
European allies to pressure Tehran to do so.
WAR.WIRE
*****************************************************************
44 The Australian: Radioactive leak at hospital
[August 09, 2004]
[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
RADIOACTIVE material leaked into an oncology unit at Sydney's St
Vincent's Hospital today but no one was exposed to the chemical,
the hospital said.
The chemical, iodine 131, was found to be leaking from a small
pipe this afternoon, a hospital spokesman said.
The pipe ran through the oncology unit but no patients or staff
were in there at the time, he said.
No patients of staff were exposed to the chemical, used to treat
thyroid cancer.
The leak was being mopped up by hazardous material experts, a
fire service spokesman said.
terms © The Australian
*****************************************************************
45 U.S. Newswire: Kerry to Meet with First Responders and Community
Leaders in Las Vegas Tuesday
8/9/2004 2:43:00 PM
To: National and Assignment Desks, Political Reporter
Contact: Allison Dobson of Kerry-Edwards 2004, 202-464-2800, Web:
[http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=34497&Link=ht
tp://www.johnkerry.com]
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, Aug. 10, John
Kerry will meet with parents, nurses, first responders, community
leaders and local citizens concerned about the local economic and
public health impact of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste
site. The event will be held at a school near the proposed route
nuclear waste would travel to Yucca Mountain.
Kerry will emphasize that he will protect Nevada communities
through sound science and that a Kerry-Edwards Administration
will ensure that the hallmark of the Nation's nuclear waste
program is an unwavering commitment to scientific integrity and
to the protection of public health and the environment.
Kerry's visit will come on the 12th day of his "Believe in
America" post-convention trip across the United States. Traveling
by bus, boat, train, helicopter and plane, Kerry has journeyed
all the way from Boston, sharing the Kerry-Edwards plan to make
America stronger at home and respected in the world with families
in cities and towns along the way.
Believe in America Tour Schedule: Tuesday, Aug. 10
WHAT: Kerry Meets with First Responders and Community Leaders
Concerned About The Local Economic And Public Health Impact Of
The Proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Site.
WHEN: 11 a.m. PDT
WHERE: Ralph Cadwallader Middle School, 7775 Elkhorn Road, Las
Vegas, Nevada
OPEN PRESS
Satellite Truck Parking: Marked on site
Cable Run: 400 feet
Press Entrance: Marked on site
Pre-Set: 7:30 8:30 a.m. PDT
First Access: 10 a.m. PDT
Final Access: 10:30 a.m. PDT
Throw: 40 feet
---
WHEN: 6 p.m. PDT
WHAT: Kerry Holds a Believe in America Rally in Las Vegas, Nevada
WHERE: UNLV -- Thomas and Mack Center, 4505 Maryland Pkwy, Las
Vegas, Nevada
OPEN PRESS
Satellite Truck Parking: Cox Production Lot on east side of
building behind Cox Pavilion
Cable Run: 700 feet
Press Entrance: Main entrance, marked on site
Pre-Set: 3 4 p.m. PDT
First Access: 4:30 p.m. PDT
Final Access: 4:30 p.m. PDT
Throw: 50 feet
------
Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.
[http://www.usnewswire.com/]
/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
*****************************************************************
46 Hawk Eye: Analyst looks at claims move
[http://archive.thehawkeye.com]
Monday, August 9, 2004, Site updated daily at 11 a.m. CST
'No one should count on a nickel any time soon,' says watchdog
group expert.
By MATTHEW LeBLANC [mleblanc@thehawkeye.com]
Members of Iowa's congressional delegation laud a move last week
by the Department of Energy to help ailing former nuclear weapons
workers in Iowa as an important "first step" in ensuring
compensation payments, but pending legislation that would revamp
the entire program makes more sense, says an analyst who has
reviewed the plan.
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced Friday that a
Texas–based weapons manufacturer will be responsible for
shouldering the costs of compensation payments awarded by Iowa
workers' compensation officials to former workers at the Iowa
Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. Prior to the move, IAAP
workers had been unable to secure payments because the contractor
under which many of the employees worked no longer existed.
But even that won't make compensation payments to the more than
600 workers who have filed claims under a federal program a sure
thing, according to Richard Miller, a senior policy analyst with
the Government Accountability Project, a Washington watchdog
group.
Miller, who has pushed for changes in the two–tiered compensation
program, says that legislation moving control of the compensation
program from the Energy Department to the Department of Labor
will speed up the claims process and move workers who contracted
cancer and other ailments while working at the weapons plant
closer to payment.
"On Friday, I checked with the nation's leading expert in
workers' compensation to get his opinion if this DOE 'fix' of
using an employer in a different state would work and whether
Iowa had jurisdiction over this contractor to order payments of
claims," Miller said in an e–mail Sunday. "And he said he did not
know if it would work.
"No one should count on a nickel any time soon from this DOE
announcement."
The Energy plan makes BWXT–Pantex, which operates an Amarillo,
Texas–based sister plant to IAAP, unable to contest state
workers' compensation claims filed in Iowa. The move makes Pantex
a "willing payer" through which claims can be processed under the
program, a necessary item the Iowan lacked prior to Friday's
announcement.
However, a similar plan to designate a third–party willing payer
failed in Colorado, Miller said.
That plan, directed at workers sickened by work at a nuclear
weapons plant outside of Denver, was scrapped after a confusing
debate among insurance companies and contractors over whether and
what amounts to pay workers.
"This Colorado solution doesn't cover subcontractors, and I
question if they will be covered in Iowa," Miller said.
Workers at IAAP assembled, test–fired and disassembled components
of nuclear weapons during the Cold War at the Middletown plant.
Work in specific section of the plant's 19,000–acre grounds have
been linked to cancer, lung diseases and other illnesses.
Congress passed a measure in 2000 to pay workers in Iowa and
other states for medical bills. None of the 640 IAAP workers who
have filed claims under one section of the program have been
paid. Under another section, only 40 of more than 1,600 claimants
have received payments.
Legislation introduced by Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning would move
control of the entire program to the Department of Labor, which
has processed nearly all claims filed under the Energy Employees
Illness Compensation Program. Iowa proponents of the plan say
more claims will be processed and more people will be paid,
though that measure also does not ensure payment.
"It's a good first step," said Jennifer Carrier, an aide to Iowa
Sen. Tom Harkin after announcing the Energy Department's move
Friday. "There are other states that have a willing payer and
they've only paid one person.
"We still think it should be transferred to DOL."
That measure, attached to a defense authorization bill passed by
the Senate June 15, awaits the approval of a joint House–Senate
conference. The amendment is expected to be taken up by the
bipartisan group after Congress returns from recess in September.
A measure sponsored by Harkin, a Democrat, would place employees
injured at IAAP in a "special exposure cohort" that would make
payment automatic. That measure also is currently stalled in
Congress.
Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican, supports moving claims to
the Labor Department.
"We think Sen. Grassley, Sen. Harkin and Rep. (Jim) Leach are 100
percent on track continuing to move their legislation forward in
conference," Miller said. "To stop now and discover that DOE's
experiment doesn't work ... would be a huge setback when a
solution is on the horizon."
The Hawk Eye 800 S. Main St., Burlington, Iowa 52601 319-754-8461
· 1-800-397-1708 · FAX 319-754-6824 · [webmaster@thehawkeye.com]
*****************************************************************
47 Las Vegas RJ: EPA challengedover health risksat nuclear dump
Monday, August 09, 2004
Critic emphasizesdifferent aspect ofrepository's hazards
By KEITH ROGERS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Jacob Paz talks Thursday about the Energy Department's
reluctance to conduct health risk studies for the Yucca Mountain
repository. Paz was an industrial hygienist for a Nevada Test
Site contractor.
Photo by Clint Karlsen.
As an outsider looking in, Jacob Paz believes he is calling the
Department of Energy's bluff on its assessment of health risks
for its plans to bury nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain.
For five years, in a barrage of written comments, e-mail
messages, conversations and public testimony, Paz has told Yucca
Mountain Project officials his view of the plan to move the
nation's nuclear waste 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
In a nutshell, he is convinced DOE hasn't done its homework on
the possibility that toxic chromium from corroding metal
canisters will pollute Nevada's drinking water long after the
repository closes. That would result in an even more lethal,
cancer-causing brew than if radioactive remnants seeped out
alone. "If I'm right, I'm right. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But
they have to do the research," Paz, 65, said Thursday at his
apartment off a West Charleston Boulevard side street.
"They are required by law to report all of the adverse effects
on the environment," he said.
Paz's point was picked up in court papers that Nevada filed
against DOE two years ago in a federal appeals court.
The papers, in challenging Environmental Protection Agency
health standards, state among other things that DOE failed to
assess all of the effects of burying tens of thousands of tons of
spent fuel. That includes effects from hazardous metals that DOE
is relying on to contain the waste.
When the three-judge panel issued its ruling July 9, the state's
challenge of the EPA health standard was its only victory. In
terms of just radioactivity, the court acknowledged that, when
peak doses occur at roughly 300,000 years, a person at the
repository's boundary would receive a dose at least 60 times
greater than under the EPA's 10,000-year guideline.
That bothers Paz, who believes the cancer-causing effects of
metals in a bath of nuclear-tainted groundwater will be
unacceptable under EPA's current guidelines for chemical
mixtures. Paz came to Nevada in 1989 to work as an industrial
hygienist for a Nevada Test Site contractor. He said he resigned
in 1991 out of frustration and incompatibility with officials
outside of his division.
He was among safety specialists who realized early on that
certain minerals in the mountain, if disturbed by tunnel
drilling, could result in lung ailments that affect some tunnel
workers.
Now he is adamant that, if the EPA health standard is extended
for a much longer, 300,000-year period, as the appeals court
suggests, his argument about heavy metals holds even more weight.
Even at 10,000 years, those health risks need to be thoroughly
studied, he said.
When DOE officials say the slow degradation of the waste
canisters would only result in a minuscule problem, Paz's gut
reaction is, "Baloney."
"They don't have a large study to support their position. They
don't have the data to support it," he said.
Abe Van Luik, senior policy adviser for DOE's Office of
Repository Development in Las Vegas, insists the release rate of
radionuclides and toxic metals in 10,000 years will be "extremely
low."
"Even at peak dose time, we're still not looking at issues that
would cause anybody to worry," he said.
Paz himself offered to do the research for calculating the
effects of more than 100,000 tons of heavy metals mixing with
radioactive waste. Paz says he has the resume to do it. Forty
years ago, the Israeli native was an employee of the Israel
Atomic Energy Commission. In 1966, he came to the United States
and eventually earned a degree in chemistry from the Jewish
Theological Seminary in New York City. Later, he pursued a
master's degree in marine science and the environment at another
New York college. He went on to earn a doctorate in 1984 in
philosophy, specializing in environmental health science at
Polytechnic University of New York.
After a two-year stint with the federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, he went to work as an industrial hygienist
for a contractor at the Nevada Test Site.
Van Luik said DOE turned down Paz's health risk study proposal,
not because he needed more qualifications for the job, but
because it would challenge EPA regulations and probably the
standard that the U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia
Circuit now questions.
Van Luik said to calculate health risks from the combined
effects of heavy metals and radioactive materials when there is
no requirement to do so would be "like challenging the speed
limit."
"We looked at the concentrations coming down and showed what EPA
believes is not going to be an issue," Van Luik said.
Nevertheless, an EPA official who spoke on condition of
anonymity said it's not out of the question that the issue Paz
raises eventually might have to be addressed after DOE officials
apply for a license for the repository from the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission. They expect to submit an application by
the end of this year.
The EPA official said it's unlikely that legal questions about
the 10,000-year standard will prompt the Energy Department to
conduct a study as Paz has suggested.
"Our standards don't address details on any specific factors or
how DOE should analyze them. That would be dictated through the
licensing process," the EPA official said.
Though he has no stake in the project other than as a private
citizen, Paz is motivated to get involved because of his roots in
academia and his knowledge of health and safety issues.
When Paz learned last month that some of his comments about the
Yucca Mountain Project were missing from the millions of public
documents that DOE put in an on-line network for licensing
review, he sought help from a statewide environmental group,
Citizen Alert.
Peggy Maze Johnson, Citizen Alert's executive director, has
joined Nevada in filing a complaint with the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission asserting that more than 3 million pages of public
comments and research documents can't be found in the Licensing
Support Network, including those from Paz.
"They claim to have 4 million to 6 million documents, and
they've only got 1.4 million," Maze Johnson said. She asked, "Are
they pulling out only what they think they want us to hear" for
inclusion in the network?
When DOE's Van Luik was asked specifically about Paz's comments
not being transferred to the Licensing Support Network, Van Luik
said, "There's a good explanation for that. Per the regulation,
it is not relevant for our license application."
Paz sees it differently. "This is a very serious deficiency," he
said about DOE's reluctance to take up his issue. "They try to
find excuses not to do it because it would cause a very big
delay."
Copyright Las Vegas Review-Journal
*****************************************************************
48 Las Vegas RJ: Guinn to revisit mine cleanup
Monday, August 09, 2004
Superfund listing provides federal funds for cleanup
By SCOTT SONNER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Evaporation ponds at the Northeast end of an abandoned copper
mine in Yerington are shown in an aerial photograph taken in
January. Under pressure from Sen. Harry Reid, and the
Environmental Protection Agency, Gov. Kenny Guinn is signaling a
new willingness to reconsider his opposition to declaring the
abandoned mine a U.S. Superfund site.
Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RENO -- Pressured by Sen. Harry Reid and the Environmental
Protection Agency, Gov. Kenny Guinn says he might reconsider his
opposition to declaring a huge abandoned mine in Northern Nevada
a U.S. Superfund site.
"The governor is open-minded and is receptive to the possibility
of a Superfund listing as a result of the information that
continues to come to light," said his spokesman, Greg Bortolin.
Guinn and state officials have opposed Superfund status, which
would turn over the responsibility for the polluted mine site to
the federal government.
But Reid has stepped up his call for the federal designation as
new information emerges about the contamination at the former
Anaconda copper mine at Yerington.
State regulators lack the muscle to force Atlantic Richfield Co.
to clean up hundreds of acres of toxic waste bordering the rural
agricultural community, some of it radioactive, Reid said.
"This is big business overwhelming a little state and the state
doesn't have the power to fight them," said Reid, the
second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
Arco, a subsidiary of British Petroleum, "is stonewalling the
people of the state of Nevada and they are taking advantage of
little Lyon County," Reid said.
Dan Ferriter, Arco's environmental manager in charge of the
site, took exception to Reid's criticism. He said the cleanup
already is subject to "fairly extreme" regulatory oversight.
"We are doing much, much more than would be required for a mine
closure by the state of Nevada and we are doing more than we
would at most Superfund sites," Ferriter said Friday.
Federal experts said the recent discovery of unusually high
levels of radiation in soil samples at the mine means it will
take much more money, time and effort to clean up.
"We realize the cleanup is going to be much more significant
than any of us anticipated," said Bob Abbey, Nevada director for
the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
"It's a whole new level," said Earle Dixon, the BLM project
manager.
Guinn remains convinced the state is up to the task as the lead
enforcer at the polluted mine 55 miles southeast of Reno. But the
Republican governor said in a meeting with state regulators last
week that he would re-evaluate Superfund status if it meant more
federal funds to help with the cleanup and it would better
protect the health and safety of residents, Bortolin said.
Earlier groundwater tests in wells on the 3,600-acre site showed
high concentrations of uranium -- up to 200 times the U.S.
drinking water standard, apparently the result of decades of
chemical processing of heavy metals in leach ponds.
One new soil sample shows alpha radiation levels nearly 200
times more than natural "background" levels, and four other
samples are in the range of 25 to 90 times normal, the BLM
disclosed last month. More tests are pending.
"It showed us there is more technical complexity than originally
thought," Jim Sickles, EPA's remedial project manager for the
site, said Friday.
"These guys have filled the ponds with the stuff. ... We have
told the state that we still think (Superfund) listing is the
most efficient way to handle the site."
Guinn and most local politicians have opposed the designation
because they think the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection is making progress, Arco is cooperating and they fear
a stigmatism of being labeled a Superfund site.
Leaders of an environmental watchdog group say the state
repeatedly has ignored their pleas to fully exercise its legal
powers to force Arco to accelerate the cleanup.
"The state hasn't been doing its job," said Elysa Rosen, acting
executive director of the Great Basin Mine Watch.
Reid said it's become increasingly clear removal of the toxic
wastes is too big of job for the state.
"I don't know why the people of Yerington are afraid of this. I
don't know why the governor is afraid of it," he said of a
Superfund designation.
"This is a cesspool full of very, very toxic substances and
(Arco) should write a check to clean it up. The only way they
will do that is if it is declared a Superfund site," he said.
Anaconda Copper Co. mined the site from 1953-78, extracting
copper concentrate from ore rock using sulfuric acid leaching.
Previously undisclosed internal documents publicized over the
winter show company officials considered trying to produce
yellowcake uranium commercially as a result of high levels of the
radioactive material they were finding in the ponds in the 1970s
and early 1980s.
Arco is responsible for the cleanup because it once owned
Anaconda Copper and a more recent owner of the site has gone
bankrupt. Arco has spent about $50,000 since January testing
wells and providing bottled water to about 40 households near the
mine, Ferriter said.
Copyright Las Vegas Review-Journal
*****************************************************************
49 Japan Times: Nuclear fuel plant not biz as usual
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Safety, cost concerns dog new Rokkasho recycling facility
By ERIC JOHNSTON Staff writer
ROKKASHO, Aomori Pref. -- Despite safety concerns and local
anger over allegations raised in July that the government hid a
report showing that reprocessing spent atomic fuel costs more
than burying it, officials at Rokkasho say they hope to begin
uranium testing soon in preparation for the opening of the
reprocessing plant in 2006.
[News photo] An undated photo shows the nuclear fuel
reprocessing plant in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture.
As of the end of May, construction of the plant was 95 percent
completed. Officials at Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd., which will
operate the plant, say plans call for the Rokkasho facility to
reprocess 800 tons of spent nuclear fuel from Japan's reactors.
The complex, which sits on the northeastern part of Aomori
Prefecture, is being built in a way that will make it the safest
nuclear facility in the country, JNFL officials claim.
"Most nuclear power plants in Japan have reinforced walls, but
not reinforced ceilings. With the Misawa air base nearby, we
sometimes see U.S. jets fly by. So the roof of the reprocessing
plant was also reinforced to absorb the sound vibrations," JNFL
spokesman Takeshi Akasaka said of the joint U.S.-Self-Defense
Forces air base.
But safety concerns at Rokkasho have long been an issue. Critics
say the reprocessing plant is a hodgepodge of different
blueprints originally used for reprocessing plants in Europe and
that Rokkasho has severe design flaws.
These flaws, they charge, are responsible for the nearly 300
different construction related-problems that have occurred so
far, resulting in cost overruns and a delay in the opening of the
plant, originally scheduled for 1999.
The latest problem at Rokkasho, which occurred in late July, was
not at the reprocessing plant but at an adjacent uranium
enrichment center.
Nearly 20 liters of slightly radioactive water leaked out. While
JNFL officials claimed the leak did not pose any danger to the
local environment, the accident came at a time when they were
hoping to begin tests using uranium at the reprocessing plant.
These tests have already been delayed three times this year due
to local opposition. Now JNFL says it is hoping to begin testing
this fall, possibly in September.
"There have been too many delays already. I am confident it is
safe to proceed with testing, and we hope to begin as soon as
possible," said Yuichiro Matsuo, a JNFL managing director.
But an issue that is even more contentious is that of costs.
For years, Japan's nuclear power industry has justified the high
costs of the Rokkasho plant by saying that, once reprocessing of
spent nuclear fuel begins, it will prove to be a cheap source of
renewable power. Costs for construction of the reprocessing
plant, originally estimated at 700 billion yen, have swelled to
more than 2.2 trillion yen.
Last month, however, it was learned that the Ministry of
Economy, Trade, and Industry had hidden an internal report,
compiled in 1994, that showed the true cost of recycling spent
nuclear fuel was actually much greater than the cost of burying
it.
This revelation came a few months after Kazumasa Kusaka, then
director general of the Natural Resources and Energy Agency, told
lawmakers that Japan had never drawn up cost estimates of not
processing fuel.
JNFL's Matsuo declined comment on the METI report, saying only
that there were various ways to calculate costs.
While JNFL officials remain silent, some in the Liberal
Democratic Party, which has long supported Japan's nuclear energy
program, are now openly questioning the wisdom of the Rokkasho
reprocessing plant.
"The planned operation of the reprocessing plant from 2006
should be halted and an investigation into whether or not the
plant is necessary and cost-efficient needs to take place. Once
we have those answers, we can have a logical debate and reach a
logical conclusion," LDP member Taro Kono told his supporters in
January.
Since then, he has traveled to Rokkasho to speak at an
antinuclear rally and remains one of the most vocal critics of
the plant among political circles.
The government continues to press forward with its nuclear power
plans, but there are signs it is willing to change.
On Tuesday, a subcommittee of the Atomic Energy Commission will
begin a cost analysis that finally includes a nonrecycling
option. The results of the analysis will be included in the
commission's long-term plan for nuclear power, which will be
released next year.
A METI subcommittee is meanwhile putting the finishing touches
on a separate report on the operation and maintenance of Japan's
nuclear plants.
The report has been criticized by LDP members like Kono, as well
as antinuclear activists.
"The METI report, if approved, will allow electric utilities to
pass on to the ratepayer 8.8 trillion yen worth of additional
costs for recycling fuel at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant,"
Kyoto-based antinuclear activist Aileen Mioko Smith said.
The report, which is currently undergoing public comment, could
be completed and form the basis of a METI bill to be submitted to
the Diet possibly next month.
One major flaw of the METI report, according to Smith, is that
it was prepared under the assumption that the Rokkasho plant
would operate at 100 percent capacity.
"There is no example anywhere in the world of any reprocessing
plant operating at that capacity," Smith said.
The METI report also points to other problems for the nuclear
fuel reprocessing program, antinuclear critics say.
According to the report, the Rokkasho plant will reprocess
32,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel over a period of 40 years.
However, critics say that would be only roughly half the amount
of spent fuel Japan's nuclear plants nationwide are expected to
produce over the same period.
Earlier this year, the Federation of Electric Power Companies
compiled an estimate that the cost of reprocessing fuel at
Rokkasho, including the cost of disposing the radioactive waste,
would reach 18.8 trillion yen over 40 years.
But since the Rokkasho plant alone cannot handle all the spent
fuel to be produced in Japan and a large amount would still have
to be shipped overseas for reprocessing, the overall cost of
Japan's nuclear fuel reprocessing program would be much higher
than in the federation estimate, the critics say.
Meanwhile, in Aomori, there are short- and long-term concerns
about the future of Rokkasho.
An Aomori prefectural official said on condition of anonymity
that public anger over the METI report that was hidden, as well
as ongoing safety concerns, have left the prefecture wondering
if, and when, the plant will really come into operation.
"There have been so many delays, and so many problems, over the
years, and nobody would be surprised if more delays occur. There
seems to be a growing debate in the central government about what
to do about the Rokkasho reprocessing plant," the official said.
The Japan Times: Aug. 10, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
*****************************************************************
50 KDUH: Nebraska may have a new option for its nuclear waste.
Scottsbluff and Gering's source for News,
8/8/2004 - 09:32:16 PM
A Dallas company recently applied for a license to build a
low–level nuclear waste dump in west Texas.
The dump could potentially take low–level nuclear waste from
Nebraska and other states.
Last month governor mike Johannes sent a letter to Texas
governor Rick Perry offering to pay 30–million dollars to store
nuclear waste for Nebraska.
The request came as Nebraska faces a 151–million-dollar
judgment for blocking construction of a low level nuclear waste
dump within our borders.
Johannes request is currently under review.
*****************************************************************
51 [progchat_action] Targeting Civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 00:20:48 -0500 (CDT)
Targeting Civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
by Anthony Gregory,
August 6, 2004
The U.S. government has killed civilians for well over a century. During
the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman waged war on civilians
in Atlanta. During the Philippine Insurrection at the turn of 20th
century, U.S. forces killed about 200,000 civilians, and even had a
policy to shoot anyone more than 10 years old who dared to resist the
U.S. occupation of the Philippines. During World War II, the Allies
ruthlessly firebombed Dresden and Tokyo and other cities in Germany and
Japan, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent noncombatants.
But there was nevertheless something special about Hiroshima and its
sequel of mass horror, Nagasaki.
People still defend Harry Truman's atomic bombing of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki on pragmatic grounds. Truman's defenders say that the bombings
saved far more lives than they extinguished. They concede that the
bombing was an act of targeting civilians, but insist that it was for
the worthy goal of ending the war.
Before even examining the plausibility of this argument, we have to
acknowledge the argument's essence. In effect, to rationalize the
targeting of noncombatants as the best method of bringing about a
greater good is to make excuses for state terrorism. Terrorism, if it
means anything, is a method by which civilians are the targets of
violence for the purpose of achieving political goals. Having Imperial
Japan surrender, even if a worthy goal, was nevertheless a political
one, and the targeting of innocents to achieve that goal was an act of
terrorism.
Indeed, it was terrorism on an incredibly large scale. Hundreds of
thousands of innocent Japanese were instantaneously wiped off the earth
on August 6 and August 9, 1945. Many more died in the following years
from the radioactive climate left behind by the bombings.
So the questions remain: Was this a case where terrorism was justified?
Can there be other circumstances where the overt targeting of civilians
can be justified, so as to bring about a greater good?
In the case of Hiroshima, no substantive evidence exists that the
bombing was "necessary" to make Japan surrender. In fact, the Japanese
had already attempted to sue for peace in July and were only hesitant
because they distrusted the terms of unconditional surrender that the
Allies demanded. They specifically wanted to keep their emperor, which,
after the atomic bombings, they were allowed to, anyway. The military
estimated before Hiroshima that invasion would cost as many as 20,000
American lives, but not nearly the half million lives that Truman later
claimed had been the estimate. Even without invasion, Japan was utterly
defeated by the war and U.S. blockades prevented the island nation from
getting the necessary food to survive, much less maintain any type of
threat against America.
Truman's decision to use nuclear weapons against civilians has not gone
without criticism from the political and military elite
of his time. Truman's chief of
staff, Admiral William D. Leahy, wrote in his book _I Was There_ that
using the "barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material
assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated
and ready to surrender because of the effective sea blockade and the
successful bombing with conventional weapons." He lamented that the U.S.
government "had adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of
the Dark Ages" and that he "was not taught to make war in that fashion."
In 1963 Dwight Eisenhower told Newsweek that "the Japanese were ready to
surrender and it wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing."
Although many Americans revere Truman and think he made the right
decision, that was not the universal opinion among the top brass.
Why did the U.S government even develop such a ghastly weapon? The
conventional history dictates that a reasonable fear of Hitler's
acquiring nuclear bombs forced the U.S. government to develop them
first. Albert Einstein wrote Franklin Roosevelt on August 2, 1939, and
warned about Germany's potential development of nuclear weapons. Even
the master physicist Einstein seemed to have no idea how potent and
deadly the atom bomb could be, as he wrote:
A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port,
might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the
surrounding territory. However, such bombs might very well prove to
be too heavy for transportation by air.
So Roosevelt, if he took Einstein's advice and assumed the worst, had
good reason to worry about a Nazi nuclear weapons program. But this is
not the whole story.
After Germany surrendered to the Allies, the Alsos Mission (American
Science Intelligence Unit) dismantled the German nuclear effort in April
1945. In May, the Allies confirmed there had been no German atomic
threat, but the Manhattan Project continued unabated.
The Manhattan Project employed 180,000 people who worked for several
years with a clear mission and a $2 billion budget, whereas the German
nuclear operation had nothing remotely near that manpower or level of
organization. In fact, the scientists who had worked on Germany's
nuclear program had believed as early as 1941 that the atomic bomb was
virtually unattainable, and were stunned to see the "success" of the
Hiroshima bombing.
We know this because in July 1945 the British brought the top ten
scientists in Hitler's nuclear program to Farm Hall, near Cambridge,
Massachusetts. Confined to a house until January 1946, the scientists
were monitored and much of their dialogue was recorded and transcribed.
The transcripts became declassified in 1992, and are now available in
the books Operation Epsilon: The Farm Hall Transcripts and Hitler's
Uranium Club, which present the British and American translations of the
transcripts, respectively.
Hitler would have doubtless loved to have had the atom bomb, but from
the Farm Hall transcripts it becomes clear that the German scientists
had lacked the resources, personnel, and understanding to build it.
Germany's most brilliant physicist, Werner Heisenberg, reacted with
complete disbelief that the Allies achieved what the Germans never hoped
to accomplish. Heisenberg did not fully understand the science that went
into the isotope separation, had made arithmetic errors, and, upon
hearing of Hiroshima, rightly conjectured that to pull it off the United
States must have used tens of thousands of people -- many times more
than what the Germans had. The scientists pondered among themselves how
the Allies had done it, even wondering which fissionable element had
been used. At times, Heisenberg assumed the Allies were bluffing about
Hiroshima.
Several of the scientists expressed horror at the Hiroshima bombing.
Otto Hahn said, "I am thankful that we didn't succeed," and Max von Laue
cried out, "The innocent!" Walther Gerlach expressed sorrow that the
Germans had failed to do what the Allies had done, prompting Hahn to
reply, "Are you upset we did not make the uranium bomb? I thank God on
my bended knees we did not make the uranium bomb."
Heisenberg voiced a similar sentiment that we hear today: "One could
equally say [the atomic bomb was] the quickest way of ending the war."
Some have wondered if Heisenberg knew how to develop nuclear weapons,
but sabotaged the Nazi program out of a sense of morality. We cannot be
totally sure, but we do know that he insisted until his death that he
had been completely clueless that the weapons could feasibly be made. We
know that the Germans were light years from attaining them and that it
took 180,000 people working on the Manhattan Project to develop them -
and that the Allies continued the project even after they knew the
Germans had never come close.
Truman has been quoted as saying, "The atom bomb was no 'great
decision.'... It was merely another powerful weapon in the arsenal of
righteousness." He also called the bomb the "greatest achievement of
organized science in history," and wondered aloud about how "atomic
power can become a powerful and forceful influence toward the
maintenance of world peace."
We cannot know whether Truman believed this or exactly why he chose to
bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Some still insist that the president
genuinely thought it was the least deadly way to end the war; others
think that he was trying to intimidate Stalin or even prevent the USSR
from invading and conquering Japan before the United States could.
But we do know that the bombings did accomplish a number of things. They
ushered in a new era of warfare, in which targeting civilians became an
acceptable strategy. The advent of the nuclear bomb brought on decades
of Cold War between the U.S. and Russian superpowers, whose subjects
lived in constant anxiety under the perennial threat of nuclear
annihilation. It encouraged the Russians to accelerate their production
of weapons of mass destruction. It further consolidated power in the
executive branch of the U.S. government -- what power even compares with
the power to destroy so many lives at the push of a button? And it
launched civilization toward the ultimate collectivism, whereby civilian
lives became expendable fodder for the sufficiently empowered
governments of the world. More than half the fatalities in World War II
were civilian, and the apocalyptic finale of the war in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki drastically altered the formula for waging war, henceforth
branding civilians as legitimate targets to achieve higher, collectivist
purposes.
Since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the U.S. government has continued to treat
civilians and combatants as roughly indistinguishable. During the
Vietnam War, Richard Nixon carpet-bombed Cambodia, killing hundreds of
thousands of peasants. The first Bush and Clinton administrations
devastated the lives of Iraqi civilians, bombing civilian infrastructure
and imposing UN sanctions with the express policy goal of destroying
civilian water treatment facilities and starving the Iraqi people into
submission, in hopes to incite them to rise up and overthrow Saddam.
On 60 Minutes in May 1996, Leslie Stahl asked Clinton's UN Ambassador,
Madeline Albright, point blank: "We have heard that a half million
children have died [from the sanctions]. I mean, that's more children
than died in Hiroshima. And -- and you know, is the price worth it?"
Albright replied, "I think this is a very hard choice, but the price --
we think the price is worth it."
Perhaps there has never been a clearer case of a U.S. official
rationalizing the targeting of countless foreign civilians in the
context of what happened at Hiroshima. The precedent had been set, and
what decades ago may have been considered an immeasurable but necessary
evil to stop Imperial Japan has more recently been invoked as a proper
way of dealing with as negligible a threat to the United States as
Saddam Hussein.
Surely, Albright's words were well publicized in the Islamic world,
where Muslims saw little concern whatever on the part of U.S. officials
for the civilian lives of Middle Easterners, as long as expending such
lives achieved "higher" policy goals. Reciprocally, Islamist terrorists
have had little concern for American civilian lives in their quest to
change U.S. policy.
Three years after Albright's frightening admission, Clinton went on to
drop cluster bombs on Serbia, knowing full well that civilians would
endure the most suffering. In regard to Gulf War II, the U.S. government
has shown a complete apathy toward civilian dead in Iraq, refusing even
to keep and publicize an accurate body count.
Some Americans have celebrated Hiroshima, as though it was a necessary
end to the madness of World War II in which 50 million people lost their
lives. They perceive the atomic bombings the way one might look at a
peace treaty. Several years back, the Post Office even commemorated the
event with a stamp depicting the image of the mushroom cloud that took
hundreds of thousands of lives.
Instead, Hiroshima and Nagasaki should be remembered with solemn and
thoughtful reflection as atrocities that reinforced collectivist
attitudes toward war and sparked the beginning of a fearful era of cold
and hot war with the United States and its proxies against the USSR and
its proxies.
Instead of making excuses for past U.S. war crimes, we need to remember
them for the great evils that they indeed were. We cannot undo history,
but with determination, we might possibly prevent such horrendous crimes
from ever again being done in our name. The worst way to guarantee a
brighter future is to look at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and draw the lesson
that sometimes the government needs to kill hundreds of thousands of
civilians for the sake of humanity. Indeed, it is that conventional
lesson that has helped solidify the United States in a state of
perpetual war since the end of World War II, and that dangerously faulty
lesson might still one day be invoked to facilitate such terror and
atrocity that we can now hardly imagine.
/Anthony Gregory is a writer and musician who lives in Berkeley,
California. He earned his bachelor's degree in history at UC
Berkeley, where he was president of the Cal Libertarians. He is an
intern at the Independent Institute
and has written for RationalReview.com, the Libertarian Enterprise,
and LewRockwell.com. See his webpage, AnthonyGregory.com, for more
articles and personal information. Send him email
./
--
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*****************************************************************
52 Japan Times: Nagasaki mayor asks Americans to bar nukes
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
NAGASAKI (Kyodo) Nagasaki Mayor Itcho Ito called on U.S.
citizens Monday to stand against their government's pursuit of
enhanced nuclear capabilities and urged the Japanese government
to take no action that will disturb Northeast Asian peace and
security.
"People of America, the path leading to the long-term survival
of the human race unequivocally requires the elimination of
nuclear arms," Ito said during this year's Peace Declaration at a
memorial service marking the 59th anniversary of the U.S. atomic
bombing of Nagasaki during World War II.
"As long as the world's leading superpower fails to change its
posture of dependence on nuclear weapons," Ito said, "it is clear
that the tide of nuclear proliferation cannot be stemmed.
"We call upon the citizens of the United States to look squarely
at the reality of the tragedies . . . of the atomic bombings," he
said, citing the 1996 opinion of the International Court of
Justice, which said using or threatening to use nuclear weapons
runs counter to international law.
The mayor criticized the U.S. government for maintaining about
10,000 nuclear weapons, repeating subcritical nuclear tests and
attempting to develop so-called mini nuclear weapons.
An estimated 20,000 Japanese and foreign citizens joined the
ceremony at Nagasaki Peace Park in memory of the victims of the
Aug. 9, 1945, nuclear attack, which came three days after the
atomic bombing of Hiroshima during the closing days of World War
II.
Among the guests were Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and
Democratic Party of Japan leader Katsuya Okada.
The one-hour ceremony began at 10:45 a.m., and a moment of
silence was observed at 11:02 a.m., the time a B-29 dropped the
bomb on the city.
Ito urged Koizumi's administration to stick with the
war-renouncing Constitution and enact into law the government's
three avowed principles of not producing, possessing or allowing
nuclear weapons on its soil.
As Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba did Friday in his city's
ceremony, Ito appeared to be issuing a warning to Koizumi and
other lawmakers who have called for revising the Constitution.
Taking the podium after Ito, Koizumi reiterated Japan's pacifist
position but fell short of promising his government would not
seek to amend the Constitution.
"Japan will make every effort to achieve the total elimination
zof nuclear weapons by more strongly urging governments of other
countries to quickly ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty,"
Koizumi said, and then offered his condolences to A-bomb victims.
Ito said in his speech, "The combination of the threefold
nonnuclear principle with nuclear disarmament on the Korean
Peninsula will pave the road toward creation of a Northeast Asia
nuclear-weapons-free zone.
"Japan itself must also pursue an independent security stance
that does not rely on nuclear arms," he added.
Multinational efforts are under way to defuse the tension over
North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Pyongyang has called for
security assurances from the U.S. and energy assistance in return
for scrapping its nuclear arms program.
Meanwhile the Nagasaki and Hiroshima mayors, who lead Mayors for
Peace, an organization of 611 mayors in 109 countries, have
voiced concern, as well as hope, about the effectiveness of
international control of nuclear weapons under the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty.
The Japan Times: Aug. 10, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
*****************************************************************
53 Japan Times: The dream of nuclear disarmament
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
EDITORIAL
The world sleeps easier since the end of the superpower
competition and its accompanying threat of nuclear annihilation,
but fears that a rogue state or terrorist group might acquire
nuclear weapons have grown. That concern has been magnified by
the increasingly visible failings of the global nonproliferation
order.
Four decades ago, there were fears that the world would have two
dozen nuclear weapons states. That dark vision did not come to
pass. Today, there are only five "recognized" nuclear-weapons
states -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States
-- and three "gray" states -- India, Israel and Pakistan -- who
have such weapons but are not recognized by the international
community as "nuclear-weapons states." Several countries that
could have developed nuclear weapons did not. One country, South
Africa, developed them and then destroyed them. Ukraine and
Kazakstan inherited nuclear weapons with the breakup of the
Soviet Union, but gave them up rather than keep them.
The primary instrument that has checked the development of
nuclear weapons is the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). The
treaty was founded on two bargains. In one, the nuclear-weapons
states guarantee nonnuclear states the right to the peaceful use
of atomic energy in exchange for those same nonnuclear states
giving up their claim to possess nuclear weapons. By and large,
that bargain has been honored, although it has become
increasingly apparent that a government can cheat. A determined
proliferator can claim to pursue the peaceful use of nuclear
energy, acquire critical technologies and then "break out" and
develop nuclear weapons. Iran is accused of doing just that,
although the government in Tehran denies the charge.
In the NPT's second bargain, nonnuclear weapons states agreed to
abandon their nuclear-weapons ambitions in exchange for the
commitment by the nuclear-weapons states to eliminate their own
nuclear arsenals. In other words, the NPT was not intended to
sanction a permanent division of the world into nuclear "haves"
and "have nots." This bargain has not been honored. The five
nuclear powers remain committed to their nuclear arsenals. They
continue to modernize their weapons and integrate them into their
security policies. In so doing, they signal the rest of the world
that such weapons are valuable and worth having.
As NPT signatories debate the future of the treaty, a divide --
or perhaps more accurately, a chasm -- has emerged. Some states
argue that the chief task in the years to come is getting the
nuclear-weapons states to honor their pledge to eliminate those
arsenals. They claim that the world cannot be secure as long as
such weapons exist. Other states counter that the primary
challenge is plugging holes in the nonproliferation order. For
them, it is not the existence of those weapons that is a danger,
but whose finger is on the button that warrants concern. A
failure to agree on priorities in the next round of NPT talks
could lead to the failure of the review conference, the erosion
of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the creation of a
world with many nuclear powers.
That gap must be bridged. The existence of tens of thousands of
nuclear warheads and hundreds of tons of nuclear materials makes
it easier for the wrong people to get control of a weapon of mass
destruction. That is a threat to all countries, as terrorists
have shown no regard for nationality when plotting their attacks.
The NPT must be strengthened, and steps are being taken. The
Additional Protocols significantly increase the power of the
International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the facilities of
NPT signatories and make it harder to proliferate.
The Additional Protocols are not yet mandatory; they should be.
More should be done to restrict the use of highly enriched
uranium -- which can be used to make weapons -- in reactors. The
Proliferation Security Initiative has been created to halt the
spread of weapons of mass destruction and is open to any state
that wants to join; 18 have and more than 60 others have
expressed support for its principles. The United Nations Security
Council passed a resolution earlier this year that called on all
governments to take active measures to help stem the threat of
WMD.
These are helpful, but they will not suffice. The most certain
way of stopping proliferation is to reduce and eventually
eliminate those weapons and components. Disarmament sounds
unrealistic, but it is always difficult to achieve an ideal. That
does not mean the dream should be abandoned. It does mean that
hope must be tempered by pragmatism, progress measured by more
modest yardsticks. A renewed commitment to disarmament at next
year's NPT Review Conference, the 60th anniversary of the atomic
bombings of Japan, is an essential first step.
The Japan Times: Aug. 10, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
*****************************************************************
54 SF New Mexican: LANL retirees angry over security issues
Mon Aug 9, 2004 2:58 pm
[http://www.santafenewmexican.com/]
August 9, 2004
LOS ALAMOS Some retired Los Alamos National Laboratory
employees are angry and criticizing management over repeated
security problems at the lab.
However, a couple of retirees are defending lab director Pete
Nanos.
The retirees worry that the labs hard-earned reputation as a
premiere sciences laboratory has been tarnished.
It casts doubt on the work Ive done, said William Davis, a
physicist who spent 34 years in research at LANL.
Davis and Raymond Rogers , a scientist who retired in 1988 after
37 years at LANL, said they are upset at Nanos because they
perceive his comments about security lapses a broad indictment of
all lab scientists.
In two recent meetings with employees, Nanos said those
responsible for security lapses, including two missing disks,
were cowboys and buttheads for their willingness to disobey
the rules.
Rogers said calling everyone buttheads is unconscionable and
demeaning.
Good God, we know what security is about and what it is for ...
Nanos is acting like an old master sergeant with a bunch of new
recruits, Rogers said.
Nanos is a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral.
Don Peterson, a 33-year lab employee who retired in 1989, said he
understands both Nanos and the scientists hurt feelings.
I speak military without an accent, and I can understand how
those words are used, Peterson said of Nanos choice of words
during the meetings. But I dont think he has an appreciation
for the fact that a lot of people dont speak military without an
accent.
Peterson said a permanent shutdown of the lab is a probability,
the way things are going.
I am saddened by the enormity of the impact on the laboratory to
the extent that it may not survive in the way that it was
operating as a major place for scientific innovation, he said.
In an e-mail to retired laboratory fellows, former LANL scientist
Charles Mader said current employees are looking to leave the
lab.
z I have gotten more requests for references the last two weeks
than in the rest of my 50 years at the lab, Mader wrote.
Nanos has said rules were blatantly ignored by lab employees and
his reaction is justified and fair.
Gordon Olson, who worked at the lab for 23 years, retired in
July, six months early, because of the turmoil. In spite of the
problems, he said Nanos is the best man for the job.
He was not an internal promotion, and that probably makes him
more attractive to (the U.S. Energy Department and the National
Nuclear Security Administration ), Olson said.
Nanos experience in managing complex nuclear operations and a
diverse work force in the Navy could make him more credible in
Washington than other potential managers, Olson said.
The lab is implementing reforms.
In the last year and a half, LANL has reduced the number of
classified disks and CDs by about 50 percent to about 30,000. The
goal is to eliminate Controlled Removable Electronic Media and
have scientists operate on a diskless system .
In the most recent incident , the two disks were discovered
missing July 7. They were created around June 1 in a batch of 15
for a top-secret presentation, according to congressional
testimony. Each disk contained a different set of information.
The University of California , which manages the lab for the DOE,
the ordered a stand down to all classified work and then a halt
to nearly all work at the lab.
A total of 23 employees have been suspended with pay in the
missing disks investigation and an incident in which an intern
suffered an eye injury during a laser project.
[http://www.icopyright.com/3.6065?icx_id=2788] Copyright 2004
Santa Fe New Mexican
Comments
By john doe (Submitted: 08/09/2004 2:18 pm)
The LANL controversy is a witch hunt, complete with unholy
chorus. Certain individuals have compiled statistical data
proving that LANL has one of the lowest rates of safety and
security incidents of any comparable institution, but are afraid
to publicize this information due to the volatile political
situation. My experience has been that LANL employees are almost
universally conscientious, dependable, and professional. So what
explains this reality vs. perception gap?
Politics. First, there are certain interests who stand to
benefit from the LANL negative publicity, from anti-nuclear
groups to organizations who want to run the Lab to congressmen
looking for an on-camera alpha-male moment for the folks back
home. Secondly, the media has been fixated on LANL since the Wen
Ho Lee incident. Did anyone report on the recent fatalities at
other facilities? Yet a Wired magazine reporter can crawl under
a cattle fence and break into a tool shed and claim LANL
security is lax.
So why all the talk about "culture" at the Lab? Apparently,
someone at UC decided the best way to deal with the controversy
was to deflect the criticism down, invoke crass stereotypes
about scientists and university openness, and piece together a
narrative that says, "We're doing a wonderful job of managing,
but these butthead scientists won't take direction." This might
sound convincing to the ignorant, but it doesn't hold water for
people who actually know the facts. Hence, all the thuggish
language and "You don't get it!" accusations to intimidate into
silence those who know the reality.
LANL employees need to continue to manage safety and security
well, even when everything around them is dangerous and
destructive. If they maintain superior standards, it will be in
spite of, not because of, all the name calling and attacks.
By Chris Mechels (Submitted: 08/09/2004 10:03 am)
Despite Ray Rogers claim, the LANL staff most certainly does
not know "what security is about, and what it is for". Like
Nanos, I came to LANL from a DOD/NSA background and found the
LANL "security practices" incredibly lax. When I spoke up about
my concerns they were ignored, all the way up to the Directors
office. My reading is that LANL simply did not want to be
bothered, and that, especially, they did not wish to enforce
"need to know", the heart of good security. As a result, LANL
management does not know who has access to classifed
information, and this means they don't know where to begin if
classified information is leaked. The other UC labs, and Sandia,
do a much better job of controlling access, and LANL had better
get on board. The Wen Ho Lee case showed up all kinds of
security problems a LANL, as did the "hard drive" case. LANL,
and Nanos, missed their chance to reform, thus the current
problems. In this case, as in life, "resistance creates
persistence". Nuclear weapons work is not done on an open
campus, but at a secure facility. For those who wish for a
"campus like" environment, LANL is not the place for it. LANL is
about weapons, and security. Time to face the facts.
By Anita Jaramillo (Submitted: 08/09/2004 8:41 am)
I agree with the decisions and comments Nanos has made.
Security and Safety are very important to our Nation. If people
don't take it seriously, why should they work at the Lab. The
rules that those few people refuse to follow are making everyone
at the Lab look bad. People need to take their jobs seriously.
They don't understand that without the Lab, Northern New Mexico
would be nothing but a ghost town. Where would people work? So
come on people, get it together. For the people of New Mexico
and for the Nation!
Privacy Policy | ©2004, Santa Fe New Mexican, all rights
*****************************************************************
55 Hanford News: Group meeting tonight on FFTF business plan
[http://www.hanfordnews.com]
This story was published Monday, August 9th, 2004
By the Herald staff
Citizens for Medical Isotopes will have a meeting at 7 p.m. today
to tell the public about a business plan to operate the Fast Flux
Test Facility.
It will be at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598, 1328 N. 28th
Ave., Pasco.
Mirari Medical Corp. was formed to privately operate the Hanford
nuclear research reactor, but it has released few details of its
plans during its discussions with the Department of Energy. DOE
has notified Mirari that it has rejected its proposal.
As soon as today, Hanford workers are expected to start draining
sodium from the reactor's primary cooling loops in a process that
will take about two weeks. DOE officials said Friday evening that
the sodium drain had not begun and would not begin until at least
today.
A restart of the reactor after the sodium is drained from the
primary loops would be nearly impossible. Sodium already has been
drained from secondary loops.
© 2004 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
56 Hanford News: Public asked to provide input on Hanford's future
[http://www.hanfordnews.com]
This story was published Sunday, August 8th, 2004
From the Herald staff
The Department of Energy and Hanford regulators are asking for
public input on help clarify the vision of what Hanford should
look like when cleanup is completed.
The second of three End State Workshops will be held Tuesday and
Wednesday in Richland.
The workshop will focus on the central plateau at Hanford, which
includes huge tanks of buried radioactive and chemical waste left
from plutonium production. The public will be asked what uses
they envision at the central plateau when cleanup is completed
and how to address buried waste, contaminated soils and
processing facilities there. The information will be used to help
regulators make decisions on what to include in changes to the
Tri-Party Agreement, which regulates cleanup at the nuclear
reservation.The meeting is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and 8
a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Consolidated Information Center at
Washington State University, 2770 University Drive, Richland.
© 2004 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
57 Hanford News: FFTF sodium drain to begin next week
[http://www.hanfordnews.com]
This story was published Saturday, August 7th, 2004
By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer
2- to 3-week process to empty loops ends hope of restarting test
reactor
The Department of Energy plans to permanently pull the plug on
Hanford's Fast Flux Test Facility next week.
Sodium is scheduled to be drained from its primary loops,
possibly as early as Monday, ending the dream of restarting the
test reactor for even its staunchest supporters. The process will
take two to three weeks.
Saving the reactor now would take "an act of God," said Benton
County Commissioner Claude Oliver late Friday afternoon.
Republican and Democrat administrations have looked at restarting
the reactor, but found no financially viable plan for its use.
Plans floated over the past dozen years have included using it to
produce electricity, tritium for nuclear weapons, isotopes to
power deep space missions and isotopes for new medicines,
industry and agriculture.
With the permanent shutdown of FFTF, Hanford is unlikely to ever
have a federal nuclear production mission again. The reservation
was created in World War II to make plutonium for the nuclear
weapons program.
The 400-megawatt FFTF was finished in 1978 to serve as a test
reactor for the government's breeder-reactor program. Then DOE
wanted to move to the next generation of nuclear energy reactors,
which were planned to produce as much or more plutonium as they
used.
FFTF remains DOE's newest reactor and its "fast flux," or average
neutron speed, makes it capable of more varied reactions than
most reactors.
The reactor operated from 1982 to 1992, testing advance nuclear
fuels and designs and producing a wide variety of medical and
industrial isotopes. Concerns about nuclear nonproliferation
ended the reactor's mission.
As proposals for new uses were investigated, DOE maintained it in
a condition to restart until the Bush administration ordered
decommissioning to start in 2001.
No major, irreversible damage was done to the reactor until
spring 2003 when sodium was drained from its secondary cooling
loops. Once the loops are emptied of the sodium used to cool the
reactor, cracks can develop.
Even the most determined supporters of the reactor believe a
restart will be impossible after the next step in decommissioning
- draining sodium from the primary cooling loops, as is planned
next week.
Oliver was trying to reach Gov. Gary Locke on Friday night to ask
him to intervene to delay the drain. Although Locke has no
regulatory authority to stop the drain, Oliver believes he has
the political clout to stop it.
The latest proposal to use FFTF had been made by Mirari, a
private corporation formed to restart the reactor to make
isotopes primarily for new treatments for cancer and other
medicines and to protect the nation's food supply through
irradiation.
Little information on the corporation was made public, but Chief
Executive Officer John Deichman said it would have employed 300
people at the reactor and eventually included a medical clinic
employing 600 people to treat patients with the short-lived
isotopes.
Late Friday afternoon, Mirari was notified in a telephone
conversation that DOE had rejected the Mirari proposal, Deichman
said. He believed part of DOE's concern was based on liability
issues.
"We have been seriously let down," Oliver said. "What happened to
our leadership in Washington state?"
The political climate in Washington is "hostile to anything
nuclear," wrote Carl Holder of Citizens for Medical Isotopes in
ane-mail message sent late Friday afternoon to supporters of
restarting the reactor.
In the Tri-Cities, many government, organized labor and civic
organizations have backed a restart. They saw potential not just
for jobs, but also for new life-saving medical treatments. FFTF
was proposed to make isotopes to be attached to agents that
travel through the body, latch onto cancer cells and deliver a
powerful, short-lived dose of radiation to kill malignant cells.
But in late 2002, with decommissioning of the reactor already
under way, some community leaders began to say all realistic
options for restarting the reactor had been exhausted. Continuing
to fight a losing battle for restart would only cost Hanford
support for its $2 billion annual project to clean up massive
contamination from past plutonium production, they said.
© 2004 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
58 Oak Ridger: Protestors unite; 12 charged
Story last updated at 12:17 p.m. on August 9, 2004
POLICE LIEUTENANT: 'Significant amount of overtime' accrued
during demonstration.
By: Paul Parson | Oak Ridger Staff paul.parson@oakridger.com
[paul.parson@oakridger.com]
A large crowd of anti-nuke protesters spent about three hours
celebrating their cause Sunday afternoon at Oak Ridge's federal
weapons plant - resulting in a good amount of overtime for some
police officers and security guards as they waited for some type
of "illegal" action to occur.
Paul Parson/Staff
Mark Webb was one of the couple hundred participants in a
demonstration Sunday at Oak Ridge's nuclear weapons plant.
What ultimately started with the
protesters building and then tearing down a fake nuclear weapon
in favor of a peace village concluded with a dozen arrests,
including 82-year-old Dorothy "Judy" Ross from North Carolina.
Ross, a grandmother who was one of two people seated on a couch
in front of the Y-12 National Security Complex, smiled and waved
as her fellow protesters cheered support while Oak Ridge Police
Officer Daniel Freytag took her into custody.
According to police reports, Ross and the 11 other people who
were arrested were charged with obstructing a roadway - a state
misdemeanor. The 11 people included the following: Erik Terrence
Johnson, 60, and Elizabeth M. Johnson, 58, both of Maryville;
Gerald William Bone, 65, Knoxville; Kimberly Kay Redigan, 47,
Dearborn Heights, Mich.; Sigrid Elisabeth Dale, 77, Warren Mich.;
Judith Carol Burkhardt, 64, Detroit, Mich.; Justin Isaac
Rubenstein, 21, Nashville; Kip Goodman Williams, 22, Knoxville;
Ronald F. Dale, 79, 120933, Warren, Mich.; Lissa Anne McLeod, 37,
Knoxville; and Pamela L. Beziat, 58, Nashville.
According to police reports, all of those charged were taken to
Anderson County Jail except for Burkhardt, who was released at
the scene. Those charged are scheduled to appear in Oak Ridge
General Sessions Court on Tuesday.
Paul Parson/Staff Lissa McLeod, Kip Williams, Justin Rubenstein
and Pamela Beziat chain themselves together as part of an
anti-nuke protest Sunday at the Y-12 National Security Complex.
Lt. Alan Massengill with the Oak Ridge Police Department said the
protesters were advised not to block traffic or carry any items
into the road as part of the demonstration. The protesters
ignored those warnings by placing a number of items, including
the fake weapon and a couch for the peace village in Bear Creek
Road.
Unlike in the past, no protester attempted to illegally enter the
Y-12 plant - an action that carries a federal charge.
According to Massengill, the Oak Ridge officers working on the
protest racked up a "significant amount of overtime," but he
declined to specify just how many city officers were on the
scene. At least a dozen law enforcement officers were visible
during the arrests.
Sunday's protest coincided with the 59th anniversary of the
bombing of Hiroshima. Uranium enriched at Y-12 ultimately fueled
the "Little Boy" bomb that was dropped near the end of World War
II in 1945.
Ralph Hutchison, a coordinator with the Oak Ridge Environmental
Peace Alliance, estimated that a couple of hundred people
participated in Sunday's anti-nuke demonstration. Though the
number of demonstrators in this weekend's protest was down from a
peak of 500 or so a couple of years ago, he said the spirit and
commitment is stronger than ever among the participants.
"These are regular people ... doctors and lawyers, mothers and
fathers .... a good sampling," said Hutchison, whose organization
helps organize the annual protests.
Mike Quick, a Y-12 chemical operator, said the anti-nuke
demonstrations are not only disrespectful to plant employees, but
also the men and women who serve in uniform.
"It disgusts me," said Quick, who was one of a handful of people
at Y-12 on Sunday to voice opposition at the anti-nuke
demonstrators.
Quick also said it was a shame that taxpayers had to foot the
bill for the protests, given the amount of overtime that goes
into dealing with the demonstrations.
Typically, a Department of Energy-related contractor is tasked
with hauling off any debris left by the protesters, according to
Steven Wyatt, a spokesman for the federal agency. On Sunday, a
truck belonging to Wackenhut Services Inc. - DOE's security
contractor - was used to remove items, including the faux weapon.
"I don't know what happens to it," Wyatt said.
But, the DOE spokesman said the protest debris could be a hazard
to motorists as they come to work at Y-12.
*****************************************************************
59 Lamonitor.com: Board to have special review
The Online News Source for Los Alamos
[http://www.lac-nm.us]
ROGER SNODGRASS, roger@lamonitor.com [roger@lamonitor.com] ,
Monitor Assistant Editor
Los Alamos National Laboratory will be getting a visit before the
end of the month from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety
Board, said John T. Conway, its chairman. The DNFSB is an
independent agency within the federal government that monitors
defense related nuclear laboratories on health and safety issues.
The abrupt suspension of all activities at the laboratory on July
15 as a result of cascading security and safety violations is a
concern to DNFSB.
"We have no responsibility on the security side," Conway said by
telephone from Washington, D.C., on Friday. As for safety, he
said, "We are watching very carefully. When you shut something
down and then start it back up, you have to make sure you start
it up in a safe manner."
Conway said he had met with lab Director G. Peter Nanos during
his Washington trip and had spoken to him by phone since that
time. DNSFB has had an ongoing institutional dialogue with LANL
on safety issues.
For example, a letter on May 21 from Conway to Linton Brooks, the
nation's top nuclear official, warned of the "unmitigated
consequences predicted for the worst nuclear accidents at
Technical Area 18." TA-18 is the Criticality Experiments Facility
just off Pajarito Road, where nuclear materials are used in
controlled reactive experiments.
While accidents at other LANL sites might be worse, Conway said
in the letter, those would require a catastrophic event like an
earthquake or major fire to happen, but TA-18's worst-case
scenario could be caused by a sequence of operator errors.
An uncompliant operator's mistakes could lead to melting and
partial vaporization of a plutonium core sample, he said, a very
serious risk considering that the site is located only three
miles from the town of White Rock.
A conservative estimate of maximum exposure in that case would be
40 times the level set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
DNFSB's site representative Charles Keilers said last week he has
been monitoring the lab's surveillance and maintenance efforts
for keeping the facilities in a safe state, pending the
resumption of productive work.
He is providing daily updates to the board, in addition to his
normal weekly reports.
"The problems will be fixed," he said. "No one has figured what
it's going to cost or the timeline... LANL's going to do a lot of
internal assessment."
In Keilers' most recent weekly report, dated July 2, he noted
TA-18's own management self-assessment (MSA) validated DNFSB's
warning letter of May 21.
"The MSA discusses the strong sense of pride, ownership, and
accountability at TA-18, but mentions that personnel are
concerned about: high levels of stress and anxiety, increasing
programmatic pressure, and programmatic schedules and security
requirement sometimes being prioritized over safety," said
Keilers' report.
"TA-18 is a good example of what's driving the whole lab,"
Keilers said this week. "People who are highly stressed are
trying to do a good job."
TA-18, he said, was shut down a week before everybody else.
He added, "They're good at what they do, it's just they have to
be better than good."
Conway said a second site representative has been assigned to Los
Alamos.
Tom Burns, who has been working at the Savannah River Site in
South Carolina, will be working with Keilers by mid-August.
"The board wants (the people at Los Alamos) to succeed," said
Conway. "The work they're doing is essential to the national
security of the country. We want them to succeed and to work
safely."
Bradbury reopens
John Rhoades, director of the Bradbury Science Museum, said
Friday that the museum would resume its normal schedule.
The doors will open Monday at 1 p.m., according to the regular
hours.
The museum, operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory, has been
closed for more than two weeks as part of the total stand down at
the laboratory.
Rhoades said all the staff and managers were involved in a
comprehensive assessment.
"We looked at everything from our exhibit wiring to our science
demonstrations, how we use ladders, how we drive our trucks," he
said.
The museum has had more than a million visitors in its history
without a serious accident.
But Rhoades said they did find things that needed fixing.
"Our recorded evacuation announcement wasn't loud enough. We need
to be more careful in how we moved tables and chairs around for
special events," he said. "There were things we could improve."
All in all, he added, "We're glad to be re-opening."
© 2003 Los Alamos Monitor All Rights Reserved.
*****************************************************************
60 [du-list] DU in the news - 9th Aug.04
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:45:52 -0700
GI'S Will Come Home To A Slow Death
Coastal Post - Bolinas,CA,USA
... One such Peace and Justice member is Yvette Wakefield. For over eighteen
months, she has examined the Depleted Uranium issue. A ...
<http://www.coastalpost.com/04/08/01.htm>
MY God! My Country Is Using Poison Gas In Iraq:
Dissident Voice - Santa Rosa,CA,USA
... To top it off and make it worse, America's academics dutifully talk
about and study "Depleted Uranium,"* at retreats and seminars thus keeping
the Big Lie ...
<http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Aug04/Nichols0807.htm>
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61 Google News Alert - nuclear
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 15:25:15 -0700 (PDT)
FOUR dead in accident at Japanese nuclear plant
Channel News Asia - Singapore
MIHAMA, Japan : Four workers were killed and seven others severely burned
by a leak of non-radioactive steam at a Japanese nuclear plant, in the
latest blow to ...
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IRAN Seeks Support on Nuclear Technology
ABC News - USA
9, 2004 — Iran is demanding Europe's leading powers back its right to
nuclear technology that could be used to make weapons, dismaying the Europeans
and ...
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IAEA completes annual check of nuclear sites in Iraq
Xinhua - China
9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency has completed
its annual inspection of remaining nuclear materials in Iraq to ensure
that they ...
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IRAN Seeks Support on Nuclear Technology
Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription) - Atlanta,GA,USA
VIENNA, Austria (AP)--Iran has told Europe's leading powers that it wants
them to back its right to nuclear technology that can be used to make
weapons. ...
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BATAAN Nuclear Power Plant losses estimated at P364B
ABS CBN News - Quezon City,Philippines
... on Economic Affairs, today revealed that based on economic simulations,
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NAGASAKI remembers atomic bomb, urges US to ban nuclear weapons
Channel News Asia - Singapore
TOKYO : The mayor of Nagasaki urged the United States to help rid the world
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US searching for secret ways to stall Iran's nuclear program
Chicago Sun Times - Chicago,IL,USA
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is trying to find covert ways to
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PHILIP Abelson, nuclear scientist
Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA
WASHINGTON - Philip H. Abelson, whose early research helped lead to the
development of the atomic bomb and the nuclear submarine, and who later
influenced ...
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5 workers at Japanese nuclear plant hospitalised after accident
Channel News Asia - Singapore
TOKYO - Five workers have been taken to hospital following an accident
at a nuclear plant in Fukui, central Japan, a spokesman for the Kansai
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FOUR die at Japanese nuclear plant
4ni.co.uk - UK
At least four people have been killed and seven others injured following
an accident at nuclear power plant in Japan. The deaths ...
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