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NUCLEAR POLICY
1 Prevent War With Iran - Have You Signed Iran Nuke Appeal Yet?
2 [NYTr] Russia: Only UN Can Tell Us to Stop Coopn w/Iran
3 [NYTr] Russia Urges Words, Not War, on Iran Nukes
4 [NYTr] Bush's Prince of Darkness: Iran Years Away from Nuke
5 [NukeNet] Prominent US Physicists Send Letter to Pres. Bush
6 [NYTr] Many Arabs Favor a Nuclear Iran
7 Bellona: Diplomats remain split over Iran nuclear question
8 AFP: US ready to call for UN to cut technical nuclear assistance to
9 AFP: Russian-built nuclear power station in Iran no threat - Moscow
10 AFP: Senior UN nuclear inspector puts off trip to Iran
11 AFP: China urges diplomatic solution to Iran crisis
12 IRNA: Iran, UAE review expansion of security cooperation
13 AFP: Rice expresses confidence in diplomatic solution to Iran nuclea
14 IRNA: Indian PM emphasizes dialogue, debate to solve Iran N-issue -
15 AFP: Iran still years away from having nukes: US intelligence chief
16 IRNA: Safonov: Iran's nuclear issue to be solved diplomatically -
17 IRNA: EU wants to have dialogue with Iran
18 Korea Herald: KOPEC becomes global leader
19 Guardian Unlimited: Brazil Quietly Pursues Own Nuclear Path
20 Peak Oil News Clearinghouse: Think small on energy
21 Xinhua: Hu makes proposals on deepening Sino-US business links,
22 AFP: Israel grounds Vanunu again
23 ITAR-TASS: Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine to sign new agt on nuclear fuel
NUCLEAR REACTORS
24 US: [NYTr] Security Scare at PA Nuke Plant
25 US: [NukeNet] chernobyl day press conference 4/26; trenton. 11 am
26 US: [NukeNet] $500K Seized; Strange Situation Reported At Nuclear
27 Chernobyl On Road To Recovery 20 Years After Disaster: UN Developmen
28 Just In Ukraine, 2.32 Million Treated For Chernobyl Diseases
29 [NYTr] Chernobyl Nuclear Death Toll Could Near 93,000
30 US: NRC: NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Dresden Nucl
31 US: Korea Herald: Korea maintains strong nuclear safety, control sys
32 BBC: City nuclear power plant
33 Platts: Rosatom official: Decision on Russian nuclear power program
34 US: NRC: NRC Begins Special Inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant
35 RBC: Gazprom unlikely to gain from nuclear energy soon
36 US: APP.COM: A-plant officials, feds to meet |
37 US: APP.COM: Oyster Creek foes plan to attend today's public meeting
38 TheStar.com - Voices: Nuclear power
39 US: NRC: NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet May 4-
40 US: APP.COM: Cracks at plant must be probed |
41 US: Pittsburgh Business Times: NRC summons GeoMechanics for talk -
42 Nature: Twenty years on
43 US: NRC: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collecti
44 US: NRC: Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Notice of Issuance of Amend
45 US: Planet Ark: Three Mile Island Shows US Nuclear Risks, Rewards
46 Belfast Telegraph: Ulster businessman's nuclear station plan
47 US: NRC: Nuclear import/export provissions
NUCLEAR SECURITY
48 Nuclear Bomb Grade Fuel Removed From Uzbekistan In UN Operation
49 Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear Material Removed From Uzbekistan
50 US: Secrecy News: DoE Intelligence Embraces Discredited Budget Secre
NUCLEAR SAFETY
51 US: [NYTr] Uranium's Effect on DNA Established
52 US: Guardian Unlimited: Workers Exposed to Radiation in Michigan
53 US: Carlsbad Current Argus: Gov. seeks input at meeting
54 US: KLAS-TV: Shoshone Tribe, Downwinders File 'Divine Stake' Lawsuit
55 US: The Brown and White: Weapons cause collateral harm, speaker says
NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE
56 Las Vegas SUN: Report: Yucca repository could hold up to nine
57 US: AU: The Age: Give China all the uranium it wants - Opinion -
58 AU ABC: Land council 'hasn't proposed' dump site
59 US: Deseret News: No nuke waste in Utah
60 US: Tracy Press: Council cleanup
61 KOLO: A Chance on The Hill
62 US: reviewjournal.com: Nuclear reprocessing in Nevada?
63 reviewjournal.com: Repairs, upgrades planned at nuclear waste dump s
64 reviewjournal.com: Bigger repository backed in study preview
65 Energy Business Review: Sellafield worries cast shadow over UK nucle
66 US: globeandmail.com: Denison boss warns of uranium shortage
67 US: TheStar.com: Ease uranium regulation, Denison chief executive ur
68 Belfast Telegraph: Alert over chances of waste leakages
69 Las Vegas City Life: Special waste for a special place
70 AU ABC: Top End 'more likely' to get nuclear waste dump.
71 US: AU ABC: Miner picks uranium exploration sites.
72 US: TownOnline.com: Perchlorate and drinking water
73 US: MetroWestDailyNews.com: Change to radiation plan eyed
PEACE
US DEPT. OF ENERGY
74 Indymedia: UCSC Student Assembly Resolution against UC Managed Nucle
75 DOE: DOE Issues Request for Proposals Seeking a Contractor to
76 Daily Review Online: Lawsuit filed against UC over lab's pension pro
77 lamonitor.com: Legality of LANL transition challenged
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FULL NEWS STORIES
*****************************************************************
*****************************************************************
1 Prevent War With Iran - Have You Signed Iran Nuke Appeal Yet?
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:53:37 -0700
Prevent Iran War - Pls Sign Iran Appeal/Write to Your Government
(urls for Parliamentarians and Civil Society Appeal and Letter to Kofi
Annan below)
Dear Parliamentarian or NGO:
Please forgive us if this is the hundredth time you have seen this appeal,
especially if you have already signed it.
If you havent signed it do please sign it. To sign please email this adress
with your name, position, name of organisation, and
(if you are a parliamentarian) party and electorate. Please do not forget
location and COUNTRY.
If you have already signed please get another organisation to sign it and
write to your government.
Parliamentarians and NGOs: PLEASE SIGN PARLIAMENTARIANS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
APPEAL ON IRAN AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS, LETTER TO KOFI ANNAN.(urls and text
below at end of this email)
Individuals - PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR GOVERNMENT/UNITED NATIONS SECURITY
COUNCIL, or sign appeal 'after Downing Street', or the Greenpeace
appeal (urls below at end of this email)
Individuals (as well as Parliamentarians and NGOs) are also strongly urged
to write to your foreign minister and/or Security Council representative in
the same sense as the Appeal, urging a peaceful solution to the crisis with
Iran. Please FAX or write to your government, preferably handwritten or
printed on letterhead.
(Security Council anf foreign ministers fax numbers below).
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND CIVIL SOCIETY APPEAL ON IRAN AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE IRAN CRISIS AND A NUCLEAR-FREE MIDDLE EAST
NO 'FIRST USE' OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
To:
President George Bush
Secy of State Condoleeza Rice
UN Ambassador John Bolton
President Ahmadinejad of Iran
Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Jharze
Iran UN Ambassador, H.E. Zarif-Khonsari
Ehud Olmert, Acting Prime Minister of Israel,
Israel Foreign MinisterTzipi Livni,
H.E. Mr. Dan Gillerman, Israel UN Mission
cc
Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Tony Blair, Prime Minister of UK
Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
The Hon. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia
M. Jacques Chirac, Président de la République Française
M. Dominique de Villepin, Premier Ministre
M. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères
S.E. Jean-Marc de la Sablière, Représentant permanent auprès des Nations-Unies
Herr Horst Köhler, Bundespräzsident Deutschlands
Frau Angela Merkel, Bundeskanzlerin Deutschlands
Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deutsche Bundesaussenminister
Mr Kofi Annan, General Secretary of the United Nations
Mr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director of the IAEA
Wolfgang Schussel, President of the European Union, Chancellor of Austria,
President Putin of Russia
Foreign Minister Ivanov of Russia
China UN, Geneva and IAEA Missions
IAEA Board Members
Dear Presidents Bush and Ahmadinejad, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign
Ministers, Secretaries of State, IAEA Board Members, and Ambassadors,
The proliferation of nuclear weapons is possibly the single greatest threat
to civilisation. If a feared cascade of proliferation occurs, the
probability that by malice, madness, miscalculation or malfunction, nuclear
weapons will at some point be used will increase sharply. All nations have
a responsibility to ensure that the number of nations with nuclear weapons
does not grow, to prevent non-state actors from obtaining them, and for
those who posses nuclear weapons to eliminate and abolish them.
Threats and rumours of military action or even nuclear weapons use only
worsen a growing crisis between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Reports of preparations for and explorations of military options, no matter
how speculative, are highly disturbing and are in themselves dangerous.
Such explorations must cease. There must be no talk of war.
But there IS talk of war, both from the United States and from Israel.
President Ahmadinejad, you have spoken of "wiping Israel from the map." In
the US and Israel, 'hotheads' call openly for "swift military action",
while 'responsible' leaders speak of "no option being ruled out." President
Bush, we heard these same two formulations used just months before the
invasion of Iraq. We urge that the explorations of military or nuclear
options cease immediately, and support IAEA General Director, Mohamed
ElBaradei in calling for this belligerent talk from all parties to stop now.
The United States and other Nuclear Weapon States and de facto nuclear
weapon states -nations that already possess nuclear weapons- have made
little progress toward the internationally mandated goal of the total and
unequivocal elimination of those weapons. Although there has been some
limited progress in lowering total nuclear stockpiles, the established
nuclear weapons possessors continue to rely on those weapons in their
security doctrines, and do not envisage change in that posture 'for the
foreseeable future'.
This continues in spite of a clear international consensus to the effect
that nuclear weapons are a continuing threat to civilisation and life, in
spite of repeated calls by the international community for progress toward
their total and unequivocal elimination.
Nations that possess large nuclear arsenals cannot consistently or credibly
call for others to eliminate or cease the pursuit of nuclear weapons
arsenals of their own while not moving to eliminate their own nuclear
weapons. A global commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons is a
global commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons, and applies
equally to all parties. There can be no exceptions. Those who now posses
nuclear arsenals are obliged to eliminate those arsenals. Those who do not
have them must not pursue them.
Similarly, the violation of the goal of a nuclear-free Middle East by one
party does not in any way excuse its violation by another party. However,
the renunciation of the nuclear option by one party will facilitate its
renunciation by another party.
Israel's nuclear arsenal and the pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran - if
indeed that is taking place - are dangerous per se and open the gate for
further proliferation by other Middle Eastern nations, and for a middle
eastern arms race that would be dangerous in the extreme. This must not happen.
Serious concerns exist over the possibility that US nuclear doctrine may
envisage strikes against other nations that involve a first use of nuclear
weapons, or possibly the use of nuclear weapons against nations that are
not themselves nuclear - armed. We note with approval the recent letter by
US senators and others in this matter.
A third use of nuclear weapons must never take place. It would be a
catastrophe not only for Iran or Israel but for the entire region and even
for the entire world, because of its radioactive fallout, its chaotic
effects, and because it would break the taboo against the use of these
weapons that has so far held place for the last 60 years. Breaking this
taboo could result in the further use of nuclear weapons, with a lower and
lower bar for such use. The widespread use of nuclear weapons would be
catastrophic for the world. We urge all parties to renounce the pursuit
of nuclear weapons, and to adopt policies that rule out their use.
The Parliamentarians, civil society organisations, and prominent
individuals signed below hereby urge a solution to the crisis in relations
between the US and Iran, Israel and Iran, based on the following clearly
defined principles:
1) No use of any military option whatsoever by any party for any reason.
2) A clear commitment by all nuclear-armed parties not to use nuclear
weapons in this situation, and a broader commitment to the doctrine of no
'first use' of nuclear weapons.
3) The implementation of the 1995 Non-Proliferation Treaty Resolution on a
Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East, implementation of the annual
consensus-adopted General Assembly resolutions on 'Establishment of a
Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone in the region of the Middle East'.
4) A clear commitment by all parties to the global elimination of nuclear
weapons, including through reaffirming the Final Declaration of the 2000
Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, and relevant General Assembly
resolutions.
5) A diplomatic path to the removal of tensions between the US, Israel, and
Iran, involving compromise on both sides, recognition of the legitimate
security concerns of all parties including both Israel and Iran, and
refraining from inflammatory statements or the exploration of military
options by any party.
URLS AND FAX NUMBERS BELOW
urls for this appeal (Parliamentarians and Civil Society Appeal on Iran):
PNND website at the following url:
http://www.gsinstitute.org/pnnd/ParliamentariansIranNukes.htm
It is also on the GANA website of Ak Malten at:
http://www.cornnet.nl/~akmalten/Iran_Nuclear_letter.html
In french:
Tu le trouveras sur le site d'ACDN : http://www.acdn.net en français et en
anglais.
Other Important Petitions against Attack on Iran:
Letter to Kofi Annan url:
http://www.ippnw.org,
below "Udates and News".
DON'T ATTACK IRAN - PETITION
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/iran
GREENPEACE APPEAL:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/don-t-nuke-iran
Some Important Fax Numbers:
(contact details for all security
council members may be found on:
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org)
George Bush, President, USA:1-202-456-2461
Condoleeza Rice, Secy of State USA: 1-202-647-6047
USA UN Mission NY - 1-212-415-4443 (Amb John Bolton)
Iran Minister of Foreign Affairs 0098-21-667-43149
Iran UN Ambassador NY - 2-212-867-7086
Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs 97-225-303015
Israel UN Mission NY 1-212-499-5515
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany: 49-228-56-2357 or 49-30-4000-2357
Germany UN Mission 1-212-940-0402
Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 7-095-244-9248/4112
Russia NY UN Mission 1-212-628-0252
China UN Mission 1-212-634-7626
Brazil Geneva UN mission 43-1-513-8374
Canada Foreign Ministry 1-613-992-2482
Canada UN mission 1-212-848-1195
Sweden Foreign Ministry 46-8-723-1176
Sweden UN Mission 1-212-832-0389
Norway Foreign Ministry 47-2224-9580
Norway UN mission 1-212-688-0554
Jack Straw, UK Secy of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
44-207-270-2833
UK Un Mission 1-212-745-9316
Hon. Alexander Downer, Australian Ministry for Foreign Affairs 61-2-6273-4112
Australia UN Mission 1-212-351-6610.
Current List of Signatories for the Parliamentarians and Civil Society
Appeal on Iran
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND CIVIL SOCIETY APPEAL ON IRAN AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE IRAN CRISIS AND A NUCLEAR-FREE MIDDLE EAST
NO 'FIRST USE' OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
To:
Members of the United Nations Security Council
President George Bush
Secy of State Condoleeza Rice
UN Ambassador John Bolton
President Ahmadinejad of Iran
Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Jharze
Iran UN Ambassador, H.E. Zarif-Khonsari
Ehud Olmert, Acting Prime Minister of Israel,
Israel Foreign MinisterTzipi Livni,
H.E. Mr. Dan Gillerman, Israel UN Mission
cc
Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Tony Blair, Prime Minister of UK
Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
The Hon. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia
M. Jacques Chirac, Président de la République Française
M. Dominique de Villepin, Premier Ministre
M. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères
S.E. Jean-Marc de la Sablière, Représentant permanent auprès des Nations-Unies
Herr Horst Köhler, Bundespräzsident Deutschlands
Frau Angela Merkel, Bundeskanzlerin Deutschlands
Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deutsche Bundesaussenminister
Mr Kofi Annan, General Secretary of the United Nations
Mr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director of the IAEA
Wolfgang Schussel, President of the European Union, Chancellor of Austria,
President Putin of Russia
Foreign Minister Ivanov of Russia
China UN, Geneva and IAEA Missions
IAEA Board Members
Dear Presidents Bush and Ahmadinejad, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign
Ministers, Secretaries of State, IAEA Board Members, and Ambassadors,
The proliferation of nuclear weapons is possibly the single greatest threat
to civilisation. If a feared cascade of proliferation occurs, the
probability that by malice, madness, miscalculation or malfunction, nuclear
weapons will at some point be used will increase sharply. All nations have
a responsibility to ensure that the number of nations with nuclear weapons
does not grow, to prevent non-state actors from obtaining them, and for
those who posses nuclear weapons to eliminate and abolish them.
Threats and rumours of military action or even nuclear weapons use only
worsen a growing crisis between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Reports of preparations for and explorations of military options, no matter
how speculative, are highly disturbing and are in themselves dangerous.
Such explorations must cease. There must be no talk of war.
But there IS talk of war, both from the United States and from Israel.
President Ahmadinejad, you have spoken of "wiping Israel from the map." In
the US and Israel, 'hotheads' call openly for "swift military action",
while 'responsible' leaders speak of "no option being ruled out." President
Bush, we heard these same two formulations used just months before the
invasion of Iraq. We urge that the explorations of military or nuclear
options cease immediately, and support IAEA General Director, Mohamed
ElBaradei in calling for this belligerent talk from all parties to stop now.
The United States and other Nuclear Weapon States and de facto nuclear
weapon states -nations that already possess nuclear weapons- have made
little progress toward the internationally mandated goal of the total and
unequivocal elimination of those weapons. Although there has been some
limited progress in lowering total nuclear stockpiles, the established
nuclear weapons possessors continue to rely on those weapons in their
security doctrines, and do not envisage change in that posture 'for the
foreseeable future'.
This continues in spite of a clear international consensus to the effect
that nuclear weapons are a continuing threat to civilisation and life, in
spite of repeated calls by the international community for progress toward
their total and unequivocal elimination.
Nations that possess large nuclear arsenals cannot consistently or credibly
call for others to eliminate or cease the pursuit of nuclear weapons
arsenals of their own while not moving to eliminate their own nuclear
weapons. A global commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons is a
global commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons, and applies
equally to all parties. There can be no exceptions. Those who now posses
nuclear arsenals are obliged to eliminate those arsenals. Those who do not
have them must not pursue them.
Similarly, the violation of the goal of a nuclear-free Middle East by one
party does not in any way excuse its violation by another party. However,
the renunciation of the nuclear option by one party will facilitate its
renunciation by another party.
Israel's nuclear arsenal and the pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran - if
indeed that is taking place - are dangerous per se and open the gate for
further proliferation by other Middle Eastern nations, and for a middle
eastern arms race that would be dangerous in the extreme. This must not happen.
Serious concerns exist over the possibility that US nuclear doctrine may
envisage strikes against other nations that involve a first use of nuclear
weapons, or possibly the use of nuclear weapons against nations that are
not themselves nuclear - armed. We note with approval the recent letter by
US senators and others in this matter.
A third use of nuclear weapons must never take place. It would be a
catastrophe not only for Iran or Israel but for the entire region and even
for the entire world, because of its radioactive fallout, its chaotic
effects, and because it would break the taboo against the use of these
weapons that has so far held place for the last 60 years. Breaking this
taboo could result in the further use of nuclear weapons, with a lower and
lower bar for such use. The widespread use of nuclear weapons would be
catastrophic for the world. We urge all parties to renounce the pursuit
of nuclear weapons, and to adopt policies that rule out their use.
The Parliamentarians, civil society organisations, and prominent
individuals signed below hereby urge a solution to the crisis in relations
between the US and Iran, Israel and Iran, based on the following clearly
defined principles:
1) No use of any military option whatsoever by any party for any reason.
2) A clear commitment by all nuclear-armed parties not to use nuclear
weapons in this situation, and a broader commitment to the doctrine of no
'first use' of nuclear weapons.
3) The implementation of the 1995 Non-Proliferation Treaty Resolution on a
Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East, implementation of the annual
consensus-adopted General Assembly resolutions on 'Establishment of a
Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone in the region of the Middle East'.
4) A clear commitment by all parties to the global elimination of nuclear
weapons, including through reaffirming the Final Declaration of the 2000
Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, and relevant General Assembly
resolutions.
5) A diplomatic path to the removal of tensions between the US, Israel, and
Iran, involving compromise on both sides, recognition of the legitimate
security concerns of all parties including both Israel and Iran, and
refraining from inflammatory statements or the exploration of military
options by any party.
Signed:
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Tadatoshi Akiba Mayor of Hiroshima President, Mayors for Peace,
Abolition-2000 Global Council,
Douglas Mattern, President, Association of World Citizens, San Fran,
Ron Mc Coy, President, Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford, International Physicians for
the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW),
Susi Snyder, Secy General, Womens International League for Peace and
Freemdom (WILPF)
Aaron Tovish, International Peace Bureau (IPB) Geneva,
Nicky Davies, Global Disarmament Campaign Coordinator, Greenpeace Int.
Alfred L. Marder President, International Association of Peace Messenger
Cities,
Margaret Melkonian, Vice Pres, Hague Appeal for Peace,UN Plaza, NY,
Hans von Sponeck, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (1998-2000)
Nouri Abdul Razzak Hussain, Secy-General Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity
Organization (AAPSO) Egypt,
Bahig Nassar Coordinator, Arab Coordination Center of NGOs, Egypt,
Rev. David Mumford, International Coordinator, International Fellowship of
Reconciliation, Alkmaar, Neth,
André Bouny, president of the International Committee for Supporting the
Vietnamese Victims of the Orange Agent
Susan Zipp, Advisor, Communications Coordination Committee for the United
Nations
Gérard Onesta, MEP, Vice-Président du Parlement Européen
Angelika Beer MEP, President of the European Parliamentary delegation on
Iran,
NETHERLANDS
Ak Malten, Global Anti Nuclear Alliance (GANA) The Hague, Neth,
Peer de Rijk, World Information Service on Energy(WISE) ,Amst, Neth,
Fiona H. Dove, Director, Transnational Institute, Amst, Neth,
Martin Broek, Dutch Campaign Against Arms Trade, Neth.
Marjan Lucas, IKV, The Hague,
Gerard Lössbroek Pax Christi Netherlands,
Gerard Lössbroek, Internationale network of Museums for Peace
Leo Platvoet Senator GREENLEFT,
BELGIUM
Pol D'Huyvetter, Voor Moeder Aarde vzw - Friends of the Earth
(Ab2000GlobalCouncil)
Prof. H. Firket, President of AMPGN ,IPPNW-Belgium
Jo Hanssens, chair Pax Christi Vlaanderen
Walter Baeten, chair.IJzerbedevaarcomitée
Roel Stynen, Forum voor Vredesactie
Georges Spriet, Vrede vzw
Philippe Haeyaert, chair Verbond VOS, Vlaamse Vredesvereniging
Bart Horemans, UM4P
Enrique Ferro, Association Belgo-Palestinienne, Brussels BELGIUM
Peter Vanhoutte, Fmr MP, Belgian Parliament,
Jos Ansoms, mayor Wuustwezel & MP (CD&V)
Tony Beerten, mayor Heusden-Zolder (Nieuw)
Jean-Pierre Brouhon, alderman Elsene (ECOLO)
Hugo Casaer, mayor Beersel (CD&V)
Camille Dieu, MP (PS)
Dirk Claes, mayor Rotselaar & MP (CD&V)
Danny Claes, mayor Nazareth (CD&V)
Ir. Roland CRABBE, mayor Nieuwpoort (CD&V)
Jean Cornil, Senator (Parti Socialiste)
Luc Dehaene, mayor Ieper (CD&V )
Herman De Loor, mayor Zottegem (sp.a)
Roel Deseyn, Député (CD&V)
Raf Drieskens, mayor Neerpelt (CD&V)
Hans Eyssen, mayor Holsbeek (CD&V)
Pierre Galand, Sénateur (PS)
Eloi Glorieux, MP (Groen!)
Yvon Harmegnies, MP & Mayor DOUR (PS)
Patrick Janssens, mayor Antwerp (sp-a)
Roger Heyvaert, mayor Meise (VLD)
Geert Lambert, Député & Président SPIRIT
Anne-Marie Lizin, Sénateur & mayor Huy (PS)
Jean-Pierre Maeyens, 1° échevin Hoeilaart (Groen!)
Willy Minnebo, mayor Zwijndrecht (Groen!)
Marcel Mondelaers, mayor Beringen (CD&V)
Patrick Moriau, MP & mayor Chapelle-lez-herlaimont (PS)
Jan Peumans, mayor Riemst & MP (N-VA)
Katrien Schryvers, mayor Zoersel & MP (CD&V)
Benny Spreeuwers, mayor Opglabeek (CD&V)
Willy Taminiaux, mayor La Louviere (PS)
Erika Thijs, Senator Bilzen (CD&V)
Koen T'Sijen, MP (SPIRIT)
Annemie van de Casteele, Sénateur (VLD)
Dirk Van der Maelen, MP (sp-a)
Paul Van Grembergen, mayor Evergem (PVG-Spirit)
Patrik Vankrunkelsven, Mayor & Senator (VLD) & vice-chair ‘Mayors for Peace’
Mark Van Roy, alderman te Tervuren
Magda Van Stevens, alderman Vilvoorde (Groen!)
Hendrik Verbrugge, mayor Alken (CD&V)
Roger Verduyckt, mayor Begijnendijk (VLD)
Frank Beke, mayor Gent (sp-a)
Zoe Genot, MP (Ecolo)
Muriel Gerkens, MP (Ecolo)
Rob Mennes, mayor Schelle (CD&V)
FRANCE
Jean-Marie Matagne, Action des Citoyens pour le Désarmement Nucléaire (ACDN),
Xavier Renou, Greenpeace- France
Arielle Denis / Pierre Villard, Mouvement de la Paix, France,
Dominique Lalanne, Abolition of Nuclear Weapons/Stop Essais
France
Phillipe Brousse, Jean-Yvon Landrac, Réseau "Sortir du nucléaire", France,
Jean-Pierre Morichaud, Le Forum Plutonium, France,
Fabrice Flipo, Vice-président, Amis de la Terre - France
Jeanne-Henriette Louis, Quakers-France
Simone Landry & Solange Fernex, Ligue Internationale des Femmes pour la
Paix (WILPF-France)
Rene Wadlow, Editor, Transnational-Perspectives, France
Roger Schenegg, Vivre entre-Deux Mers
André Bouny, D.E.F.I. Viêt-nam,
Miho Shimma-Cibot, Institut Hiroshima-Nagasaki (IHN),
Anick Sicart & Jacques Trélin, Appel des Cent pour la Paix,
Patrick Hubert, Mouvement pour une Alternative Non-violente (MAN)
Gérard Lévy, Commission « Paix et Désarmement », Les Verts,
Jean Yves Chetail, Arts, Cultures et Humanités,
Patrick Chapus, ASPCVS
Ahmed Manaï, Institut Tunisien des Relations Internationales (ITRI)
Roland Jourdain, navigateur,
José Bové, porte-parole de Via Campesina,
François Dufour, ancien porte-parole de la Confédaration Paysanne
Guy Nicolai, Directeur technique, VAE BTS-GPN,
Pierre Coulomb, ingénieur ECL, Administrateur CRIIRAD, conférencier de
l'Université Rose-Croix Internationale,
Rene Wadlow, Editor, Transnational-Perspectives, France,
André Larivière, permanent du RSN,
Roland Desbordes, enseignant retraité,
Hervé Desplat, ancien militaire et vétéran de la 1e guerre du Golfe,
Hervé Loquais, ingénieur Arts et Métiers,
Prof. Jacques Joly, Président Association Démocratique des Français à
l'Etranger (ADFE/ Français du Monde), section du Japon de l'Ouest
AUSTRIA
GLOBAL 2000, Silva Herrmann, Energy Campaigner, Austria,
Elvira Plöschko, Antiatom Szene, Pasching, Austria,
Heinz Stockinger, Chair, PLAGE-Salzburg, (Independent Salzburg Platform
Against Nuclear Dangers, Austria)
Dr. Elke Renner Chair, Andreas Pecha Secy, Austrian Peace Council
Doris Holler-Bruckner, Editor-in-chief Oekonews.at, Austria,
Klaus Renoldner, President, OMEGA/IPPNW - AUSTRIA
SWITZERLAND
Bernhard Piller, Swiss Energy Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
Claudia BurglerPSR/IPPNW Switzerland, Basel,
Ueli Leuenberger, Vice-président des Verts Suisses,
Rudolf Rechsteiner MP (Soc Dem) Switzerland,
GERMANY
Xanthe Hall, (Ab2000 Global Council/IPPNW Germany)
Dr. Angelika Claußen, M.D.IPPNW-Germany,
Greenpeace Germany,
Elias Michaels, "Aktion Völkerrecht / International Law Campaign"
Irmgard Heilberger, Director, Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom (WILPF)Germany,
Veronika Hüning, Vice President of Pax Christi, German Section
Julia Kramer, BANg - European Youth Network for Nuclear Disarmament,
Friedens- und Begegnungsstätte Mutlangen
Gewaltfreie Aktion Atomwaffen Abschaffen (GAAA), Germany,
Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft - Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen (DFG-VK),
Roland Blach, Trägerkreis "Atomwaffen abschaffen", Germany,
Henning Droege, Arzt für Allgemeinmedizin, Homöopathie, Naturheilverfahren,
(Haslach) Germany,
Axel Mayer, BUND Regionalverband Südlicher Oberrhein, Freiburg, Germany,
Hans-Peter Richter, German Peace Council
Angelika Schneider Versoehnungsbund/International Fellowship of
Reconciliation, German branch,
Ingrid Schittich, AWC Deutschland e.V. - Association of World Citizens /
German branch,
Cooperation for Peace, Germany,
Klaus Rudolph, Citizens Initiative Omega,
Eva Quistorp,(FmrMEP), Women for Peace, Germany
Veronika Hüning, Vice President of Pax Christi, German section
Malte Spitz, Political Director, GRÜNE JUGEND (Green Youth), Germany
Sven Giegold , ATTAC Germany
Uta Zapf, MP, Social Democratic Party
Ulrich Maurer, MP, Left Party PDS
Wolfgang Gehrke, MP, Left Party PDS
Paul Schafer, MP, Left Party PDS
Joern Wunderlich, Left Party PDS
Heike Haensel, Left Party PDS
Winfried Nachtwei, Green Party
Hueseyin-Kenan Aydin, The Left Party. PDS
Kirsten Tackmann, The Left Party. PDS
Ute Kozcy, Green Party, Germany
UK
Peter Nicholls, Chair, Abolition 2000 UK,
George Farebrother, World Court Project, UK,
Kate Hudson, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) Lond, UK,
Jill Stallard, CND Cymru, Wales,
Jenny Maxwell, Chair, West Midlands CND, Birmingham UK,
Angie Zelter, Reforest the Earth, UK,
Frank COOK MP (uk)
LYNNE JONES MP (Birmingham Selly Oak), UK,
David Chaytor, MP for Bury North,
Alan Simpson MP, Labour Member of Parliament, UK,
John Austin MP (UK) Labour Member for Erith & Thamesmead (Lond)
Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP Green Party,South East England,
Jean Lambert MEP - Green Party, London,
Jill Evans, MEP, Cymru,(Wales),
NORWAY
Hallgeir H. Langeland, MP Norway,
Bjørn Hilt Regional vice president of IPPNW in Europe, Norway,
Tordis Sørensen Høifødt - NLA chair, IPPNW-Norway,
SWEDEN
Barbara Brädefors, Swedish Peace Committee,
Frida Sundberg, Chair, SLMK-Sweden,
Hälsningar Eva Petersson, SSAMK.
Sven Thiberg, International ARC PEACE architects,
Lotta Hedström, Swedish Green Party Swedish Parlt, Cttee for Foreign Affairs
DENMARK
John Avery Chair, Holger Terp, Danish Peace Academy, Copenhagen,
John Avery, Chairman, Danish Pugwash Group
Povl Revsbech, MD Chair, IPPNW, Danish Affiliate
Birgit Lindsnæs Deputy Director General, DIHR, Copenhagen
FINLAND
Juhani Mastokangas Friends of the Earth Finland
Henri Onodera, Finnish Peace Committee,
Kati Juva, Chair, Dr. Jouni Ylinen Physicians for Social Responsibility,
Finland (PSR-Finland)
Lea Launokari, Women for Peace, Helsinki, Finland,
Women against Nuclear Power, Helsinki Finland,
Grandmothers agains nuclear power, Helsinki, Finland and
Amandamaji r.y., Helsinki Finland
Heidi Hautala MP, Chairperson of the Green Parliamentary Group of Finland,
Oras Tynkkynen, MP, Green Parliamentary Group, Finland
Erkki Pulliainen, Professor Member of the Parliament of Finland
CZECH REPUBLIC
Hnuti Duha, FOE-Czech Republic, Brno,
RUSSIA
Sergey Kolesnikov, Deputy chairman for Committee of State Duma (Russian
parliament) for education and Science, Vice-Pres IPPNW,
Vladimir Slivyak, Ecodefence, Moscow, Russia,
Enrico Peyretti, Giuliano Martignetti Movimento Nonviolento Torino, Italy
ROMANIA
Constantin S. Lacatus, President, People of Sibiu for Peace (Sibienii
Pacifisti)
Eng. Constantin Cretu, 'Carpathians Genius' Bucharest/Romania
Prof. Ivo SLAUS, President, PUGWASH-Croatia.
Prof. Dr. Leziz Onaran, President, Umur Gürsoy (MD)NUSED (IPPNW-Turkey)
Ali Eltari President, Albanian Ecological Club,
Pedro Jorge Pereira GAIA - Portugal
GREECE
Wayne Hall, Athens Ecological Movement, Greece,
Wayne Hall, ATTAC-Hellas
Thanassis ANAPOLITANOS , MEDITERRANEAN ANTI NUCLEAR WATCH, GREECE,
Panos Trigazis, Observatory of International Organizations and Globalization
Michalis Modinos, Inter-Scientific Institute of Environmental Research
George Papadimitriou, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of
Athens
Katerina Katsanou, KEADEA.
Margarita Papandreou,
Kim Hye-Jeong, Secretary General, KFEM-FoE Korea
JAPAN
Yayoi Tsuchida, Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)
Hiromichi Umebayashi, President, Peace Depot, Japan,
Hideyuki Ban, Citizens' Nuclear Information Center (CNIC) Tokyo, Japan
UNITED STATES
Steve Leeper, Mayors for Peace United States,
Tamara James, Chris Morin, Co-Presidents, Mary Day Kent Executive Director,
Womens International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) US Section,
Bruce K. Gagnon Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space,
Alice Slater, Abolition2000 Global Council,
Phyllis Bennis Institute for Policy Studies, Washington DC, U.S.
Patrick Groulx founder - Iron John & Mary With A Snugly US,
Helen Caldicott, President, Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI),
James Galbraith, Chair, Economists for Peace and Security,
Daniel Ellsberg, Truth Telling Project, USA,
Dr. Sadik Alsaraf, Professor, Roundlake, IL, U.S.A.
Judy Treichel Exec. ,Dir, Nuclear Waste Task Force, Las Vegas, Nev,
Evan Augustine Peterson III, J.D., Executive Director, American Center for
International Law ("ACIL"), U.S.A.
Betty Obal, Loretto Disarmament Economic Conversion Committee (LDECC)
Elizabeth Winder Pax Christi Pacific Northwest Seattle, U.S.
Phyllis Bennis Institute for Policy Studies Washington DC
CANADA
Steven Starr, Physicians for Global Survival, Canada,
Joanna Santa Barbara, Centre for Peace Studies, Mc Master Univ, Ont,
Ray Morris, Co-Chair, KAIROS, Salmon Arm, BC,
Sr. Mary-Ellen Francoeur President, World Conference of Religions for Peace
Canada
Jean Rajotte, Pres, International Institute of Concern for Public Health.
Toronto,
Libby Davies, Member of Parliament, Vancouver East, Canada
Joe Comartin, MP, Windsor Ontario,
MEXICO
Efraín Cruz Marín, Vocal de Prensa y Propaganda de Académicos de Ciencias y
Humanidades, Plantel Sur, Asociaición Civil, Universidad Nacional Autónoma
de México. México.
Luis Gutiérrez Esparza President, Latin American Circle for International
Studies (LACIS), Mexico,
Luis Gutiérrez Esparza, Fundación por la Paz en la Era Nuclear (FPEN)
AFRICA
Diodorus Kamala MP, Tanzania,
Association of World Citizens - Ghana
Celeste Hito Kanyinda Matamba, national president of the Agence pour
le Développement Communautaire- Congo Kinshasa (RDC)
SOUTH AFRICA
Maya Aberman, Earthlife Africa, Cape Town, RSA,
Prof. Faisal Suliman, ISLAMIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,DURBAN,SOUTH AFRICA
Colin Glen Phaphama Initiatives, Bryanston SA,
INDIA
Achin Vanaik, Praful Bidwai, Sukla Sen, Smitu Kothari, Coalition for
Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, India,(CNDP), ND, India,
Sandeep Pandey and Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of People's Movements
(NAPM),
Prof N.N. Murthy, IBRF, India,
Mahipal Singh, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Delhi,
Syed Shahabuddin, (ex-MP, fmr Amb.), President, All India Muslim
Majlis-e-Mushawarat, New Delhi, India,
Smitu Kothari, Intercultural Resources, New Delhi, India,
Harsh Kapoor, South Asians Against Nukes (SAAN) France/India,
Prof. J.G. Krishnayya, Systems Research Inst, Pune,
Prahlad Singh Shekhawat, Alternative Development Centre, Jaipur , India
Maj. Gen. S. C. N. Jatar, Retd Pres, Nagrik Chetna Manch (Citizens'
Awareness Front), Pune, India,
Centre for Science and Environment, N. Delhi, India,
KALYANI MENON-SEN, Coordinator, JAGORI WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE, NEW DELHI,
Dr. Prakash Louis, Bihar Social Institute, Bihar, India
S. P. Udayakumar, People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, Nagercoil TN,
India.
D. Gabriele, National Convenor, National Alliance for Peoples Movement
Madurai , TN, India,
Wilfred D'Costa Gen. Secy, Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) INDIA,
Harsh Kapoor South Asians Against Nukes India / France,
J. Gurumurthi, Secy, All India Insurance Employees' Association (AIIEA)
Chennai, INDIA
Syed Shahabuddin, ex-MP, former Ambassador, presently President, All India
Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, New Delhi, India.
E.P.Menon India Development Foundation Bangalore.
MANOJ BHATTACHARYA.Member of Parliament INDIA.
PAKISTAN
Zia Syed, All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions (APFUTU),Gujrat, PK,
A.H. Nayyar, President, Pakistan Peace Coalition
Peter Jacob Executive Secretary, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
- Pakistan,
Farooq Tariq General Secretary Labour Party Pakistan,
BANGLADESH
Amir Hossain Chowdhury Exec.Secy. Institute for Environment and Development
Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh,
ISRAEL
Dorothy Naor, New Profile, Israel
Pnina Feiler, Physicians for Human Rights. Kibbutz Yad-Hanna, Israel
Itamar Mann Israeli Union for Environmental Defense Tel Aviv Israel
Ofra Ben-Artzi Jerusalem Israel
Aki ORR (Member of the Israeli Committee for a Middle-East free of all
weapons of mass-destruction )
PHILLIPINES
Sonia S. Mendoza Chair, Mother Earth Foundation - Philippines,
Clemente G. Bautista Jr, Coord, Kalikasan-Peoples Network for the
Environment, Philippines
INDONESIA
Commision for Justice and Peace of The Bishop's Conference of Indonesia
Jl. Cikini II/ 10 Jakarta, Indonesia,
Commision of Migrant and Itinerant People of The Bishop' Conference of
Indonesia Jl. Cikini II/10 Jakarta, Indonesia,
NZ
Bob Rigg, New Zealand National Consultative Committee on
Disarmament (NCCD)
Marion Hancock, Director, The Peace Foundation Aotearoa/New Zealand,
Larry Ross, New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association, Christchurch, NZ,
Kevin McBride National Coordinator Pax Christi Aotearoa-New Zealand
Robert White, Centre for Peace Studies, Univ. Auckland, NZ,
Hugh Steadman, The Sapiens Movement, Blenheim, New Zealand.
Gordon F Copeland MP United Future - the Family Party NZ,
Keith Locke MP, Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Green Party, New Zealand.
Michael Hemmingsen, President, Society for Global Philosophy, Wellington, NZ,
AUSTRALIA
John Hallam, Friends of the Earth Australia Sydney Australia
Jo Vallentine, People for Nuclear Disarmament, Western Australia,
Robin Chapple MLC, ANAWA,
Cameron Schraner, PND-NSW, Surry Hills, NSW,
Dimity Hawkins, Executive Officer, Medical Association for the Prevention
of War (MAPW),
Sue Gilbey, Australian Peace Committee, Adel, SA.,
Professor Joseph Camilleri, Pax Christi, Vic,
Father Claude Mostowik msc Director of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
Justice and Peace Centre, Sydney, Australia
Father Claude Mostowik, Convenor, Pax Christi Australia [NSW]
Margaret Hinchey, Catholic Coalition for Justice and Peace (CCJP), NSW
Bronwyn Marks, Convenor, Hiroshima Day Committee, Sydney,
Dr Stella Cornelius, Conflict Resolution Network, Chatswood, NSW,
Hillel Freedman, Nuclear-Free Australia, Melb,
Dr R. J. Hunter, President, Scientists for Global
Responsibility(SANA) (Sydney Univ, Aust)
Rev Allan Thompson, General Secretary, Uniting Church in Victoria and
Tasmania,
Nick Chesterfield, West Papua National Authority, Melb,
Dr Vacy Vlazna, ACHEH PAPUA MALUKU, Fairlight,
Vikki John, Bougainville Freedom Movement, Vic,
Peter Carrol, SCRAP, Holsworthy, NSW,
Chris Hamer, President, World Citizens Association (Australia)
VeeSpak, NicNacTheatre, Randwick NSW,
Michael Priceman, Convenor Sutherland Shire Environment Centre & People
Against a Nuclear Reactor,
Peter Robertson Coordinator Environment Centre of the Northern Territory
(ECNT) Darwin, NT,
Doug. N. Everingham, Australian Minister for Health 1972-75
Parliamentary Adviser, Australian delegation, 1982 UN Assembly
Michelle Pule, President, New World Order, Maylands, W.A.,
Senator Lyn Alison, Leader, Australian Democrats,
Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Australian Democrats, SA
Senator Andrew Bartlett, Democrats, Qld,
Senator Kerry Nettle, Greens, NSW,
Senator Christine Milne, Greens, Tas,
Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens, W.A.,
Kelly HoareMP, Member for Charlton NSW,
Jill Hall MP, Member for Shortland NSW,
Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari NT,
Carmen Lawrence MP, Member for Fremantle, President, ALP,
Julia Irwin MP Federal Member for Fowler,
Lee Rhiannon Greens MLC, NSW,
Ian Cohen MLC, Greens, Parliament of NSW,
Giz Watson MLC Greens, North Metropolitan Region, W. A.,
*****************************************************************
2 [NYTr] Russia: Only UN Can Tell Us to Stop Coopn w/Iran
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:42:14 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba
http://www.radiohc.cu
Russia Says Only UN Can Order it to Stop Nuclear Cooperation with Iran
Moscow, April 20 (RHC) - Russia said on Thursday that only the UN
Security Council has the right to demand that Russia suspend nuclear
cooperation with Iran, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mikhail Kamynin stressed that
"Only the UN Security Council is authorized to make binding decisions
on suspending cooperation with a state in any sphere."
He noted that the Security Council has made no decisions on suspending
nuclear cooperation with Iran.
According to the Russian news agency Novosti, Kamynin's comments came
after statements Wednesday by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Nicholas
Burns that all countries should stop nuclear cooperation with Tehran.
He singled out the nuclear plant in Bushehr, being built with Russian
help.
Kamynin maintained that the construction of the Bushehr plant was
being done in compliance with all international agreements and under
total control of the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog.
"This nuclear power plant has nothing to do with Iran's uranium
enrichment activities," Kamynin said, adding that the reactor could
not be used for military purposes.
Washington accuses Iran of pursuing a covert weapons program. Tehran
rejects the accusation, insisting that as a signatory to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty it has a right to civilian nuclear research.
Kamynin also said the United States was aware that Iran would return
spent nuclear fuel from Bushehr to Russia, which also rules out its
military use.
"Therefore, the construction of the plant poses no threat to
non-proliferation," he added.
*
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3 [NYTr] Russia Urges Words, Not War, on Iran Nukes
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:42:23 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com
Russia Urges Words, Not War, on Iran Nukes
Moscow, Apr 20 (Prensa Latina) Konstantin Kosachev, head of the
international affairs committee of the lower house of parliament,
asserted in Moscow that the application of sanctions on Iran would
worsen the situation over its nuclear program.
"Iranian atomic plants are controlled by the International Atomic
Energy Agency, and the world community knows what this nation does
with the nuclear energy," Kosachev said.
He warned if the Islamic Republic is pressured with the nuclear
program, it could omit the non-proliferation regime.
Likewise, Russian army chief of staff General Yuri Baluyevski insisted
that a military solution could result in a serious political-military
mistake.
During a meeting with NATO Commander in Europe Gen. Jameson Jonson,
Baluyevsk informed that Moscow will abide by the rules of the contract
to supply TOR-M1 missiles to Teheran and will remain neutral in a
possible US-Iranian armed conflict.
mh/ymr/jpm/mf
*
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4 [NYTr] Bush's Prince of Darkness: Iran Years Away from Nuke
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:39:36 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
Houston Chronicle - Apr 20, 2006
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3808556.html
'He reiterated the U.S. assessment that Iran is determined to acquire
a nuclear weapon, but remains years away from having enough fissile
material _ perhaps into the next decade. "It's important that this
issue be kept in perspective," Negroponte said.'
Intel Chief Says Personnel Number 100,000
By KATHERINE SHRADER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON -- Nearly 100,000 Americans are working in intelligence in
the U.S. and around the world, the nation's spy chief says, revealing
the number for the first time.
In a speech at the National Press Club marking his first year on the
job, National Intelligence Director John Negroponte indicated his
willingness to make some normally classified information public.
"The United States intelligence community comprises almost 100,000
patriotic, talented and hardworking Americans in 16 federal
departments and agencies," he said.
"To the extent that the requirements of secrecy permit," Negroponte
added later, "the country should know what they are doing, why they
are doing it, and how well they are doing it."
The figure means the total U.S. intelligence force is slightly smaller
than the population of Green Bay, Wis. Secrecy expert Steven Aftergood
of the Washington-based Federation of American Scientists welcomed the
disclosure and said the government had no reason to keep the figure
secret.
"If you think about all of the infrastructure needed to support that
number of people, you start to get a sense of just how vast our
intelligence system has become," Aftergood said. "Think about all the
things going on that we don't know about."
The government has long protected details about the size and budget of
its spy agencies, which include the CIA, National Security Agency,
parts of the FBI and other lesser-known outfits, such as the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
But some classified morsels have gotten out.
For instance, Mary Margaret Graham, Negroponte's top deputy for
intelligence collection, goofed in a speech last fall and said the
overall U.S. intelligence budget is $44 billion _ a number that
open-government advocates have sued unsuccessfully to get.
It's not clear how far Negroponte is willing to go to provide more
information to the public. On Thursday, he condemned leaks of
classified information, but he also said, "Public understanding is
important."
Negroponte's comments came as part of a speech summing up his first
year as the nation's inaugural spy chief. The position was created to
get intelligence agencies to work together after the mistakes of Sept.
11, 2001, and Iraq.
Without delving into details, Negroponte said he has used his powers
to fix a satellite program that was on the wrong track.
He rejected the idea that his job overseeing intelligence reform is
too burdensome to allow him to be among President Bush's top advisers
on national security and attend the daily White House briefing.
And Negroponte challenged those who say his office has become another
bureaucratic layer on top of an old one. One of his deputies last week
said Negroponte has requested more than 1,500 people for his office
next year. "Intelligence reform has not been a theory-based experiment
or an exercise in bureaucratic bloat," Negroponte said.
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session, Negroponte touched on
other hot intelligence issues:
* Negroponte said Osama bin Laden's ability to operate has been
diminished since 2001 and "his style has been cramped." He added: "It
would of course be desirable that he be captured or killed at the
earliest opportunity. ... And we wish that this might have happened
sooner."
* He reiterated the U.S. assessment that Iran is determined to acquire
a nuclear weapon, but remains years away from having enough fissile
material _ perhaps into the next decade. "It's important that this
issue be kept in perspective," Negroponte said.
* The former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Negroponte called it "important
and urgent" that Iraqis form a new government under the constitution
approved last year. He said only when new senior officials take office
will the government "be able to take on some of the serious challenges
that are posed by the sectarian violence."
* Negroponte was asked if Russia shared wartime intelligence with Iraq
in the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, as some recently
released documents suggested. The State Department has asked Russia to
investigate. "I don't believe it's been confirmed that the government
in Moscow itself was witting to any of the activities that took place,
although _ perhaps _ the Russian ambassador in Baghdad was involved in
some of these activities," he said.
* He said he has made it one of his highest priorities to improve U.S.
intelligence analysis. He noted that his office has hired an ombudsman
who will test the quality of reports and receive complaints. "We can't
afford to repeat the mistakes that led to the WMD fiasco with respect
to Iraq," he said, referring to the overblown estimates of Iraq's
weapons of mass destruction. No WMD were found.
* Negroponte said he planned to improve information sharing within the
government. A written question from an audience member who claimed to
have worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency asked Negroponte how
he'd handle a stamp marked "Military Eyes Only," meaning the material
couldn't go to the CIA and elsewhere.
Negroponte replied: "Take away the stamp."
On the Web:
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence: http://odni.gov/
*
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5 [NukeNet] Prominent US Physicists Send Letter to Pres. Bush
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:19:00 -0700
NukeNet Anti-Nuclear Network (nukenet@energyjustice.net)
Prominent U.S. Physicists Send Letter to President Bush
April 17, 2006
Thirteen of the nation's most prominent physicists have written a letter to
President Bush, calling U.S. plans to reportedly use nuclear weapons
against Iran "gravely irresponsible" and warning that such action would
have "disastrous consequences for the security of the United States and the
world."
The physicists include five Nobel laureates, a recipient of the National
Medal of Science and three past presidents of the American Physical
Society, the nation's preeminent professional society for physicists.
Their letter was prompted by recent articles in the Washington Post, New
Yorker and other publications that one of the options being considered by
Pentagon planners and the White House in a military confrontation with Iran
includes the use of nuclear bunker busters against underground facilities.
These reports were neither confirmed nor denied by White House and Pentagon
officials.
The letter was initiated by Jorge Hirsch, a professor of physics at the
University of California , San Diego , who last fall put together a
petition signed by more than 1,800 physicists that repudiated new U.S.
nuclear weapons policies that include preemptive use of nuclear weapons
against non-nuclear adversaries
(http://physics.ucsd.edu/petition/).
Hirsch has also published 15 articles in recent months
(http://antiwar.com/hirsch/) documenting the
dangers associated with a potential U.S. nuclear strike on Iran .
"We are members of the profession that brought nuclear weapons into
existence, and we feel strongly that it is our professional duty to
contribute our efforts to prevent their misuse," says Hirsch. "Physicists
know best about the devastating effects of the weapons they created, and
these eminent physicists speak for thousands of our colleagues."
"The fact that the existence of this plan has not been denied by the
Administration should be a cause of great alarm, even if it is only one of
several plans being considered," he adds. "The public should join these
eminent scientists in demanding that the Administration publicly renounces
such a misbegotten option against a non-nuclear country like Iran ."
The letter, which is available at
http://physics.ucsd.edu/petition/physicistsletter.html,
points out that "nuclear weapons are unique among weapons of mass
destruction," and that nuclear weapons in today's arsenals have a total
power of more than 200,000 times the explosive energy of the bomb that
leveled Hiroshima, which caused the deaths of more than 100,000 people.
It notes that there are no sharp lines between small and large nuclear
weapons, nor between nuclear weapons targeting facilities and those
targeting armies or cities, and that the use by the United States of
nuclear weapons after 60 years of non-use will make the use of nuclear
weapons by others more likely.
"Once the U.S. uses a nuclear weapon again, it will heighten the
probability that others will too," the physicists write. "In a world with
many more nuclear nations and no longer a 'taboo' against the use of
nuclear weapons, there will be a greatly enhanced risk that regional
conflicts could expand into global nuclear war, with the potential to
destroy our civilization."
The letter echoes the main objection of last fall's physicists' petition,
stressing that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty will be irreversibly
damaged by the use or even the threat of use of nuclear weapons by a
nuclear nation against a non-nuclear one, with disastrous consequences for
the security of the United States and the world.
"It is gravely irresponsible for the U.S. as the greatest superpower to
consider courses of action that could eventually lead to the widespread
destruction of life on the planet. We urge the administration to announce
publicly that it is taking the nuclear option off the table in the case of
all non-nuclear adversaries, present or future, and we urge the American
people to make their voices heard on this matter."
The 13 physicists who coauthored the letter are: Philip Anderson, professor
of physics at Princeton University and Nobel Laureate in Physics; Michael
Fisher, professor of physics at the Institute for Physical Science and
Technology, University of Maryland and Wolf Laureate in Physics; David
Gross, professor of theoretical physics and director of the Kavli Institute
of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Nobel
Laureate in Physics; Jorge Hirsch, professor of physics at the University
of California, San Diego; Leo Kadanoff, professor of physics and
mathematics at the University of Chicago and recipient of the National
Medal of Science; Joel Lebowitz, professor of mathematics and physics,
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Boltzmann Medalist; Anthony
Leggett, professor of physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
and Nobel Laureate, Physics; Eugen Merzbacher, professor of physics,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and former president, American
Physical Society; Douglas Osheroff, professor of physics and applied
physics, Stanford University and Nobel Laureate, Physics; Andrew Sessler,
former director of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and former president,
American Physical Society; George Trilling, professor of physics,
University of California, Berkeley, and former president, American Physical
Society; Frank Wilczek, professor of physics, MIT and Nobel Laureate,
Physics; Edward Witten, professor of physics, Institute for Advanced Study
and Fields Medalist.
The physicists are sending copies of their letter to their elected
representatives, requesting that the issue be urgently addressed in the
U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Source: University of California, San Diego, by Kim McDonald
http://www.physorg.com/printnews.php?newsid=64505715
This news is brought to you by PhysOrg.com
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6 [NYTr] Many Arabs Favor a Nuclear Iran
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:24:10 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
Reuters - 18 April 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060418/wl_nm/nuclear_iran_arabs_dc
Many Arabs favor nuclear Iran
By Jonathan Wright
CAIRO (Reuters) - The United States found little support in the Arab world
when it invaded Iraq in 2003.
In a military confrontation with Tehran over Iran's nuclear program, it
should not expect any more.
Some Arabs, mainly outside the Gulf, are positively enthusiastic about
Iran's program, even if it acquires nuclear weapons, if only because it
would be a poke in the eye or a counterweight to Israel and the United
States.
Others, especially in countries closest to Iran, are wary of any threat to
the status quo and the instability it might bring.
Most in the Arab world see the U.S. and European campaign against Iran as
hypocritical, while Israel refuses to allow international nuclear
inspections and is thought to have some 200 nuclear warheads.
"I want the whole region free of all nuclear weapons but if the West
continues its double-standard approach on this issue then Iran has the right
(to have them)," said Abdel-Rahman Za'za', a 29-year-old Lebanese engineer.
"This could provide some balance against Israel and help the Palestinians in
their negotiations. We have to take our rights because they are not going to
be given to us," he added.
The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest opposition group, said this week it
saw no harm in Iran developing nuclear arms.
"That would create a kind of equilibrium between the two sides -- the Arab
and Islamic side on one side and Israel on the other," said deputy
Brotherhood leader Mohamed Habib.
Arab League chief Amr Moussa said on Tuesday policies toward nuclear
programs in the region needed thorough review.
"These policies which are based on double standards will blow up and
escalate this issue and this escalation will not include only Iran and
Israel," he said. The Arab League represents 22 Arab governments, from
Morocco to the Gulf.
Iran says it has no intention of making nuclear bombs and wants enriched
uranium only to generate electricity. The United States says it does not
believe it.
Analysts said they detected a surprising level of sympathy and support for
Iran in the region.
WOUNDED DIGNITY
"It's amazing how encouraging people are of the whole thing. Some think the
Iranians are on the way to acquiring it (nuclear weapons capability) and are
quite excited," said Hesham Kassem, editor of the independent Cairo
newspaper Al Masry Al Youm.
"There doesn't seem to be any awareness that it might be a calamity," added
Kassem, who said he personally was afraid of an arms race bringing in Saudi
Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.
Mohamed el-Sayed Said, deputy director of the Ahram Center for Political and
Strategic Studies, a Cairo think tank, said: "People are very very warm
about it (Iran's nuclear program)."
"Anyone who challenges the United States will find a great deal of support.
That's a very profitable enterprise in public opinion terms," he added.
"Even if it takes an arms race, people don't mind. What we have here is
wounded dignity and revulsion about the lack of fairness and double
standards."
Most Arab governments have called for a peaceful solution to the
confrontation with Iran, in the hope that diplomacy will enable it to
develop nuclear energy under U.N. supervision.
If they speak about nuclear weapons, they say the whole Middle East should
be nuclear-free, implicitly including Israel. U.S. officials say they can
only deal with Israel's nuclear activities after a comprehensive Middle East
peace.
Analysts in the Gulf raised special concerns. "Gulf states are legitimately
concerned about Iran joining the nuclear club," said Abdel-Khaleq Abdullah,
a professor of political science in the United Arab Emirates.
"The possibility of a fourth Gulf war is just beyond our ability to manage.
We don't want it. It will just make life miserable and hell," he added.
Saudi analyst Dawoud al-Sharayan said an Iranian nuclear bomb could give the
United States a pretext to maintain its military forces in the Gulf and add
to the tension.
Saudi Arabia would then have the right to think about having its own nuclear
weapon, he added.
(Additional reporting by Mohammed Abbas in Cairo, Alaa Shahine in Beirut,
Miral Fahmy in Dubai and Andrew Hammond in Saudi Arabia)
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7 Bellona: Diplomats remain split over Iran nuclear question
Senior diplomats from the UN Security Council's five permanent
members ended two days of talks about Iran's nuclear programme
Wednesday in Moscow with consensus for action against the
Islamic state, but they continued to be divided as to what form
it should take, US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said.
A map of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
AFP
Charles Digges, 2006-04-20 07:31
"Nearly every country is considering some form of sanctions, and
this is a new development," Burns told reporters after the
meeting. "Every country said that some type of action had to be
taken [. . .] to, in effect, erect a barrier to Iran's progress.
So the challenge for us will be what can we all agree on."
Iran reports huge advances in uranium enrichment
Iran has apparently successfully enriched uranium for the
first time, a landmark in its quest in developing nuclear fuel,
hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday—but he
insisted his country does not aim to develop nuclear weapons,
western news agencies reported.
Iran to enrich its own uranium
Iran last week it could enrich its own uranium, sending shivers
down the spines of western nations and Israel, even though
experts agree the Islamic Republic is far from creating an
atomic bomb. It currently possess a cascade of 164 centrifuges
at Natanz, and will require at least 10 times that to achieve
enough bomb grade uranium-235 to make a proper device, say
experts.
Likewise, the enrichment of the batch of uranium that Iran
trotted out to great fanfare was only 3.5 percent.
Nevertheless, for weeks, the United States, Britain and France
have been pressing for tough steps against Iran, while Russia
and China have argued that a hard line might backfire. All have
expressed public concern over Iran's programme. Mohammad
Elbaradei, directory of the United Nations (UN) nuclear
watch-dog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, is due to
visit Iran Friday.
"All participants in the meeting agreed that urgent and
constructive steps are demanded of Iran," Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday, according to Russian news
agencies.
Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
AFP
Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week that Iran
was pursuing the enrichment of uranium on an industrial scale,
which could allow it to accelerate the development of nuclear
weapons.
That and recent statements by other Iranian officials that they
would expand their experimental nuclear work has led to "a
greater sense of urgency" among the major powers about Iran's
ambitions, Burns told reporters.
"What I heard in the room last night was not agreement on the
specifics but to the general notion that Iran has to feel
isolation and that there is a cost to what they are doing."
In late March, the UN Security Council gave Iran a month to stop
enrichment and answer questions from the IAEA. Iran says that
its programme is peaceful and only for the generation of energy.
The United States has asked the Security Council to invoke
Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which allows the world body to
decide on measures, including the use of force, "to maintain or
restore international peace and security."
Russia spoke against the use of Chapter 7 at the meetings,
fearing it would almost certainly lead to military action,
according to a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions
who spoke on traditional conditions of anonymity.
Talk of air strikes
Indeed, hawkish talk in Washington, DC has suggested that air
strikes against Iran’s nuclear installations are possible. This
talk was brought to light in last week’s issue of the “New
Yorker’ magazine in which investigative journalist Seymour Hersh
reported that the Pentagon is looking at a variety of strike
plans.
President George Bush immediately dismissed the article as “wild
speculation.” But when questioned again on Monday about a
military option to de-fuse the crisis, Bush said all options are
on the table,” US media reported.
Ahmadinejad retorted that Iran was training suicide bombers that
would hit targets inside America if any military action was
taken against its nuclear programme.
Russia said it would be willing to discuss other punitive
options after the IAEA issues a report on Iran's response to the
Security Council statement, the diplomatic source said.
The diplomatic source also said that Chinese Deputy Foreign
Minister Cui Tiankai, who attended the session, was critical of
Iran and had delivered a "tough message" privately to the
Iranians during a stopover in Tehran before the Moscow meeting.
"We are convinced of the need to wait for the IAEA report due at
the end of the month," Lavrov told reporters.
Russia as apologist
Despite the ever more strident behaviour of Iran regarding its
nuclear programme, Moscow—though privately concerned—has
remained one of Tehran’s most consistent apologists, insisting
until recently that the nuclear programme is peaceful. Since the
mid-1990s, Russia has been building a light water reactor in the
Iran port of Bushehr, to the consternation of the West.
Russia has also been engaged in preliminary talks with Iran to
build five more reactors there. And Russia has other trade
interests with Iran—namely in arms, and Moscow sold a batch of
missiles to Tehran last December.
Yet Russia has denied repeatedly that it has had anything to do
with the building of Russia’s centrifuges and one Rosatom
official called the notion “ludicrous,” in an interview
Wednesday with Bellona Web.
“We are trying to help resolve this crisis, not make it worse,”
he said.
In fact, most western officials suspect that the centrifuge
programme was built with the help of Abdul Qadeer Khan, the
renegade Pakistani nuclear engineer.
Options on the table
The diplomats discussed the pros and cons of a number of
options in detail, Burns said. The UN, for instance, could
decide to impose sanctions without invoking Chapter 7, and
individual countries could also impose sanctions. The United
States has had sanctions against Iran for more than 25 years.
Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said
last week that the E.U. was considering targeted sanctions, but
he added that "any military action is absolutely [off] the table
for us."
An Iranian delegation arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for talks
with Russian officials and, separately, with diplomats from
Britain, France and Germany.
Publisher: Bellona Foundation, President: Frederic Hauge
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
*****************************************************************
8 AFP: US ready to call for UN to cut technical nuclear assistance to Iran -
Thu Apr 20, 2:41 PM ET
VIENNA (AFP) - The United States will call for the UN atomic
agency to cut off technical assistance to Iran" /> Iranif
diplomatic efforts falter in getting Tehran to suspend uranium
enrichment, diplomats told AFP.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency" />
International Atomic Energy Agencyis not expected to meet on the
Iranian issue before June, after the UN Security Council decides
how it will deal with an Iranian nuclear program that the United
States charges hides secret work on developing atomic weapons.
The Security Council has given Iran until April 28 to halt
uranium enrichment or face unspecified consequences. IAEA chief
Mohammed ElBaradei is to file a report by then on Iranian
compliance.
Washington is pushing for economic and other sanctions but
meeting resistance, notably from key Iranian allies and trading
partners Russia and China.
If Iran fails to meet the deadline, the United States wants the
Council to adopt a "Chapter 7" resolution which would legally
oblige Iran to meet the IAEA's calls for it to suspend
enrichment and cooperate fully with an agency inspection of its
nuclear program.
Enrichment is a sensitive process as it can make either nuclear
reactor fuel or atom bomb material.
A Western diplomat said the United States would use the June
meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors to "cut off
Iran's technical cooperation and call for an IAEA special
investigation of the key unresolved safeguards concerns" about
Iran's program if the Council fails to adopt a tough resolution.
Russia is wary of such a resolution as it fears this would open
the door to sanctions.
ElBaradei will be filing his report to both his board of
governors and to the Security Council.
Any of the 35 board members could call for a special meeting to
review the report but US ambassador to the IAEA Gregory Schulte
has already told several key states that the United States, as
well as EU states, do not support such a session as they do not
want the board doing "anything that could prejudice or constrain
United Nations" /> United NationsSecurity Council action in
May," the Western diplomat said.
The diplomat said that if a special meeting was called however
the United States would call for the IAEA's technical
cooperation with Iran to be cut.
"The hope would be that signalling such an approach would scare
off board of governor members from the non-aligned movement even
calling for a special meeting," the diplomat said.
A second diplomat said that cutting off technical cooperation
with Iran would be a "symbolic measure" as the projects
involved, such as a study for radiation treatment of waste water
and sludge, do not touch the controversial, possibly
weapons-related parts of the Iranian program.
The IAEA's technical cooperation with Iran is only about one to
1.5 million dollars a year, an IAEA official said.
Cutting off this aid "would certainly not punish Iran but it
would complicate their dealings with the IAEA and be a public
relations setback", the diplomat said.
The diplomat said the United States does not want the IAEA to
take up the Iranian dossier again until matters are clear at the
Security Council in New York.
"If things are not going well in New York, then the United
States might well want a meeting in Vienna," since Russia might
sign on to a crackdown strictly within the framework of the
IAEA, which unlike the Security Council does not have
enforcement powers.
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice expressed confidence
Wednesday that a diplomatic solution will be found to the
Iranian nuclear crisis, but warned that military options remain
on the table and that Washington will not necessarily wait for
an international consensus.
There were sharp divisions at a meeting this week in Moscow of
the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.
The United States and Russia were at odds over how to proceed,
with Washington saying there was support for sanctions but
Moscow denying this and ruling out the use of military force.
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The
*****************************************************************
9 AFP: Russian-built nuclear power station in Iran no threat - Moscow -
Thu Apr 20, 3:49 AM ET
BISHKEK (AFP) - A nuclear power station being built by Russia in
Iran" /> Iranpresents no threat, Moscow's top nuclear official
said here following a US demand for the project to be shut down.
"The building of the Bushehr nuclear power station does not
threaten the non-proliferation regime," Rosatom nuclear agency
head Sergei Kiriyenko told journalists in the Kyrgyz capital
Bishkek.
US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said during a visit
to Moscow Thursday that "it is important for countries to stop
cooperation with Iran on nuclear issues, even on civilian
nuclear issues like the Bushehr facility."
Burns made clear that he was talking about various countries'
work with Iran's nuclear industry. However, Russia is Iran's
biggest nuclear partner and is building the country's first
atomic power station at Bushehr.
"A number of countries are continuing to permit the export of
dual-use materials that could be used, and we think in some
cases are being used, to help the growth of Iran's nuclear
industry," Burns said.
"It is the view of my government that it would be appropriate
now for those individual governments to stop that practice and
no longer permit it."
Earlier Burns claimed growing support for sanctions.
"Nearly every country is considering some sort of sanctions and
that is new," Burns said after two days of talks in Moscow with
other UN powers and Group of Eight members.
Meanwhile, the head of Russia's armed forces said his country
would not take sides if the current Iran crisis led to a
military conflict.
"Of course Russia will not, at least I as head of the general
staff, suggest the use of force on one side or the other. Just
as was the case in Afghanistan" /> Afghanistan," chief of
general staff General Yury Baluyevsky told reporters, referring
to the 2001 US-led intervention to oust the Taliban.
Diplomats went into the Moscow talks repeating calls to build a
united front in order to keep Tehran from exploiting their
divisions to forge ahead with uranium enrichment.
Iran insists its program is peaceful, but Western powers -- led
by the United States -- suspect it of developing a secret atomic
weapons program.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair" /> Tony Blairhad earlier
Wednesday called for a show of unity from the world powers
huddled in Moscow.
"I would have thought that this is the time for the world to
send a clear and united message to the Iranian regime," he said.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy warned, too, that
the veto-holding UN Security Council permanent members --
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- must be
together if they were to dissuade Iran.
"If, on the contrary, the Chinese and the Russians, if the
international community is not united it makes it easy for the
Iranians to continue" to defy international demands to halt the
program, he said.
Paris and London were quick to stress that use of force was not
on the table. French President Jacques Chirac" /> President
Jacques Chirac, on a visit to Cairo, said world powers must
"explore all diplomatic possibilities," and Blair said, "Nobody
is talking about military invasion of Iran or military action
against Iran."
Russia and China, both of whom have strong trade ties to Iran,
have shown extreme reluctance to threaten the use of force or
even sanctions against the regime.
Burns refused to rule out unilateral action by Washington but
said it would be "best" to work with other countries in doing
so.
"We are going to act to deny Iran nuclear weapons capability,"
he said.
He also urged Moscow to dump plans to deliver to Iran a
consignment of Tor-M1 mobile air defence systems, only hours
after General Baluyevsky confirmed that deal would go through.
"It would be logical for that arms sale not to go forward,"
Burns said later. "No country should sell weapons to a regime
like that."
Tehran, which has resumed its nuclear activities in defiance of
a UN demand for a freeze, announced last week it had
successfully enriched a small amount of uranium for use as
nuclear fuel.
Meanwhile, Britain, France and Germany -- the European Union" />
European Unionnegotiating team called the EU-3 -- held surprise
talks in Moscow with an Iranian delegation.
Tehran said earlier Wednesday that an Iranian delegation had
arrived in Moscow, led by deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi
and aides to Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani.
A senior French official told AFP after the meeting that Iran
planned to step up uranium enrichment work soon and had asked
European countries to participate in this effort.
Senior diplomats from the Group of Eight powers were in Moscow
for talks ostensibly to prepare for a July summit but which were
clearly overshadowed by the Iran standoff.
The UN Security Council is awaiting a report due by April 28
from Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the UN watchdog, the
International Atomic Energy Agency" /> International Atomic
Energy Agency, on whether Iran has complied with its demands to
freeze uranium enrichment.
Iran insists its program is peaceful, but enrichment can be
extended from making reactor fuel to the production of warheads.
The row and Iran's defiant stand have helped drive oil prices to
all-time highs and gold values to within sight of a 25-year
high.
*****************************************************************
10 AFP: Senior UN nuclear inspector puts off trip to Iran
Thu Apr 20, 7:24 PM ET
VIENNA (AFP) - A senior UN nuclear inspector put off a trip to
Iran" /> Iranin what diplomats said was a clear sign that Tehran
is failing to give the UN atomic agency key concessions it
demands.
The development comes as the UN Security Council waits to see
if Iran honors an April 28 deadline for it to halt uranium
enrichment that could be weapons-related and to cooperate fully
with inspectors from the Vienna-based International Atomic
Energy Agency" /> International Atomic Energy Agency.
US President George W. Bush" /> President George W. Bushon
Thursday pressed China's President Hu Jintao" /> Hu Jintaoto
support tough action against Iran's nuclear programme, including
a possible Security Council resolution that could allow for
action ranging from economic sanctions to military strikes.
The IAEA's director of safeguards, Olli Heinonen, has decided
not to travel to Iran after being on standby for a trip
following a visit to Tehran last week by the agency's director
general Mohamed ElBaradei, to seek a breakthrough in the Iranian
nuclear crisis, a diplomat close to the IAEA told AFP.
Heinonen, who is an IAEA deputy director general, has not set a
new date for his trip, the diplomat said.
An Iranian delegation was in Vienna this week negotiating with
the IAEA on the agency's demands for Iran to suspend enrichment
and to cooperate fully with an over three-year-old IAEA
investigation of a Tehran's nuclear program, which the United
States charges hides secret atomic arms development, diplomats
said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said earlier this month
that the Islamic state had successfully enriched a small amount
of uranium for use as fuel for a nuclear power station.
Enrichment is a sensitive process as it can make either nuclear
reactor fuel or atom bomb material, but Iran insists its program
is a peaceful effort to generate electricity.
A second diplomat said that whether Heinonen went "depended on
whether the Iranians currently in Vienna give the IAEA anything
new."
The diplomat, and others, said ElBaradei had failed to win
concessions from Iran on his trip there.
The Iranians rejected ElBaradei's "urging (for them) to
re-suspend (uranium enrichment) at Natanz (the Iranian
enrichment facility) and they offered vague cooperation on the
outstanding safeguards issues but gave him nothing concrete,"
the diplomat said.
The diplomat said ElBaradei had even "urged them to give him
enough cooperation so he could credit them for it in his
upcoming report" and slow things down at the Security Council.
"But since his return to Vienna, the IAEA has seen nothing new
from Iran," the diplomat said.
The IAEA seeks documents on dealings Iran had with a nuclear
black market network run by disgraced Pakistani Abdul Qadeer
Kahn, the father of his country's atomic bomb.
The agency also wants to interview military officers who may
have overseen secret work that could be nuclear-weapons related
and to get more information on work Iran may have done on
sophisticated P2 centrifuges, which can enrich uranium more
quickly and abundantly, as well as documents it has on making
uranium hemispheres that form the core of atom bombs.
The IAEA currently has an inspection team at Natanz but the
stakes are high as ElBaradei is to submit a report next week to
the Security Council on Iranian compliance.
Washington is pushing for moves that could lead to economic and
other sanctions if Iran fails to comply but key Iranian allies
and trading partners Russia and China are resisting such
measures.
The United States will call for the IAEA to cut off technical
assistance to Iran and be given a mandate for tougher
inspections if diplomatic efforts falter in getting Tehran to
suspend enrichment, diplomats told AFP Thursday.
If Iran fails to meet the April 28 deadline, the United States
wants the Security Council to adopt a "Chapter 7" resolution
which would legally oblige Iran to meet the IAEA's calls.
A Western diplomat said the United States would use the next
scheduled IAEA meeting in June to "cut off Iran's technical
cooperation and call for an IAEA special investigation of the
key unresolved safeguards concerns" if the Council fails to
adopt a tough resolution.
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The
*****************************************************************
11 AFP: China urges diplomatic solution to Iran crisis
Thu Apr 20, 2:11 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao" /> vowed to back
a diplomatic end to the Iran" /> nuclear crisis even as new
cracks emerged among world powers confronting Tehran.
At a joint press conference with President George W. Bush" /> on
the White House lawn, Hu said he was prepared to work with
Washington on Iran, and the nuclear crisis in North Korea" /> .
"We are ready to continue to work with the US side and other
parties concerned to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the
Korean peninsula and Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic
negotiations," Hu said.
China has been one of the major opponents of a US push to seek
tough UN action against Iran.
The United States still appeared to be alone among the major
powers to keep open the option of military action to stop Iran's
nuclear program, which it suspects is a covert attempt to build
the atom bomb.
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said this week she
believed diplomacy would work with Iran but the right to
"self-defense" does not require a UN Security Council
resolution.
Further magnifiying an East-West split over how to respond to
Tehran, Russia on Thursday angrily rejected a demand by the
United States for Moscow to halt construction of a nuclear power
plant in Iran.
"Every country has the right to decide itself with whom and how
it cooperates," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, the head of Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency, Sergei
Kiriyenko, also defended the project to build Iran's first
nuclear power station at Bushehr, saying it did "not threaten
the (nuclear) non-proliferation regime."
Moscow was replying to a demand on Wednesday by US Under
Secretary of State Nicholas Burns for "countries to stop
cooperation with Iran on nuclear issues, even on civilian
nuclear issues like the Bushehr facility."
An Iranian delegation was in Moscow Thursday for a second day of
secretive talks against a background of rising international
tensions and record high oil prices of more than 74.2 dollars in
London.
The Iranian delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghshi and Javad Vaidi, deputy secretary of the National
Security Council, but there was no information about which
Russian officials were taking part, ITAR-TASS news agency
reported.
Late on Wednesday the Iranians held a surprise meeting with
senior diplomats from Britain, France and Germany. They struck a
defiant pose, announcing that Tehran intended to accelerate its
uranium enrichment program.
Iran says the enriched uranium is needed to fuel a nascent
civilian nuclear power program but the United Nations" /> has
given Iran until the end of April to halt all enrichment
activity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak said that Moscow would
decide its position on Iran after Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the
International Atomic Energy Agency" /> , reported on April 28 to
the UN Security Council on Iran's compliance with demands to
halt uranium enrichment.
"We will decide our reaction depending on the contents of the
report," he told ITAR-TASS, adding that "consultations" would
follow.
Russia is one of the weak links in the diplomatic coalition Bush
is trying to assemble against Iran, with both Moscow and Beijing
reluctant to back punitive sanctions.
In addition to the flat refusal to rethink the Bushehr nuclear
plant, Moscow also says it will ignore US concerns to go ahead
with the sale of Tor-M1 mobile air defence systems to Iran.
Iran itself remains defiant. "We are not scared of the US
threats," Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said on
Thursday. "If Iran is faced with a real threat, it is ready to
overcome that."
But Mohammad-Najjar, who was visiting Azerbaijan, a former
Soviet republic on Iran's northern border, also said that Iran
was "ready to resolve all questions through negotiations."
Mohammad-Najjar suggested that Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who
is to visit Washington on April 26-28, could "explain our
position to the Americans so that they understand correctly."
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The
*****************************************************************
12 IRNA: Iran, UAE review expansion of security cooperation
Abu Dhabi, April 20, IRNA
Iran-UAE-Cooperation
Iran's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Muhammad-Ali
Hadi conferred here Thursday with UAE's Interior Minister Sheikh
Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on expansion of security cooperation
between the two countries.
According to Iran's Embassy to Abu Dhabi, at the meeting the
two sides reviewed the latest mutual and regional developments
and studied avenues for further expansion of bilateral
cooperation.
Various issues such as the problems of Iranian nationals
residing in the UAE, removal of the problems of Iranian
fishermen and their fishing boats in the Persian Gulf waters
were discussed between the two sides.
Highlighting Iran's significant status in the region, Al Nahyan
underlined the need for further expansion of mutual cooperation
mainly between security apparatus to bolster bilateral relations.
The Iranian ambassador submitted an invitation letter to UAE's
interior minister inviting him to attend the upcoming OIC Police
Chief Officials meeting which is to be held in Isfahan.
*****************************************************************
13 AFP: Rice expresses confidence in diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear crisis -
Wed Apr 19, 5:31 PM ET
CHICAGO (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice expressed
confidence that a diplomatic solution will be found to the
Iranian nuclear crisis, but warned that military options remain
on the table and that Washington will not necessarily wait for an
international consensus.
"I believe we can make the diplomacy work," Rice said. "And long
before we get to the point that we have to contemplate diplomacy
failing I believe we have options at our disposal."
Rice said the United States is working to unify the
international community in its goal of persuade the Iranians to
cease enriching uranium which could be used in a nuclear bomb.
She said the UN Security Council had a number of diplomatic
options at its disposal, but warned that the United States could
chose to act alone or with a coalition if the crisis is not
resolved through the United Nations" /> United Nations.
"The right to self-defense does not necessarily require a UN
Security Council resolution," Rice said, noting that the United
States went to war in the Balkans without one.
"It is important to note that the president doesn't take any
options off the table," Rice said. "We are prepared to use
measures at our disposal- political, economic or others to
persuade Iran" /> Iran."
Rice said that Iran is not Iraq" /> Iraq, and that "the remedies
before us are quite robust."
The UN Security Council has given Iran until April 28 to halt
uranium enrichment or face unspecified consequences. Washington
is pushing for sanctions but meeting resistance, notably from
Russia and China.
Speaking to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, Rice said
that the situation in Iran is also "very different" from that in
North Korea" /> North Koreabecause the Iranian people are
connected to the international community.
Rice also expressed concern with the political situation in
Russia, which has butted heads with the United States on a
number of diplomatic issues including the best solution to the
Iranian crisis.
"It's not gone in a very good direction in the past couple of
years," she said noting the absence of a "truly free press", "a
legislature that is truly able to check the president" and "the
seeming absence of a truly independent judiciary."
While the Russian state is no longer dangerously weak, it has
begun to swing too far towards authoritarianism, Rice warned.
But Rice said it would be wrong to isolate Russia because of
concerns over human rights. Instead the United States is working
with Russia to help the government build strong, democratic
institutions and has warned that the current situation is
"troubling."
"A truly deep relationship with the United States rests on
common values and Russia's adherence to those values is not
great at this time," Rice said.
"I do not see any good outcome for Russian democracy that comes
from excluding Russia from institutions that have democratic
values at their core."
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The
*****************************************************************
14 IRNA: Indian PM emphasizes dialogue, debate to solve Iran N-issue -
April 20, IRNA
--
India's emphasis will be always that diplomacy must be given a
chance. Dialogue and debate must be allowed to produce results
which are acceptable to Iran and the world community, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh said.
India does not feel that the situation is ripe for any military
action against Iran and there is scope to resolve the problem
relating to its nuclear program through dialogue, said Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an interview with Asianet
television in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala state, last
night, a PTI report said here.
Singh stressed there was scope for resolving the issue through
debate, dialogue and discussions.
India stands for resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through
diplomatic efforts, he added.
*****************************************************************
15 AFP: Iran still years away from having nukes: US intelligence chief -
Thu Apr 20, 5:02 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US intelligence chief John Negroponte said
Iran" /> Iran's resumption of uranium enrichment is
"troublesome" but the country is still years away from having
enough fissile material to make a nuclear weapon.
Negroponte expressed concern both about Iran's claim to have
resumed uranium enrichment with a cascade of 164 centrifuges in
Natanz and extreme statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad.
"The developments in Iran -- clearly they're troublesome," he
said in response to questions after a speech to the National
Press Club.
"By the same token, our assessment at the moment is that even
though we believe that Iran is determined to acquire or obtain a
nuclear weapon, that we believe that it is still a number of
years off before they are likely to have enough fissile material
to assemble into, or to put into a nuclear weapon; perhaps into
the next decade," he said.
"So I think it's important that this issue be kept in
perspective," he said.
Negroponte is marking his first year in office as the director
of national intelligence, a post created in the wake of the
intelligence fiasco over Iraq" /> Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction.
Critics have complained that the new intelligence directorate,
which is supposed to coordinate the work of some 15 US
intelligence agencies, is developing into another bloated
bureaucracy with nearly 1,000 people reportedly working for it.
Negroponte denied that the reforms he is pursuing have been "a
theory-based experiment or an exercise in bureaucratic bloat."
"Government programs require government officials to implement
them," he said, adding that the last three embassies he led as
an ambassador were larger than his intelligence directorate.
*****************************************************************
16 IRNA: Safonov: Iran's nuclear issue to be solved diplomatically -
Moscow, April 20, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Russia
Russian presidential advisor for international affairs and
campaign against terrorism, Anatoli Safonov here Thursday said
that Iran's nuclear issue should be solved through talks.
He told IRNA that diplomatic means are the most suitable
strategy in dealing with the case.
Turning Palestine and Hamas, he said, "International bodies and
other countries should encourage Hamas to be converted into a
real political organization. Confronting Hamas and exerting
political, economic and media pressures on the group have
deprived the Palestinian organization of this opportunity."
In order to avoid tension, Safonov urged countries and
international organizations to deal with Hamas through
consultations, advice and criticisms.
*****************************************************************
17 IRNA: EU wants to have dialogue with Iran
Brussels, April 20, IRNA
EU-Iran-Nuclear issue
The European Union wants to continue its dialogue with the
Islamic Republic but due to the current impasse in the nuclear
issue it is not possible to deepen ties (through dialogue), an
EU spokesman said Thursday.
"From the purely Commission's point of view, we have
negotiations (with Iran) on hold for a trade and cooperation
agreement. We continue to discuss with others the prospect for
continuing the human rights dialogue which would be very
important to continue," European Commission for External
Relations spokesperson Emma Udwin told journalists in Brussels.
"We would like, as I have said so many times before, to be able
to have dialogue with Iran on that and many other issues but for
the time being, while the nuclear issue is in the current
difficulty that we see, it is not possible to deepen or widen
our relations with Iran," she added.
Udwin was replying to a reporter's question on EU-Iran ties
during the day's press conference in the European Commission.
*****************************************************************
18 Korea Herald: KOPEC becomes global leader
[SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY]
KOPEC (Korea Power Engineering Company) is a world-class nuclear
power plant engineer and builder. KOPEC has the ability to design
the Nuclear Steam Supply System and the Balance of Plant, and
thus become a truly integrated architect engineering company.
KOPEC is currently one of the most active and reliable companies
for the design and construction of nuclear power plants and
fossil fuel plants, using the most current and state-of-the-art
technologies. The Korea Herald interviewed KOPEC President and
CEO Lim Sung-Choon.
Q: Could you begin by introducing your company to our readers?
A: KOPEC was founded in 1975 with the national goal of
achieving technical self-reliance in nuclear power plant design
and engineering. Since then, the company has accumulated
extensive experience in a wide range of power plant designs and
achieved this goal. In 1987, KOPEC became the main contractor
for the design and construction of Yonggwang Nuclear Units 3 &4,
and completed them in 1995. The company has since successfully
built Ulchin Nuclear Units 3 &4, Yonggwang Nuclear Units 5 &6
and Ulchin Nuclear Units 5 &6, becoming a world-class nuclear
power plant builder.
Q: What level of technology does KOPEC have in the atomic power
industry and what is its competitive edge?
A: Above all, KOPEC has extensive know-how in design and
construction, accumulated technology and experience in building
power plants. It developed the APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor
1400) through technological innovation to keep up with the
latest trends in the international nuclear power industry. The
new reactor will be installed in the Shin-Kori Units 3 &4.
KOPEC has technology in both design and construction, including
Nuclear Steam Supply System and the Balance of Plant, in atomic
power plants. Only a few companies in the world have this
technology. Unlike foreign companies specializing in certain
sectors, KOPEC has the ability to cover comprehensive business
functions related to the design and construction of power plants.
Q: It is expected that projects to build nuclear power plants
will be downsized probably due to the slowing pace of growth in
electricity demands. What is KOPEC's position on that issue?
A: According to the government's long-term plan to provide
electricity, the power demand is continuously increasing. In
particular, the construction of the Shin-Kori Units 3 &4 should
be completed at an early date because the new power units, which
will use APR1400 technology developed by our company, will be a
plant with safety and cost competitiveness. It will help meet
the rising electricity demands and promote the export of our
technology related to nuclear power plants.
Q: What are the main features of APR1400 that KOPEC developed?
A: Its important achievements are increasing the capacity from
1,000 MWe to 1,400 MWe. It is a next-generation nuclear reactor
with greatly improved safety. We obtained government
authorization for our standardized design and construction
technology in 2002. The APR1400 was proven to have international
competitiveness, compared with most advanced power plants in the
United States and other countries. The Shin-Kori Units 3 &4 with
the APR1400 are scheduled to be put into commercial operation in
2012 and 2013, respectively.
Q: You are known as a CEO who pursues managerial innovation and
corporate culture. Tell us about that.
A: Corporate culture and innovation in management can create
success when they are pushed on the basis of a consensus between
the president and all staff. We are determined to grow into a
world-class corporation through continued self-innovation.
(shinyb@heraldm.com)
2006.04.21
*****************************************************************
19 Guardian Unlimited: Brazil Quietly Pursues Own Nuclear Path
From the Associated Press
[UP]
Thursday April 20, 2006 8:16 PM
By PETER MUELLO
Associated Press Writer
RESENDE, Brazil (AP) - As Iran faces international pressure over
developing the raw material for nuclear weapons, Brazil is
quietly preparing to open its own uranium-enrichment center,
capable of producing exactly the same fuel.
Brazil - like Iran - has signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty, and Brazil's constitution bans the military use of
nuclear energy.
Also like Iran, Brazil has cloaked key aspects of its nuclear
technology in secrecy while insisting the program is for
peaceful purposes, claims nuclear weapons experts have debunked.
While Brazil is more cooperative than Iran on international
inspections, some worry its new enrichment capability - which
eventually will create more fuel than is needed for its two
nuclear plants - suggests that South America's biggest nation
may be rethinking its commitment to nonproliferation.
``Brazil is following a path very similar to Iran, but Iran is
getting all the attention,'' said Marshall Eakin, a Brazil
expert at Vanderbilt University. ``In effect, Brazil is
benefiting from Iran's problems.''
While Iran leads a war of words against nuclear-armed Israel and
has defied a U.N. Security Council request to stop all uranium
enrichment, Brazil is peaceful and democratic. It doesn't have
border disputes, is not in an arms race, and strives for good
relations with all nations. Its last war ended in 1870.
``Brazil doesn't cheat on the Nonproliferation Treaty and it
does not exist in an area of high tension,'' said David
Albright, a former U.N. inspector who runs the Washington-based
Institute for Science and International Security.
The U.S. Embassy in the capital, Brasilia, referred all
questions to the State Department in Washington, where spokesman
Sean McCormack dismissed any parallel between Brazil's nuclear
program and Iran's.
``My understanding is they have a peaceful nuclear program,'' he
said Thursday.
Still, Brazil's enrichment program - and its reluctance to allow
unlimited inspections - has raised suspicions abroad.
``Brazil is beginning to be perceived as a country apparently
wanting to reevaluate its commitment to nonproliferation, and
this is a big part of the problem,'' said Jon Wolfsthal, deputy
director for nonproliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace in Washington.
The government-run Industrias Nucleares do Brasil S.A. has been
conducting final tests at the enrichment plant, built on a
former coffee plantation in Resende, 90 miles west of Rio de
Janeiro. When it opens this year, Brazil will join the world's
nuclear elite.
Brazil has the world's sixth-largest uranium reserves, but until
the plant becomes operational, it can't use the fuel for energy
without shipping it to and from URENCO, the European enrichment
consortium.
Brazil says its plant will be capable of enriching natural
uranium to less than 5 percent uranium-235, an isotope needed to
fuel its two reactors. Warheads need ore that has been enriched
to 95 percent uranium-235, a material Brazil says it can't and
won't produce.
``If you can enrich to 5 percent, you're decades away from
enriching to 90 percent,'' Odair Dias Goncalves, president of
the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, told The Associated
Press. ``You need a whole new technology that we don't have.''
But former U.N. inspector Albright said he worked with Goncalves
at the Brazilian Physics Society on a project to show that the
Brazilian centrifuges could be used to produce highly enriched
uranium, even if that wasn't their intended use.
``Centrifuges are very flexible,'' he said. ``Reconfiguring the
cascades or recycling the enriched uranium multiple times can
allow for the production of weapons-grade uranium.''
Brazilian leaders insist the fuel will be used for the nation's
$1 billion nuclear energy industry. Already Latin America's
biggest nuclear power provider, Brazil plans up to seven new
atomic plants to reduce its dependence on oil and hydroelectric
power and plans to export enriched uranium to provide energy for
other countries.
Brazil initially refused inspections by the International Atomic
Energy Association, arguing that providing full access to its
state-of-the-art, Brazilian-designed centrifuges would put it at
risk of industrial espionage. Since then, IAEA inspectors have
visited the plant many times, monitoring the uranium that comes
in and out, but they're still prevented from seeing the actual
centrifuges, which are covered with opaque screens.
The IAEA inspectors have said they're satisfied no material is
being diverted. Brazilian physicist Jose Goldemberg said Brazil
won't be able to produce enriched uranium for export until 2014.
Brazil had great nuclear ambitions during a 1964-85 military
dictatorship, when it built the two nuclear energy plants,
worked to develop a nuclear submarine and had secret plans to
test an atomic bomb in a 1,000-foot-deep, concrete-and
steel-lined hole in the Amazon jungle. That idea was formally
scrapped in 1990, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell
declared in 2004 that ``we know for sure that Brazil is not
thinking about nuclear weapons in any sense.''
But Brazil's nuclear ambitions have been rekindled under leftist
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in part, analysts say,
because joining the nuclear club would boost Brazil's status
internationally and possibly earn it a permanent seat on the
Security Council.
What is really at stake in both Brazil and Iran is self-image,
Goldemberg said. ``It's nationalism, pride. That's the real
reason,'' he said.
---
Associated Press writers George Jahn in Vienna and Barry Schweid
in Washington contributed to this report.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006
*****************************************************************
20 Peak Oil News Clearinghouse: Think small on energy
| EnergyBulletin.net |
Published on 20 Apr 2006 by . Archived on 20 Apr 2006.
by Nikos Tsafos
The obsession with alternative energy has morphed into an
obsession with alternative reality. There is no managed
transition to cleaner fuels, just a desire to get there;
whatever fuels we use today—oil, gas, coal, nuclear—are all bad.
America needs secure energy, we are told, but no plan is good
enough—no new LNG terminals, no drilling in ANWR, no nuclear
power plants. The universe of renewable and affordable energy is
there for us to grasp, if only the government would pass the
right laws, laboratories researched the right technologies, OPEC
could be broken apart, America could stop importing so much oil,
and oil companies ceased to be so greedy.
This narrative is becoming increasingly convincing, particularly
among Democrats, though populism against “Big Oil” is
party-blind. New Jersey’s two senators, Frank Lautenberg and
Robert Menendez, want the president to bring action against OPEC
members who belong to the World Trade Organization for
inhibiting commerce. The Federal Trade Commission, the same
senators say, should “hold the big oil companies accountable for
their actions against US consumers.” Senator Charles Schumer
(D-NY) wants the FTC to investigate whether refineries are
creating an artificial shortage to make profits. And Senator
Maria Cantwell (D-WA), along with fifteen other senators, says
America needs “a tough law that prevents profiteering in the oil
and gas industry.”
There is truth, no doubt, in these concerns—to be in the WTO and
maintain quotas in crude oil exports is duplicitous. What is
disconcerting, however, is the growing inability to have a
realistic discussion about energy. False myths pervade the
debate, as does an unrealistic faith about how to escape
America’s energy predicament. Energy independence seems to be
the consensus, but there is no blueprint to achieve it. And even
if energy independence were possible, it would still be a bad
idea, serving only to blur productive discussion on energy
policy.
At its core, energy independence is a form of energy
isolationism. Get things right in America, it whispers, and all
will be good. But follow the dreamers’ logic and theirs is a
dead-end. Strike out oil and gas, replace it renewable energy,
and the Middle East is still a place where America will have
interests; it will still need to maintain stability; will it let
China or India take the lead; could it risk the global recession
that would ensue if a regional war were to break out? American
foreign policy in the region has taken forms, mostly unrelated
to the precise number of oil barrels consumed. Its foreign
policy ends are reflected in its perception of its role in the
world; its foreign policy means mirror its faith in the tools of
statecraft: diplomacy, coercion, war.
America’s power projection in the Middle East may have been
imperfect—September 11 showed that much—but at least it
recognized that policy was subject to immutable laws, to
inescapable trade-offs. Deplorable as many find the bargain that
America made with Saudi Arabia, its premise was that the
American economy and way of life would be threatened if Saudi
Arabia fell either to the communists or to religious extremists.
There was a cost and a benefit, even if the magnitude of both
can only be revealed in hindsight.
It is these tradeoffs that contemporary discussions try to
avoid. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait need to invest more, they are
told; but then the president pledges not to consume their oil.
China is blamed for its guzzling demand, yet when it tries to
expand the supply of oil by going to places Westerners avoid, it
is blamed still for supporting unsavory regimes. Congress
mandates ethanol use and then refuses liability protection for
MTBE; when the predicted shortfall in gas increases prices,
refineries and oil companies are targeted for blame.
Energy policy in this country has suffered from big ideas. A
step in the right direction is rejected because it is not a
leap; the dream is for all problems to be solved at once or not
at all. There is no nuance, no subtlety, no priority. Energy
geopolitics is nasty and difficult to deal with as it is.
Wishing this wasn’t so makes it no less nasty and slightly more
difficult. Stop obsessing about the energy of the future, and
let us manage the energy of today. Let’s just do it a little bit
better.
References:
Anne Applebaum, “Tilting at Windmills,” Washington Post, 19 Apr
06; Nick Snow, “Democrats press Bush to act as energy prices
increase,” Oil &Gas Journal Online, 19 Apr 06; “The Gasoline
Follies,” Wall Street Journal, 28 Mar 06
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editorial Notes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't agree with Tsafos's argument, but the piece is logical
and clearly written.
Nikos Tsafos is an MA (candidate) in Middle East Studies
&International Energy Policy, now living in Washington D.C.
-BA
*****************************************************************
21 Xinhua: Hu makes proposals on deepening Sino-US business links,
bilateral ties
www.xinhuanet.com
www.chinaview.cn 2006-04-20 12:49:56
Chinese President Hu Jintao speaks during a luncheon hosted by
the Washington State, the Seattle business community and local
organizations in Seattle of US, April 19, 2006. (Photo: Xinhua)
Chinese President Hu Jintao speaks during a luncheon hosted by
the Washington State, the Seattle business community and local
organizations in Seattle of US, April 19, 2006. (Photo: Xinhua)
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) speaks during a luncheon
hosted by the Washington State, the Seattle business community
and local organizations in Seattle of US, April 19. Visiting
Chinese President Hu Jintao presented on Wednesday the
remarkable economic growth in China to attract more U.S.
businesses and expertise. (Photo: Xinhua)
SEATTLE, the United States, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Visiting
Chinese President Hu Jintao called Wednesday for greater joint
efforts to deepen business ties and promote the all-round growth
of the constructive and cooperative relationship between China
and the United States.
In a speech at a luncheon here hosted by the Washington
State, the Seattle business community and local organizations,
Hu made a five-point proposal for this purpose.
First, he said, China and the United States should work
together to promote economic development and prosperity in the
Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
"China and the United States share extensive common
interests," he said. "We both shoulder important
responsibilities for peace and development in this region."
China is ready to enhance dialogue and coordination with the
United States to jointly take part in regional economic
cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, ensure fast and dynamic
economic growth in the region and facilitate balanced and
orderly growth ofthe world economy, he promised.
Second, he said, the two countries should strengthen
coordination to uphold the international free trade regime.
"China and the United States need to actively promote trade
and investment liberalization and facilitation, remove trade
barriers and work to help establish a multilateral trading
system that is open, fair, equitable, transparent, non-exclusive
and non-discriminatory," he said.
Third, the Chinese president said, the two sides should
expand the scope of bilateral cooperation "in an innovative
way."
"China and the United States need to open new channels and
areas of cooperation and create new stimulants to boost our
business ties," he said.
He listed new areas of cooperation, such as in nuclear
energy, natural gas, energy conservation, renewable, clean and
new energies.
Fourth, Hu said, the two countries should give more guidance
and support to Chinese and American business communities to
deepen cooperation among them.
"China supports the undertaking of large projects of
cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit between Chinese
and American communities," he said.
The two governments should facilitate and support
cooperation between the business communities of the two
countries, he added.
Fifth, he said, the two sides should improve institutional
arrangements to properly address issues as they occur.
"China and the United States should always properly handle
the bilateral economic and trade issues through dialogue and
consultation", he said.
The Chinese president arrived here Tuesday for his first
state visit to the United States, with Seattle being the first
stop of his four-day stay in the country which ends on Friday.
The United States is the first leg of his five-nation tour,
which will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and
Kenya. Enditem
Editor: Lin Li
Copyright ©2003 Xinhua News Agency. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
22 AFP: Israel grounds Vanunu again
Thursday April 20, 11:46 AM
[Mordechai Vanunu]
JERUSALEM(AFP) - Israel has banned nuclear whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu, released after an 18-year jail term in 2004,
from foreign travel for another six months.
The former technician has made repeated appeals to the supreme
court in order to lift restrictions, renewable every 12 months,
on his freedom of movement, going abroad and speaking to foreign
journalists without permission.
The interior ministry opposes any concessions on the grounds he
could leak yet more secrets of his time as an employee at the
Dimona nuclear reactor should he be allowed to leave the country.
Vanunu was released from jail two years ago after serving his
sentence for lifting the lid on the inner workings of Israel's
Dimona nuclear plant to Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.
He became something of an international cause celebre during his
time in prison. At home, he is still widely reviled for
converting to Christianity shortly before he was kidnapped in
Italy and jailed in 1986 after being covertly shipped back to
the Jewish state.
Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the
Middle East with around 200 nuclear warheads but has never
admitted having atomic weapons.
The Jewish state has refused to sign the nuclear Treaty of
Non-Proliferation or allow international surveillance of Dimona,
in the southern Negev desert.
AFP
*****************************************************************
23 ITAR-TASS: Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine to sign new agt on nuclear fuel transit
20.04.2006, 14.39
KIEV, April 20 (Itar-Tass) -- Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine will
sign a new agreement on the nuclear fuel transit via Ukraine
from the Bulgarian nuclear power plant Kozloduy here on April
27, chairwoman of the state nuclear regulation committee Yelena
Mikolaichuk told journalists on Thursday. According to her, “the
document stipulates de jure the current transportation route of
fuel assemblies bypassing the Dniester region.”
The ten-year agreement “envisages guarantees that the spent
nuclear fuel from the Bulgarian nuclear power plant will not be
left in Ukraine,” Mikolaichuk emphasized. For its part, Ukraine
guarantees the transit of nuclear materials.
Mikolaichuk noted that under the ten-year agreement on
cooperation in the transportation of nuclear materials that
Bulgaria, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine signed in 1997, the new
Russian nuclear fuel was supplied to the nuclear power plant
Kozloduy via Ukraine and Moldova. The spent nuclear fuel was
supplied back to Russia for processing by the same itinerary.
The route was changed bypassing Moldova due to the deteriorating
situation in the Dniester region in 2001, but a new agreement
was not signed. Yulia Timoshenko’s government said in 2005 that
it is the last time Ukraine permits the fuel transit without an
agreement.
© ITAR-TASS. All rights reserved. You undertake not to copy,
*****************************************************************
24 [NYTr] Security Scare at PA Nuke Plant
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:27:57 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
sent by Al Dykes (panix.chat.politics) - Apr 20, 2006
WTOV9 News - Apr 20, 2006
http://www.wtov9.com/news/8834479/detail.html
Security Scare At Nuclear Plant
Pennsylvania State Police said two men tried to get into a nuclear
power plant in Shippingport, and were carrying more than a half
million dollars.
It happened at the Beaver Valley Power Plant in Beaver County near
East Liverpool.
Police said it all started when a tractor trailer, that had business
at the plant, tried to get inside.
Security stopped the truck and did a routine inspection. During that
search the security discovered a padlocked duffel bag, and opened it
up.
Inside they found more than $500,000, but police said the men left
after the search.
However, security did contact state police, and the two men in the
truck were pulled over.
State police said a drug dog detected the scent of drugs on the money,
and they confiscated it.
Now the FBI and Homeland Security are involved. The worry is that the
money may be connected to terrorist activity. However, the men claim
they picked it up in Chicago and didn't know what was inside. State
Police say they believe them.
"At this time we do not believe it was associated with the power
plant," said Sgt. Douglas Humble, of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Officials at the plant said the incident is a good sign that their
security measures are working.
Police are still investigating.
John Paul, NEWS9
Copyright 2006 by wtov9.com. All rights reserved.
*
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. Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us .
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*****************************************************************
25 [NukeNet] chernobyl day press conference 4/26; trenton. 11 am
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:53:46 -0700
NukeNet Anti-Nuclear Network (nukenet@energyjustice.net)
Unplug Salem friends and coalition members are urged and welcome to attend
this press conference.
UNPLUG Salem Campaign
321 Barr Ave, Linwood, NJ 08221
609-601-8583; ncohen12@comcast.net
www.unplugsalem.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/20/06
NO CHERNOBYL IN NEW JERSEY PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, APRIL
26TH, 11 AM, TRENTON
The UNPLUG Salem Campaign, NJ PIRG, and the Jersey Shore Nuclear
Watch will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday, April 26th, at 11
AM, in room 109 of the NJ Statehouse to commemorate the 20th anniversary of
the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown and disaster.
Entitled No Chernobyl in New Jersey, the press conference will focus
on the similarities between the nuclear companies running Chernobyl twenty
years ago and the record of PSEG and Exelon, owners and operators of Oyster
Creek, Salem 1 and 2, and Hope Creek, today.
Journalist and author Marianne Barisonek will talk about the Chernobyl
meltdown and why it happened. In 1995, Barisonek was the assistant producer
of the radio documentary Facing the Fallout, Nuclear Weapons and the New
World Disorder.
After working on the documentary, she decided that she would like to
produce a similar project about Chernobyl. In 1995 Barisonek participated
in part of the 3,500-mile Walk Across Europe for a Nuclear Free World,
meeting the walkers in Kiev. She walked with them for several weeks and
conducted interviews along the way, including doctors at the local
hospitals. She realized that the contaminated area around Chernobyl would
be dangerous for thousands of years.
During the summer of 2004 she returned to Chernobyl, and wrote the book
Cause and Effect: Understanding Chernobyl.
Dr Kymn Harvin, winner of the Carl Barus Award for Outstanding
Service in the Public Interest by the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers), will talk about similarities in management
between todays NJ nuclear companies and the Chernobyl operators
Norm Cohen, Coordinator of the UNPLUG Salem Campaign, Suzanne Leta,
Energy Advocate for NJ PIRG, and Edith Gbur, chair of the Jersey Shore
Nuclear Watch will discuss the weaknesses and problems at all four of New
Jerseys nukes, and why there is too big a chance that a Chernobyl-type
problem could happen here.
CONTACTS: Norm Cohen-- 609-601-8583
Dr Harvin-- 267 312 1252
Marianne Barisonek-- 503-860-9394
Suzanne Leta -- 609-394-8155 x310 ph
Edith Gbur -- 732-540-5107
Please note: pre-conference interviews available and additional information
on Salem/Hope Creek and Oyster Creek also available.
Coalition for Peace and Justice; UNPLUG Salem Campaign, 321 Barr Ave,
Linwood; NJ08221; 609-601-8583
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26 [NukeNet] $500K Seized; Strange Situation Reported At Nuclear
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:55:45 -0700
NukeNet Anti-Nuclear Network (nukenet@energyjustice.net)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_445309.html
Truckers found with $504,230 in cash near nuclear power plant
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
State Police are investigating two truck drivers who were found carrying
$504,230 in cash in a duffle bag, when they stopped Tuesday to pick up a
load of tools at First Energy's Beaver Valley nuclear power plant near
Shippingport.
A plant guard spotted the locked duffel bag during a routine security
search. The guard cut the lock, saw the money and reported it to the
police.
The two men turned their truck around and left the plant, but Shippingport
police stopped the truck a mile down the road and held the two men until
state troopers and members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force
arrived.
No charges have been filed.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/8821721/detail.html
$500K Seized; Strange Situation Reported At Nuclear Plant
POSTED: 8:49 am EDT April 19, 2006
UPDATED: 5:13 pm EDT April 19, 2006
SHIPPINGPORT, Pa. -- Two workers looking for tools set off a security
situation at a Beaver County nuclear power plant that drew a response from
police and federal investigators, WTAE Channel 4's Paul Van Osdol
reported.
State police said the men drove up to the Beaver Valley Power Station in a
tractor-trailer on Tuesday night to pick up two large containers of tools
for a contractor for whom they worked.
Security guards stopped the men for a routine inspection, but they drove
away, police said.
The guards became suspicious and called police, who pulled the truck over
about a mile from the plant.
A state trooper got a warrant to search the vehicle and found a duffel
bag, which he said contained $504,230 in mostly small bills.
The driver denied knowing anything about the money or who gave it to him,
so the trooper seized it, police said.
A spokesman for the FBI confirmed that the Joint Terrorism Task Force
responded to the situation in conjunction with state police, but he said
they don't think terrorism is involved. He would not give any other
details.
The men, who are from Houston, said they picked up the bag in Chicago and
had no knowledge of its contents, according to police.
Investigators think the cash may have a drug connection. A police dog
picked up the scent of drugs in the sleeper cab of the truck where the bag
was found, police said.
Both men were detained and later released. No charges have been filed.
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27 Chernobyl On Road To Recovery 20 Years After Disaster: UN Development Official
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:00:59 -0400
CHERNOBYL ON ROAD TO RECOVERY 20 YEARS AFTER DISASTER: UN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICIAL
New York, Apr 20 2006 12:00PM
While commemorating the victims and vast damage caused by the Chernobyl,
Ukraine nuclear disaster 20 years ago, a top United Nations
development official has said that the region is embracing the
right strategy for economic and social recovery.
“We are confident that Chernobyl has entered the right development
path,” Ad Melkert, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator
for the UN Development Programme (<"http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/april-2006/statement-melkert-oecd-20060417.en?g11n.enc=ISO-8859-1">UNDP)
told
a conference in Minsk, Belarus marking
the anniversary of the 26 April 1986 explosion in the Chernobyl
nuclear reactor that spread radiation over a wide swathe of land,
“It [that path] is already delivering practical solutions that, applied
consistently, hold the prospect of restoring to millions the
‘normal life’ that Chernobyl so brutally curtailed 20 years ago,”
he added.
He described the building blocks of the UN strategy on Chernobyl
as community-driven development, information dissemination and policy
advice.
UNDP is involved in projects in the three affected countries to assist
communities in creating social and economic opportunities,
he said. In Belarus specifically, the agency works through the Cooperation
for Rehabilitation (CORE) programme to restore community
infrastructure and boost local incomes through the creation of
new jobs.
“Our efforts have the dual aim of helping to restore self-reliance
and self-sufficiency among affected communities,” Melkert said.
“The creation of youth centres and health posts, the expansion
of a village school, new connections to gas lines and new entrepreneurship
activities can and do contribute to regaining independence,
initiative, and identity.”
All such projects must be achieved through the best use of limited
resources, he added: “Although Belarus has received some $400 million
in international aid for Chernobyl over the past five years,
it is no secret that funding for Chernobyl has dwindled over time.”
2006-04-20 00:00:00.000
________________
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28 Just In Ukraine, 2.32 Million Treated For Chernobyl Diseases
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:23:36 -0400
``We must now worry about the children of the
children of Chernobyl,'' said Gennady Groushevoy,
head of Children of Chernobyl. ``The health danger
is reaching into a second generation ... but the
government has retreated into a Soviet-era
attitude of silence.''
In all, 7 million people in the former Soviet
republics of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine are
believed to have suffered medical problems as a
result of the April 25, 1986, accident. In
Ukraine, more than 2.32 million people, including
452,000 children, have been treated for
radiation-linked illnesses, including thyroid and
blood cancer and cancerous growths, according to
Ukrainian health officials.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/science/AP-Living-With-Chernobyl.html?oref=login
Activists: Chernobyl Radiation Lingers
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 13, 2004
Filed at 8:34 p.m. ET
SVETILOVICHI, Belarus (AP) -- The signs say ``KEEP
OUT'' and warn of radiation contamination, but the
mushroom-pickers trudge right past them carrying
their pails. Eighteen years after the reactor at
Chernobyl in neighboring Ukraine exploded, spewing
a cloud of radiation that blew north and
contaminated 22 percent of this ex-Soviet
republic, activists warn of a new threat facing
Belarusians: the longing to return to normal life.
Advertisement
The government -- and many Belarusians -- are
eager to put the world's worst nuclear accident
behind them. President Alexander Lukashenko,
branded Europe's last dictator, has made it a
priority to repopulate much of the
Chernobyl-infected region beyond the hardest hit
areas.
But opposition parties and advocacy groups such as
the Belarus-based Children of Chernobyl accuse the
government of overriding warnings that radiation
continues to contaminate this region of pine
forests and mud-splattered farming villages.
Belarusians, many of them poor and ill-informed
about radiation, are returning home to villages
that still require permanent monitoring because of
higher than average radiation levels. Tractors
till farmland, cows graze and residents fill their
yards with vegetable gardens. Others are venturing
into the ``exclusion zones'' -- the worst hit
areas -- to forage in the forests for berries and
wild mushrooms, which are then sold throughout the
region.
The critics claim that the government of this
tightly controlled nation of 10 million is
capitalizing on the plight of desperate jobseekers
to repopulate still dangerous areas and boost
agricultural production.
In the last five years, Belarus has struck 1,000
population centers from the danger list. It has
boosted regional farm production by 30 percent,
cut Chernobyl-related welfare funding from 14
percent of the approximately $3 billion annual
budget to 4 percent, and censored health
statistics of rising death and cancer rates, the
opponents say.
``We must now worry about the children of the
children of Chernobyl,'' said Gennady Groushevoy,
head of Children of Chernobyl. ``The health danger
is reaching into a second generation ... but the
government has retreated into a Soviet-era
attitude of silence.''
In all, 7 million people in the former Soviet
republics of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine are
believed to have suffered medical problems as a
result of the April 25, 1986, accident. In
Ukraine, more than 2.32 million people, including
452,000 children, have been treated for
radiation-linked illnesses, including thyroid and
blood cancer and cancerous growths, according to
Ukrainian health officials.
Most villages around the plant remain off-limits
today, though some Ukrainians are moving back
despite government warnings.
Sixty percent of the fallout landed over Belarus,
contaminating a region that was home to more than
1.5 million people. Some 125,000 families were
evacuated, and large swaths of forest and farmland
were declared ``exclusion zones,'' sealed by
checkpoints.
Many of the evacuees still complain bitterly that
household belongings, left behind during their
hurried retreat, later turned up for sale in
regional markets, while they lived in limbo in
shabbily constructed apartment blocks.
Nikolai Nagorny, director of the International
Committee of the Red Cross' Chernobyl program,
said that cases of thyroid cancer -- one of the
few radiation-related illnesses that has been well
studied around Chernobyl -- have skyrocketed among
children in Belarus' affected regions, from just
two cases of thyroid cancer before the accident to
at least 1,000 in the 10 years after.
``I don't feel any danger, and even if I did --
what would it matter?'' said Raisa Stradayeva, 62,
as she and her grandson, Andrusha, trudged home
through the rain in Svetilovichi, a village just
outside the highly contaminated exclusion zone.
``I have to live somewhere and this is my home,''
she said.
Besides, she said, the health risks can't be that
severe because ``People are returning all the
time.''
Not only Belarusians; foreigners are coming too,
mostly from poorer ex-Soviet republics, seeking
jobs and housing.
Yuri Kuzmich, head of Belarus' Chernobyl exclusion
and monitoring zone, rejects accusations that the
government is intentionally sending anyone into
danger. In his office in Gomel, a city of 500,000
that has suffered increased radiation-related
illnesses, Kuzmich said his staff does all it can
to keep people out of the worst-hit areas and
provide information to those living in the
surrounding region.
But, he admits, not everyone is on the same page.
State-run farms ``have plans to fulfill ... and
they want to fulfill these no matter what,'' he
said. Those farms need workers, and farm workers
come.
``The passage of time and economic necessity take
their toll,'' he said, sitting beneath a portrait
of Lukashenko. ``Human memory is short. Eighteen
years might as well be 100.''
Kuzmich's team oversees the exclusion zone,
manning checkpoints, escorting visitors into the
region and collecting scientific and medical data.
Some employees are also assigned to oversee the
villages under radiation monitoring.
However, a reporter visiting recently was never
questioned when entering the exclusion zone,
checkpoints appeared deserted and the mushroom-
and berry-pickers walk through on the main road,
via forest paths or on buses that still pass
through the zone.
Margarita Artemyeva, who moved here from
Kazakhstan, was helping her 25-year-old daughter,
Natasha, wallpaper her new home -- a damp bungalow
identical to its neighbors.
``I don't even think about it. I'm not scared at
all. If there was a real danger, we'd know it,
wouldn't we?'' said Artemyeva, 44. She rejected
the claim that the poor are being used to
repopulate the area.
Critics claim vegetables, milk and meat from
Chernobyl-contaminated regions such as
Svetilovichi are being sold throughout Belarus.
But in a nation where the average monthly salary
is about $150, few have the option of putting
health concerns first and buying imports.
Besides, the berries and wild mushrooms supplement
meager diets and also sell well.
After Artemyeva mentioned she loved mushrooms, one
of Kuzmich's employees took her aside and gently
warned her against collecting them in the
exclusion zone.
*****************************************************************
29 [NYTr] Chernobyl Nuclear Death Toll Could Near 93,000
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:26:10 -0500 (CDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba
http://www.radiohc.cu
Chernobyl Nuclear Death Toll Could Near 93,000 - Ecology Group
Havana, April 18 (RHC)- As many around the world commemorate the 20th
anniversary of the deadly accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in
Ukraine, the Greenpeace ecology group has revealed that the numbers of
mortal victims could reach 93,000 people. The international
organization says that most of the people died of cancer, and that the
United Nations grossly underestimated the death toll by 20 times.
In a report released today, Greenpeace notes that cancer and mortality
rates have increased sharply in the former Soviet republics of Russia,
Belarus and Ukraine, as a result of the accident. The study charges
that UN agencies were massively inaccurate in their estimates that the
fallout would eventually kill a total of 4,000 people.
The world's worst nuclear accident happened on April 26, l986, when
one of four reactors exploded and sent radioactive particles across
the region and Western Europe. Thirty-one workers at the plant died
immediately. The Soviet Union kept the event secret for two days,
until equipment at a Swedish nuclear plant detected high radiation.
Bloomberg news agency reports that Greenpeace representative, Ivan
Blokov, charged today that the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency
cannot remain the world's nuclear watchdog if it cannot at least admit
that nuclear power is responsible for the impact on those whose life
it scarred forever.
Greenpeace, an Amsterdam-based Non-Governmental Organization, which
opposes nuclear power, said it based the 139-page report on scientific
research in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
UN agencies, including the IAEA and World Health Organization, claimed
in a September report that the health threats from Chernobyl had
mostly receded and that governments in the region should help citizens
resume normal lives.
Ukraine agreed to shut the Chernobyl plant in 1999 after the European
Union and the Group of Eight countries pledged $2.3 billion in aid.
*
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30 NRC: NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Dresden Nuclear Power Plant
News Release - Region III - 2006-01
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs, Region III
No. III-06-017 April 19, 2006
CONTACT: Jan Strasma (630) 829-9663
Viktoria Mitlyng (630) 829-9662 E-mail: opa3@nrc.gov
representatives of Exelon Generation Co. on Wednesday, April 26,
to discuss the agencys assessment of safety performance for last
year at the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant. The plant is located
near Morris, Ill.
The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled to begin
at 6:30 p.m. at the Grundy County Administration Center, 1320
Union Street, in Morris. The NRC will respond to questions or
comments before the close of the meeting
The NRC continually reviews the performance of the Dresden plant
and the nations other commercial nuclear power facilities, NRC
Region III Administrator James Caldwell said. This meeting will
provide an opportunity for a discussion of our annual assessment
of safety performance with the company and with local officials
and residents who live near the plant. Our goal is to explain
the NRC oversight process and make as much information as
possible available to the public regarding our regulation of
these facilities.
A letter sent from the NRC Region III Office to plant officials
addresses the performance of the plant during the period and
will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is
available on the NRC web site at:
http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/dres_2005q4.pdf
[PDF Icon] .
The NRCs assessment concluded that the Dresden plant operated
safely during the period. The NRC uses color-coded inspection
findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear plant
performance. The colors start with green and then increase to
white, yellow or red, commensurate with the safety significance
of the issues involved.
All of the inspection findings and performance indicators for
Dresden during 2005 were determined to be green. As a result of
this performance, the NRC will conduct the normal, baseline
level of inspections during the upcoming year.
Routine inspections are performed by two NRC Resident
Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists
from the Region III Office in Lisle, Ill. Among the areas of
plant operations to be inspected this year by NRC specialists
are access control to radiologically significant areas, licensed
operator qualification program, and radioactive material
processing and transportation.
In addition, the NRC plans to conduct an inspection to review
the activities related to the planned steam dryer replacement on
Unit 3. The same inspection is planned for Unit 2 in 2007. NRC
resident inspectors will also continue to monitor the plants
corrective actions associated with the onsite tritium leak that
occurred in February.
Current performance information for Dresden is available on the
NRCs web site at:
http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DRES2/dres2_chart.html
and
http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DRES3/dres3_chart.html.
Last revised Thursday, April 20, 2006
*****************************************************************
31 Korea Herald: Korea maintains strong nuclear safety, control system
[SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY]
Status of nuclear energy
Energy security is as important as national defense because
energy is the root of the economy, welfare and defense of a
nation. And as nations pursue energy security and sustainable
development, eco-friendly nuclear energy has been brought to the
fore with diversified applications.
Korea has considered nuclear energy as the main energy source
for the nation's growth since the recurring oil crises in the
1970s. Korea's dependence on nuclear power has steadily
increased since the Kori Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 started
operation in 1978.
In Korea, the value of the nuclear energy industry was at about
$11 billion (1.7 percent of GDP) in 2003. Currently, a total of
20 nuclear power plants are in operation, and in 2004, they
supplied 38 percent of the nation's electricity supply. Today,
Korea is the sixth-largest nuclear electricity generating
country in the world.
The technological level of Korea's nuclear power industry has
already reached a new height through the successful
implementation of self-reliance programs and the localization of
fuel reactors and other major components.
Framework for nuke energy
Under the Atomic Energy Act, the Atomic Energy Commission is the
highest decision-making body on policy issues and in the
utilization of nuclear energy. The AEC is composed of nine to 11
members representing various sectors of the government, academia
and industry. The chairman of the AEC is the prime minister.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has the overall
responsibility for the nation's nuclear research and
development, regulatory and licensing works. In order to deal
with important issues in nuclear safety, the Nuclear Safety
Commission was established under MOST in December 1996. The NSC
consists of seven to nine members, including the minister of
science and technology who serves as its chairman. The Ministry
of Commerce, Industry and Energy is responsible for the
construction and operation of nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel
supply, and the management of low- and intermediate-level
radioactive waste.
Nuclear regulatory organizations are mainly composed of MOST,
the regulatory authority, NSC, and the Korea Institute of
Nuclear Safety, the technical expert body. The Korea Atomic
Energy Research Institute, Korea Institute of Radiological
&Medical Sciences, KINS, and universities and other institutes
conduct national R programs on nuclear energy.
Also, several state-invested and private companies, as Korea
Hydro &Nuclear Power Company, Korea Power Engineering Company,
Korea Nuclear Fuel Company, and Doosan Heavy Industries
&Construction Company, play roles in the nuclear sector.
Long-term nuke policy
The AEC, in consideration of the necessity of promoting a
comprehensive and consistent policy, deliberated and decided on
the "Directions of Long-term Nuclear Energy Policy toward the
Year 2030" in July 1994. The directions emphasize the safe and
peaceful use of nuclear energy under a spirit of pursuing life
in harmony with nature. It prescribes four primary objectives:
(1) to enhance the stability in energy supply by promoting
nuclear energy as a major energy source,
(2) to achieve self-reliance in nuclear reactors and
proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel cycle technology through
comprehensive and systematic nuclear energy research and
development,
(3) to foster nuclear energy as a strategic export industry by
securing international competitiveness through the advancement
of nuclear technology, on the basis of active participation and
initiatives of the civil sector, and
(4) to play a leading role in the improvement of human welfare
and the advancement of science and technology by expanding the
use of nuclear technology in agriculture, engineering, medicine
and industry, and by activating basic research of nuclear
technology.
In order to achieve the objectives of the long-term nuclear
energy policy, the Atomic Energy Act was revised in January 1995
to establish a legal basis to formulate the "Comprehensive
Nuclear Energy Promotion Plan" every five years. CNEPP includes
long-term nuclear policy objectives and basic directions,
sector-by-sector objectives, budgets, investment plans, etc.
Nuclear safety policy
In September 1994, the minister of science and technology issued
the "Statement of Nuclear Safety Policy," containing the
principles of nuclear safety regulations to secure consistency,
adequacy, and rationality of regulatory activities. It
identified 11 directions of the nuclear safety regulation policy
to concretely implement those principles.
The safety policy, declaring that safety is a prerequisite to
the development and utilization of nuclear energy, emphasizes
the importance of developing a culture of nuclear safety that
the International Atomic Energy Agency has referred to. It also
prescribes that the ultimate responsibility for nuclear safety
rests with the operating organizations of the nuclear
installations, and is in no way diluted by the separate
activities and responsibilities of designers, suppliers,
constructors and regulators. Finally, it prescribes that the
government should fulfill its overall responsibility to protect
the public and the environment from radiation hazards that might
accompany the development and utilization of nuclear energy.
Transparency
The government will seek to gain the confidence of the
international community and strive for higher levels of
transparency and make efforts to ensure stability in the use of
nuclear energy while expanding the peaceful use of nuclear
energy. In 2005, for institutional support, the government
updated the Act on Nuclear Control and instituted the National
Nuclear Control Agency for technical support in domestic
inspections and safeguard implementation.
R program
The Atomic Energy Act stipulates that the minister of science
and technology will formulate the National Nuclear Energy R
Program according to the sector-by-sector implementation plan.
The national R program, called the "National Mid- and Long-term
Nuclear Energy R Program," is implemented mainly by research
institutions.
Originally, the program was launched in June 1992 as a 10-year
(1992-2001) project. It was modified into a new R program to be
implemented from 1997 to 2006 to assess major changes in
national and international situations. The 2005 budget for the
programs is about $200 million. It is funded by the government
and the nuclear R fund from nuclear power plants. The two major
goals of the programs are improving the indigenous nuclear power
technology by developing advanced reactors and fuels and
achieving innovations in nuclear technology.
Korea succeeded in localizing commercial nuclear fuels of the
Pressurized Heavy WaterReactor and the Pressurized Water Reactor
in 1987 and 1988, respectively. They now fully serve the
domestic demand for fuel. The construction of the advanced
research reactor, called HANARO (High-flux Advanced Neutron
Application Reactor), was completed with domestic technologies
in 1995. The design of the Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant,
now called the Optimized Power Reactor 1000, was completed in
1996 and the KSNP is currently being constructed. The design of
the APR1400 (Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor with a capacity
of 1,400 megawatts), was developed in 2001. Construction of the
APR1400 is scheduled to begin after the completion of KSNP.
International nuclear
cooperation
Since becoming an IAEA member in 1957, Korea has taken part in
training its nuclear workforce through the IAEA's technical
cooperation projects. The experience and technological progress
that Korea has acquired can certainly help manpower training
abroad. In March 2002, the regional office of the RCA (Regional
Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training
Related to Nuclear Science and Technology in Asia and Pacific
Region) was established in Daejeon to strengthen technical
cooperation and to facilitate technology sharing among the 17
member states.
Korea has also actively participated in the joint research
projects of OECD/NEA and International Cooperative Decommission
Program since joining the NEA in 1993.
As of December 2005, the government has concluded 21 bilateral
agreements that promote cooperation in the peaceful use of
nuclear energy. The international collaborations for developing
the advanced nuclear reactors are Generation IV Nuclear Energy
Systems, International Nuclear Research Initiatives, and
International Project on Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles.
Closing
Nuclear energy is contributing greatly to the national economy
and to the welfare of citizens through a stable and cheap energy
supply. Nuclear energy also strengthens the competitiveness of
the nation's industries. Korea pursues the peaceful use of
nuclear energy in R and power generation. Korea has maintained a
strong nuclear safety and control system to build transparency
and credibility. The government will continue to cooperate with
the international community in striving for the peaceful use of
nuclear energy and nonproliferation.
By Park Chang-Kue President of the Korea Atomic Energy Research
Institute
2006.04.21
*****************************************************************
32 BBC: City nuclear power plant
Last Updated: Thursday, 20 April 2006
[Nuclear station]
A nuclear power plant for Londonderry has been proposed
Councillors in Londonderry are to hear a local businessman's
proposals to build a nuclear power plant in the city later on
Thursday.
Robert Andrews said it would meet future energy needs in Northern
Ireland and provide hundreds of jobs.
He admited there was a risk with the nuclear waste but said it
could be dealt with "safely".
However, Dr Peter Doran of the Green Party said it could become a
"target for international terrorism".
Mr Andrews said he wanted a plant that would generate about 2,000
megawatt hours based at the old power station in Coolkeeragh.
He said that to generate the same amount of power using wind
would require 300,000 windfarms throughout Ireland.
"I believe from a technical point of view that it is safe, it is
efficient, it is very profitable," he said.
"For example if a nuclear power station were in Derry it would
produce 500 permanent jobs. Nuclear power stations last 60 years
so that's 500 jobs for 60 years."
[Robert Andrews]
Robert Andrews said a nuclear power station would bring jobs
Mr Doran said the Sustainable Development Commission's report to
the prime minister had noted nuclear power plants could be terror
targets.
"The advocates of a nuclear power plant in Derry would be placing
every man, woman and child in Derry in the front line in Tony
Blair's war against international terrorism," he said.
He said that the idea would also sound the "death knell" for
tourism in the area.
John Woods from Friends of the Earth said that Ireland did not
need a nuclear power plant.
"There are lots of other ways of creating jobs, primarily through
renewable energy," he added.
*****************************************************************
33 Platts: Rosatom official: Decision on Russian nuclear power program near
Paris (Platts)--19Apr2006
A decision on an amibitious Russian nuclear power program is
imminent, according to Valery Rachkov, the deputy head of the
Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom).
Rachkov said meeting the goal of increasing nuclear's share in
Russia's electricity supply to nearly 25% by 2020, with 40
gigawatts installed, will require commissioning of 2-4 gigawatts
of nuclear capacity per year.
He said that by 2013 Russia will have to replace existing nuclear
units with gas-fired power plants, but the gas plants would later
be replaced by nuclear units.
He spoke at the Rosenergoatom-organized international conference,
Safety, Efficiency and Economy of the Nuclear Power Industry, in
Moscow today. The conference, an annual event, drew over 700
participants this year.
Copyright © 2006 - Platts, All Rights Reserved
[The McGraw-Hill Companies]
*****************************************************************
34 NRC: NRC Begins Special Inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant
News Release - Region III - 2006-01
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs, Region III
No. III-06-018 April 20, 2006
CONTACT: Jan Strasma (630) 829-9663
Viktoria Mitlyng (630) 829-9662 E-mail: opa3@nrc.gov
plant workers received unintended radiation exposures early
Wednesday when a storage container holding irradiated equipment
briefly rose to the surface of the water-filled refueling area
at the plant.
The plant, operated by Nuclear Management Co. at Covert, Mich.,
is shut down for refueling.
About six workers were manipulating a two-part storage container
underwater in the refueling area when an inner portion of the
container, apparently buoyed by air inside, rose briefly to the
surface. The workers were exposed to the radiation emitted from
the highly radioactive equipment inside the container.
According to radiation detectors, worn by the workers, the
maximum radiation exposure was less than 50 millirems which is a
small portion of the 5,000 millirem annual federal limit for
radiation workers. No adverse health effects would be expected
from such radiation exposures, and no medical treatment was
necessary.
The NRC inspectors will review the circumstances surrounding the
incident, including why air remained trapped inside the
container and what actions the workers were performing at the
time of the incident. The inspectors will also make an
independent assessment of the radiation exposures received by
the workers.
The workers were preparing to open the shielded container under
water when the incident occurred. The container held neutron
detectors which were previously installed in the reactor. The
neutron detectors in the reactor core are periodically replaced
and stored prior to being sent offsite to a radioactive waste
disposal site.
The special inspection team will issue its report about 30 days
after the completion of the inspection. The report will be
available from the Region III Office of Public Affairs or in the
agencys online document library at:
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams/web-based.html.
Last revised Thursday, April 20, 2006
*****************************************************************
35 RBC: Gazprom unlikely to gain from nuclear energy soon
RosBusinessConsulting - News Online rbc.ru
RBC, 20.04.2006, Moscow 09:56:56.
Gazprom's investment in Russia's nuclear assets may only benefit
the gas concern in the long term, analysts told RBC commenting on
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller's statement that the company was
considering the nuclear energy sector as a prospective sphere of
interest.
If the nuclear energy sector is denationalized, Gazprom
will invest funds in this sphere, an analyst believes. However,
it would be a forced decision as if the gas holding were a
private company, it would only benefit from the nuclear industry
in the long-term outlook. It is, of course, cheaper to produce
nuclear energy than to generate gas, but the payback time of new
projects is rather long, as the nation presently lacks atomic
facilities, which would need to built, and at a great cost.
Meanwhile, Gazprom can alternatively invest funds in building
export pipelines, developing gas fields instead, the analyst
believes.
All rights reserved. © 1995 - 2006 RosBusinessConsulting.
© 2006 Associated Press.
All rights reserved © 1995-2000 RosBusinessConsulting
*****************************************************************
36 APP.COM: A-plant officials, feds to meet |
Asbury Park Press Online
FOES TO ATTEND
04/20/06 BY NICHOLAS CLUNN MANAHAWKIN BUREAU
LACEY — Opponents of a plan to renew the Oyster Creek nuclear
power plant's operating license are expected to attend a public
meeting today between plant officials and federal regulators who
eventually will decide on whether to grant an extension.
In an e-mail that circulated among renewal opponents Wednesday,
Suzanne Leta, energy advocate with the New Jersey Public
Interest and Research Group in Trenton, called on residents and
public officials to attend the meeting and talk about their
concerns.
The meeting may provide insight into what regulators think about
how Oyster Creek's operator, AmerGen Energy Co., would monitor
safety equipment for degradation during an extended operating
period.
Regulators aren't expected to make a decision on the 20-year
renewal until May 2007. Without a renewal, the plant would close
when its current license expires in 2009.
The meeting will start at 2 p.m. at the Lacey municipal
building, 818 W. Lacey Road.
Copyright © 2006 Asbury Park Press. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
37 APP.COM: Oyster Creek foes plan to attend today's public meeting
| Asbury Park Press Online
:Thursday, April 20, 2006
Federal, plant officials to discuss safety equipment monitoring
Posted by the on 04/20/06 BY
MANAHAWKIN BUREAU
LACEY — Opponents of a plan to renew the Oyster Creek nuclear
power plant's operating license are expected to attend a public
meeting today between plant officials and federal regulators who
will eventually decide on whether to grant an extension.
In an e-mail that circulated among renewal opponents on
Wednesday, Suzanne Leta, energy advocate with the New Jersey
Public Interest and Research Group in Trenton, called on
residents and public officials to attend the meeting and talk
about their concerns.
The meeting, which starts at 2 p.m. at the Lacey Municipal
Building, 818 W. Lacey Road, may provide insight into what
regulators think about how Oyster Creek's operator, AmerGen
Energy Co., would monitor safety equipment for degradation
during an extended operating period.
Regulators aren't expected to make a decision on the 20-year
renewal until May 2007.
Without a renewal, the plant would close when its current
license expires in 2009.
Nicholas Clunn: (609) 978-4597 or [E-mail] E-mail
Copyright © 2006 Asbury Park Press. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
38 TheStar.com - Voices: Nuclear power
Voices: Nuclear powerApr. 20, 2006. 12:52 PM
Premier McGuinty is hinting that nuclear power is the best way
to meet our energy needs. We asked you what you think. Here's
what you had to say.
Rather than increase the supply, can’t we decrease the demand?
The individual needs to be made more responsible for the amount
of power he or she consumes. We can all change little bits of
how we live every day so that we make a change in the amount of
power we require. It’s too easy to tell government to provide us
with more and, in the long run, find it too costly to the
environment.
Sean Green, Pickering
Why is it that we keep using methods that will hurt us in the
long run? Why don’t we use more environmentally friendly or
green energy resources? For example, solar or wind? The wind
farms are a great start; let’s expand on these methods of
creating power.
Robert Rigatti, Brampton
Anyone can see nuclear power is an accident waiting to happen.
It may not be today, but one day and Ontario will be a
radioactive wasteland for centuries. I thought McGuinty was
smarter and braver than this.
Brian Quinn, Oakville
Nuclear energy produces more waste. In fact they are trying to
find a place to bury this waste, and it is more dangerous. With
proper recycling and separating, you can burn garbage as well as
coal. The waste is not as dangerous. Would you rather have
nuclear waste buried in your back yard?
Allen James, North Bay, Ont.
Certainly governments at all levels need to consider and
cultivate alternative energy resources before it’s too late for
all of us.
Virginia Furlong, Pickering
Finally, something that makes sense came out of Mr. McGuinty.
Since thermonuclear power is not available yet, nuclear power is
the best way to proceed. Scary stories about Chernobyl are way
out of proportion mostly because it happened so long ago in a
power plant with different and older design than would be used
here in Ontario.
Peter Smith, Toronto
No, absolutely not! Nuclear power is neither efficient nor
cost-effective. Billions are poured into these nuclear fiascos
only to become toxic waste dumps after 40 years.
Carol Auld, Toronto
Legal Notice: Copyright Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All
*****************************************************************
39 NRC: NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet May 4-5 in Rockville, Maryland
News Release - 2006-05
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
No. 06-057 April 19, 2006
Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) will hold a public meeting May 4-5 in
Rockville, Md., to conduct a final review of the license renewal
application for the Brunswick nuclear power plant, near
Southport, N.C. Among other items, the committee will also
conduct final reviews of extended power uprate applications for
the Ginna nuclear power plant, near Rochester, N.Y., and the
Beaver Valley nuclear power plant in western Pennsylvania.
The meeting will be held in Room T-2B3 of the agencys Two White
Flint North building, at 11545 Rockville Pike. It will begin at
8:30 a.m. each day and end at 7 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 p.m.
on Friday. A complete agenda will be available on the NRCs Web
site at:
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/acrs/agenda/2006/.
Anyone with questions or those wanting to make public statements
during the meeting should contact Sam Duraiswamy at
301-415-7364. To pursue videoconferencing services, contact
Theron Brown, at 301-415-8066.
The ACRS advises the Commission on licensing and operating of
nuclear power plants and related safety issues.
Last revised Thursday, April 20, 2006
*****************************************************************
40 APP.COM: Cracks at plant must be probed |
Asbury Park Press Online
April 20, 2006
Hairline cracks in the concrete shield around the reactor vessel
at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey can't be
dismissed as the normal products of aging. Even the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission recognizes that in asking plant operator
AmerGen Energy for more information about its inspection plans
for the reactor.
This is the type of scrutiny the NRC should apply to every part
and operation at the plant as it reviews AmerGen's application
to extend Oyster Creek's operating license 20 years beyond its
2009 expiration date. Its decision on the nation's oldest
operating nuclear generating station isn't expected until May
2007.
The public has a chance to see how the NRC is scrutinizing
AmerGen's application and the operator's responses at a public
meeting at 2 p.m. today at the Lacey municipal building.
AmerGen's plans for monitoring the aging of certain safety
components are expected to be discussed.
Opponents of the license renewal should attend in force to show
the NRC and AmerGen how much they want to be informed about the
plant's future. The NRC will entertain questions after the
business portion of the meeting.
After reading AmerGen's 2,400-page renewal application, the NRC
noted "a concern that several potential aging issues may not
have been adequately addressed."
The cracks in the concrete wall should be one of those concerns
because the shield is designed to a stop some of the reactor's
radiation and heat from entering parts of the containment
building on the other side. The NRC has also raised questions
about cracks around the pool of water that holds highly
radioactive spent fuel.
Independent experts who reviewed the NRC documents have
concluded the cracks are normal, much akin to those found on
weather-beaten sidewalks. But a nuclear power plant is not a
sidewalk. The cracks may indicate deterioration that could have
dire consequences.
The NRC must make sure — from personal inspection as well as
documentation — that any imperfections at Oyster Creek do not
jeopardize AmerGen's ability to operate the plant safely, now
and during its extended life. Just because it has never denied a
license extension doesn't mean the NRC should not press the
applicant to carry its burden of safety.
Copyright © 2006 Asbury Park Press. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
41 Pittsburgh Business Times: NRC summons GeoMechanics for talk -
Pittsburgh Business Times - 2:32 PM EDT Wednesday
The , investigating the temporary loss of a nuclear gauge, will
meet with representatives of next Wednesday to discuss possible
violations.
The radioactive gauges are used to measure soil density and the
thickness of steel and concrete. About 22,000 to 25,000
radioactive gauges are in use in the country, and about 50 are
stolen each year, according to the NRC.
» Get the latest business news on the go! Brought to you by
Cingular
The gauges can pose an environmental concern if abandoned or
inadvertently recycled, the NRC said.
The incident the NRC is investigating concerning Elizabeth
Township-based GeoMechanics, took place last September.
A radioactive gauge was stolen Sept. 19 from the bed of a pickup
truck in South Charleston, W.Va. The device, owned by
GeoMechanics, was recovered four days later.
The NRC permits workers to keep the gauges in locked vehicles,
so long as the devices are secured in their containers.
However, the NRC said, the GeoMechanics device was in a locked
container in an open bed of a pickup truck. The container was
secured to the truck with a single lock and chain, the NRC said.
The NRC said it has identified two violations: One, that at
least two methods of "independent physical control" or locks, be
used; and two, that GeoMechanics failed to submit a written
report within 30 days of the theft.
The company notified the NRC by telephone the day after the
theft, but not in writing until Feb. 9, the NRC said.
No decision on a fine will be made at the April 26 meeting, the
NRC said.
A GeoMechanics representative could not immediately be reached
for comment.
© 2006 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors.
*****************************************************************
42 Nature: Twenty years on
nature.com homepage
Editor's Summary
20 April 2006
On 28 April 1986 the Soviet Union acknowledged that there had
been an accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine
two days earlier. This week's cover shows a helicopter crew
monitoring radioactivity above the damaged reactor 4 later that
summer. In a series of pieces in this issue we chart the costs
of Chernobyl, the world's worst peacetime nuclear accident, in
terms of human lives and ecological damage. And with the
perspective of 20 years, it's time also to assess the prospects
for nuclear energy in the twenty-first century. In a Commentary
anticipating the UN agencies' forthcoming Chernobyl report,
Dillwyn Williams and Keith Baverstock stress the importance of
comprehensive health monitoring of populations in the most
affected areas of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Without it, the
nuclear power industry will never overcome the public suspicion
that is a lasting legacy of Chernobyl.
News: Special Report: Counting the dead
Twenty years after the worst nuclear accident in history,
arguments over the death toll of Chernobyl are as politically
charged as ever, reports Mark Peplow.
doi:10.1038/440982a
News Feature: Nuclear power: Chernobyl and the future: when the
price is right
Once touted as too cheap to meter, nuclear power has become too
costly to build. But the economics may be shifting, finds Jim
Giles.
doi:10.1038/440984a
Full Text | PDF (864K)
News Feature: Nuclear waste: Chernobyl and the future: Forward
planning
The global future of nuclear power may rest in large part on
local politics, reports Geoff Brumfiel.
doi:10.1038/440987a
Full Text | PDF (1,030K)
Commentary: Chernobyl and the future: Too soon for a final
diagnosis
Twenty years ago, the nuclear accident at Chernobyl exposed
hundreds of thousands of people to radioactive fallout. We still
have much to learn about its consequences, argue Dillwyn
Williams and Keith Baverstock.
doi:10.1038/440993a
Full Text | PDF (315K) Top of page
Nature
ISSN: 0028-0836
EISSN: 1476-4687
+
© 2006 Nature Publishing Group partner of AGORA, HINARI, Cross
*****************************************************************
43 NRC: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection:
FR Doc E6-5932
[Federal Register: April 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 76)]
[Notices] [Page 20421-20422] From the Federal Register Online via
GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20ap06-60]
Comment Request AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
ACTION: Notice of pending NRC action to submit an information
collection request to OMB and solicitation of public comment.
SUMMARY: The NRC is preparing a submittal to OMB for review of
continued approval of information collections under the
provisions of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
Information pertaining to the requirement to be submitted:
1. The title of the information collection: 10 CFR part 40,
Domestic Licensing of Source Material; and NRC Form 484,
Detection Monitoring Data Report.
2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0020.
3. How often the collection is required: On occasion. Reports
required under 10 CFR part 40 are collected and evaluated on a
continuing basis as events occur.
There is a one-time submittal of information to receive a
license. Renewal applications need to be submitted every 5 to 10
years. Information in previous applications may be referenced
without being resubmitted. In addition, recordkeeping must be
performed on an on- going basis. NRC Form 484 is submitted
biannually to report ground- water data necessary to implement
EPA ground-water standards.
4. Who is required or asked to report: 10 CFR part 40: Applicants
for and holders of NRC licenses authorizing the receipt,
possession, use, or transfer of radioactive source and byproduct
material.
NRC Form 484: Uranium recovery facility licensees reporting
ground- water monitoring data pursuant to 10 CFR 40.64. 5. The
estimated number of annual respondents: 340 licensees (68 NRC
licensees and 272 Agreement State licensees).
6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the
requirement or request: 65,418 hours [20,769 NRC Licensees
(16,067 hours reporting and 4,702 hours recordkeeping) and 44,649
Agreement State Licensees (26,923 hours reporting and 17,726
hours recordkeeping)].
7. Abstract: 10 CFR part 40 establishes requirements for licenses
for the receipt, possession, use and transfer of radioactive
source and byproduct material. NRC Form 484 is used to report
certain groundwater monitoring data required by 10 CFR part 40
for uranium recovery licensees. The application, reporting and
recordkeeping requirements are necessary to permit the NRC to
make a determination on whether the possession, use, and transfer
of source and byproduct material is in conformance with the
Commission's
[[Page 20422]] regulations for protection of public health and
safety.
Submit, by June 19, 2006, comments that address the following
questions: 1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary
for the NRC to properly perform its functions? Does the
information have practical utility? 2. Is the burden estimate
accurate? 3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected? 4. How can the burden
of the information collection be minimized, including the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology? A copy of the draft supporting statement may be
viewed free of charge at the NRC Public Document Room, One White
Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Room O-1 F21, Rockville, MD
20852. OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC worldwide
Web site:
http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/doc-comment/omb/index.html. The
document will be available on the NRC home page site for 60 days
after the signature date of this notice.
Comments and questions about the information collection
requirements may be directed to the NRC Clearance Officer, Brenda
Jo. Shelton, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, T-5 F52,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, by telephone at 301-415-7233, or by
Internet electronic mail to INFOCOLLECTS@NRC.GOV. Dated at
Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day of April 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Brenda Jo. Shelton, NRC Clearance Officer, Office of Information
Services.
[FR Doc. E6-5932 Filed 4-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
*****************************************************************
44 NRC: Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Notice of Issuance of Amendment
FR Doc E6-5934
[Federal Register: April 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 76)]
[Notices] [Page 20422] From the Federal Register Online via GPO
Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20ap06-61]
to Facility Operating License: Correction AGENCY: Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of issuance; correction.
SUMMARY: This document corrects a Notice of Issuance of Amendment
to Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-19 for Dresden
Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2, appearing in the Federal Register
on March 14, 2006 (71 FR 13185), that incorrectly referenced the
applicable amendment number to be 210 when the correct amendment
number was 218. This action is necessary to correct an erroneous
amendment number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maitri Banerjee, Office of
Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone (301) 415-2277, e-mail: .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On page 13185 of the Federal Register,
in the first column, eighth line from the bottom, it is corrected
to read from ``210'' to ``218''.
Dated in Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day of April 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Maitri Banerjee, Senior Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch
III-2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E6-5934 Filed 4-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
*****************************************************************
45 Planet Ark: Three Mile Island Shows US Nuclear Risks, Rewards
April 21, 2006
MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania - Four giant cooling towers loom over
the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, reminders of the fears and
hopes surrounding an industry that may help cut US dependence on
foreign oil.
Two towers stand quiet, idle since a partial meltdown in a
reactor almost 30 years ago in the nation's worst nuclear
accident. Two others belch steam from an active reactor,
providing cheap electricity to 400,000 homes.
Unlike the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine -- which will mark its
20th anniversary on April 26 -- no one died at Three Mile
Island. But critics of atomic power raise concerns over
potential terrorist threats to plants and say science has yet to
provide an adequate solution for highly toxic nuclear waste.
Three Mile Island owner Exelon Corp. now wants to extend its
operating licence as part of an industry programme to keep all
103 US nuclear reactors going beyond their standard 40-year
licences.
New plants are also under consideration as companies hope to
cash in on an expected 45 percent surge in electricity demand
over the next 25 years and answer US government calls to
diversify sources for the world's top energy consumer.
President George W. Bush has said America is "addicted to oil"
and called nuclear power a clean, low-cost alternative. Industry
groups say its use can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases,
caused by burning coal and crude oil, and they point to polls
suggesting growing public acceptance.
Yet for some people living near Three Mile Island, in the
Susquehanna River area near the Pennsylvania state capital of
Harrisburg, worries over a possible deadlier accident remain.
"How big is the explosion going to be? How are you going to get
out?" Mario Lugo asked from the main street of Middletown, about
5 km (3 miles) north of the plant.
The 42-year-old airport maintenance worker said he has
considered moving away because of his fear of an accident.
GROWING APPROVAL
Nationally, however, industry surveys suggest 70 percent of the
public is comfortable with nuclear power, up from around 50
percent in the mid-1980s.
Approval rises to more than 80 percent among those living close
to a nuclear plants, which pay high taxes to host cities,
according to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) lobbying group.
"The contribution to the tax rates to the city and counties is
pretty significant, primarily through property taxes which are
the main instrument for funding public schools," said Mitch
Singer, an NEI spokesman.
Nuclear power generates 20 percent of US electricity, up from 3
percent in the early 1970s. Supporters point to France, which
over the past 30 years has built 58 nuclear plants that provide
around 78 percent of electricity, as a model.
Nuclear power is enjoying something of a rebirth -- 20 years
after the explosion at Chernobyl seemed to herald its decline --
in a power-hungry world, worried about rising oil prices.
Last month, Russia and the United States called for the world to
embrace nuclear power to guarantee stable supplies of energy and
cut emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.
Selling the industry as safe has been tough, however, and
companies have had to adapt to shifting concerns.
At Three Mile Island, operators now face rigorous training to
prevent a repeat of the 1979 incident. No one was killed or
injured during the accident, and subsequent tests show no rise
in cancer rates, but confidence in nuclear safety fell.
Plants are pouring money into barriers, checkpoints,
bullet-resistant guard towers and surveillance equipment
following the Sept. 11 attacks.
A 3-metre-thick (10-foot) concrete wall stretches across Three
Mile Island, preventing unauthorised vehicles from getting
within about 200 yards of plant buildings.
"Public opinion has turned around," said Michael Gallagher, vice
president of licence renewal projects for Exelon. "It was dark
in the '80s but is now very bright. We have proved that we can
operate the plants safely and efficiently."
Even so, spent fuel from US nuclear plants is piling up, with
over 50,000 tons (45,500 metric tons) stored at over 100
temporary locations in 39 states.
A government proposal to create a massive storage site at Yucca
Mountain in Nevada faces congressional opposition.
"We're leaving a legacy of having to baby-sit this stuff," said
Dave Hamilton, director of global warming and energy programmes
at the Sierra Club, a leading environmental group.
Others are troubled by the possibility that nuclear plants may
be targeted by terrorists, or vulnerable to more traditional
safety issues after three instances of employees sleeping or
resting on the job at Three Mile Island in the last year.
"I don't feel safe -- you don't know what's going on," said
Rosemary Gutschalli, 53, who has lived in Middletown for 40
years, after the dozing night shift operators were found.
(Additional reporting by Matthew Robinson)
Story by Jon Hurdle
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
© 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights
*****************************************************************
46 Belfast Telegraph: Ulster businessman's nuclear station plan
By Brendan McDaid 20 April 2006
A prominent Londonderry businessman today unveiled proposals for
the installation of a nuclear power plant in the city.
Robert Andrews, who claimed such a move will create up to 500
jobs, was due this afternoon to outline his plans before a
special meeting of Derry City Council's Development Committee in
the Guildhall.
Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Tony McGurk, said Mr Andrews
would "address the committee on potential wealth-creating
opportunities in Derry".
However, the suggestion by Mr Andrews - founder of the Andronics
satellite products company - that such a plant would benefit the
North West has angered environmentalists.
John Woods, of Friends of the Earth, said: "Any jobs will come
at the expense of other jobs. And what will happen with the
nuclear waste? Who is going to deal with that?" Back |
© 2006 Independent News and Media (NI)
a division of Independent News &media (UK) Ltd
*****************************************************************
47 NRC: Nuclear import/export provissions
RIN 3150-AH88
FR Doc 06-3664
[Federal Register: April 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 76)] [Rules
and Regulations] [Page 20336-20340] From the Federal Register
Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20ap06-2]
Implementation of the Nuclear Export and Import Provisions of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its
regulations that govern the export and import of nuclear
equipment and material to implement provisions of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 signed into law on August 8, 2005. This
amendment will facilitate exports to specified countries of
high-enriched uranium for medical isotope production in reactors
that are either utilizing low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel or have
agreed to convert to the use of LEU fuel. In addition, this final
rule revises the definition of byproduct material to include
discrete sources of radium-226, accelerator-produced radioactive
material, and discrete sources of naturally occurring radioactive
material. Finally, the rule will require specific licenses for
exports and imports of radium-226 that meet the threshold values
of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Code of Conduct on
the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
DATES: This final rule will become effective August 7, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the final rule and related documents may be
viewed electronically on the public computers located at the
NRC's Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint
North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Public File Area O1F21, Rockville,
Maryland. These documents are also available electronically at
the NRC's Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at
http://www. nrc.gov/reading- rm/
[[Page 20337]] adams. html. From this site, the public can gain
entry into the NRC's Agencywide Document Access and Management
System (ADAMS), which provides text and image files of NRC's
public documents. For further information contact the PDR
reference staff at 1 (800) 387-4209, (301) 415-4737 or by e-mail
to pdr@nrc.gov. the final rule and related documents are also
available on the NRC's rulemaking Web site at http:// ruleforum.
linl.gov. Address questions about our rulemaking Web site to
Carol Gallagher (301) 415-5905; e-mail cag@nrc.gov. FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT: Brooke G. Smith, International Policy
Analyst, Office of International Programs, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone (301)
415-2347, e-mail bgs@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Summary and Background The purpose
of this final rule is to amend the Commission's regulations at 10
CFR part 110, ``Export and Import of Nuclear Equipment and
Material,'' to implement sections 630, 651(d), and 651(e) of the
energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which was signed into law on
August 8, 2005.
Section 630, ``Medical Isotope Production,'' of the EPAct,
amended section 134 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended
(AEA), to facilitate the timely export to a ``Recipient Country''
of high- enriched uranium (HEU) for medical isotope production in
reactors that are either utilizing low-enriched uranium (LEU)
fuel or have agreed to convert to the use of LEU fuel. A
``Recipient Country'' is defined in section 630 as Canada,
Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The EPAct also
requires the Commission to review and impose, via license
conditions or other appropriate means, physical protection
requirements that are applicable to the transportation and
storage of HEU for medical isotope production or control of
residual material after irradiation and extraction of medical
isotopes.
Specifically, before issuing licenses authorizing the export of
HEU in the form of fuel or targets for the production of medical
isotopes to Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, and the
Netherlands, the Commission must find that the Recipient Country
has provided the United States with written assurances that any
intermediate consignees and the ultimate consignee specified in
the export application are required to use the HEU solely to
produce medical isotopes. Further, the Commission must determine
that the HEU will be irradiated in a reactor in a Recipient
Country that uses an alternative nuclear reactor fuel, e.g., LEU,
or is the subject of an agreement with the U.S. to convert to an
alternative nuclear fuel when that fuel can be used in the
reactor.
Section 630 suspends for the Recipient Countries (until the
Secretary of Energy makes certain findings) the portions of
section 134 of the AEA that required the Commission to make
certain findings with respect to the use of LEU targets to
produce medical isotopes before issuing an export license for HEU
for medical isotope production.
This final rule amends Sec. 110.42(a)(9) to reflect the revised
export criteria with regard to export applications to Recipient
Countries for medical isotope production. Although the
implementing regulations promulgated will not take effect until
August 7, 2006, NRC export licensing decisions have been governed
by section 134 of the AEA, as amended by section 630 of the
EPAct, since August 8, 2005. The NRC already evaluates the
adequacy of the proposed physical protection measures under Sec.
110.42(a)(3) when it evaluates individual export license
applications, and has the authority to impose additional
requirements in the license as the Commission deems necessary.
Therefore, no rule changes are necessary to implement the
statutory provision.
Section 651(d), ``Radiation Source Protection,'' of the EPAct
amended the AEA by imposing new requirements pertaining to the
export or import of Category 1 or Category 2 radiation sources as
defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of
Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (Code
of Conduct) (and any other material that poses a threat, as
determined by the Commission, other than spent nuclear fuel and
special nuclear materials).
The Code of Conduct includes sixteen categories of byproduct
material sources, including radium-226. On July 1, 2005 (70 FR
37985), the Commission issued final regulations amending part 110
that together with other existing regulations satisfy the
requirements of section 651(d) for the export and import of
radioactive sources. However, at the time the July 2005 rule was
issued, the Commission did not have authority to regulate
radium-226; therefore, radium-226 was not listed in Appendix P to
part 110 or covered by the scope for the July 2005 rule. The
Commission provided notice that radium-226 would be added to
Appendix P to part 110, consistent with the Code of Conduct, if
Congress conferred upon the Commission jurisdiction over
radium-226. Section 651(e) of the EPAct amended the definition of
byproduct material in section 11e. of the AEA to include discrete
sources of radium-226. Consistent with the notice provided in the
July 2005 rule and the authority conferred upon the Commission by
Congress in section 651(e) of the EPAct, this rule amends
Appendix P to include Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of
discrete sources of radium-226.
Section 651(e) of the EPAct amends section 11e. of the AEA to
place accelerator-produced material, discrete sources of
radium-226, and certain discrete sources of naturally-occurring
radioactive material, other than source material, under NRC
regulatory authority if produced, extracted, or converted for use
in commercial, medical, or research activities. This rule amends
Appendix L to part 110, ``Illustrative List of Byproduct
Materials under NRC Export/Import Licensing Authority,'' to
include discrete sources of radium-226 and accelerator- produced
radioactive material. Prior to the enactment of the EPAct, the
Department of Commerce (DOC) had jurisdiction over the export of
radium-226. As provided by the EPAct, discrete sources of
radium-226 will fall under NRC's jurisdiction; however,
jurisdiction over the export of non-discrete sources of
radium-226 will remain in DOC's jurisdiction. The Commission
intends to define the term ``discrete source'' in a separate
rulemaking.
Waiver of Notice and Comment Requirement This rule revises the
Commission's regulations solely to incorporate provisions
pertaining to the export and import licensing included in the
EPAct. This rule tracks statutory provisions and the drafting of
it did not involve the exercise of discretionary decision-
making. Good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) to publish
this final rule without soliciting public comment because public
comment under these circumstances would serve no useful purpose
and therefore, is unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest.
Effective Date of Rule and Expiration of Time-Limited Waiver The
effective date of this rule, August 7, 2006, coincides with the
expiration of a time-limited waiver pertaining to NRC regulation
of the import and export of the new categories of byproduct
material added to AEA section 11e. by the EPAct. See Energy
Policy Act of 2005 Requirements; Treatment of
Accelerator-Produced and other Radioactive Material as Byproduct
[[Page 20338]] Material; Waiver, 70 FR 51581 (August 31, 2005).
The NRC has determined that this rule will pose no unreasonable
risk to the public health and safety or the common defense and
security.
II. Section by Section Analysis of Substantive Changes Subpart
A--General Provisions Section 110.2. The definition of
``byproduct material'' has been revised to be consistent with
section 651(e)(1) of the EPAct which amended the definition of
byproduct material in section 11e. of the AEA to place
accelerator-produced material, discrete sources of radium-226,
and certain discrete sources of naturally occurring radioactive
material, other than source material, under NRC regulatory
authority if they are produced, extracted, or converted for use
in commercial, medical, or research activities.
The terms ``medical isotope,'' ``radiopharmaceutical,'' and
``Recipient Country'' have been added to this section consistent
with the section 630 of the EPAct which amended section 134 of
the AEA.
Subpart D--Review of License Applications Section 110.42. A new
paragraph (a)(9) is amended to incorporate the requirements set
forth in section 630 of the EPAct regarding medical isotope
production.
Appendix L to Part 110--Illustrative List of Byproduct Materials
Under NRC Export/Import Licensing Authority. The list of
byproduct material in Appendix L is amended to add radium-226.
Under the EPAct, the definition of byproduct material was
expanded to include discrete sources of radium-226. The import or
export of discrete sources of radium-226 that are below the
threshold limits for radium-226 listed in Appendix P to part 110
may be accomplished through a general license set forth in 10 CFR
110.23. In addition, a footnote is added to Appendix L to
indicate that the NRC has import and export authority over any
accelerator-produced material that was produced, extracted or
converted for use for a commerical medical, or research activity.
A second footnote is added to Appendix L to indicate that NRC has
import and export authority or discrete sources of radium-226.
Appendix P to Part 110--Category 1 and 2 Radioactive Material
Table 1.--Import and Export Threshold Limits The list of category
1 and 2 radioactive material in Appendix P is amended to add
radium-226 and the corresponding threshold limits for Category 1
and 2 quantities consistent with the values in Table 1 of the
IAEA Code of Conduct. A specific license is required for the
import or export of discrete sources of radium-226 meeting the
threshold quantities listed in Table 1 of Appendix P. A footnote
is added to the list in Appendix P to indicate that the NRC has
import and export authority over discrete sources of radium-226.
Voluntary Consensus Standards The National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113). requires that
Federal Agencies use technical standards that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies unless using such
a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. This final rule does not constitute the
establishment of a standard for which the use of a voluntary
consensus standard would be applicable.
Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion The NRC has
determined that this final rule is type of action described in
categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1). Therefore, neither an
environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment
has been prepared for this final rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement This final rule implements the
provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, sections 630,
651(d), and 651(e). The final rule does not impact the
information collection burden for 10 CFR part 110 licensees. Any
burden for licensing actions would be against NRC Form 7 (3150-
0027). However, few, if any, licensing actions are expected to be
submitted. Because the burden for this information collection is
insignificant, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance is
not required. Existing requirements were approved by the OMB,
approval number 3150-0036.
Public Protection Notification The NRC may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a request
for information or any information collection requirement unless
the requesting document displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Regulatory Analysis The EPAct, which was signed into law on
August 8, 2005, amended the definition of byproduct material in
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended to include discrete
sources of radium-226 and conferred regulatory authority of it to
the NRC. Previously, radium-226 was under the jurisdiction of the
U.S. Department of Commerce. The NRC is amending its regulations
at 10 CFR part 110 to add radium-226 to the list of radioactive
material in Appendix P to part 110.
Shipments of radium-226 at or above the Category 2 level will
require a specific license. This change to part 110 fulfills the
mandate from Congress in section 651(d) and (e) of the EPAct and
with the IAEA Code of Conduct. Additionally, to implement section
630, ``Medical Isotope Production,'' of the EPAct, this final
rule amends 10 CFR 110.42, ``Export licensing criteria.'' There
is no alternative to amending the regulations at 10 CFR part 110
to reflect changes in law. This final rule is expected to have an
insignificant increase in the information collection burden and
cost to the public for applications to export or import
radium-226 at the quantities listed in Appendix P to part 110.
Backfit Analysis The NRC has determined that a backfit analysis
is not required for this rule because these amendments do not
include any provisions that would impose backfits as defined in
10 CFR Chapter I.
Congressional Review Act Under the Congressional Review Act of
1996, the NRC has determined that this action is not a major rule
and has verified this determination with the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB.
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 110 Administrative practice and
procedure, Classified information, Criminal penalties, Export,
Import, Intergovernmental relations, Nuclear materials, Nuclear
power plants and reactors, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Scientific equipment.
0 For the reasons set out in the premble and under the authority
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553;
the NRC is adopting the following amendments to 10 CFR part 110.
[[Page 20339]] PART 110--EXPORT AND IMPORT OF NUCLEAR EQUIPMENT
AND MATERIAL 0 1. The authority citation for part 110 is revised
to read as follows: Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 54, 57, 63, 64, 65,
81, 82, 103, 104, 109, 111, 126, 127, 128, 129, 134, 161, 170H.,
181, 182, 187, 189, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 936, 937,
948, 953, 954, 955, 956, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2074,
2077, 2092-2095, 2111, 2112, 2133, 2134, 2139, 2139a, 2141,
2154-2158, 2160d., 2201, 2210h., 2231-2233, 2237, 2239); sec.
201, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5841; sec. 5, Pub. L.
101-575, 104 Stat. 2835 (42 U.S.C. 2243); sec. 1704, 112 Stat.
2750 (44 U.S.C. 3504 note). Sections 110.1(b)(2) and 110.1(b)(3)
also issued under Pub. L. 96-92, 93 Stat. 710 (22 U.S.C. 2403).
Section 110.11 also issued under sec. 122, 68 Stat. 939 (42
U.S.C. 2152) and secs. 54c and 57d, 88 Stat. 473, 475 (42 U.S.C.
2074). Section 110.27 also issued under sec. 309(a), Pub. L.
99-440. Section 110.50(b)(3) also issued under sec. 123, 92 Stat.
142 (42 U.S.C. 2153). Section 110.51 also issued under sec. 184,
68 Stat. 954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 110.52 also
issued under sec. 186, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2236). Sections
110.80-110.113 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552, 554. Sections
110.30-110.135 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553. Sections 110.2 and
110.42(a)(9) also issued under sec. 903, Pub. L. 102-496 (42
U.S.C. 2151 et seq.). 0 2. In Sec. 110.2, the definition of
Byproduct material is revised, and definitions for Medical
isotope, Radiopharmaceutical, and Recipient Country are added in
alphabetical order to read as follows: Sec. 110.2 Definitions.
* * * * * Byproduct material means (1) Any radioactive material
(except special nuclear material) yielded in, or made radioactive
by, exposure to the radiation incident to the process of
producing or utilizing special nuclear material; (2) The tailings
or wastes produced by the extraction or concentration of uranium
or thorium from ore (see 10 CFR 20.1003); (3)(i) Any discrete
source of radium-226 that is produced, extracted, or converted
after extraction, before, on, or after August 8, 2005, for use
for a commercial, medical, or research activity; or (ii) Any
material that has been made radioactive by use of a particle
accelerator and is produced, extracted, or converted after
extraction, before, on, or after August 8, 2005 for use for a
commercial, medical, or research activity; and (4) Any discrete
source of naturally occurring radioactive material, other than
source material, that-- (i) The Commission, in consultation with
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the
head of any other appropriate Federal agency, determines would
pose a threat similar to the threat posed by a discrete source of
radium-226 to the public health and safety or the common defense
and security; and (ii) Before, on, or after August 8, 2005 is
extracted or converted after extraction for use in a commercial,
medical, or research activity.
* * * * * Medical isotope, for the purposes of Sec.
110.42(a)(10), includes Molybdenum 99, Iodine 131, Xenon 133, and
other radioactive materials used to produce a radiopharmaceutical
for diagnostic, therapeutic procedures or for research and
development * * * * * Radiopharmaceutical, for the purposes of
Sec. 110.42(a)(10), means a radioactive isotope that contains
byproduct material combined with chemical or biological material
and is designed to accumulate temporarily in a part of the body
for therapeutic purposes or for enabling the production of a
useful image for use in a diagnosis of a medical condition.
Recipient Country, for the purposes of Sec. 110.42(a)(10), means
Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
* * * * * 0 3. In Sec. 110.42, paragraph (a)(9)(i) is revised,
paragraph (a)(9)(ii) is redesignated as paragraph (a)(9)(iii),
and new paragraph (a)(9)(ii) is added to read as follows: Sec.
110.42 Export licensing criteria. (a) * * * (9)(i) Except as
provided in paragraph (a)(9)(ii) of this section, exports of
high-enriched uranium to be used as a fuel or target in a nuclear
research or test reactor, the Commission determines that: (A)
There is no alternative nuclear reactor fuel or tart enriched to
less than 20 percent in the isotope U-235 that can be used in
that reactor; (B) The proposed recipient of the uranium has
provided assurances that, whenever an alternative nuclear reactor
fuel or target can be used in that reactor, it will use that
alternative fuel or target in lieu of highly-enriched uranium;
and (C) The United States Government is actively developing an
alternative nuclear reactor fuel or target that can be used in
that reactor.
(ii) With regard to a Recipient Country, the Commission may issue
a license authorizing the export of high-enriched uranium for
medical isotope production, including shipment to and use at
intermediate and ultimate consignees, if the Commission
determines that: (A) The Recipient Country has supplied an
assurance letter to the United States Government in connection
with the consideration by the Commission of the export license
application has informed the United States Government that any
intermediate consignees and the ultimate consignee specified in
the export license application are required to use the
high-enriched uranium solely for the production of medical
isotopes; and (B) The high-enriched uranium will be irradiated
only in a reactor in the Recipient Country that-- (1) Uses an
alternative nuclear fuel; or (2) Is the subject of an agreement
with the United States Government to convert to an alternative
nuclear reactor fuel when alternative nuclear reactor fuel can be
used in the reactor.
* * * * * 0 4. Appendix L to part 110 is amended by adding new
footnote a to the title of Appendix L, by amending the list of
byproduct material by adding ``Radium-226 (Ra 226)'' in
alphabetical order, and by adding new footnote b to read as
follows: Appendix L to Part 110--Illustrative List of Byproduct
Materials Under NRC Export/Import Licensing Authority \a\
-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------- \a\ Any accelerator-produced material produced,
extracted, or converted for use for a commercial, medical, or
research activity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------- * * * * * Radium-226 (Ra-226) \b\
-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------- \b\ Discrete sources of radium-226 (Ra-226).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------- * * * * * 0 5. Appendix P to part 110 is amended by
adding ``Radium-226'' in alphabetical order to Table 1. and new
footnote a to read as follows: Appendix P to Part 110--High Risk
Radioactive Material
[[Page 20340]] Table 1.--Import and Export Threshold Limits
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
Category 1 Category 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-- Radioactive material Terabequerels Terabequerels
(TBq) Curies (Ci) (TBq) Curies (Ci)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------- * * * * * * *
Radium-226 \a\.............................. 40
1,100 0.4 11 * * * * * * *
-----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------- \a\ Discrete
sources of radium-226.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of April, 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Luis A. Reyes, Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 06-3664 Filed 4-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
*****************************************************************
48 Nuclear Bomb Grade Fuel Removed From Uzbekistan In UN Operation
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:00:27 -0400
NUCLEAR BOMB GRADE FUEL REMOVED FROM UZBEKISTAN IN UN-MONITORED OPERATION
New York, Apr 20 2006 11:00AM
Spent nuclear fuel containing enough uranium to produce two and a
half nuclear bombs has been returned to Russia from Uzbekistan in
a secret mission completed yesterday under monitoring by the United
Nations atomic watchdog agency as part of its efforts to stop
the diversion of such material to terrorist or other ends.
“There was particular concern about the Uzbek spent fuel given its
significant quantity and that it was no longer ‘self protecting’,”
the International Atomic Energy Agency (<"http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2006/uzbekistan.html">IAEA)
Crosscutting Co-ordinator
for Research Reactors, Pablo Adelfang, said.
“This means that the fuel has lost its high radioactivity. In other
words, it would no longer injure anyone who handled it and would
not deter potential thieves,” he added of the operation, a joint
undertaking of the IAEA, the United States, Uzbekistan, Russia
and Kazakhstan as part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative
(GTRI).
GTRI seeks to identify, secure and recover high-risk vulnerable nuclear
and radiological materials around the world. It is the first
time that fuel used in a nuclear research reactor – called spent
- has been repatriated to Russia from a former Soviet state, although
11 kilos of fresh highly enriched uranium was sent back from
the same reactor in 2004.
The 63 kilograms of spent highly enriched uranium (HEU) was transported
to Mayak in Russia in four separate shipments under the secret
operation, which was six years in the planning. IAEA safeguards
inspectors monitored and verified the packing of the fuel for
transport over the course of 16 days.
“The shipment is an important step to reduce stockpiles of high-risk,
vulnerable nuclear materials,” Mr. Adelfang said. “Russia, the
US, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan should be applauded for their successful
cooperation. It will contribute to the security of both
In Russia, the fuel will be processed so that it can not be used
for atomic bombs. Russia originally supplied the fuel for use in
the 10 megawatt research reactor. Located at the Institute of Nuclear
Physics of Uzbekistan, 30 kilometres from Tashkent, the capital,
the reactor is currently used for research and to produce isotopes
for medical purposes.
The IAEA is now helping to convert the reactor to run on fuel that
can not be used to make a nuclear weapon. The Agency is also developing
lessons learned from this shipment to provide a basis for
guidelines for future spent fuel shipments.
Over the past three years the IAEA has supported similar operations
in other countries including Libya, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro,
Bulgaria, Latvia and the Czech Republic to transfer HEU reactor
fuel back to its country of origin.
2006-04-20 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:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/
*****************************************************************
49 Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear Material Removed From Uzbekistan
From the Associated Press
[UP]
Thursday April 20, 2006 6:31 PM
By WILLIAM J. KOLE
Associated Press Writer
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Spent nuclear fuel containing enough
weapons-grade uranium to produce at least two bombs was safely
returned to Russia from Uzbekistan this week in a high-security
and classified operation, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency
disclosed Thursday.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said the
operation, which was completed on Wednesday after six years of
planning, was the first time since the breakup of the former
Soviet Union that fuel used in a nuclear research reactor was
returned to Russia.
The material - nearly 139 pounds of spent highly enriched
uranium - was transported over 16 days in four high-security
shipments to Russia's main nuclear waste processing plant in
Mayak, the IAEA said in a statement.
It said agency safeguard inspectors ``monitored and verified''
the packing of the fuel. The shipments were a joint operation by
the IAEA, Kazakhstan, Russia, the United States and Uzbekistan
as part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, an effort to
ensure high-risk nuclear and radiological materials do not fall
into the wrong hands.
The Uzbek fuel was particularly worrisome because it had lost
much of its initial radioactivity, making it easier for
terrorists or others to handle, the agency said in a statement.
``There was particular concern about the Uzbek spent fuel given
its significant quantity and that it was no longer
'self-protecting,''' said Pablo Adelfang, the IAEA's research
reactor coordinator. ``This means that the fuel has lost its
high radioactivity. In other words, it would no longer injure
anyone who handled it and would not deter potential thieves.''
The return of the material to Russia - where it will be
processed so it cannot be used in an atomic weapon - ``will
contribute to the security of both Uzbekistan and the
international community,'' Adelfang said.
The Mayak plant, located near the Ural Mountains city of
Chelyabinsk, about 930 miles east of Moscow, produced nuclear
weapons during the Soviet era and now processes most of Russia's
nuclear waste.
Russia originally supplied the nuclear fuel to Uzbekistan for
use in its 10-megawatt research reactor at the Institute of
Nuclear Physics of Uzbekistan, about 18 miles from the Uzbek
capital, Tashkent. That reactor currently is being used for
research and to produce isotopes for medical purposes, the IAEA
said.
The U.N. agency is helping Uzbek authorities convert the
facility to run on fuel of a lower grade that cannot be used to
make a nuclear weapon, it said.
Over the past three years, the IAEA has been involved in similar
operations in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Libya,
Romania and Serbia-Montenegro to transfer spent reactor fuel
containing highly enriched uranium back to its country of
origin, agency officials said.
The nuclear agency also is working with countries to convert
reactors so they can run on lower-enriched, ``proliferation
resistant'' fuel. Although 33 research reactors have been
converted, ``more than 100 research reactors worldwide still run
on weapons-grade highly enriched uranium,'' the IAEA said.
---
On the Net:
IAEA, http://www.iaea.org
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006
*****************************************************************
50 Secrecy News: DoE Intelligence Embraces Discredited Budget Secrecy Policy
Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy
The Department of Energy Office of Intelligence has reverted to
a policy of budget secrecy that it rejected more than a decade
ago.
For as long as anyone can remember, the small DOE intelligence
unit always had an unclassified budget (around $40 million in
recent years).
"The size of the DOE intelligence budget is not classified
because it does not reveal the size or the components of the
Department's National Foreign Intelligence Program," wrote John
G. Keliher, then-Director of the DOE Office of Nonproliferation
and National Security on June 24, 1994.
"The DOE intelligence budget does not disclose any classified
information. National security is neither threatened nor damaged
as a result of the UNCLASSIFIED intelligence budget released to
the public," Mr. Keliher wrote.
Interestingly, the other member of the U.S. intelligence
community with an unclassified budget is the State Department's
Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR).
It may be more than a coincidence that INR and DOE intelligence
analysts also distinguished themselves by dissenting from
prevailing government views on Iraq's supposed "reconstitution"
of its nuclear weapons program.
In 2004, the 9/11 Commission recommended that all U.S.
intelligence agencies should do what INR and DOE Intelligence
had long done, and disclose their annual budget totals.
"To combat the secrecy and complexity we have described, the
overall amounts of money being appropriated for national
intelligence and to its component agencies should no longer be
kept secret," the Commission wrote in its final report(p. 416).
Other agencies simply ignored the 9/11 Commission's
recommendation. But amazingly, DOE responded by doing the exact
opposite of what the 9/11 Commission said was necessary.
Boldly striving for mediocrity, DOE began to classify its
intelligence budget figure in Fiscal Year 2005.
A longstanding request from Secrecy News for an explanation of
DOE's retreat into the budget secrecy that it previously
disavowed has gone unanswered.
Instead, DOE officials have sought to purge prior disclosures of
intelligence budget information from the agency website. This
material has been recovered here.
It hardly comes as a surprise that DOE intelligence is now
facing a period of internal turmoil.
One possible outcome, "which the DOE Secretary reportedly has
approved but not yet initiated, would be to integrate the DOE's
Office of Intelligence... and DOE's CI [Counterintelligence]
office under a newly created DOE intelligence agency," according
to a new Congressional Research Service report.
A copy of the CRS report was obtained by Secrecy News.
See "Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy
Issues and Organizational Alternatives"(pdf), April 10, 2006.
The DOE Office of Classification publishes a newsletter called
"CommuniQue," which presents instructional tips for classifiers
and declassifiers and provides notification of new and
forthcoming classification guides. The latest issue, dated
February 2006, is available here(pdf).
The possible integration of DOE intelligence and
counterintelligence was first reported by Bill Gertz in The
Washington Times on February 21.
The Director of the DOE Office of Intelligence is Rolf
Mowatt-Larssen.
Posted by Steven Aftergood on April 17, 2006 02:49 PM |
*****************************************************************
51 [NYTr] Uranium's Effect on DNA Established
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:31:01 -0400 (EDT)
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
sent by Tim Murphy (activ-l)
Science a GoGo - 7 April 2006
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20060307010324data_trunc_sys.shtml
Uraniums Effect On DNA Established
The use of depleted uranium in munitions and weaponry is likely to come
under intense scrutiny now that new research that found that uranium can
bind to human DNA. The finding will likely have far-reaching implications
for returned soldiers, civilians living in what were once war-zones and
people who might live near uranium mines or processing facilities.
Uranium - when manifested as a radioactive metal - has profound and
debilitating effects on human DNA. These radioactive effects have been well
understood for decades, but there has been considerable debate and little
agreement concerning the possible health risks associated with low-grade
uranium ore (yellowcake) and depleted uranium.
Now however, Northern Arizona University biochemist Diane Stearns has
established that when cells are exposed to uranium, the uranium binds to DNA
and the cells acquire mutations, triggering a whole slew of protein
replication errors, some of which can lead to various cancers. Stearns'
research, published in the journals Mutagenesis and Molecular
Carcinogenesis, confirms what many have suspected for some time - that
uranium can damage DNA as a heavy metal, independently of its radioactive
properties. "Essentially, if you get a heavy metal stuck on DNA, you can get
a mutation," Stearns explained. While other heavy metals are known to bind
to DNA, Stearns and her team were the first to identify this characteristic
with uranium.
Depleted uranium - what is left over when the highly radioactive isotopes of
uranium are removed - is widely used by the military. Anti-tank weapons,
tank armor and ammunition rounds are just some of the applications. "The
health effects of uranium really haven't been studied since the Manhattan
Project (the development of the atomic bomb in the early 1940s). But now
there is more interest in the health effects of depleted uranium. People are
asking questions now," Stearns said.
Her research may shed light on the possible connection between exposure to
depleted uranium and Gulf War Syndrome, or to increased cancers and birth
defects in the Middle East and Balkans. And closer to home, questions
continue to be asked about environmental exposure to uranium from mine
tailings; heavily concentrated around Native American communities. "When the
uranium mining boom crashed in the '80s, there wasn't much cleanup," Stearns
said. Estimates put the number of abandoned mines on the Navajo Nation in
Arizona at more than 1,100.
Source: Northern Arizona University
*
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52 Guardian Unlimited: Workers Exposed to Radiation in Michigan
From the Associated Press
[UP]
Thursday April 20, 2006 7:46 PM
COVERT, Mich. (AP) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission launched
a special inspection at the Palisades Nuclear Plant after
several workers were exposed to radiation, officials said
Thursday.
The workers were not expected to suffer any adverse health
effects and no medical treatment was necessary, the agency said
in a statement.
About six workers were handling a two-part storage container
underwater in the refueling area early Wednesday when an inner
portion of the container briefly rose to the surface, the NRC
said. The employees were exposed to radiation emitted from
highly radioactive equipment inside the container.
According to radiation detectors worn by the workers, their
maximum exposure was less than 50 millirems. A typical chest
X-ray emits about 10 millirems.
Nuclear Management spokeswoman Arline Datu said Thursday the
company took immediate action to protect the exposed workers and
is cooperating with NRC inspectors.
The plant, near the edge of the Lake Michigan, is owned by CMS
Energy Corp. and operated by Nuclear Management Co.
---
On the Net:
CMS Energy Corp.: http://www.cmsenergy.com
Nuclear Management Co.: http://www.nmcco.com
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006
*****************************************************************
53 Carlsbad Current Argus: Gov. seeks input at meeting
By Kyle Marksteiner
Current-Argus Staff Writer Apr 20, 2006, 06:00 am
CARLSBAD -- Highway repair, drug treatment centers and
children's services were among the hot topics at a town hall
meeting Wednesday afternoon featuring Gov. Bill Richardson.
Richardson held the town hall meeting at Carlsbad's city hall.
He also solicited input from Carlsbad's city council and Eddy
County's commission.
Earlier in the afternoon, Richardson attended a DTS America Inc.
ribbon cutting at the medical transcription company's facility
on Eighth Street. The center currently employs a staff of 31,
but plans to fill 200 positions within the next two years. The
company's Carlsbad location opened for business a few weeks ago,
but Richardson said he wanted to be a part of the celebration.
"You have 200 willing workers for these high paying jobs. I had
to be here," he said. "This is a good news announcement. These
are good, high-paying jobs in rural New Mexico."
Employees of DTS had the afternoon off but attended the event.
They were quickly numerically overwhelmed by a mob of reporters,
elected officials, local business owners and members of
Richardson's staff.
Richardson also attended a fundraiser for the Democratic Party
Wednesday evening.
The governor's trip through Carlsbad was overwhelmingly amiable,
and even area Republicans seemed quick to praise him.
Richardson only really dodged one issue on Wednesday -- the
area's bid to participate in a pilot plant for recycling spent
nuclear power plant fuel. Richardson listened patiently to
Carlsbad Mayor Bob Forrest's pitch on the plant and then changed
the subject back to highway construction.
The governor made a couple of jokes about an alleged hunting
accident the mayor was involved in several years ago involving
Vice President Dick Cheney.
The biggest laugh of the afternoon, however, came after a woman
expressed her concerns about child support at the town hall
meeting. Richardson directed one of his communications officers
to meet with the woman, but the woman noted that she had not
brought her paperwork with her because she didn't think she
would get a response.
"I'm the governor for Christ's sake!" Richardson joked.
But a number of individuals expressed their concerns that the
state's child support division is not doing its job. Local
magistrate judge Henry Castaneda echoed the feeling that the
regional department is not responding to calls.
Richardson told them that the state's Children, Youth and
Families Department was undergoing a restructuring.
The governor also fielded comments and concerns from the public
about the state's film industry, MainStreet, immigration
services and Otero Mesa. He praised a statewide effort to
encourage more use of wind and solar power.
New Mexico State University's Mike Cleary praised Richardson's
efforts to increase pay for primary teachers, but noted that the
college is now losing faculty because K-12 pays better.
"We have concentrated a little too much on K-12 at the expense
of the universities," Richardson conceded.
Richardson gave a measured response when asked about the war in
Iraq, noting that he wanted soldiers to have the best armor and
training possible.
The governor met with city councilors and members of the Eddy
County Commission before the town hall meeting.
Members of the city council began their meeting by expressing
concerns over an apparent delay in a U.S. Highway 62-180
construction project.
Councilor Manny Anaya asked that the money for the project be
appropriated early to prepare for rising construction prices.
The project was originally slated to begin in the fall, but has
been pushed back to 2007, councilors said. Members of
Richardson's staff noted that the delay has been caused by
environmental and right-of-way concerns.
"Let me look into it. I've been working on this with you guys.
I'm kind of sick of hearing about it," Richardson joked.
Richardson seemed especially receptive to a pitch by county and
city officials to bring a methamphetamine rehabilitation center
to the area.
"What do you guys do now?" he asked. "What happens if there is a
need for treatment?"
A staff member presented Richardson with some background
materials, as local officials noted that there is a small drug
treatment center in Roswell.
"My staff is telling me that you guys have a problem," he said.
The governor discussed the possibility of having a center that
would cover Eddy and Lea counties.
"It should combine hard penalties and treatment," he said.
"That's how you should pitch it to my people."
The need for more treatment also came up during Richardson's
town hall meeting.
"You guys are near the meth labs of Mexico," he noted. "It may
make sense to take care of a regional facility here."
Council member Jeff Diamond stressed the need for infrastructure
improvements.
"That's what the average citizen wants," he said.
Eddy County's commissioners expressed their need for state
prison relief.
Ron Curry, Richardson's environment secretary, discussed
upcoming hearings for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant permit
modification requests, including the acceptance of
remote-handled waste.
"This is the biggest modification since it opened," Curry said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Richardson was one of several speakers at
DTS America Inc.'s open house and ribbon cutting.
Other speakers included Robert Detweiler, executive director of
the Carlsbad Department of Development; Mayor Bob Forrest; Kelly
O'Donnell, deputy cabinet secretary; Mike Garringer, CDOD board
president; Jim Colson, president of the New Mexico Economic
Development Partnership; and Doug Hardwick, president and CEO of
DTS America.
Valerie Shreeves, a DTS student, also spoke at the ribbon
cutting, as did state representatives Carroll Leavell and John
Heaton.
Forrest noted that Richardson made a campaign promise to bring
more jobs to New Mexico and delivered on that promise. He said
the governor's focus during cabinet meetings begins and ends
with the state's employment.
Richardson, meanwhile, praised Heaton's efforts for Carlsbad.
"When he goes to the legislative session, he only says one word
in every speech -- Carlsbad, Carlsbad, Carlsbad," he said.
Colson noted that Richardson's economic plan has been effective.
"Under his leadership, this state's economic development program
has become one of the top performing economic development
programs in the country," he said.
Kyle Marksteiner Current-Argus Gov. Bill Richardson listens to a
question during a town hall meeting Wednesday at Carlsbad's city
hall. The governor met with Carlsbad residents and elected
officials to discuss community concerns.
2005 Carlsbad Current Argus, a MediaNews Group Newspaper.
*****************************************************************
54 KLAS-TV: Shoshone Tribe, Downwinders File 'Divine Stake' Lawsuit
Las Vegas
Big Blast Lawsuit
Nevada Test Site blast (file photo)
An Indian tribe and several nuclear fallout "downwinders" want a
federal court to halt plans for a huge non-nuclear blast that's
expected to generate a mushroom cloud over the Nevada desert.
A Reno-based lawyer representing four members of the Western
Shoshone tribe and two non-Indian residents of Utah calls the
planned "Divine Strake" blast a worst nightmare come true for
downwinders.
He says detonating a 700-ton ammonium nitrate and fuel oil bomb
at the Nevada Test Site will stir up radioactive fallout left
from 100 aboveground and 828 underground nuclear weapons tests
conducted from 1951 to 1992.
The lawsuit filed in U-S District Court in Las Vegas names
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the chiefs of the two
federal agencies planning the blast.
No comment yet from the Defense Department or test planners.
But Test Site officials have said the blast won't be near where
nuclear testing was done -- and shouldn't kick up surface
contamination.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2006 WorldNow and KLAS. All
Rights Reserved.
*****************************************************************
55 The Brown and White: Weapons cause collateral harm, speaker says -
All the Lehigh News First
By Usmaan Sleemi News Writer
4/20/2006
The use of depleted uranium for military munitions causes damage
to the environment and the people who use them, Dough Rokke,
former director of the Pentagon’s depleted uranium project, said
on April 12 in Packer Memorial Church.
Rokke said the United States military has found that the most
destructive weapons use depleted uranium munitions, which cause
more damage to the enemy because they are more dense and
destructive than conventional materials.
“The best weapons we have, other than nuclear weapons, are
uranium munitions,” Rokke said.
The U.S. and British militaries first used depleted uranium
weapons during Operation Desert Storm and continue to use them
today, Rokke said.
The government used depleted uranium for munitions despite its
knowledge about the potentially-adverse health and environmental
effects, Rokke said.
Depleted uranium’s greatest danger comes from the fine dust
created after firing a depleted uranium shell, Rokke said.
According to a handout distributed during the talk, up to 70
percent of the depleted uranium vaporizes into dust after being
fired, and it may be inhaled by soldiers and cause damage to the
immune and central nervous systems.
After the Gulf War, Rokke said, the Pentagon asked him to head a
team of scientists to investigate the health and environmental
impacts of depleted uranium and assist in depleted uranium
cleanup.
During the investigation and subsequent cleanup of the depleted
uranium, Rokke’s team got sick, even though they were all
wearing full protective equipment. Rokke said he and the members
of his team have permanent respiratory and neurological problems
because of the cleanup.
Rokke said he gave a report on depleted uranium, which resulted
in new military regulations and safety practices, but they are
mostly ignored.
He said members of the House, Senate and Department of Defense
know what is going on but do not care.
“Nobody in the government cares if you’re wounded or killed,”
Rokke said.
He said reports of the number of veteran casualties are
incorrect.
“There’s not enough of us out there to stand up and talk about
what’s really going on,” Rokke said.
He closed by saying he would always stand up to defend and fight
for his country. Today, he is standing up and fighting for those
damaged by depleted uranium contamination, he said.
“I’m a warrior,” he said. “Today, I’m a warrior of peace.”
Copyright © 2006 The Brown and White
*****************************************************************
56 Las Vegas SUN: Report: Yucca repository could hold up to nine
times more waste
Today: April 20, 2006 at 13:1:58 PDT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The planned Yucca Mountain repository could
hold up to nine times more nuclear waste if it were expanded and
redesigned - equal to about twice as much waste as is stored
globally now, according to an industry report previewed
Wednesday.
Early results of an ongoing study indicate at least 286,000 tons
and possibly as many as 628,000 tons of used nuclear fuel could
be stored at the Nevada site if it were reconfigured, authors
said at a briefing.
That would dwarf the current legal limit of 77,000 tons. The
study assumes the repository area could be doubled, and that
storage tunnels could be grouped or carved into multiple levels
of the mountain.
"These are numbers that are draining the blood from the faces of
many people who say, `Wow, that is a lot,'" lead author Mick
Apted said at a briefing for members of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission's nuclear waste advisory board.
The study is expected to stoke debate about a new Bush
administration bill that seeks to lift the official capacity at
Yucca Mountain and speed repository development to encourage
more nuclear power plant construction.
There are about 50,000 tons of nuclear waste stored at power
plants in the United States, according to the Department of
Energy. The Nuclear Energy Institute estimates about 313,000
tons of nuclear waste are stored worldwide. The World Nuclear
Association reports high-level waste is accumulating at 12,000
tons a year.
Marty Malsch, an attorney who represents the state of Nevada in
nuclear waste matters, said the higher capacity would enable
Yucca Mountain "to hold all the nuclear waste in the world."
The Yucca study is being performed by the Electric Power
Research Institute, the research arm of the utility industry. A
preliminary draft is expected to be published in May while
analysts continue to delve into the topic, said John Kessler,
the institute's high level waste manager.
Malsch said the study appears part of a nuclear industry drive
to persuade Congress to lift the capacity limit at Yucca
Mountain.
Per Peterson, a nuclear engineering professor at the University
of California at Berkeley, said he is skeptical of tiered
designs for Yucca Mountain, as well as expanding the repository
to a large capacity.
The Energy Department believes the 77,000 ton repository cap,
which was set by Congress in 1982, is an "arbitrary limit,"
spokesman Craig Stevens said in an e-mail.
"We already know that the true capacity of Yucca Mountain is
significantly greater, that's why we've asked for a change in
the law," Stevens said.
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., thinks President Bush should be
asked about expanding Yucca Mountain when he appears in Las
Vegas on Monday, her spokesman David Cherry said.
"Congresswoman Berkley has already said that President Bush
wants to make Nevada a global nuclear garbage dump and these
findings only add fuel to the fire," Cherry said.
---
Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com
All contents copyright 2005 Las Vegas SUN, Inc.
*****************************************************************
57 AU: The Age: Give China all the uranium it wants - Opinion -
theage.com.au
By Jim Schembri
April 21, 2006
Illustration: Jamie
There has been much concern recently over the decision to export
uranium to China, a large country to our north and to the left a
bit. China has agreed to use the uranium solely for peaceful
purposes such as power generation or as a seafood highlighter,
but a lot of people don't buy it. They think the uranium will be
used to make nuclear bombs. Or, in China's case, more nuclear
bombs.
Such anxiety is fuelled by ignorance. The Chinese already have
so many nuclear bombs that if they all went off at the same time
the noise would almost be enough to drown out the sound of
somebody talking on a mobile phone. They really don't need any
more.
What China does need is a lot of electricity. This is because it
has a lot of people. According to the last head count there are
1.3 billion Chinese - and that number is growing so fast it's
now 1.4 billion. (See Fig.1.) Problem is, there's only one power
point between the lot of them. And even that has a double
adapter on it.
Now, your nuclear power plant is the cheapest, fastest, safest
and cleanest way to meet that need. So why the resistance? Let
us consider.
Some argue that China should be going for renewable,
environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind power or
solar energy. This sounds good on paper, but what is not
generally known is that China does not have access to the energy
options we so blithely take for granted in the West.
For instance, China does not have much wind. This has been the
case ever since they built that wall, which prevents wind from
either entering or leaving the country without first going
through a complicated and lengthy customs procedure.
This is why Chinese wind chimes were invented. The presence of
wind became so scarce, they needed an alarm system to detect the
slightest breeze so that everybody could gather around the
chimes and go: "Hey, look! Wind!" (But in Chinese.)
With solar power China is even worse off. The air there is so
polluted that sunlight takes ages to get through. In some cities
the smog is so thick that people are still waiting for sunshine
that was sent to them in 1987.
In any case, the Chinese actually have better green credentials
than us and have earned the right to nuclear power. Look at all
the bikes they ride. Can you imagine the state the world would
be in if all those people were driving cars instead? They'd have
to invade Russia just to get a park.
There's some residual concern about selling uranium to people
who are still technically communists. But, come on, their
heart's not in it any more. Ask them now if they'd rather read
some ideological manifesto about the distribution of wealth
instead of, say, downloading porn, and you'll get a pretty fair
indication of just how deep their convictions run.
With China's nuclear industry, of course, comes the vexed
question of how to dispose of all that radioactive waste.
Fortunately, the answer is staring us right in the face. In
fact, it's so simple and brilliant we should be kicking
ourselves for not having thought of it earlier.
The United States of America, as it turns out, happens to make a
thing called a depleted-uranium missile. And you know what it
needs to work? The very same radioactive waste material we're
trying to get rid of! So there you go. The problem doesn't even
come up. Why do people get so uptight?
But what about meltdowns? What about accidents? What if China
uses the uranium for bombs anyway? Or sells it to our enemies?
Time for some maturity, people. The Cold War is over. Paranoia
is out of date. So, too, is the degrading Western stereotype of
the Chinese as people who do nothing other than run reasonably
priced restaurants with home delivery and a complimentary bag of
prawn crackers for orders of more than $20.
This is culturally insensitive, socially irresponsible and
morally offensive. The Chinese guided the evolution of
civilisation, have made great contributions to modern life, and
you know those nifty pump-action water pistols you get at The $2
Shop? They make those, too.
But the case for trusting the Chinese boils down to one simple
fact, and that is that there's a lot more of them than there are
of us. And the terms "us" and "them" aren't meant here in an
"us-and-them" way, but in a sincere gesture of intercontinental
friendship.
And friendship is what it's all about. We should embrace this
opportunity to make nice and say to every Chinese person: "I am
your brother/sister. My house is your house." Or more to the
point: "My planet is your planet." Or even more to the point:
"Please tell the driver to bring change. The smallest I've got
is a fifty."
*****************************************************************
58 AU ABC: Land council 'hasn't proposed' dump site
06:49 (ACDT)Friday, 21 April 2006. 03:49 (AWST)
The office of federal Science Minister Julie Bishop says the
Northern Land Council (NLC) has not made any formal proposal for
an alternative site to build a national nuclear waste dump.
Three sites in the Northern Territory - two in Central Australia
and one near Katherine - are under consideration.
But CLP Senator Nigel Scullion says he is confident none of
sites will be the final choice.
Senator Scullion says he expects the final site to be chosen
from one or more sites in the Top End nominated by the NLC.
But a spokesman for Ms Bishop says the NLC has not made any
recommendations yet.
The spokesman says the Minister is overseas and unavailable for
comment but a review of sites is under way and the final choice
will be made after that review has run its course.
He says the NLC is not directly involved in that review.
*****************************************************************
59 Deseret News: No nuke waste in Utah
[deseretnews.com]
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Deseret Morning News editorial
The clock is ticking on Utah's future.
Utahns have until May 8 to tell the Bureau of Land
Management how they feel about Private Fuel Storage LLC's
request for permission to construct a rail line to transport
spent nuclear fuel to the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation, or
the alternative of building an intermodal transfer facility on
BLM lands to ship the spent rods by heavy-haul trucks.
It's no secret how this newspaper's editorial board feels
about the issue. Utah shouldn't be the waste disposal site for
the rest of the nation. Worse, storing 4,000 casks of spent
nuclear fuel above ground near the Utah Test and Training Range
and near I-80 is problematic both in terms of safety and
national security.
The proposal before the BLM should be a no-go. And Utahns
need to tell the agency so.
But we strongly encourage Utahns to take their time to
compose thoughtful comments. Regulations require the BLM to
answer, among other questions, the following:
• Is the project in the public interest?
• Is PFS technically and financially capable to
successfully pursue the project?
• Is the project consistent with existing public land law?
• Is the project consistent with BLM's management of
public lands?
In our view, the answer to each of these questions is a
resounding NO!
While it may be in the interest of out-of-state nuclear
power plant operators to establish a "temporary" disposal site
in Utah, that pales in comparison to the risks that would be
assumed by the state both in the transport of the casks as well
as their placement in Utah.
As for PFS's technical expertise and financial
capabilities, both are great unknowns. This private storage
facility would be the largest ever in the United States,
according to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. In the post-9/11 world,
the security demands would be intense. As for finances, a number
of PFS partners have fallen away, although PFS officials say
they believe they can secure other backers. That remains to be
seen.
To the issues of whether the project is consistent with
public land law or BLM's public lands management principles,
again, no. The Skull Valley reservation is in the newly
established Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area in Tooele County.
This use is incompatible with the wilderness designation.
Moreover, the Pony Express Resource Management Plan would bar
construction of an intermodal transfer station. The language
specifically states, "Public land will not be made available for
inappropriate uses such as storage or use of hazardous
materials. . . "
This is how we see it. And we strongly urge Utahns who do
not believe their state should be viewed as a dumping ground,
and who further believe this is a risk Utah is not willing to
assume, to make their voice heard.
Make your voice heard: Contact the BLM
Write to:
Pam Schuller
Bureau of Land Management
2370 S. 2300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Fax: (801) 977-4397
E-mail: pam_schuller@blm.gov
© 2006 Deseret News Publishing Company
*****************************************************************
60 Tracy Press: Council cleanup
April 20, 2006 Tracy, CA
Phil Hayworth
Tracys City Council decided Tuesday to write a letter asking the
Department of Energy to spend millions to excavate and remove
radioactive waste from pits at Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratorys Site 300 where bombs are tested.
Pit 7 is the general term for four contaminated, unlined waste
pits just 8 miles from Tracy city limits that the DOE used from
1958 through 1988 as a dump for tritium, uranium and other toxic
substances.
Water has leached through the pits, contaminating groundwater. A
toxic plume was discovered slowly moving toward Tracy.
The City Council decided to go my way and write a letter to the
DOE to have them remove everything, said Bob Sarvey, Tracy
businessman and member of Tri-Valley CAREs, a Livermore-based
environmental advocacy group.
Hes been advocating for excavation and removal of the tritium
and uranium in the pits for years now, he said. The method could
cost as much as $77 million.
But DOE and Lab officials wanted to spend $15 million to pump,
treat and reinject groundwater and build diversion trenches to
capture rainwater runoff.
Uranium has a long half-life the period of time it takes half
of a radioactive substance to decay and no one knows for sure
how much or exactly when the uranium was dumped in the pits.
Tritium has a much shorter half-life, but there is no known
treatment for tritium exposure, said DOE officials. However,
officials say all tritium would have dissipated before it got
close to enough to threaten Tracy water supplies.
But the city doesnt want to take any chances and will request
that everything be removed.
City staff, meanwhile, remained neutral about which plan was
best.
We felt there was not one superior cleanup plan as it relates to
potential groundwater contamination for Tracy, said Department
of Public Works Director Patrick Wiemiller.
Meanwhile, the period for public comment on the best way to
clean up Pit 7 has been extended to May 5.
To submit testimony, write to Claire Holtzapple, Site 300
Remedial Project Manager, DOE Livermore Site Office,
Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 808, L-574,
Livermore 94550.
To reach reporter Phil Hayworth, call 830-4221 or e-mail
phayworth@tracypress.com.
Copyright © 2006 Tracy Press Inc, All Rights Reserved
*****************************************************************
61 KOLO: A Chance on The Hill
Kids You Should Know
Alana Adams
18-year old Kyle Johnson won a trip to Washington D.C. through
the local grassroots lobby group, Citizen Alert, because of an
essay he wrote about the federal government's involvement in
Yucca Mountain. Johnson spent a week in D.C. learning how to
lobby and actually had the chance to do a little himself.
It's not an easy subject to tackle. Even the Bush administration
debates the use of Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a nuclear waste
dump and it's capacity.
But, this senior at North Valleys High School decided to write
about it's effect on the the state and who exactly should have a
say in it's use. It won him a free trip to DC and a chance to
push his plan on the hill.
"It's really quite an experience getting to talk to all these
big names in politics and high figures in society and have them
listen to you and get your point across."
John Hadder, with Citizen Alert, says the essay contest gave the
group a chance to reach out to younger citizens.
"This is the kind of leadership we hoped to foster in our
community: to take on issues, to discuss it, to think about it,
to talk about it with their friends."
Johnson says he does talk about these issues with his friends...
although, he doe admit Yucca Mountain isn't usually among the
high school gossip heard in the hallways.
But, he says he learned valuable information when he was the
lobbyist.
If he does decide to pursue it as a career, he says he would do
so proudly.
"It was a big thing for me, as a high schooler, to come out and
share my beliefs because they know I am a future voter. They
know I was 18 and I could sway my vote anyway."
Johnson says it's important for other young people to speak up,
and listen to what's occurring around them in the community.
"We're the future. If we don't have open minds or a desire to
take initiative or set any sort of precedence in the future,
then we're pretty much lost."
Johnson plans to attend UNR next fall and major in theater and
possibly add a second major in civil engineering before he
graduates.
For more information about Citizen Alert, you can go to it's
website at www.citizenalert.org.
Gray Television Group, Inc.
Copyright © 2002-2006
*****************************************************************
62 reviewjournal.com: Nuclear reprocessing in Nevada?
Opinion - EDITORIAL
Apr. 20, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
A proposed $5 million contract for UNLV
Although most of Nevada's political elite embraced the notion of
the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository when it was first
proposed -- after all, federal contracts had long meant
high-dollar jobs floating down like manna from heaven -- it's
long since been de rigueur for establishment politicos such as
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to stand firm against this imposition on
Nevada.
The waste dump is being forced on Nevada. A major complaint is
that the proposed repository uses unproven technology and is
therefore unsafe: Radiation from the spent nuclear fuel could
eventually leak into groundwater.
In addition, the threat of an accident could deter tourists --
many of whom have spent all their lives less than 100 miles from
an active nuclear plant where spent fuel rods are now stored in
glorified swimming pools -- from coming here to gamble.
Adhering to this line has become a virtual catechism for Nevada
politicians -- they stray from this talking point at their
peril.
So imagine, if you will, the kind of outcry that might be heard
from Sen. Reid's office if some wayward young Nevada Republican
were to propose a $5 million federal "seed" grant to help
establish an above-ground nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at the
Nevada Test Site, as close or even closer to Las Vegas than
Yucca Mountain.
Good grief. To those who worry that radioactive technology is
too dangerous a genie to be allowed out of the bottle,
reprocessing fuel to extract plutonium -- famously "the most
toxic substance on earth" -- is to geologic burial at Yucca
Mountain as "The War of the Worlds" is to Steven Spielberg's
cute little "E.T." Think Kerr-McGee plutonium. Think martyred
nuclear whistle-blower Karen Silkwood.
Well, guess what? A Nevada politician is now proposing that an
entity run by a current and a recently retired UNLV
administrator be awarded a $5 million "seed" grant from the
Department of Energy to conduct site studies for a test-scale
nuclear waste reprocessing facility, presumably at the Nevada
Test Site.
And how has Sen. Harry Reid, head of Nevada's delegation and
champion of the war against Yucca Mountain, responded?
Um, actually ... it's Minority Leader Harry Reid who's backing
the proposal.
Journey back with us now seven years. At the end of 1998, David
Thomassen of the Energy Department admits that if a $300,000
grant request for a fancy DNA analyzer to study bird migratory
routes at UNLV had come through regular channels, "We would have
sent it back and said it was not relevant to our mission."
But since the request comes from an ornithologist named Donald
Baepler, who runs the Harry Reid Center for Environmental
Studies at UNLV, and since it's backed by the powerful Sen.
Reid, DOE promptly issues the bird grant under the category of
"congressional earmarks."
Now, in 2006, Sen. Reid is pushing two men -- Tony Hechanova,
current head of the nuclear science division of the
aforementioned Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies, and
Donald Baepler (there's that name again), the center's original
director, now retired -- as appropriate recipients for a $5
million DOE contract to conduct site studies for a nuclear waste
reprocessing factory.
This in no way contradicts the senator's firm position against
storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, he explains. "We have
been doing research stuff for years dealing with nuclear waste,"
the senator said this week. "It doesn't mean just because they
do research that it is bad."
Well, of course not. If UNLV scientists can win a DOE contract
to do valuable nuclear physics on the blackboard -- assuming we
find this an appropriate use for federal funds in the first
place -- go to it. But this contract isn't merely to do
theoretical work. It's to conduct a "site study for a test-scale
nuclear waste reprocessing factory." Surely the goal of any such
study is to demonstrate that Nevada might be a good site for a
"full-scale nuclear waste reprocessing factory."
Is it the senator's position that such a chemically active
reprocessing plant would be a boon to the state, while burying
the same fuel rods inside a mountain would terrify tourists for
generations to come?
That seems odd.
Back in 1998, Mr. Baepler said researchers at the Harry Reid
Center would not let the DOE's $300,000 gift for his bird
machine influence their science. "We don't owe them anything for
this," Mr. Baepler said of the Energy Department. "We're totally
independent of Yucca Mountain and totally independent of the
Nevada Test Site."
But, as a politician once said, "That was then."
[Yucca Mountain]
More about Yucca Mountain
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1997 - 2006
*****************************************************************
63 reviewjournal.com: Repairs, upgrades planned at nuclear waste dump site
Apr. 20, 2006
WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department is planning about $100
million in repairs, new buildings and roads, a fire station, and
other improvements at the site of the planned Yucca Mountain
nuclear waste repository, a department official said Wednesday.
The planned upgrades -- to facilities used by the 225 full-time
employees who work at the site 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas
-- are needed to repair equipment and buildings that have fallen
into disrepair or were never completed because of budget
shortages, said Scott Wade, director of the department's office
of repository development in Las Vegas.
As the opening date of the project has been delayed, structures
intended to be temporary have remained in use longer than
planned, he said.
"We lack some of the basic emergency response capabilities, fire
and such," Wade told a meeting of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission's advisory committee on nuclear waste.
"Decisions were made not to complete some of the original design
for those on-site structures," Wade said. "It was probably poor
decisions that were made."
A fire in February burned down a trailer at the site entrance --
one of about 120 temporary structures in place, Wade told
committee members. The fire, caused by a heating system
malfunction, occurred on a weekend and had burned out by the
time workers found it, but it underscored the need for better
emergency response.
The closest fire engine is in Mercury, 45 minutes away.
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1997 - 2006
*****************************************************************
64 reviewjournal.com: Bigger repository backed in study preview
Apr. 20, 2006
Yucca Mountain could be redesigned to hold up to 628,000 tons
By STEVE TETREAULT STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- The planned Yucca Mountain repository could hold
between four to nine times more nuclear waste if it were expanded
and redesigned, according to an industry report previewed
Wednesday.
Early results of an ongoing study indicate at least 286,000 tons
and possibly as many as 628,000 tons of used nuclear fuel could
be stored at the Nevada site, authors said at a briefing.
A reconfigured repository would dwarf the current legal limit of
77,000 tons. The study assumes the repository area could be
doubled, and that storage tunnels could be grouped or carved
into multiple levels of the mountain.
The study also is expected to stoke debate about a new Bush
administration bill that seeks to lift the official capacity at
Yucca Mountain and take other steps to speed repository
development as a way to encourage construction of more nuclear
power plants.
"These are numbers that are draining the blood from the faces of
many people who say, 'Wow, that is a lot,' " lead author Mick
Apted said at a briefing for members of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission's nuclear waste advisory board.
There are about 50,000 tons of nuclear waste stored at power
plants in the United States, according to the Department of
Energy. The Nuclear Energy Institute estimates about 313,000
tons of nuclear waste are stored worldwide. The World Nuclear
Association reports high-level waste is accumulating at 12,000
tons a year.
The Yucca study is being performed by the Electric Power
Research Institute, the research arm of the utility industry. A
preliminary draft is expected to be published in May while
analysts continue to delve into the topic, said John Kessler,
the institute's high level waste manager.
Marty Malsch, an attorney who represents the state of Nevada in
nuclear waste matters, said the capacities detailed in the
presentation would position Yucca Mountain "to hold all the
nuclear waste in the world."
Malsch questioned whether an expanded repository could comply
with the federal nuclear waste law, principally requirements
that limit the amount of decaying nuclear materials allowed to
seep into groundwater.
Per Peterson, a nuclear engineering professor at the University
of California at Berkeley, said he is skeptical of tiered
designs for Yucca Mountain, as well as expanding the repository
to a large capacity.
"DOE will be lucky to get together a baseline application for a
60 metric ton per acre repository for submission to NRC by 2008,
and while there are maps showing up to 4,200 acres (at the
site), only a tiny fraction of this area has been characterized
to the level needed to verify that it is suitable for repository
use."
Malsch said the study appears part of a nuclear industry drive
to persuade Congress to lift the capacity limit at Yucca
Mountain.
Industry officials have argued that at the current limits, Yucca
Mountain would be fully subscribed by the time it is built,
potentially holding up the development of new nuclear power
plants.
Kessler told the NRC panel that researchers were conservative in
their modeling, and assumed a "hot temperature" repository
design, the same being considered by the Energy Department for
Yucca Mountain.
DOE already has conducted limited studies on repository
expansion, Kessler said. The department's environmental study
for Yucca examined a 120,000 ton repository limit.
"We are not starting with a blank slate," Kessler said. "We
think there is a good chunk of information available."
The Energy Department believes the 77,000 ton repository cap,
which was set by Congress in 1982, is an "arbitrary limit,"
spokesman Craig Stevens said in an e-mail.
"We already know that the true capacity of Yucca Mountain is
significantly greater, that's why we've asked for a change in
the law," Stevens said. He did not comment on the research
institute's study.
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., thinks President Bush should be
asked about expanding Yucca Mountain when he appears in Las
Vegas on Monday, her spokesman David Cherry said.
"Congresswoman Berkley has already said that President Bush
wants to make Nevada a global nuclear garbage dump and these
findings only add fuel to the fire," Cherry said.
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1997 - 2006
*****************************************************************
65 Energy Business Review: Sellafield worries cast shadow over UK nuclear industry -
20th April 2006 By Nick Kingsley
The clouded future of the sprawling Sellafield site in northwest
England continues to cast doubt upon government plans to invest
in further nuclear power facilities.
The UK's Guardian newspaper has reported that the Health and
Safety Executive, which regulates workplace safety, is on the
verge of launching a prosecution against British Nuclear Group
(BNG) over breaches of safety that have led to the protracted
closure of the Thorp reprocessing plant at Sellafield, Cumbria.
The UK government is planning to sell off BNG, along with
parent firm BNFL. It is thought by some observers that allowing
the private sector access to lucrative waste reprocessing and
site clean-up contracts could act as an important precursor to
letting deals to build new nuclear plants from scratch.
However the safety problems at Sellafield could yet derail the
government's plans, the Guardian says. Sellafield was the site
of Britain's first civil nuclear plant, and has been a bone of
contention ever since, with a number of safety incidents making
the headlines over the years since its inauguration in the 1950s.
Although there is no longer a functioning generating plant at
Sellafield, it retains the Thorp reprocessing center, currently
closed after the leak of hazardous material through a corroded
pipe in April 2005. More contentiously still, there is talk that
Sellafield may be chosen as the site for a new nuclear station
if the government opts for a new tranche of reactors.
This has provoked a furious reaction in Ireland, where there
has long been a feeling that nuclear waste from Sellafield is
damaging the country's coastline and marine environment.
The Irish Sunday Business Post newspaper recently reported
comments from Dick Roche, Ireland's environment minister, saying
that his government would fight "tooth and nail" to prevent
another reactor being built at Sellafield.
The newspaper report even raised the prospect of international
legal action being taken, with Mr Roche apparently saying that
when he discussed the issue with the UK's trade and industry
minister Alan Johnson, he received "some sympathy" to his views.
©2006 Business Review Ltd
*****************************************************************
66 globeandmail.com: Denison boss warns of uranium shortage
TARA PERKINS
Canadian Press
TORONTO -- While demand for uranium is soaring as more countries
increase their use of nuclear power, Canadian production is
constrained by bureaucracy, says the chief executive officer of
Denison Mines Inc.
". . . you've got huge growth," Peter Farmer said after the
Toronto company's annual meeting yesterday. "Russia's going to
go up 9 per cent, to 25-per-cent [nuclear], Japan wants to go up
12 per cent, so they'll be 41-per-cent nuclear, India, China --
all of them need power. We're going to have a deficiency.
Saskatchewan, where Denison has been producing uranium for seven
years, has the world's richest uranium mines, he said.
"The worst thing that could happen to the industry is you don't
have the fuel. I don't think that's going to happen but we've
got to step up the process, the speed with which we can find,
and the speed with which we get licence to operate."
Mr. Farmer said the regulatory environment is worsening the
problem. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which came
into force five years ago, "delays everything," and on top of
that, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's workload keeps
climbing, bogging down the process."
Haywood Securities analyst Jim Mustard said it's probably fair
to say Canada's regulatory regime is excessive, compared with
many other jurisdictions. "Plus, regulatory agencies, both
provincial and federal, are short of staff, as are most mining
organizations. Contractors, consultants, mining companies,
there's a severe shortage of talent throughout the whole
sector."
Copyright 2006 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights
Reserved. --> -->
*****************************************************************
67 TheStar.com: Ease uranium regulation, Denison chief executive urges
Thu. Apr. 20, 2006. | Updated at 05:05 PM
TARA PERKINS CANADIAN PRESS
Demand for uranium is soaring as more countries increase their
use of nuclear power, but Canadian production is constrained by
bureaucracy, says the chief executive officer of Denison Mines
Inc.
"What's happening now is you've got huge growth," Peter Farmer
said after the Toronto company's annual meeting yesterday.
"Russia's going to go up 9 per cent, to 25 per cent (nuclear).
Japan wants to go up 12 per cent, so they'll be 41 per cent
nuclear. India, China all of them need power. We're going to
have a deficiency," Farmer said.
"The worst thing that could happen to the industry is you don't
have the fuel. I don't think that's going to happen, but we've
got to really step up the process, the speed with which we can
find and the speed with which we get licence to operate."
Saskatchewan, where Denison has been producing uranium for seven
years, has the world's richest uranium mines, Farmer said.
"It's just a matter of the regulatory environment," he said.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which came into force
five years ago, "delays everything. And on top of it, the
work-load for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission climbs,
climbs, climbs .... It bogs down the process."
Jim Mustard, an analyst with Haywood Securities, said it is
probably fair to say Canada's regulatory regime is excessive
compared with many other jurisdictions in the world.
"As time goes on, the whole permitting process for project
development does take considerably more time than it would have
five or 10 years ago," Mustard said.
"Uranium is one of the most highly regulated commodities in the
world, including Canada, because of the safety and social
issues."
The quoted spot price for uranium jumped from $20.70 (U.S.) a
pound at the start of 2005 to $36.25 at year-end. Farmer
attributed that largely to the growing acceptance of nuclear
power.
Legal Notice: Copyright Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All
*****************************************************************
68 Belfast Telegraph: Alert over chances of waste leakages
By Michael McHugh 20 April 2006
Warnings that vastly increased quantities of radioactive waste
could be stored at a depot close to Sellafield have sparked
alarm from Ulster environmental campaigners.
Proposals which could include a massive expansion of nuclear
dumping facilities at Drigg in west Cumbria near Sellafield or
the construction of an entirely new site will be vigorously
opposed by activists on this side of the Irish Sea, including
South Down MP Eddie McGrady who is concerned about the waste
leaking into the sea.
The details are outlined in a consultation paper on dealing with
low level radioactive waste (LLW) jointly issued by environment
departments across the UK.
The paper stated: "Use of centralised facilities, such as the
existing national LLW disposal facility located close to Drigg,
may be the appropriate point of disposal for much LLW.
"However, depending on the intrinsic hazard of some forms of
LLW, other solutions are possible."
Officials are keen to minimise the distances which the waste is
transported from reactors.
© 2006 Independent News and Media (NI)
*****************************************************************
69 Las Vegas City Life: Special waste for a special place
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The 'Fix Yucca' bill could turn the proposed nuke dump into an
ultra-privileged, quasi-secret project
BY ANDREW KIRALY
The barrage of articles and TV news stories, the furor of
activists, the arguments over bad science and outrage over fudged
numbers, the ever-shifting timetable. You're probably damn sick
and tired of hearing about the proposed nuclear waste dump at
Yucca Mountain. Who can blame you? You poor thing.
You've got a nasty case of Yucca fatigue.
The federal government feels your pain. In fact, they're trying
to make it so you'll never have to think about Yucca Mountain
again. You won't think about the nuke dump, presumably, because
you won't know anything about the nuke dump. The Department of
Energy wants to essentially turn Yucca Mountain into a
self-contained, quasi-secret project that removes itself from
the usual government purse strings and rules of accountability.
It would have its own budget, its own safety rules, maybe even
its own dedicated transportation line. Think of the recently
unveiled "Fix Yucca" bill as a way to give nuke waste and the
Yucca Mountain project the VIP treatment.
In terms of ballsiness, some observers say this latest move by
the federal government ranks right up there with the legendary
1987 Screw Nevada bill, which singled out Yucca Mountain as the
sole site to study for a national high-level nuke waste dump.
"What this bill is about is giving the DOE preferential
treatment that no other applicant in the world or the U.S. would
ever be entitled to," says Bob Loux, executive director of the
Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects.
On April 5, the DOE sent its "Fix Yucca" bill to Congress, which
was promptly picked up by U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. It
seems the only thing missing from its package of provisions is a
velvet rope and a beefy contingent of bouncers, as critics say
the proposed legislation treats Yucca Mountain with an aura of
privilege unprecedented for a government-funded project. Among
the bill's features are some old tricks and new maneuvers such
as:
* Guaranteed annual cash flow with no strings attached. Remember
the Yucca project's money woes of recent years? This bill would
end that by essentially taking the project outside congressional
coffers and funding it annually to the tune of $750 million. No
pesky, grandstanding congressmen to stand in the way with safety
concerns or questions about science. Since the nuke dump would
exist outside the budget, it would also exist outside of
congressional scrutiny, critics say.
"It would essentially take the project off-budget, so to speak,"
says Loux. "They've tried to do this six, seven years in a row.
They're not giving up."
* The bill also seeks to remove federal, state, local and even
tribal authority over the shipping of nuke waste. Whether the
waste arrived by dedicated rail or highway, Nevada would have no
say in safety. "This is absolutely unprecedented," says Melissa
Kemp, policy analyst with Public Citizen's energy program. "It
takes away any kind of control and input role of the state and
tribes over transport." She also says this provision flies in
the face of a recent National Academy of Science report that
advocated a central role for states and Indian tribes in moving
waste. Of course, the bill also renders moot state and local air
quality laws for the site as well.
* Nevada's water rights have proven a historic weapon in the
fight against Yucca. If passed, this bill would override them.
"It would pre-empt state water rights," says Loux.
Traditionally, the state water engineer is armed with three
questions: Is there available water for the project? Will the
water be put to beneficial use? Is this use in the public
interest? The bill forces the state engineer's to answer "yes"
on those last two. In short, if there's water available, the
Yucca project gets it.
* The Yucca Mountain site is so special in this bill, it would
be exempted from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the
federal law that covers all hazardous waste disposal. If you
thought Yucca was just for nuclear waste, think again. This bill
could make it an all-purpose dumping site. Nuke waste, heavy
metals -- come one, come all.
In what might be taken as a final middle finger to dump foes,
the bill proposes to supersize the dump, lifting the its 70,000
metric-ton cap so it might take even more waste, which dump foes
see as a signal of more nuclear power plants on the horizon. On
the bright side, Yucca critics predict a short life for the
ambitious bill, but also sense something more sinister afoot.
Several speculate that "Fix Yucca," in all its outrageousness,
is merely a weather balloon to test the winds of resistance.
They expect Domenici to craft his own law after gauging the
response to this one. But at least one watchdog sees "Fix Yucca"
as a dramatic last gasp.
"It's a last, desperate attempt to salvage whatever is left of a
completely failed program," says Loux. "The DOE are the only
people who believe this has any reasonable chance of ever going
forward."
Copyright © , Las Vegas CityLife
*****************************************************************
70 AU ABC: Top End 'more likely' to get nuclear waste dump.
20/04/2006. ABC News Online
First Posted: Thursday, April 20, 2006 . 7:45pm --> Last
Northern Territory Senator Nigel Scullion says he is confident a
proposed national nuclear waste dump will not be built at either
of two proposed central Australian sites.
The Federal Government is investigating three sites in the
Territory for the dump, two in central Australia and one near
Katherine.
Senator Scullion says he believes the Northern Land Council
will come up with one or more alternative sites in the Top End,
leaving central Australia free of a dump.
"Certainly my comment is that I'm not supporting sites in this
area and I think it should go somewhere else," he said.
"I accept now that it has to go in the Northern Territory.
"I've said that before but I think it should go somewhere where
people want it to go and ... I have a high level of confidence
that it will in fact go somewhere of the Northern Land Council
jurisdiction."
But the Labor Senator for the Northern Territory Trish Crossin
says Senator Scullion is trying to justify his vote to amend,
rather than oppose, legislation that ensured the Territory would
host the dump.
"In estimates in February we were told that there were no
additional sites on the radar, there'd been no contact by
traditional landowners and they were proceeding with the three
additional sites," she said.
"Senator Scullion seems to be running his own show. It will be
interesting to see whether this is part of a broader plan from
the Federal Government or whether he's just simply playing loop
the loop with the waste dump."
*****************************************************************
71 AU ABC: Miner picks uranium exploration sites.
21/04/2006. ABC News Online
Western Australian mining company Arafura Resources is about to
start exploratory drilling for uranium at two Northern Territory
sites.
Arafura says it has found an area six kilometres long and 400
metres wide at Lucy Creek, north-east of Alice Springs, that
potentially contains uranium.
The company's Alistair Stephens says the other site is a
20-kilometre stretch of land at Lagoon Creek, 400 kilometres
east of Tennant Creek.
"It's unlikely that there'll be mineralisation consistent along
the 20 kilometres strike length," he said.
"What we've identified is a system that seems to have some
geological context over that length.
"Defining economic resources is likely to be in a smaller area.
"Certainly both projects have a lot of credibility and we're
very optimistic that we'll be coming back with some results from
those programs."
*****************************************************************
72 TownOnline.com: Perchlorate and drinking water
Concord Journal
Thursday, April 20, 2006
In 2002, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) reported perchlorate contamination of the aquifer under the
Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod. The contaminant
was moving toward the Bourne drinking water wells.
Presumably its source was the military installation.
Perchlorates are used in blasting agents, fireworks, military
munitions, rocket and missile fuels, and various manufacturing
processes. So far there are no federal regulations regarding
cleanup and disposal of perchlorates.
Perchlorate contamination is a serious concern, as
perchlorates are known to impair human thyroid gland activity.
The thyroid gland's functions include its ability to take up
iodide, which protects against goiter, and its production of
hormones critical to fetal and infant brain development.
Perchlorate is reported to be widespread at low levels in human
breast milk, human urine, dairy milk, and bottled water. There
seems to be no explanation so far of this broad distribution.
In 2004 DEP instituted a requirement that all drinking water
systems in Massachusetts test for perchlorate in their sources.
The results showed perchlorate levels above interim advisory
levels at sites in 10 Massachusetts towns - Chesterfield,
Southbridge, Hadley, Williamstown, Boxborough, Westford, Boxford,
Tewksbury, and Westport. Those sites were directed to take
remedial action.
In March of this year DEP proposed a drinking water standard
limiting perchlorate concentration to 2 ppb (parts per billion),
with provision for regular monitoring and waste site cleanup
standards. This proposal is the first in the nation, and it
certainly merits our support. For details, see
http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/percinfo.htm
A public comment period through May 12 will include public
hearings (April 20, Lakeville; April 25, Springfield; and April
27, Worcester). We'll try to attend at least one of these
hearings, and we encourage anyone who is interested to do the
same. For times and places, see
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/pubnot0306.htm [continue]
EPA has not yet proposed a drinking water standard. EPA's
provisional Reference Dose (RfD) provides a cleanup "guidance" of
24.5 ppb. Note that a guidance figure has no standing as a
requirement.
California has proposed a drinking water limit of 6 ppb.
According to a report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
action on that proposal is being delayed by a lawsuit filed by
Lockheed Martin, former producer of perchlorates. New Jersey is
considering a limit of 5 ppb. For more, see
http://www.ewg.org/issues/perchlorate.
EWG is pursuing regulations that would be based on high
accumulation of perchlorates in leafy green vegetables,
particularly lettuce, irrigated by contaminated Colorado River
water. However, recent work by scientists at the University of
Arizona discounts the potential for harmful perchlorate exposure
from this source. [Sanchez et al., Environmental Science &
Technology, 39, 9391 (2005)]. An incidental finding was that
organically grown greens were generally higher in perchlorates
than those grown conventionally. This difference may be
attributable to the choices of fertilizers.
Prepared for REUSIT by Vivian Walworth. For more
information, call Vivian at 978-369-3735 or e-mail
vwalworth@comcast,net.
© Copyright of CNC and Herald Interactive
*****************************************************************
73 MetroWestDailyNews.com: Change to radiation plan eyed
By John Hilliard/ Daily News Staff
Thursday, April 20, 2006
HOLLISTON -- The Board of Health is planning new tests and
changes to its radiation screening plan for Casella Waste
Systems' Washington Street trash transfer station.
"We want to verify it'll work under perfect conditions," said
Chairman Richard Maccagnano.
Board member Elizabeth Theiler said radioactive waste has
been found 10 times at the Casella facility since 2004, including
three incidents from this year.
The board created the radiation screening plan -- requiring
Casella look for radioactive waste in garbage loads and tell town
officials if radiation is found -- following an incident earlier
this year.
The board may require Casella to stop using nearby Aggregate
Industries as an alternative location for radiation screening, he
said.
Maccagnano said the board also is planning a test of
Casella's radiation scanning equipment at the Washington Street
station.
The board will debate the changes at its next meeting May 1.
The board also has wrapped up interviews with potential
attorneys to review its 2004 decision that allowed Casella's
operation to stay open.
In December 2004, the board decided Casella did not pose a
threat to public health, safety or the environment if specific
upgrades were installed at the facility.
Those upgrades, including a new building and improved
stormwater controls, are being reviewed by the Planning Board.
Maccagnano said reviewing the 2004 decision could cost about
$25,000. The Finance Committee has asked for cost estimates from
individual attorneys before it decides whether to tap funding
from the town's reserve fund.
The Board of Health will present a funding request for an
environmental lawyer to the Finance Committee within the next two
weeks, said Maccagnano.
(John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4449 or
jhilliar@cnc.com.)
townonline.com
*****************************************************************
74 Indymedia: UCSC Student Assembly Resolution against UC Managed Nuclear Weapons Labs
SF Bay Area Indymedia
UCSC Student Assembly Resolution against UC Managed Nuclear
Weapons Labs by Students Against War Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2006 at
4:48 PM ucsc_saw_web@lists.riseup.netIn addition to
counter-recruitment, SAW is engaged in a number of ongoing
campaigns, one of which is having our university system end their
management of the Los Alamos and Lawrence National Laboratories
-- which between them are responsible for the research and
development of every single nuclear weapon in the US stockpile.
Considering that the Bush administration reportedly refuses to
take the nuclear option off the table for a possible conflict
with Iran, this campaign is as timely as it has ever been. Below
is the full text of a Student Assembly Resolution written by SAW
members calling for the UC to end their management of the labs.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Student Union Assembly RESOLUTION:
University of California Sever All Ties
with Nuclear Weapons Laboratories,
Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Labs.
Whereas, the University of California, in partnership with the
Bechtel Corporation, was awarded the management contract of the
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) on December 21, 2005 and
continues to manage the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(LLNL), and
Whereas, the US Department of Energy’s Reliable Replacement
Warhead program at LANL and LLNL effectively calls for the
creation of new and modified nuclear weapons, which is in direct
violation of the UN’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and
Whereas, Bechtel, the UC’s new co-manager of LANL, has a long
history of irresponsible business practices which fly in the
face of human rights, such as the privatization of Bolivia’s
water, collaboration with the CIA to politically and
economically influence many regions of the Middle East,
contracting with Iraq in 1988 to construct chemical warfare
facilities for that country, participating in Iraq’s nuclear
weapons program and accepting $10 billion dollar investments
from the bin Laden family, and
Whereas, the US government came under international scrutiny for
awarding Bechtel a $680 million-dollar, no-bid contract in 2003
to re-build Iraq, and
Whereas, the UCSC's Academic Senate voted overwhelmingly for a
resolution opposing "unilateral U.S. military intervention in
Iraq," and
Whereas, by 1982, every student government at every UC campus
passed a resolution opposing UC ties to LANL and LLNL, and
Whereas, in 1983, the UCSC Academic Senate voted 48-2 in favor
of a resolution calling for the Regents to cut ties to both LANL
and LLNL, and
Whereas, in 1990, a UC Academic Senate survey found that 64.4%
of UC faculty members supported the Jendersen Report’s
recommendations to end UC management of the nuclear
laboratories, and
Whereas, in 1996, a UCORP report found that the UC’s management
of LANL and LLNL does not qualify as a “public service,” that
the classified research the labs engage in is “not appropriate
for a University,” that the UC’s management of nuclear weapons
labs “does not contribute to human well-being,” and that the
University should terminate its management of LANL and LLNL, and
Whereas, we recognize that the University of California can and
should use its’ power and influence as a respected public
institution to adamantly condemn rather than participate in the
violation of international law, the degradation of our
environment, and the poisoning of Native American populations
surrounding LANL, and
Whereas, we recognize that the University of California has the
power to make a significant public statement against the
proliferation of nuclear weapons on earth by withdrawing its
management of LANL and LLNL, and
Whereas, we recognize that the University of California is not
imbued with the power to influence the scope, purpose or use of
the nuclear program at LANL, nor is the University of California
imbued with the authority to morally or academically “guide” the
work done at LANL or LLNL, and
Whereas, we recognize that the University of California’s
management of LANL and LLNL only serves to affix an “academic
seal” on the labs in order to legitimate the U.S.’ illegal
proliferation of nuclear weapons, and
Therefore, be it resolved that this student body calls upon the
UC regents to sever all ties with LANL and LLNL by formally
exiting the Limited Liability Corporation now managing LANL and
not participating in any upcoming bids for either of the labs,
and
Be it further resolved that, because the separation from LANL
and LLNL may be a lengthy process, in the interim, we call upon
the regents to take the following steps to ensure satisfactory
and responsible management of the national laboratories:
1. Ensure academic freedom and freedom of expression for all UC
employees involved with LANL and LLNL by discontinuing UC
employees’ work on classified research
2. Take serious steps to prevent and clean-up the contamination
of the environment surrounding LANL and LLNL by stopping the
expansion of the radioactive waste dump site of Area G at LANL,
discontinuing all plans to establish a nuclear waste repository
at Yucca Mountain (a sacred site of the Shoshone and Pauite
peoples), undertaking an outside, formal inspection of the
environmental pollution and health hazards of both of the labs,
and following through on all measures proposed by such a neutral
report, and
Be it further resolved that, in the interim, we call upon this
student body to create a Student Oversight Committee of the DOE
laboratories and actively encourage other UC campuses to join
the committee, and
Be it further resolved that we call upon the Regents to
recognize this newly formed Student Oversight Committee as
possessing the same power and authority as the Regents’
Oversight Committee, and
Be it further resolved that we call upon UCSC Chancellor Denice
Denton to make a public statement in support of this resolution,
the will of her student constituency. saw.revolt.orgadd your
comments
® 2000–2006 San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center.
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75 DOE: DOE Issues Request for Proposals Seeking a Contractor to
Manage and Operate Argonne National Laboratory
April 19, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today
announced the issuance of a final Request for Proposals (RFP)
for the competitive selection of an approximated $2.54 billion,
five-year management and operating contract for Argonne National
Laboratory (ANL), a DOE Office of Science multi-program research
facility located near Chicago, Illinois.
Argonne lab contributes expert scientists and unique leadership
in basic research, which helps the U.S. maintain our global
competitiveness, said Office of Science Director, Dr. Raymond L.
Orbach.
Through this contracting process, DOE seeks the best possible
management of this laboratory to sustain our cutting-edge
scientific resources.
The RFP includes provisions to facilitate competition, encourage
superior science and achieve excellent management performance.
Selection criteria include the potential contractors experience
and past performance in both science and business management; key
personnel, including the proposed laboratory director; strategy
for fulfilling DOEs mission for the laboratory; management
strategy and approach to achieving excellence in both world-class
scientific research and development, as well as in operations and
business management; and the value added by the contractor.
Significant changes from the draft RFP and other items of
interest are highlighted for offerors in the final RFPs
executive summary.
The changes include a maximum annual total available fee of $5.3
million and revised provisions relating to workforce transition
and contractor benefits and pensions.
Interested entities will have until June 2, 2006, to submit
proposals to a Source Evaluation Board made up of DOE business
and technical experts. The board will hold a pre-proposal
conference in the vicinity of the laboratory on May 10, 2006, to
answer any questions offerors may have about the RFP.
DOE expects to award the contract before the current agreement
with the University of Chicago expires at the end of September
2006. Including a maximum of a two-month transition, DOE expects
the selected contractor to assume full responsibility for the
operation of the laboratory by October 1, 2006.
ANL funding for FY 2007 is projected to be $508 million, provided
by the Office of Science, other DOE programs, as well as other
government agencies and private industry. Areas of research
include the physical sciences, energy science and technology,
nanotechnology, computing sciences, environmental sciences and
biosciences. Argonne also performs limited research in support
of national security.
DOEs Office of Science operates research facilities at Argonne
that attract scientists from all over the world, such as the
Advanced Photon Source, Intense Pulse Neutron Source, Argonne
Tandem-Linac Accelerator System, Center for Nanoscale Materials;
Electron Microscope Center; Atmospheric Radiation Measurement
Climate Research Facility; and Transportation Technology Research
and Development Center.
The RFP is available on the DOE e-Commerce web site:
http://e-center.doe.gov/. In addition, an information library
regarding the solicitation is available on the DOE Office of
Science web site at http://rfpanl.sc.doe.gov/.
Media contact(s): Craig Stevens, (202) 586-4940 [ ]
U.S. Department of Energy | 1000 Independence Ave., SW |
Washington, DC 20585 1-800-dial-DOE | f/202-586-4403 |
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76 Daily Review Online: Lawsuit filed against UC over lab's pension program
Article Last Updated: 04/20/2006 02:57:02 AM PDT
Employees say new plan will reduce benefits, quality at nuclear
facilities
By Ian Hoffman, STAFF WRITER
A labor union and four workers contended in a lawsuit Tuesday
that the University of California and a UC/Bechtel National-led
team were forcing more than 9,000 employees at Los Alamos
National Laboratory to swap one of the nation's plushest
pensions for lesser benefits and driving workers away from the
nuclear-weapons lab.
At stake is the University of California pension that has drawn
thousands of workers to design and maintain U.S. nuclear
explosives at both Los Alamos and its sister lab, Lawrence
Livermore in the Bay Area.
The University Professional and Technical Employees union
alleges that the university is violating a commitment written
into the state constitution to look after its pensioners.
University officials said they do not comment on litigation, but
noted that they have acted in response to directives from the
U.S. Department of Energy. A spokesman for the UC/Bechtel team
said the new pension plans are intended to retain, not alienate
workers.
The lawsuit asks an Alameda County Superior Court judge to
evaluate and rule on the retirement benefits due to those
workers, and to bar the university and new lab management team
from making changes to those benefits, as scheduled for May 15.
If the case goes before a jury, legal wrangling could snarl key
elements of the transition to new management at Los Alamos for a
year or more.
Over the last two years, the U.S. Department of Energy has put
management of both labs up for competitive bid and steered away
from more than half a century of academic-style management
toward a more corporate style of management. The agency also
insisted that lab pensions be managed separately, without
specifying whether the pensions stay within or be split apart
from the university's larger and richly funded $42 billion
pension plan.
Worker advocates say the new management at Los Alamos has taken
away protections enjoyed by the university workers and is
pressuring them to accept uncertain future retirement benefits
in order to keep their jobs.
"An employee who can get fired on the spot for no reason is not
going to speak up for scientific integrity, is not going to speak
up if there's a safety problem," said Jelger Kalmijn, the
system-wide president of UPTE.
Uncertainty about benefits and other employment conditions drove
retirement rates at Los Alamos 50 percent higher last year, and
Livermore workers predict the same for their lab as it moves
into a management competition. The result could be a loss of the
scientists, engineers and technicians with the most experience
and knowledge of U.S. nuclear explosives.
"The long-term effects on the nation's security are, of course,
unknown but potentially catastrophic," said Livermore physicist
Jeff Colvin, a board member of the Society of Professionals,
Scientists and Engineers.
On March 15, Los Alamos National Security sent packets informing
Los Alamos workers that their jobs as university employees were
coming to an end May 31, but they were guaranteed jobs with the
new management if they transferred retirement benefits from the
university pension to a new plan. They also can take inactive
status in the university plan, but risk being separated into a
second plan.
The problem, according to the union and its attorney, Arthur
Krantz, is that both new pension plans would be smaller in size,
have fewer assets and lack a track record for judging financial
reliability.
"LANS is committed to attracting and retaining high level talent
and the plans that we have offered, we feel, help meet that
commitment," said Jeff Berger, spokesman for the UC/Bechtel-led
team. "We have every interest and we have every incentive to
manage and operate the lab such that science is preeminent and
the missions set by our customer are achieved or surpassed.
There's no incentive for us to do otherwise."
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77 lamonitor.com: Legality of LANL transition challenged
The Online News Source for Los Alamos
ROGER SNODGRASS, roger@lamonitor.com, Monitor Assistant Editor
With coordinated announcements in Los Alamos and Livermore,
Calif., a union representing laboratory workers filed suit
Tuesday to enforce employment rights and pension commitments.
During a press conference in Los Alamos, local officials of the
University Professional and Technical Employees, said they were
seeking relief from what they consider to be a "coercive"
process that forces employees to make important employment
decisions based on inadequate or erroneous information.
The complaint on behalf of approximately 10,000 employees at Los
Alamos National Laboratory arises during a transition to a new
management contract at the laboratory. As of June 1, the
contract transfers from the University of California, a
nonprofit entity operating under the laws of the state of
California, to Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a
profit-making corporation composed of UC, Bechtel National, BWX
Technologies and Washington Group International. The limited
liability corporation has been established in the state of
Delaware.
Chris Harrington, a spokesman for UC said in a prepared
statement Tuesday that the university does not comment on
pending litigation.
He added, "The University as a part of the limited liability
corporation for the future management of Los Alamos National
Laboratory, is responding to and ensuring compliance with the
future contract and the directives as outlined in the Department
of Energy's request for proposal (RFP)."
A spokesman for LANS, Jeff Berger, said Tuesday that he had not
seen the suit and was unable to comment.
The transition is taking place under the auspices of the
Department of Energy, according to terms of a request for
proposal and a contract as negotiated and interpreted between
the parties.
Manny Trujillo, UPTE/LANL president said employees at LANL are
being forced to decide if they want to remove their retirement
funds from UC and put it in a new pension account established by
LANS, which has no track record in pension management, and
without knowing who will be managing the fund.
"I've been put in front of several slot machines, and I'm not a
gambler," said Catherine Chapman, UPTE/LANL treasurer and a
design technician at the laboratory. "They show us a graph, but
not how much anything is going to cost."
Among their choices, the union members said, eligible employees
may retire or go inactive under their existing UC pension and
essentially start all over with the new company in an inferior
defined contribution pension.
The petition filed in the Superior Court of the state of
California in Alameda County states, employees have been offered
positions with LANS, "if and only if they relinquish certain
choices, rights and/or vested benefits that they have under UCRP
(the University of California Retirement Plan)."
Current LANL retirees have also questioned actions taken by UC
to separate LANL pension assets from the time-tested, larger and
presumably more robust UCRP. The UCRP plan is a defined benefit
pension.
A "substantially equivalent" defined benefit pension is
available to former UC employees, transferring to LANS, who give
up their UC pensions.
Retirees represented by the Laboratory Retiree Group have been
advised by counsel they are unable to sue UC until harm has been
caused them. But they have called on DOE and UC to grant them
actuarial representation when the pension funds are divided up.
They have also called upon DOE to formally affirm the
department's commitment to guarantee UC retirees' pensions.
The complaint by UPTE Local 9119, which represents lab employees
at LANL and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, seeks a
speedy court remedy to enforce pension rights under UCRP. LLNL
is now in the early phase of a contract competition like LANL's.
UPTE is affiliated with the Communications Worker of America.
A press release by the union suggested that an appropriate
solution would be a system of "reciprocity" that would allow
employees to maintain vested rights under UCRP, while accruing
additional credits and benefits for work performed with the new
company.
© 2003 Los Alamos Monitor All Rights Reserved.
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