*** Fukushima *** and other nuclear-----updates and links

Keep on laughing AC-san... it's your own propaganda...
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They would never do it so easily if the accident happened in eastern part of japan... now for them is easy as the pollution go all in direction of western America

Hi Sweden! Things have been crazy busy here so I haven't been on much.

I felt the same way about the Navy Crew - I fear they are in for an uphill battle for medical coverage.

Hey Swede and OR xoxoxoxo

The big things in the movement at the moment are:

1. Troy Livingstons photo analasis
2. WTF is up with the No-news removals
3. New High rad readings off the charts at Fuku
4. The Purging of older documents (which I am helping recover)

I would be here way more often, but I just find posting as seperate news has a larger audience both here and elsewhere... for me, maybe too much so....

Anyone know how Bug is? (I e-mailed him here)hoping for outstanding news....

love to all for your diligence

Last Edited by CitizenPerth™ on 12/16/2013 10:06 PM

Haven't heard from Bug, hope all is well with him.

Those photos say a lot.

The world's largest steaming turd keeps on going.

Rokkasho plant to be completed in Oct. 2014

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited says it hopes to be ready to reprocess spent nuclear fuel at its Rokkasho plant in northern Japan from next October.

The company is conducting a test run at the plant in Aomori Prefecture.

Executives say they believe the plant largely conforms to the Nuclear Regulation Authority's new safety standards that take effect from Wednesday.

They say they believe the regulators are unlikely to demand major reinforcement work.
[link to www3.nhk.or.jp]
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Technologies sought to remove nuclear fuel debris

Japanese nuclear engineers are asking for technologies from home and abroad that can remove fuel debris from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant.

In 2020 or later, Japan aims to start removing fuel from the 3 reactors that suffered meltdowns in the March 2011 disaster. Removing fuel debris is a core part of the work to decommission the plant, which will reportedly take 30 to 40 years.

The International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning is composed of Japanese power plant operators and researchers. It held a session in Tokyo on Tuesday to outline the project. About 130 engineers and researchers attended.
[link to www3.nhk.or.jp]
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New safety standards for spent fuel reprocessing plants take effect

Japan introduced on Wednesday tougher safety standards for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants and other facilities handling nuclear fuel, based on the lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

A total of 247 facilities will be covered by the new regulations, including a spent fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho village in northeastern Japan, which is tasked with playing a key role in Japan's fuel recycling policy that aims to reprocess spent uranium fuel and reuse the extracted plutonium and uranium as reactor fuel.

Plant operator Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. plans to apply for the Nuclear Regulation Authority's safety checks of the Rokkasho plant in the near future as part of the procedures to start the already delayed operation of the plant.
[link to english.kyodonews.jp]
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USEC plans for bankruptcy

US uranium enrichment company USEC is to file for voluntary bankruptcy during the first quarter of 2014 as part of a financial restructuring plan. The filing is not expected to affect ongoing operations or the American Centrifuge research, development and demonstration program.

The restructuring plans would see USEC's existing $530 million debt replaced with a new debt issue of $200 million and the replacement of existing equity with new equity. It would see existing strategic investors B&W and Toshiba jointly holding 16% of the new common stock and $40 million of the debt, although detailed terms are still being negotiated. According to an announcement by USEC, the new capital structure would give it greater financial flexibility to support the American Centrifuge project.
[link to www.world-nuclear-news.org]
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Consumer Groups Win Preliminary Injunction Against Toxics Regulators Over Alleged Illegal Disposal Of Boeing Radioactive Debris

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sacramento Superior Court granted a motion for preliminary injunction against the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) pending final outcome of a lawsuit filed by Consumer Watchdog counsel and Strumwasser & Woocher on behalf of Consumer Watchdog and three other groups over the alleged illegal demolition and disposal of radioactive debris from Boeing's Santa Susana nuclear reactor and rocket engine test site.
[link to www.nuclearpowerdaily.com]
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CLINTON: MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DURING FEED PUMP SWAP

During a feed pump shift from the motor driven reactor feed pump to the 'A' turbine driven reactor feed pump during power ascension, reactor pressure vessel (RPV) water level was approaching the Reactor Protective System (RPS) automatic scram set point when a manual reactor scram was inserted.

All control rods fully inserted. RPV water level is being maintained by the normal condensate booster / feedwater systems. RPV pressure is being maintained via normal main steam system. There were no actuations of any Emergency Core Cooling System and no Safety Relief Valves actuations. All systems responded as expected.
[link to www.nucpros.com]
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OYSTER CREEK:MANUAL SCRAM DUE TO RISE IN REACTOR PRESSURE DURING TURBINE VALVE TESTING

Today at approximately 0337 [EST], during quarterly turbine valve testing with reactor power at 100% of rated thermal power, the plant experienced reactor pressure control abnormalities. Reactor pressure rose to 1042 psig [at which point] the Operators inserted a manual SCRAM. The cause of the rise in reactor pressure is currently under investigation.

All control rods inserted into the core. Main steam isolation valves remained open, [however], bypass valves did not open as expected. The plant is in its normal electrical lineup and decay heat is being removed via isolation condensers. No electronic (EMRVs) or safety valves lifted during the transient. The plant is currently shutdown and all parameters are stable.
[link to www.nucpros.com]
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Japanese researcher fears Mongolian nomads suffering from radiation exposure

A Japanese researcher has turned to the nomads of Mongolia to help her document the extent of radioactive contamination in the landlocked Asian nation.

Ryoko Imaoka, an associate professor of Mongolian studies at Osaka University, has been supplying used cameras to the nomads of the Mongolian steppe so they can document the frequency of deformed livestock, which appears to be on the increase, particularly near uranium mines.

“With the transition to a market-based economy rapidly in progress, environmental pollution is becoming a serious problem,” said Imaoka, 51. “When eating their livestock, nothing goes to waste--even the last drop of blood. That is Mongolian culture. (The disposal of nuclear waste there) would definitely affect the people.”

A French-Mongolian joint venture started experimental drilling three years ago in southern Mongolia in the search for uranium. Shortly thereafter, increased reports of deformities and birth defects in livestock near the area started to appear.
[link to ajw.asahi.com]
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Fort Calhoun restarts after almost three years offline

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the restart of Omaha Public Power District's Fort Calhoun nuclear station in Nebraska, which has been offline since April 2011.
Restart activities began in mid-afternoon on Tuesday 17 December, and the reactor is expected to reach 100% power within five or six days. Fort Calhoun is designed to operate for around 18-months before it will need to be shut down for refuelling.

The 478 MW Fort Calhoun pressurized water reactor has been offline since an April 2011 refuelling outage in order to correct a 'variety of concerns with plant equipment, programmes and processes.'
[link to www.neimagazine.com]
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Case dismissed...

Judge dismisses sailor radiation case

A San Diego federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that U.S. sailors were exposed to dangerous radiation during the humanitarian response to the March 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

But Judge Janis L. Sammartino left the door open for a follow-on lawsuit, and the attorney representing several sailors from the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan said he intends to refile.

The judge dismissed the case Nov. 26 on jurisdictional grounds, saying that it was beyond her authority to determine whether the Japanese government had perpetrated a fraud on its American counterpart.
[link to www.utsandiego.com]

Ruling (PDF):
[link to media.utsandiego.com]
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LIMERICK: FITNESS FOR DUTY REPORT - LICENSED OPERATOR TESTED POSITIVE FOR ALCOHOL

Submitted by NUCBIZ on December 18, 2013 - 12:06
A licensed operator had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness for duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been restricted. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
[link to www.nucpros.com]
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GRAND GULF: LOSS OF CONTAINMENT ISOLATION CAPABILITY DUE TO SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURE ERROR

During performance of 06-IC-1E31-Q-1016-02 RCIC Steam Supply Pressure Low, the RCIC Containment Isolation Valve 1E51F063, RCIC STM SPLY DRWL INBD ISOL, closed. The procedure for this surveillance (which had recently been revised) should have directed the opening of the breakers for isolation valves 1E51F063 and 1E51F076, RCIC STM LINE WARMUP VLV, which are the division two inboard containment isolation valves for the RCIC system. The procedure incorrectly directed the breakers to be opened for the 1E51F064, RCIC STM SPLY DRWL OTBD ISOL, and 1E51F076. The 1E51F076 is a division two valve and the 1E51F064 is a division one valve. Both the 1E51F076 and 1E51F064 were open at the time their breakers were opened, which resulted in the loss of isolation capability for this containment penetration.
[link to www.nucpros.com]
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OYSTER CREEK: CTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM (RPS) ACTUATION WITH THE REACTOR IN HOT SHUTDOWN

Pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), notifications are being performed for a valid actuation of the reactor protection system resulting in a full scram. The actuation was a result of the reactor mode switch being placed from the refuel position to the shutdown position without the scram bypass jumpers installed. The reactor was subcritical with all rods inserted at the time of the actuation. All systems functioned as designed.
[link to www.nucpros.com]
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Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant to be ready for operation in Oct. 2014

Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. said Thursday it expects its spent fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho village, Aomori Prefecture, to pass the state's safety assessment and be ready for operation in October 2014.

The plan was explained to local governments concerned, as the operator is seeking to apply for the Nuclear Regulation Authority's safety screening of its reprocessing plant possibly later in the month.

A Japan Nuclear Fuel official said October 2014 will mark the plant's "completion" and its actual operation will start after securing local consent. The plant is tasked with playing a key role in Japan's fuel recycling policy that aims to reprocess spent uranium fuel and reuse the extracted plutonium and uranium as reactor fuel.
[link to english.kyodonews.jp]
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Compensation to be raised for returning Fukushima evacuees

The government is planning to raise its level of compensation to evacuees from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant accident if they return home soon after evacuation orders are lifted, sources said Dec. 18.

The plan was included in guidelines compiled ahead of the lifting of evacuation orders planned for next spring and later.

The guidelines will be officially adopted on Dec. 20 by the government’s headquarters to deal with the nuclear accident. After that, they will be approved by the Cabinet.
[link to ajw.asahi.com]
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CP, some photos from Kakadu National Park...

IMAGE GALLERY: The leach tank break at Ranger Mine
[link to www.mining.com]
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Renewal a bridge to replacement

The operation of US reactors could continue beyond lifespans of 60 years, said the American Physical Society (APS). But this medium-term nuclear strategy should give way to a robust replacement program.

Some 74 of America's fleet of 100 operating nuclear power reactors have been granted renewed licences, which enable operation to the age of 60 - subject to regulatory oversight and commercial decisions. At the same time, power uprates have added 6862 MWe to their total capacity, enabling nuclear power to maintain a 20% share of electricity generation. Another 18 licence renewal applications are current with regulators.

Generously assuming 60-year lives for all of today's reactors means that the current US fleet will largely retire between the late 2020s and mid 2040s. This would represent the loss of about 60% of America's current low-carbon power generation capacity. These shutdowns could be delayed further, concluded a report by the APS, as there are no technical showstoppers to reactor lifespans of potentially 70 or even 80 years. Given the research and regulatory work required to achieve a licence extension, utilities will have to consider this option in the next five years, said APS.
[link to www.world-nuclear-news.org]
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San Clemente Doesn’T Want San Onofre’S Nuclear Waste Sticking Around

Without a national repository for nuclear waste, plants scattered throughout the country will have to keep waste on site for decades, possibly even centuries. Elected officials in San Clemente are expressing concern about how long waste will be stored in their own backyard.

With San Onofre Nuclear Generating System just a few miles down the coast, nuclear waste sits close to home. The San Clemente City Council voted Tuesday to take a stronger stance on waste storage at the plant, which was permanently shut down earlier this year.
[link to www.kpbs.org]
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thanks for that

google earth:
12°40'59.60" S 132°55'26.51" E

Murky waters both literally and figuratively.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I found out I am going to be a Grandma come late June/early July!

xoxoxoxooxo

Hmm, I was banned for a while...

No. of reactors applying for safety checks toward restart rises to 16

Tohoku Electric Power Co. applied Friday for a state safety assessment on its No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan, making it the 16th reactor for which procedures have begun toward restarting operations.

The plant in Miyagi Prefecture was the nuclear complex located closest to the focus of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake in March 2011, which was followed by huge tsunami waves that set off a nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi plant in neighboring Fukushima Prefecture.

Although the Onagawa plant was rattled by the huge earthquake, all three reactors halted automatically and Tohoku Electric Power has been restoring the facilities affected by the natural disasters.
[link to english.kyodonews.jp]
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[link to www.turnerradionetwork.com]
** NEWS FLASH -- URGENT ** STEAM SUDDENLY EMANATING FROM FUKUSHIMA REACTOR # 3 - WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE RADIATION CLOUD WITHIN 3 TO 5 DAYS Print
Saturday, 28 December 2013 22:55

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