Archives for March 2011

Absorbing the nuclear fallout — Charlotte Business Journal

March 25, 2011

Op-ed by Jim Warren. The revival of U.S. nuclear power has been dominated in recent years by exuberance fueled by industry hype. Several weeks before Japan’s tragedy, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission member Peter Bradford declared the U.S. nuclear renaissance “in shambles.”

Absorbing the Nuclear Fallout – Op Ed, Charlotte Business Journal

March 25, 2011

It’s too early to know the impact of Japan’s emergency on public health and the industry. But new projects worldwide likely will be delayed as the events at Fukushima are analyzed, and changes are debated in plant design, regulation and emergency planning.

Winter Sea Ice Hits Historic Low – Center for Biological Diversity

March 24, 2011

The National Snow and Ice Data Center is reporting that Arctic sea ice appears to have reached its winter maximum for the year, which has tied 2006 for the lowest in the satellite record.

Nuclear Safety in the Carolinas – Charlotte Talks, WFAE 90.7 FM

March 22, 2011

NC WARN’s director Jim Warren debates Duke Energy’s nuclear policy director Steve Nesbit on Charlotte’s public radio station.

Critics question Shearon Harris emergency plans – ABC News

March 18, 2011

Progress Energy sends out safety information manuals annually to everyone living within ten miles of the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant, but critics say if something goes wrong at the plant, not nearly enough thought has gone into keeping people safe.

Duke CEO’s Nuclear Colors – Hearing Highlights – Statement from NC WARN

March 16, 2011

Duke Energy’s Jim Rogers keeps talking a good game about pursuing “a mix” of electricity technologies, but yesterday’s hearing at the NC Utilities Commission again exposed that as a public relations facade.

Japanese Nuclear Crisis May Pose Troubles For Duke’s Plans – WFAE Radio Article

March 15, 2011

The unfolding nuclear plant crisis in Japan could pose significant problems for Duke Energy’s effort to build a new reactor near Gaffney, SC.

Solar power market tops $71 billion in 2010 – The San Francisco Chronicle

March 14, 2011

The latest report, released today, shows a decade of remarkable growth. The market for solar power, wind power and biofuels still pales when compared with that for fossil fuels (Exxon Mobil, for example, made $383.2 billion last year). But clean-energy technology is no longer stuck in a niche.

Japan Nuclear Crisis

March 14, 2011

A few reliable sources of information covering the breaking news of Japan’s nuclear facilities:
Union of Concerned Scientists
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research: Arjun Makhijani
Fairewinds Associates: Arnold Gunderson
Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Beyond Nuclear

Recent News Items:
Fukushima disaster could have been avoided, nuclear plant operator admits – The Guardian, October 15, 2012

More on Japan, NC impacts

Can Shearon Harris withstand a disaster? – ABC News

March 14, 2011

Threats to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant have people asking could a major disaster happen here?