The unfolding nuclear plant crisis in Japan could pose significant problems for Duke Energy’s effort to build a new reactor near Gaffney, SC.
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Japan Nuclear Crisis
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
Threats to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant have people asking could a major disaster happen here?
Disputed Reactor Design Moves Forward – The New York Times
Critics of the AP1000 reactor argue that design flaws could lead to release of radioactive material.
Georgia reactor design still drawing criticism – Chattanooga Times Free Press
Arnold Gundersen, a former nuclear industry executive, said the proposed Westinghouse reactor design — known as the AP1000 — is more susceptible than today’s reactors to cracks and holes which have shown up in at least 40 currently operating plants.
Reactor Flaws Neglected as Regulators Rush to License New Nuclear Plants – News Release by AP1000 Oversight Group
Despite the discovery of a continuing series of cracks and holes in protective structures at the nation’s nuclear power plants, federal regulators are bowing to industry pressure and forging ahead to approve new nukes.
Nuclear watchdog groups say corners cut on fire safety – McClatchy Newspapers
Nuclear watchdog groups say that an internal report by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on fire safety at nuclear plants shows that regulators don’t have enough information to know whether its new fire rules will ensure safety.
Smoking Gun Shows Lax Nuclear Safety at Shearon Harris, US Plants – News Release by NC WARN
This is very important regarding current safety and new reactors, thus for the overall climate-energy debate. NC WARN teams up with Beyond Nuclear and UCS again.
We’re Not Ready – The New York Times
At the very least this tragedy in the gulf should push us to look much harder at the systems we need to prevent a catastrophic accident at a nuclear power plant, and for responding to such an event if it occurred. Right now, we’re not ready.
Feds Duck Nagging Problems with #1 Safety Rule at Shearon Harris and All U.S. Nuclear Plants – Announcement from NC WARN
Public officials, watchdogs seek investigation after NRC ignores fire safety experts’ warnings about risks at operating plants; modeling failure impacts new reactors