"Germany plans to phase out nuclear plants by 2022; Expanded use of renewable resources eyed; repercussions of move may affect Europe" by Judy Dempsey and Jack Ewing, New York Times / May 31, 2011
BERLIN — The German government yesterday announced plans to shut all of the nation’s nuclear power plants within the next 11 years, a sharp reversal for Chancellor Angela Merkel after the Japanese disaster at Fukushima caused an electoral backlash by voters opposed to reliance on nuclear energy....
Did you know that if you are anti-nuclear power, you might be a terrrorist?
The announcement, which still faces legislative approval, was applauded by environmentalists and expected to be popular among voters. But it was greeted skeptically around Europe and within Germany's industrial sector. Some predicted it could harm economic growth, force Germany to import nuclear power from France, or even inflate the cost of energy across the continent....
But the carbon tax over nonexistent global warming? Nanh.
For Merkel, the embrace of clean energy represents a transformation based on the politics of the ballot box.
In other words, German politicians listen to their people, AmeriKa.
Just last year, her center-right coalition forced through an unpopular plan to extend the life of nuclear power plants, with the last to close in 2036. That action inflamed public opinion, but the Fukushima disaster politicized it.
Yeah, it is not about a safe environment or uncontaminated food supply.
I'll tell you, readers, I am really feeling sick and it is not because of the radiation; it is because of the newspaper and its agenda-pushing insults.
The nuclear crisis is widely believed to have caused Merkel’s party to lose control of the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg for the first time in 58 years, in a March election that became a referendum on energy policy....
Related: German party leader won’t run again
Merkel's ambitious plan will not be easily achieved. The cost of plugging the gap left by the nuclear shutdown is likely to raise power costs, particularly for Germany’s globally competitive industrial sector....
That is how well-connected interests screw a government and country.
Switzerland — a much smaller nation — decided this month to abandon plans to build new nuclear reactors and will phase out its existing plants when they reach the end of their normal lives.
Related: Boston Globe's Swiss Miss
Also see: Swiss Are Smart
Other European countries are standing by their nuclear programs....
The Netherlands, deeply committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, intends to build new nuclear plants along with developing more renewable energy sources.
I hope flooding doesn't knock out their cooling systems.
Britain has no plans to reduce its dependence on nuclear power.
Poland, which is eager to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and oil, is committed to pursuing a nuclear energy program, despite the expense, according to recent statements by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The government’s decision drew criticism and concern from some political and business leaders. The Federal Association for German Industry sent a letter to the chancellery, warning of the consequences for business....
Look, it AIN'T FOR ANOTHER 11 YEARS!
Doesn't that give you guys enough time to prepare?
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Meanwhile, over in Japan:
"2 workers may have exceeded Japan radiation limit" by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press / May 30, 2011
TOKYO—Two workers at Japan's crippled nuclear plant might have exceeded a radiation exposure limit amid concerns about the risks the workers face struggling to contain the crisis.....
What my paper didn't tell me:
Authorities also reported a mishap occurred over the weekend. A heat removal pump failed at Unit 5, which came to a stable, cold shutdown after the tsunami. But the failure allowed the core water to heat nearly to boiling before the pump was replaced and cooling resumed Sunday afternoon.
Also Monday, Typhoon Songda caused heavy rains around the plant and other areas of the coast devastated by the tsunami. TEPCO said the rains caused no damage to buildings, but contaminated water that had been pooling inside the plant swelled further.
Not a printed word about Songda.
No leaks into the sea were detected, however.
And why should we believe them?
A Fuji Television Network poll released Monday showed more than 80 percent of Japanese voters do not trust government information about the country's nuclear crisis. About the same percentage of respondents said TEPCO is dealing with the crisis poorly.
No one believes their governments anymore. That's what happens when you lie to people.
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I created a Fukushima file so you can see how abysmal the pro-nuclear AmeriKan media coverage has been.
Bringing it back home:
"Water weakened Seabrook tunnel; Work underway to assess plant; reactor remains safe, NRC says" May 30, 2011|By Beth Daley, Globe Staff
Concrete surrounding an electric tunnel at Seabrook Station nuclear power plant has lost almost 22 percent of its strength because it has been saturated with ground water for more than a decade, according to a new Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspection report.
The problem, reported to the NRC by Seabrook owners NextEra Energy Resources last year, is believed to be the first confirmed instance of such degradation in a safety-related concrete structure at a US nuclear plant.
I think AmeriKa needs to take a lesson from Germany.
Of course, we will have to end the wars to save all that oil.
The NRC said it found no impact on electric systems, piping, or any other components in the underground structure and the concrete walls are performing well above design specifications. The report, released May 23, concluded that the plant remains safe....
As if anyone around here will believe the NRC.
They backed-up the Vermont Yankee liars.
The problem is coming to light just months after Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, an event that prompted politicians and the public in the United States to focus closer attention on the nation’s 104 reactors.
If Seabrook’s concrete degradation is not brought under control, it could be a problem for the plant’s ongoing efforts to extend its operating life another 20 years once its license expires in 2030. The degradation was reported in an NRC relicensing inspection report....
The tunnel and other areas where water seepage was found are part of a safety system used to help cool the reactor when it is being shut down. In addition to the concrete tunnel problem, NextEra found corroded steel supports, piping, and anchor bolts in other areas they inspected but none have degraded concrete or in any way endanger the plant, said NextEra....
All of a sudden I don't feel so good about Seabrook.
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Related: Coakley joins fight to close nuclear plant
I've really ripped her in these pages; however, I stand by the AG on that one!
Also see: Around New England: No Veracity in Vermont
Around New England: Vermont Votes Yankee Down
The Boston Globe Can Not Say a Lie
But they sure can tell 'em!
