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Radiation Protection News Room
The news articles posted on the “Radiation Protection News Room” are provided solely as a service to readers. The intent is to raise awareness of current radiation issues in the news. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site does not constitute an endorsement by EPA or any of its employees of the sponsors of the site or the information or products presented on the site.
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- November 10
- November 09
- November 06
- November 05
- November 04
News for November 10, 2009
Radioactive Waste
- Ga., SC urged to act after nuclear waste disposal plan falters (Augusta Chronicle)
If the nation’s primary option for permanent disposal of nuclear waste doesn’t materialize, communities across South Carolina and Georgia must mobilize to determine a path for its nuclear waste, according to an economic development group hoping to stir more interest in the topic.
Yucca Mountain
- Feds to slash Yucca funds as project maintains life (LSV)
The Energy Department is proposing to severely reduce Yucca Mountain's budget next year, an expected move as President Barack Obama pledged to zero out funds for the proposed nuclear waste dump in fiscal 2011.
Hanford
- Board says to empty tanks more quickly (Mid Columbia Tri City Herald)
More aggressive deadlines for emptying radioactive waste from leakprone underground tanks should be included in a proposed settlement agreement, the Hanford Advisory Board says.
Safety and Security
- NRC: VY didn't follow procedure (Brattleboro Reformer)
While Entergy has made significant repairs to Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant’s cooling towers, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission faulted it for not adequately documenting problems found in two fan cells necessary for emergencies.
Nuclear Power
- Britain unveils nuclear energy expansion plans (Reuters)
Britain set out plans on Monday to speed up the planning process for big wind farms and new nuclear power plants and named 10 sites where reactors could be built. - Obama will send top diplomat to North Korea for direct talks : Goal is to reengage nation on its nuclear program (WP)
Hoping the mission will lead to the renewal of multi-nation negotiations designed to end its nuclear program.
Nuclear Weapons
- Electricity for Americans From Russia's Old Nuclear Weapons (NYT)
For about 10 percent of electricity in the United States, it’s fuel from dismantled nuclear bombs, including Russian ones.
News for November 9, 2009
Radioactive Waste
- East Africa: EAC To Formulate Law On Radiation Emissions (AllAfrica.com)
(East Africa)
A new bill on radioactive material and equipment for the five EAC member states is being formulated. The Minister for East African Cooperation Dr. Diodorus Kamala stated this week in Arusha.
Hanford
- Hanford aerial survey saves time and money(Nuclear Engineering)
By using aerial surveys to measure radioactive contamination in the soil, operators at the Hanford Site in Washington State have saved an estimated $700,000, speeding up cleanup by months.
Safety and Security
- US completes border system to monitor cars for nukes (Vancouver Sun)
The last of about 600 northern border radiation detectors has been installed at Trout River, N.Y., on the Quebec border, completing a continentwide shield aimed at repelling the smuggling of nuclear bombs, dirty bombs and other malicious nuclear materials from Canada.
Health
- Government allows more cancer claims from LOOW (Buffalo News)
The federal government is making it easier for individuals who got cancer after working at a Niagara County nuclear site to receive compensation because of a lack of available data about exposure at the facility. - U.S. can give Iran space to accept atom deal: official (WP)
Iran next year will run out of specially fabricated fuel imported in 1993 to run a Tehran research reactor that produces radioactive isotopes for cancer treatment.
Nuclear Power
- Iran Said to Ignore Effort to Salvage Nuclear Deal (NYT)
The Obama administration, attempting to salvage a faltering nuclear deal with Iran, has told Iran’s leaders in back-channel messages that it is willing to allow the country to send its stockpile of enriched uranium to any of several nations, including Turkey, for temporary safekeeping, according to administration officials and diplomats involved in the exchanges.
Nuclear Weapons
- U.S. officials optimistic about new nuclear treaty with Russia : Kremlin says there is 'every chance' to agree on START successor(WP)
After months of negotiations with Russia, Obama administration officials are hopeful about a breakthrough -- possibly this week -- that would enable the two sides to sign a successor to their most extensive nuclear weapons treaty before it expires Dec. 5.
Science
- U of O Heart Institute receives $2.1M for isotope research (Ottawa Citizen)
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute will receive nearly half of the $5.4 million that Health Canada is spending on research to improve Canada's supply of medical isotopes.
News for November 6, 2009
Policy and Regulations
- SNM applauds House action to build medical isotopes reactor in the US (Eurekalert)
SNM applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its passage of H.R. 3276—the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009. "The worldwide isotope shortage has long been adversely affecting patients in the U.S.," said Michael M. Graham, Ph.D., M.D., president of SNM. "This important legislation will bring us one step closer to solving this chronic problem."
Radioactive Waste
Cleanup
- Calif. wants Boeing, NASA to clean up of toxic lab (Mercury News - AP)
California environmental regulators have proposed forcing the Boeing Co. and NASA to clean up chemical and radioactive pollution at a 2,800-acre research site in eastern Ventura County.
Safety and Security
- NRC to take a closer look at Oyster Creek nuclear plant (Brick Township Bulletin)
The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission will step up oversight of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, since the plant "crossed the threshold" for the number of unplanned shutdowns.
Nuclear Power
- Iran cleric says conditions unacceptable on nuclear fuel (Reuters)
The U.N. nuclear watchdog is legally obliged to provide Iran with nuclear fuel for its research reactor without setting any conditions, a hardline Iranian cleric told worshippers on Friday. European Union leaders have called on Iran to accept a U.N.-drafted nuclear proposal under which it would send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad by the end of the year for further enrichment to turn it into fuel for a medical reactor in Tehran. - Entergy NY Indian Point 2 reactor up to 52 pct (Reuters)
Entergy Corp's 1,020-megawatt Unit 2 at the Indian Point nuclear power station in New York exited an outage and ramped up to 52 percent power by early Friday from 14 percent early Thursday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report.
News for November 5, 2009
Policy and Regulations
- House committee delays vote to ban foreign radioactive waste (SLT)
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has postponed its planned meeting Thursday to vote on legislation that would ban the importation of foreign low-level radioactive waste, including a potential shipment of 1,600 tons of it to Utah.
Radioactive Waste
Yucca Mountain
-
3 Las Vegans join state Commission on Nuclear Projects (LVS)
The new members will join commission Chairman Richard Bryan, a former U.S. senator and Nevada governor, and hear from Bruce Breslow, executive director of the state Agency for Nuclear Projects, in Nevada’s continuing opposition to a license application hearing for a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.
Safety and Security
- BAE to support Air Force nuclear monitors (United Press International)
The U.S. Air Force has contracted BAE Systems to provide nuclear monitoring support to help ensure treaty compliance around the world. - Western Leaders Urge Nuclear-Armed States to Join NPT (Global Security Newswire)
The United States and the European Union on Tuesday called on all nuclear-armed holdout states to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty "as non-nuclear weapon states," India's Pioneer newspaper reported.
Nuclear Power
-
IAEA chief: Iran nuclear deal could bring regional stability (WashingtonTV)
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday that many of the Middle East’s problems could be solved if Iran accepts a nuclear fuel deal with Western powers. -
Japan Uses Controverisal Nuke Fuel (CBS News)
Japan used weapons-grade plutonium to fuel a nuclear power plant Thursday for the first time as part of efforts to boost its atomic energy program.
Nuclear Weapons
-
Israel seizes ship loaded with weapons (SFC)
It also provided Israel with a chance to highlight what it considers Iranian mischief amid Western allegations that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.
Science
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DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory names 6 scientists as 2009 Fellows (EurekAlert)
Antoinette "Toni" Taylor, Stephen Becker, Joachim Birn, Lowell Brown, Patrick Colestock, and Samuel "Tom" Picraux have been designated 2009 Los Alamos National Laboratory Fellows in recognition of sustained, outstanding scientific contributions and exceptional promise for continued professional achievement.
News for November 4, 2009
Policy and Regulations
- Bill to ban Italian nuke waste advances(SLT)
A House subcommittee swiftly advanced legislation Tuesday that would ban the importation of low-level radioactive waste from foreign countries, including halting a plan by Utah's EnergySolutions to bring Italian waste to U.S. soil.
Radioactive Waste
Yucca Mountain
- Nuclear waste: Coming to a town near you? (CNNMoney.com)
The nuclear industry could be on the verge of a major expansion just as the government cancels a plan to store the waste. Where's it going to go? In 1987 it started looking solely at Yucca Mountain, a site on federal land some 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas that was thought to have solid rock
Hanford
- Feds add more radioactive waste to Hanford import ban(OregonLive.com)
After public protest, the U.S. Department of Energy is pledging to keep a significant chunk of radioactive waste -- including metal from decommissioned power plants -- out of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation until at least 2022.
Safety and Security
- French nuclear export drive tainted by safety fears (AFP)
Safety fears and threats of winter power cuts have taken some of the shine off France's world-beating nuclear industry, the country's main source of power and a key plank in its foreign trade strategy.
Nuclear Power
- Reactor shutdown at nuclear plant in NYC suburbs (NYC)
A nuclear power reactor in the New York City suburbs has been shut down because of an electrical fault, federal regulators said Tuesday.
Nuclear Weapons
- North Korea nuke claim a bid to nudge U.S.(SFC)
North Korea claimed Tuesday that it has successfully weaponized more plutonium for atomic bombs, a day after warning Washington to agree quickly to direct talks or face the prospect of a growing North Korean nuclear arsenal. - Iran has boosted production at uranium mine – report (WashingtonTV)
The mine, near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, could produce enough raw uranium for processing into two warheads a year, if Iran chose to secretly enrich the uranium to weapons-grade, the report said.
Other
- Iran's Leader Faults US 'Arrogance' in Nuclear Talks (NYT)
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, lashed out at the United States in a speech on Tuesday, criticizing what he called an arrogant American attitude toward nuclear talks and saying the Obama administration had not followed through on its promises of change.
News for November 3, 2009
Radioactive Waste
- NRC dings Wal-Mart for radioactive exit signs(OC Watchdog)
America’s biggest retailer is in trouble with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for improperly disposing of radioactive exit signs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. - Iran signals for change to IAEA deal on nuclear fuel (WP)
Iran wants to purchase nuclear fuel for a research reactor in Tehran, a senior Iranian diplomat said Monday in Vienna, indicating that the country is seeking changes in a proposed deal in which it had tentatively agreed to ship much of its low-enriched uranium stockpile abroad for processing.
Hanford
- Work on largest vit plant building continues (TCH)
Work has begun on the interior fittings of the Hanford vitrification plant's largest building as it continues to rise.
Safety and Security
- AWE on possible MoD radioactive waste site list (Newbury Weekly News Group)(SE of England)
Even the most enthusiastic supporter of nuclear weapons is likely to have concerns about transporting large quantities of radioactive waste across the country and dumping them on local communities here in Berkshire.
Nuclear Weapons
- North Korea Says Has Reprocessed Nuclear Fuel Rods(NYT)
North Korea said on Tuesday it had completed reprocessing spent fuel rods at its Yongbyon nuclear plant and turned it into arms-grade plutonium, giving the mercurial state more material to produce atomic arms.
News for November 2, 2009
Policy and Regulations
- Climate bill faces hurdles in Senate: DEMOCRATS DEEPLY SPLIT Deal on nuclear plants offered to court Republicans (WP)
Graham has suggested provisions on nuclear power and offshore oil drilling that could win his support for a cap-and-trade climate bill. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) has established a bipartisan working group of 17 Senate offices that is close to producing a detailed amendment aimed at hurrying the construction of U.S. nuclear reactors. - Sen. Udall sees nukes as part of energy solution(SPI)
U.S. Sen. Mark Udall is sponsoring a bill that would authorize research into modular, small-scale nuclear power plants to help meet energy needs while cutting carbon emissions.
Radioactive Waste
- Lithuania adopts Andra's radioactive waste disposal concept(Nuclear Engineering)
French radioactive waste authority Andra has entered a consortium with Areva TA to design of a disposal facility with three Lithuanian partners for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste on the model of the CSFMA, a similar French facility located at Soulaines-Dhuys, Aube district - Funds dwindling to oversee Utah's hazardous waste(AP)
State monitoring of hazardous and radioactive waste has for years been funded by fees collected from commercial waste companies.
Safety and Security
- New radiation monitors to be installed at Yankee (Brattleboro Reformer)
Entergy and Vermont’s Department of Public Service have come to an agreement on how to resolve Entergy’s failure to monitor the dry casks that store nuclear waste at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. As part of the agreement Entergy will install a pair of new radiation monitors at the plant’s site boundary.
Import and Import of Nuclear Materials
- Iran suggests it not ready to export uranium (WP)
Iran wants to purchase nuclear fuel for a research reactor in Tehran, a senior Iranian diplomat said Monday in Vienna, indicating that the country is seeking changes in a proposed deal in which it had tentatively agreed to ship much of its low-enriched uranium stockpile abroad for processing.
Risk Assessment
- Toxic waste trickles toward New Mexico's water sources(LAT)
Radioactive debris has been found in canyons that drain into the Rio Grande, but officials at the Los Alamos National Laboratory say there's no health risk.
Health
- World's first heart surgery using radiation (Telegraph.co.uk)
After conventional surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, his last option was to try revolutionary surgery involving highly focused radiation as a 'scalpel' to cut away the tumour inside his beating heart.
Nuclear Power
- Iran Wants New Talks on Nuclear Fuel Deal(NYT)
Iran wants more talks on a U.N.-drafted nuclear proposal, including guarantees that it will receive the reactor fuel, Tehran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Monday.
Nuclear Weapons
- Mixed Signals From West About Trusting Russia (NYT)
How much trust do — or should — the Western allies accord Russia in attempting to get its cooperation to stop Iran’s drive for nuclear weapons?
News for October 30, 2009
Health
- Government of Canada supports research that will help track radiation exposure in medical patients(National Research Council Canada)
A new research project will help health-care professionals track radiation exposure in patients undergoing medical tests such as MRIs and other forms of diagnostic imaging, ensuring Canadians receive safe doses of radiation by providing physicians with a snapshot of their patients' cumulative radiation exposure from medical procedures.
Nuclear Power
- China Plans to Build Advanced Nuclear-Power Plant(The Wall Street Journal)
China will start building its first large nuclear-power reactor with home-developed "fourth generation" technology in 2012-13, a senior engineer involved in developing the system said.
Nuclear Weapons
- Israel endorses Iran nuclear plan(BBC News)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has praised a UN proposal to regulate Iran's uranium enrichment program. - No plan yet for U.S.-North Korea talks, U.S. says(Reuters)
Informal contacts between U.S. officials and a senior North Korean diplomat have not produced plans for formal bilateral talks, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday.
