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ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Nuclear Reactors

The nuclear industry is more than 50 years old. Its history is replete with a colossal financial disaster and a multitude of near-misses and catastrophic accidents like Three Mile Island and Chornobyl. Beyond Nuclear works to expose the risks and dangers posed by an aging and deteriorating reactor industry and the unproven designs being proposed for new construction.

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Entries by admin (520)

Monday
Jan172022

Historical Compilation of Fermi Events by Dave Lochbaum

U.S. NRC file photo of Fermi 2 in Monroe County, Michigan on the Lake Erie shorelineLinked here is a historical compilation of Fermi 2 events. The document was generated by nuclear engineer Dave Lochbaum, and he has generously given his permission to share it.

Thursday
Jul012021

CONDO FALL IS CAUTIONARY TALE: Atomic reactor and waste degradation risks

NRC file photoAs Solartopia author and lifelong anti-nuclear activist Harvey Wasserman has written, "the horrifying collapse of a south Florida condo should alarm us all about the next reactor catastrophe." As but one example is Davis-Besse, Ohio. A 44-year old reactor, it has had multiple near-misses with meltdowns in the past. It also has long had a severely cracked concrete containment Shield Building (see photo, showing NRC inspection). The ever worsening cracking is so severe, exterior surface spalling could initiate a meltdown, by falling concrete damaging or destroying safety-related systems, structures, and/or components below. The failed containment would likely not prevent the ensuing catastrophic release of hazardous radioactivity. Tens of thousands could be killed or injured.
Monday
May102021

Palisades Power Plant employees prepare for last year on the job

The Palisades atomic reactor in Covert Township, Van Buren County, MI, four miles south of South Haven, on the Lake Michigan shoreline.As reported by the South Haven Tribune in southwest Michigan.

Beyond Nuclear is quoted.

Although not mentioned in the article, the local grassroots organization, Michigan Safe Energy Future, is also intervening against the Entergy-to-Holtec license transfer.

Wednesday
Apr282021

Marking Indian Point's Closing - One Down, Four to Go

Photo from the Sept. 2011 visit by Beyond Nuclear's Japanese delegation of activists and farmers (including Fukushima nuclear catastrophe survivors) to Peekskill, NY near the Indian Point nuclear power plant (visible in background on the Hudson River). Shut Down Indian Point Now was one of several local grassroots anti-nuclear groups which hosted our visit. Gary Shaw, whose memory the event described below has been dedicated in honor of, is shown kneeling in the front row (second from left, wearing a ball cap). Photo: ©David M. Grossman.

 

Message from Catharine Skopic of Shut Down Indian Point Now:

Description: April 30, 2021, if all goes according to plan, the 3rd and final reactor at Indian Point will be shut down. It's one step - a necessary step - along the way to decommissioning that will need more than a watchful eye. But Friday, April 30th, we will take a moment to reflect, time to mark this achievement. The event is dedicated to Gary Shaw and the thousands of activists and protestors who played a role - presenting testimony at NRC hearings, writing letters to the editor, marching, making signs, art and banners, showing up at rallies, making flyers, handing out flyers and so much more. From the grassroots organization members to the lawyers and nuclear organization leaders to the students and teachers, mothers and fathers, elected officials and anyone and everyone who ever carried a sign to close the plant, wrote a letter on the danger of nuclear power or presented factual evidence that nuclear power in NOT carbon-free - it is neither clean nor green! This event is dedicated to you! The market forces and economic realities have helped. We give thanks to all who worked to bring the moment about. Join this webinar to hear the voices and stories of those who did this work over the span of decades, brave, insightful individuals who contributed to this day! At the same time, we prepare for the work ahead and pray for a just transition for the workers and the community. Join, for a time of reflection, remembrance and thanks!

Date/Time: Friday, April 30, 2021 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q6iwGOUrSv2DPUw2zlsnDQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

See the event flier here, which lists the speakers and performers, as well as the endorsing organizations.

(By the way, the "Four to Go" are the dangerously age-degraded reactors still operating in Upstate New York, on the Lake Ontario shoreline: Nine Mile Point 1 & 2, Ginna, and FitzPatrick.)

Tuesday
Apr272021

PSR WI defends its intervention contentions, as it opposes an 80-year operating license at the Point Beach nuclear power plant

Point Beach Units 1 and 2, located on WI's Lake Michigan shoreline.As filed by Toledo, OH-based attorney Terry Lodge, who serves as legal counsel for Physicians for Social Responsibility Wisconsin:

PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WISCONSIN’S REPLY IN SUPPORTOF PETITION FOR LEAVE TO INTERVENE IN POINT BEACH NUCLEARPLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL PROCEEDING, AND REQUESTING AN ADJUDICATORY HEARING

and

PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WISCONSIN’S MOTIONTO AMEND CONTENTION 2 (INADEQUATELY TESTED REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY)

The filings were submitted on April 26, 2021 -- the 35th annual commemoration of the beginning of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. They contain the expert witness testimony of Arnie Gundersen, chief engineer, Fairewinds Energy Associates.

See the initial PSR WI petition to intervene, dated March 23, 2021, linked here.