Japan's nuclear reactor manufacturers look to renewables instead

News reports: "In the three months since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima No. 1 atomic plant, the nation's three reactor makers have started to focus more on renewable energy sources, particularly solar, wind and geothermal power.

Toshiba Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. say they now have higher sales goals in the alternative energy fields, including pursuit of "energy-smart communities" that can save power consumption as a whole city or village by using energy control systems."

Cost overruns and schedule delays at Vogtle new build in Georgia?

The Augusta Chronicle has reported that a State of Georgia monitor on the proposal for building two new AP1000 reactors at the Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant has warned that lingering questions about the reactor design could add to costs, as well as delay the start-up date for the first new reactors to break ground in the U.S. in decades. The Associated Press has also reported on this story.

Victory! Fresno county, CA rejects plans for two nuclear reactors

Fresno County, CA officials have rejected plans for up to two new nuclear reactors. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on June 7 to withhold a letter of interest for the Fresno Nuclear Energy Group. The NEG was backed by French energy corporation, Areva which also just announced a retreat from new nuclear construction in the U.S. Almost all of Areva's nuclear expansion plans in the US have fallen apart over the last several years.

Areva backing off African mines and US reactors

Areva may proceed more slowly with spending on African mines and plant construction in the U.S. The decision was designed to mitigate the negative effects on the company's cash flow and debt. Areva fell 93 cents, or 3.4 percent, to 26.27 euros at 1:21 p.m. in Paris. The stock has dropped 28 percent this year.

State environment ministers vote to permanently shut down Germany's 7 oldest atomic reactors!

As reported by the New York Times, the ultimate decision now rests with Chancellor Angela Merkel and her cabinet, on June 6th. Germany's 7 oldest reactors were shut down as a precaution after the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe began. Merkel's Conservative Party has suffered electoral defeats in state elections to the Green Party, a direct result of popular concern about radioactive risks, and decades of anti-nuclear organizing in Germany.