Nuclear Hotseat

Japanese government shown to have been in chaos after Fukushima, w/possible Tokyo evacuation; only 2 nuke reactors left online in Japan… and no rolling blackouts; stillborn calves at Fukushima-area farm; NRC cites Palisades Power Plant in Michigan for safety violations, plus Perry near Cleveland and Susquhanna near Harrisburg, PA; North Anna tritium double federal standard,...

Kick-ass interview w/Hattie Nestle, 73-year-old anti-nuke activist arrested on Feb. 13 at Vermont Yankee nuclear facility; Fukushima 2 in recriticality; NRC licenses two new nuclear reactors for Georgia; Two quakes – 6.2 and 5.5 – at Fukushima within the past 24 hours; 1/3 of kids from Fukushima who were tested have “lumps” on their thyroids...

A summary of the current status of San Onofre nuclear reactors in San Diego after last week’s leaks, the discovery of over 800 damaged pipes, and an employee falling into the radioactive refueling pool.  Featuring an interview with James Chambers, a licensed nuclear reactor operator and whistleblower from San Onofre, who offers his unique perspective...

Reporters always need sources and don’t know where to find them.  They’ll also take the easiest way out whenever possible.  News and journalism have been so degraded since I got my BA in the field that it’s sad to see such simplistic “reporting” when stories are so much richer and more complex than get represented...

An email forwarded to me from Mary Olsen of Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS.com) has been haunting me. It’s well known within the anti-nuclear movement that radiation most profoundly affects fetuses and the very young.  In explaining this phenomenon, Mary wrote, “In addition to radiation impacts on DNA (both egg and sperm), there is...

I believe that entertainment is a great way to get beyond people’s resistance to the nuclear issue and start them thinking and feeling about what needs to be done.  I don’t know if there is a more powerful commercial film for us than “The China Syndrome.”  Big names, great acting, harrowing message, funny hair and...

My tech guy just fixed a weeks-long lock-out from this site, which is why I’ve fallen behind.  I’ll catch up on the missed podcasts and blog posts as quickly as I can, but for now, here’s today’s podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclear-hotseat-hosted-by/id458213762 Terrific interview on the proposed California ballot initiative to shut down all in-state nuclear reactors with...

In the latest Nuclear Hotseat Podcast: Interview with Michael Keegan of Nuclear-Free Great Lakes; radiation news and health problems from Japan; Swedish nuclear plant fire; Canadian radiation higher than originally reported; Cesium in San Francisco-area milk… again; NIRS report on radiational harm worse for women than men; apple pectin good for more than jelly… radiationally...

Arnie Gunderson of Fairewinds.com can always be counted on for sober, clear, unbiased information. He’s one of the sources upon which I base much of my understanding of the issues of nuclear power. In this update, he talks about the true meaning of TEPCO’s claim for pending “cold shutdown” and the problems created by the...