3/25/20: Beyond Nuclear on Sputnik International's "Loud & Clear"

Wednesday’s regular segment, Beyond Nuclear, is about nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, and Sputnik news analyst and producer Nicole Roussell, join the show.

Listen to the 30 minute discussion -- largely focused on the intersect between the Covid-19 global pandemic/national emergency and nuclear power -- here.

Last week's show (3/18/20) was also largely devoted to the same subject. Listen to it, here.

Even coronavirus can’t stop Trump’s environmental rollbacks

From Grist:

On Thursday, political risk research and consulting firm the Eurasia Group released an updated version of its “Top Risks 2020” report to show how coronavirus has sped up the trends that worry the group the most. The new report warns that the public health crisis will pull attention and resources away from addressing climate change.

“With large-scale protest activity diminished because of social distancing, civil society actors will turn to cyber and online tools to apply pressure on companies and governments, most of which will have less appetite and ability to respond to climate change,” the report says.

In addition to climate action, environmental protection at large may be threatened. The Trump administration is in the process of implementing major environmental policy changes, such as a rule that would allow companies to kill birds without repercussions, a total overhaul of the bedrock National Environmental Policy Act, and new restrictions on the types of scientific research the EPA can use in decisions that affect public health. “The government has been trying to rush through and finalize rollbacks before the upcoming election,” said Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental nonprofit. “Trump wants to be able to say ‘I accomplished all this.’” Read the full article.

And As reported by the New York Times. (Note, only New York Times subscribers can access content.)

2nd NRC-industry mtg. re: Covid-19, Thurs., March 26, 2-3:30pm Eastern -- public call-in & question/comment opportunity

See the NRC meeting announcement, including the agenda, posted here.

Title: Meeting with Nuclear Industry to Discuss COVID-19 Regulatory Impacts with respect to 10 CFR 50.55a, steam generator tube inspections, and other refueling outage issues.

Location: Teleconference

Category: This is a Category 2 meeting. The public is invited to participate in this meeting by discussing regulatory issues with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at designated points identified on the agenda.

Purpose: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with NEI and nuclear power plant licensees 10 CFR 50.55a, steam generator tube inspections, and other refueling outage issues regarding existing methods for the industry to request temporary regulatory changes resulting from the national priority of limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Contact: Ed Miller, NRC Staff, 301-415-2481, Ed.Miller@nrc.gov; Mike Mahoney, NRC Staff, 301-415-3867, Michael.Mahoney@nrc.gov

Participants: External -- NEI representatives, NextEra, Entergy

Teleconference: Bridge Number -- (800) 475-4934; Pass Code 6561658

A first such mtg. was held on Friday, March 20th; learn more here.

A third such meeting is scheduled for 9:30-11:00 am Eastern, Friday March 27. Learn more here, including the NRC's meeting announcement, agenda, and instructions on how to call in.

U.S. to Let Nuclear Plants Defer Repairs, Schedule Longer Shifts

• NRC expects to issue guidelines this week on reactor staffing

• Environmental groups concerned about violating safety rules

As reported by Bloomberg.

The article quotes Beyond Nuclear:

The prospect that reactor operators may be permitted to deviate from existing safety policies is drawing concern from environmentalists.

“Regulations to ensure safety should be strengthened at a time like this -- not weakened,” said Kevin Kamps of the watchdog group Beyond Nuclear. “It means operating nuclear plants without basic safety inspections.”

Nuclear Industry Effort to Exploit Coronavirus Crisis for Backdoor Bailout Decried as 'Disaster Capitalism at its Worst'

"The nuclear industry begged for a bailout last fall and is now using coronavirus to try and brazenly grab more cash," warned Friends of the Earth.

As reported by CommonDreams.

Update on March 28, 2020 by admin

See "Coronavirus Capitalism" featuring Naomi Klein on Democracy Now! on 3/19.

Klein wrote the book The Shock Doctrine, about Disaster Capitalism.

Update on April 8, 2020 by admin

As reported by The Intercept:

Mehdi Hasan and Naomi Klein on Coronavirus Capitalism