Protest against NRC's absurd rush to restore Entergy Palisades to top-notch safety status

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a public meeting in South Haven, MI on Tuesday, Dec. 11th in order to explain to the public its oversight role, Entergy's corrective actions at Palisades, and the reasons why the problem-plagued atomic reactor has been suddenly restored to top-notch safety status. NRC designated Palisades one of the four worst-run reactors in the U.S. last February, but restored its top-notch safety status on Nov. 9th -- under pressure from powerful U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), who chairs the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee -- despite ongoing leaks, and a complete collapse of safety culture. The safety culture collapse was covered up by Entergy and NRC for months, but was recently revealed by Palisades' whistleblowers, their attorney Billie Pirner Garde, and U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA). The public isn't buying NRC's and Entergy's flip assurances, and marked the dog and pony show with a game of "Nukespeak Bingo," or "Blinky B'Lingo." More.

Our newest pamphlet - routine radioactive releases from nuclear plants

Feel free to download and reproduce our newest pamphlet -- Routine Radioactive Releases from US Nuclear Power Plants. Or you can order hard copies by calling 301.270.2209 or emailing us at info@BeyondNuclear.org. Many people do not realize that every nuclear power reactor dumps radioactive water, scatters radioactive particles, and disperses radioactive gases as part of its routine, everyday operation. It doesn't take an accident. Federal regulations permit these radioactive releases.

NRC commissioners will review Calvert Cliffs third reactor petition "until further notice"

Although a three-judge panel of the NRC's Atomic Safety Licensing Board (ASLB) terminated its review of a proposal to build a new nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs in Lusby, MD the NRC commissioners have decided to allow a review of owner UniStar's petition to continue "indefinitely." An order was issued on December 10 stating that "the time for Commission review of Applicants' Petition for Review of LB_-12-19 is extended until further notice."

The ASLB had issued its termination notice Thursday, Nov. 1, 60 days after giving the project applicant 60 days to identify a domestic company as a partner in the venture. UniStar's former US partner, Constellation, abandoned the project citing poor financial prospects, leaving French utility, Electricite de France the sole owner. A sole foreign owner violates the Atomic Energy Act.

EPR: Four years behind, at least, and now even MORE over-budget

Source: CRILAN, an activist group in Normandy working to stop the EPR reactor at Flamanville and elsewhere and the construction of high-tension transmission line corridors. (CRILAN also serves as the global expert and watchdog on the La Hague reprocessing facility).

✔ 1.8 billion euros in 1998 when EdF envisaged building an EPR at Carnet, near Nantes, according to M. Ayrault. 

✔  3 billion euros in 2003, announced at a presentation in Rennes by the Minister of Industry.

✔  3.3 billion euros during the “Public Debate” organized after the decision to build the reactor on EDF land at Flamanville, from where the very long high-tension lines to reach the Loire Country, are also costly. 

✔ 6 billion euros in 2011 when, citing inside sources, CRILAN affirmed the the cost would be at least 8 billion euros. 

✔ Today, 8.5 billion euros! And the enormous cost over-run is not, as the company claims, only due to the make-good payments because of faulty subcontracting and post-Fukushima measures.   

How much in 2016 ? How much will we need to pay per kWh for electricity produced by this type of reactor? Three times more than anticipated? 

We still do not know, despite our repeated demands to the Local Commission on Information, what type of fuel will be used in the EPR! MOX, or more enriched uranium with cladding “doped” with chromium, or traditional uranium like at OLKILUITO ?

Who's taking the nuclear money?

WHO’S GETTING THE NUCLEAR MONEY? CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, 2011-2012.

Includes contributions from the employees of organizations within the industry, their family members, and their political action committees.

$16,000 Steny H Hoyer (D-MD)
$13,500 Fred Upton (R-MI)
$12,500 John Boehner (R-OH)
$12,000 Mitt Romney (R)
$11,500 James E Clyburn (D-SC)
$11,000 Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
$10,500 Joe Barton (R-TX)
$8,000 Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
$8,000 Ben Nelson (D-NE)
$7,500 Mike Simpson (R-ID)

SOURCE: Influence Explorer.