Japan:
¶ A remote-controlled camera taken pictures of the fuel in the spent fuel pool of Fukushima Daiichi’s Unit 3. The company says it now knows “approximately” where a 35-ton chunk of steel landed on top of the fuel, and the claim is made that the fuel is intact. [The Japan Times]
World:
¶ The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued a report acknowledging concern over the safety of China’s nuclear reactors. [Wall Street Journal]
¶ A study by the Crown Estate says there are “tens of gigawatts” of tidal and wave power that could be developed in the UK. [Out-Law.com]
¶ Current low prices and difficulties with financing resulting from lack of demand after the Fukushima Disaster are projected to lead to reduced exploration for uranium, mine closures, and increased prices for uranium fuel. [The Australian]
¶ In addition to nature, bad design, and human error, South Korea’s nuclear fleet is exposed to the possibility of nuclear war. [OilPrice.com]
¶ German Chancellor Angela Merkel will review taxes with a view to shifting the cost of switching to renewable power away from consumers. [Businessweek]
US:
¶ Pittsburgh ratepayers can specify 100% renewable for their electricity source, and doing so gets them a 10% reduction in price. [CleanTechnica]
¶ An oil sheen on Gulf waters near the site of BP’s Deep Water Horizon is causing concern. A robotic submarine is being sent to find the source. [Rigzone]
¶ The State of California is considering an investigation into the cause and the costs of the San Onofre shutdown. [Los Angeles Times]
¶ The NRC has reached an agreement with the Prairie Island Indian Community over waste storage at the Prairie Island nuclear facility. [Power Engineering Magazine]
¶ Crude oil is being removed from the Bayou Corne Sinkhole and the failed cavern beneath it. It is being shipped out for salvage. [The Advocate]
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