Technology:
¶ Amonix Inc., based in Seal Beach, California, achieved a 33.5% outdoor efficiency rating with its concentrating photovoltaic modules. [solarserver.com]
Japan:
¶ The Nuclear Regulation Authority issued new guidelines to establish 30-kilometer-radius zones around nuclear plants for special disaster preparations. [The Daily Yomiuri]
¶ A Fukushima cleanup worker filed a legal complaint against TEPCO, saying the company sent crews in without proper protection or radiation risk warnings. [The Japan Daily Press]
World:
¶ According to the UK’s Office of Nuclear Regulation, a third of the US’s post-Fukushima nuclear concerns remain unresolved. [Businessweek]
¶ Tokelau, a tiny collection of atolls in the South Pacific, has become the first nation to support itself entirely with solar energy. [Wired.co.uk]
US:
¶ Between refueling outages and the hurricane, nuclear plant outages were at the second highest level since 1999. [Reuters]
¶ Oyster Creek is no long on alert status. [Press of Atlantic City]
¶ The US Department of Energy released a state-by-state status report on conditions after Hurricane Sandy. [Electric Light & Power]
¶ During a hearing of the Atomic Safety Licensing Board, the NRC and the owners of the proposed the Levy nuclear site admitted that they had not performed tests on the area where supply wells on the south side of the nuclear plant site will be dug. [Tampabay.com]
… Expert witnesses warned that construction and operation of the proposed dual reactors would deplete the region’s already endangered aquifer, cause saltwater intrusions. [Sacramento Bee]
geoharvey 