Japan:
¶ TEPCO is showing plans for a building to cover Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3. [World Nuclear News]
¶ Toshiba has unveiled a new robot designed to help in cleanup at Fukushima. [The Japan Daily Press]
¶ Wild mushrooms growing in widespread places more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Fukushima, have been found to be heavily contaminated with cesium. The central government has asked 17 prefectures to test mushrooms (there are 47 prefectures in Japan). [Asahi Shimbun]
World:
¶ According to a newly released UN study, greenhouse gasses were at a record high at the end of 2011. [CNN]
¶ The International Energy Agency’s has released its World Energy Outlook, which projects energy trends to 2035. It states that global nuclear generating capacity will reach 580 GWe in 2035, 10% less than was forecast a year ago, and more than 50% less than forecast the year before. [Energy Tribune]
US:
¶ Algae-based biodiesel is being made available in California on a test basis. The fuel is a drop-in replacement for diesel. [Truckinginfo]
¶ The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may consider whether to require license applicants for emerging technologies to evaluate proliferation risks. [Nextgov]
¶ Vermonters are urging the Public Service Board to deny a Certificate of Public Good to Vermont Yankee. [Barre Montpelier Times Argus]
¶ Hurricane Sandy and inspections during shutdown both revealed problems at Oyster Creek, leading to citizens petitioning for decommissioning. [newjerseynewsroom.com]
¶ Texas Brine shut down one of its two vent wells burning off methane trapped under the Bayou Corne community after a small amount of potentially deadly hydrogen sulfide gas was released. Gasses started bubbling up just before the Bayou Corne sinkhole appeared. [The Advocate]
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