Japan:
¶ Japanese radiation regulators admit to a conflict of interest because utilities are providing for their travel expenses, but they say their science is not affected, even though it supports the utilities. [Laboratory Equipment]
¶ Fukushima Daiichi’s Unit 2 reactors is leaking, and TEPCO has been unable to find the leak. The amount of water being released is described as huge. [Asahi Shimbun]
¶ The value of the Tsuruga nuclear plant is probably zero, because the active fault below it. Since Unit 2 has only been run 26 years, the decommissioning fund is insufficient, so the owners face expenses they are unprepared for. Other plants may have similar problems. [The Daily Yomiuri]
World:
¶ Frost & Sullivan, a US market analysis company, has released a report saying the Europeans need nuclear power to meet carbon emissions standards. [Commodities Now]
¶ Not waiting for the US Congress or UN climate change negotiations in Qatar, most Fortune 100 companies have set a renewable energy commitment, a greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitment or both. [Sustainable Brands]
US:
¶ The State of Connecticut is conducting reverse auctions and offering project developers fixed-price, long-term contracts to support solar power. The results seem promising. [Solar Industry]
¶ Entergy, owner of Vermont Yankee, has brought a suit against Governor Shumlin, Attorney General Sorrell and the Public Service Board over the New England Coalition’s complaint before the Vermont Supreme Court, which seeks to close VY. [vtdigger.org]
¶ The NRC has opened a web page dealing with concrete issues at Seabrook. [PennEnergy]
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