Asleep at the Turbine

The guardians of the nuclear priesthood's Holy of Holies once again need extra Jolt! or Mountain Dew or somethin'.  Maybe time to buy them some Xboxes, call it anti-terrorist training and charge the government a bundle for the pleasure.  The NRC once again are stamping their widdle feet. This time they may really mean it. I'm serious.

Florida Power and Light Might Be Fined Over Nuclear Plant Security - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - 10 Apr 08

"For the second time this year, federal regulators want to fine Florida Power & Light for security violations at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant near Miami.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Thursday that it is proposing a $130,000 fine, after an agency investigation revealed that half a dozen contracted security guards at the plant were found dozing on duty multiple times from 2004 to 2006, according to the commission."

Asleep at the Turbine

The guardians of the nuclear priesthood's Holy of Holies once again need extra Jolt! or Mountain Dew or somethin'.  Maybe time to buy them some Xboxes, call it anti-terrorist training and charge the government a bundle for the pleasure.  The NRC once again are stamping their widdle feet. This time they may really mean it. I'm serious.

Florida Power and Light Might Be Fined Over Nuclear Plant Security - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - 10 Apr 08

"For the second time this year, federal regulators want to fine Florida Power & Light for security violations at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant near Miami.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Thursday that it is proposing a $130,000 fine, after an agency investigation revealed that half a dozen contracted security guards at the plant were found dozing on duty multiple times from 2004 to 2006, according to the commission."

"To Hot To Handle" Report Out

Fortunately, the fearless leaders are all fixed on their objectives for nukes.  No need to bother with these report thingies.

Negative Reaction to Nuclear Power Plan - icWales - 11 Apr 08

"The report will add to the debate over whether a new nuclear power station should be built at Wylfa, Anglesey, to replace the one that is currently being decommissioned.

Mr Richards is a member of the Nuclear Consultation Working Group, which is today posting Too Hot to Handle [PDF with pretty graphs] on its website, www.nuclearconsult.com.

The report states: 'The Government has reasserted its belief that new nuclear power stations would pose very small risks to safety. Public consultation so far seems to have been designed to protect the nuclear industry from scrutiny.  The most likely reactor designs to be built are both pressurised water reactors. Their vendors claim greater efficiency, economy and safety, but a closer look at these untried, untested designs reveals a number of cost-cutting measures which threaten safety and burden future taxpayers.'"

"To Hot To Handle" Report Out

Fortunately, the fearless leaders are all fixed on their objectives for nukes.  No need to bother with these report thingies.

Negative Reaction to Nuclear Power Plan - icWales - 11 Apr 08

"The report will add to the debate over whether a new nuclear power station should be built at Wylfa, Anglesey, to replace the one that is currently being decommissioned.

Mr Richards is a member of the Nuclear Consultation Working Group, which is today posting Too Hot to Handle [PDF with pretty graphs] on its website, www.nuclearconsult.com.

The report states: 'The Government has reasserted its belief that new nuclear power stations would pose very small risks to safety. Public consultation so far seems to have been designed to protect the nuclear industry from scrutiny.  The most likely reactor designs to be built are both pressurised water reactors. Their vendors claim greater efficiency, economy and safety, but a closer look at these untried, untested designs reveals a number of cost-cutting measures which threaten safety and burden future taxpayers.'"

More Fun in the 'Stans

Well, at least we won't have to go to the Persian Gulf for energy.  Right?

Kazakhstan's Scary Uranium Ambitions - Business Week - 09 Apr 08

"A few months ago a train headed from Kyrgyzstan to Iran was turned back at the Uzbek border after it was found to be carrying highly radioactive material. It had already traveled through southern Kazakhstan without the substance being detected at border checkpoints.  Kyrgyz authorities have said little about the incident, but it raises the specter of nuclear smuggling in the region just as Kazakhstan has embarked on an ambitious plan to become the world's leading supplier of uranium."

More Fun in the 'Stans

Well, at least we won't have to go to the Persian Gulf for energy.  Right?

Kazakhstan's Scary Uranium Ambitions - Business Week - 09 Apr 08

"A few months ago a train headed from Kyrgyzstan to Iran was turned back at the Uzbek border after it was found to be carrying highly radioactive material. It had already traveled through southern Kazakhstan without the substance being detected at border checkpoints.  Kyrgyz authorities have said little about the incident, but it raises the specter of nuclear smuggling in the region just as Kazakhstan has embarked on an ambitious plan to become the world's leading supplier of uranium."

Does GM Finally Get It? GE Certainly Does.

Ran across this interesting tidbit.  I wonder if the talk actually matches the activity.

Q&A: GM's Bob Lutz on the Volt and More - US News and World Report - 16 Nov 07

"[USNWR:] So of all the different technologies GM is working on, how would you prioritize them?
 [Lutz:] Electric. Advanced hybrid. Plug-in hybrid. Advanced clean diesels. And far out, there's hydrogen."

So does GE (but not Ford - which used to own Think).

Think Unveils New Electric Car, GE Investment - CNN.com - 05 Mar 08

"General Electric has officially confirmed its $4 million investment in Norwegian electric carmaker Think Global, a development Green Wombat reported back in December. GE Energy Financial Services (GE) also has invested $20 million in Massachusetts lithium-ion battery maker A123Systems, which will supply batteries to Think. General Electric said its scientists will work with both Think and A123 to improve battery technology for electric cars to 'enable global electrification of transportation.'"

Does GM Finally Get It? GE Certainly Does.

Ran across this interesting tidbit.  I wonder if the talk actually matches the activity.

Q&A: GM's Bob Lutz on the Volt and More - US News and World Report - 16 Nov 07

"[USNWR:] So of all the different technologies GM is working on, how would you prioritize them?
 [Lutz:] Electric. Advanced hybrid. Plug-in hybrid. Advanced clean diesels. And far out, there's hydrogen."

So does GE (but not Ford - which used to own Think).

Think Unveils New Electric Car, GE Investment - CNN.com - 05 Mar 08

"General Electric has officially confirmed its $4 million investment in Norwegian electric carmaker Think Global, a development Green Wombat reported back in December. GE Energy Financial Services (GE) also has invested $20 million in Massachusetts lithium-ion battery maker A123Systems, which will supply batteries to Think. General Electric said its scientists will work with both Think and A123 to improve battery technology for electric cars to 'enable global electrification of transportation.'"