From Tricastin to Grignan

The CFR states their list of problem areas for new nukes. The French rebrand their radioactively named wines. The Canadians consider nuking their nuclear industry.

Challenges for Nuclear Power Expansion - Council on Foreign Relations - 11 Aug 08

". . . despite legislative efforts and a softening of attitudes toward nuclear power, the U.S. industry has been slow to revive. In fact, nuclear power faces a number of significant obstacles to expansion worldwide, from manpower shortages to high construction costs."

France's Nuclear Conundrum: Atomic World Champ on the Ropes - Der Spiegel - 11 Aug 08

"The winegrowers have already made their move. No longer will they label their product Côteaux du Tricastin. Why? Because the name Tricastin is slowly beginning to stand for something far removed from fine wine.

The vintners fear that sales might be hurt by a series of recent accidents (more...) at a nuclear power plant near Avignon bearing the same name. 'Nuclear energy and food don't really go so well together in the minds of consumers,' said Henri Bour, president of the local Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) wine association, in late July. From now on, the wine will likely bear the label of origin 'Grignan,' after the place where the association is based.

Since the first accident in early July, the situation has only worsened. Last week, radioactive material leaked out once again from Tricastin, this time when radioactive isotopes were released into the atmosphere during a nuclear waste disposal process. It took the authorities weeks to come clean about this incident though it happened a month ago."

AECL's Future Hinges on Ontario Deal, Sources Say - Globe and Mail - 11 Aug 08

"Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. is fighting for its survival, as industry supporters say the federal government is preparing to pull the plug on the heavily subsidized Crown corporation if it loses a bid to build two nuclear reactors in Ontario.

If the nuclear agency loses the multi-billion-dollar contract to one of two global players, Ottawa would blame the McGuinty government for the nuclear agency's demise, according to sources. The two governments - which have battled on several fronts - are engaged in a quiet game of chicken over Canada's flagship nuclear vendor and its network of Candu suppliers."

From Tricastin to Grignan

The CFR states their list of problem areas for new nukes. The French rebrand their radioactively named wines. The Canadians consider nuking their nuclear industry.

Challenges for Nuclear Power Expansion - Council on Foreign Relations - 11 Aug 08

". . . despite legislative efforts and a softening of attitudes toward nuclear power, the U.S. industry has been slow to revive. In fact, nuclear power faces a number of significant obstacles to expansion worldwide, from manpower shortages to high construction costs."

France's Nuclear Conundrum: Atomic World Champ on the Ropes - Der Spiegel - 11 Aug 08

"The winegrowers have already made their move. No longer will they label their product Côteaux du Tricastin. Why? Because the name Tricastin is slowly beginning to stand for something far removed from fine wine.

The vintners fear that sales might be hurt by a series of recent accidents (more...) at a nuclear power plant near Avignon bearing the same name. 'Nuclear energy and food don't really go so well together in the minds of consumers,' said Henri Bour, president of the local Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) wine association, in late July. From now on, the wine will likely bear the label of origin 'Grignan,' after the place where the association is based.

Since the first accident in early July, the situation has only worsened. Last week, radioactive material leaked out once again from Tricastin, this time when radioactive isotopes were released into the atmosphere during a nuclear waste disposal process. It took the authorities weeks to come clean about this incident though it happened a month ago."

AECL's Future Hinges on Ontario Deal, Sources Say - Globe and Mail - 11 Aug 08

"Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. is fighting for its survival, as industry supporters say the federal government is preparing to pull the plug on the heavily subsidized Crown corporation if it loses a bid to build two nuclear reactors in Ontario.

If the nuclear agency loses the multi-billion-dollar contract to one of two global players, Ottawa would blame the McGuinty government for the nuclear agency's demise, according to sources. The two governments - which have battled on several fronts - are engaged in a quiet game of chicken over Canada's flagship nuclear vendor and its network of Candu suppliers."

Wants. Not wants.

Maybe things will end up just crashing in the UK. At least the States have some alternatives albeit poor ones if nothing is done. Of course the planet has no alternative at all if we go down that path but that's another story.

Alternative Energy in Britain: All Wind and No Farm - Ecoworldly - 11 Aug 08

"Two thirds of the UK Government’s climate change targets have been missed, and it’s renewable energy targets look set to join that list. People want digital TV recorders, plug-in hybrid vehicles, wide-screen TV’s and a multitude of other devices which contribute towards increasing energy demands. Unfortunately they don’t want nuclear power, dirty coal fired power stations, wind turbines, off-shore tidal barrages, or any other form of energy production - unless it is situated somewhere else.

Protestors often like to point out that each individual wind farm will have an insignificant impact on energy production and CO2 reductions. Sadly, this is an often used argument in environmental discussions - cars only contribute to 6% of Britain’s CO2 output, so let’s leave those alone, aviation only 8%, so let’s forget that, and so on and so forth."

Wants. Not wants.

Maybe things will end up just crashing in the UK. At least the States have some alternatives albeit poor ones if nothing is done. Of course the planet has no alternative at all if we go down that path but that's another story.

Alternative Energy in Britain: All Wind and No Farm - Ecoworldly - 11 Aug 08

"Two thirds of the UK Government’s climate change targets have been missed, and it’s renewable energy targets look set to join that list. People want digital TV recorders, plug-in hybrid vehicles, wide-screen TV’s and a multitude of other devices which contribute towards increasing energy demands. Unfortunately they don’t want nuclear power, dirty coal fired power stations, wind turbines, off-shore tidal barrages, or any other form of energy production - unless it is situated somewhere else.

Protestors often like to point out that each individual wind farm will have an insignificant impact on energy production and CO2 reductions. Sadly, this is an often used argument in environmental discussions - cars only contribute to 6% of Britain’s CO2 output, so let’s leave those alone, aviation only 8%, so let’s forget that, and so on and so forth."

Report from the Climate Camp in Kent

Over in the UK there's been a series of camp out protests on climate issues. It's called the Climate Camp. The latest is in Kent not far from London. It's protesting a new coal plant that's currently being proposed to replace one already on the location. Dangerous peaceniks have been brought to heel once again.

Coal Plant Protesters Injured in Skirmishes with Police - The Observer - 10 Aug 08

"Climate camp organisers said last night that about 1,500 people took part in the day of direct action and marches. They were matched by nearly 1,500 police officers. The only serious scuffles came when a group of 70 people tried to go into a cornfield. They were met by 100 police, some of whom used batons. Several people were injured. Police also used horses, dogs, trail bikes and helicopters to control demonstrators as they approached the power station across fields and down country lanes."

"Shortly before lunch, the sound system cranked up 'I've been loving you too long' by Otis Redding when a police helicopter circled and a loudspeaker announced: 'This is a police warning. Please disperse in 10 minutes or police horses, dogs and police batons will be used.'

( Eco-village lives carbon neutral (video) . . . )

Report from the Climate Camp in Kent

Over in the UK there's been a series of camp out protests on climate issues. It's called the Climate Camp. The latest is in Kent not far from London. It's protesting a new coal plant that's currently being proposed to replace one already on the location. Dangerous peaceniks have been brought to heel once again.

Coal Plant Protesters Injured in Skirmishes with Police - The Observer - 10 Aug 08

"Climate camp organisers said last night that about 1,500 people took part in the day of direct action and marches. They were matched by nearly 1,500 police officers. The only serious scuffles came when a group of 70 people tried to go into a cornfield. They were met by 100 police, some of whom used batons. Several people were injured. Police also used horses, dogs, trail bikes and helicopters to control demonstrators as they approached the power station across fields and down country lanes."

"Shortly before lunch, the sound system cranked up 'I've been loving you too long' by Otis Redding when a police helicopter circled and a loudspeaker announced: 'This is a police warning. Please disperse in 10 minutes or police horses, dogs and police batons will be used.'

( Eco-village lives carbon neutral (video) . . . )

I Want To Believe (It Was Worth $6.50)

Went to see the latest X-File film after I found out I was too late for the Batman effort. I'd rank the latest effort a little below the last X-Files movie in part because of the lack of special effects. This one was like an extended version of the old show. Not awful but something I probably should have waited for on DVD at the local Redbox. Lots of whispering which is kind of hard for me to sort out in particular.

I Want To Believe (It Was Worth $6.50)

Went to see the latest X-File film after I found out I was too late for the Batman effort. I'd rank the latest effort a little below the last X-Files movie in part because of the lack of special effects. This one was like an extended version of the old show. Not awful but something I probably should have waited for on DVD at the local Redbox. Lots of whispering which is kind of hard for me to sort out in particular.