ARCHIVE : International media coverage 2019

This section provides a collection of articles from news media around the world during 2019, offering a wider spectrum of opinion, but also showcasing the similarities of the reactions of people in different countries.  Click on the media outlet name to link to the original article.  Please click here for the most recent 2020 media coverage.

Currently we only have the ability to source English-language articles. Please feel free to submit additional articles in any language to: editorial@gdfwatch.org.uk

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Opinion: Angela Merkel’s blunder of the decade that’s taboo in Germany

Despite the problems caused by radioactive waste disposal, this opinion piece argues that Germany needs to revisit its opposition to nuclear if climate emergency is to be addressed.

U.S. to turn town near Kyiv into repository for its nuclear waste, – media

According to an “unnamed employee” working within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the US is planning to build a storage facility in Ukraine for its own spent nuclear fuel. The source claims “the Americans want to create a nuclear waste bin in Ukraine”.

READER WARNING: The US and EU have been supporting Ukraine manage its own nuclear legacy, but this story rings hollow. The story is only circulating in Russian and Russian-language media — who are reporting on how each other is reporting the story. This has the hallmarks of a misinformation exercise. Other media reporting are ZIK, News Rambler Russia.

SNP slam ‘complacent’ MoD over Trident convoy safety lapses

Ministry of Defence (MoD) convoys used to transport nuclear weapons and radioactive waste in Scotland have suffered 40 safety lapses since
2014, new figures have revealed. The MoD says the incidents were logged as operational and engineering issues and posed no threat to public safety. The Scottish National Party (SNP) are outraged. Story also covered by The National, The Times, Morning Star

Swedish nuclear power reactor shuts down for good

Short report on nuclear power plant closure, and the removal of radioactive waste from the site. Also reported by NucNet, Daily Mail, NY Times

Doubts persist about Vt Yankee decommissioning money

Despite reassurances about the project being ahead of schedule and within budget, local concerns persist about what happens if the funds run out.

Sweden, Baltic countries may get multi-billion compensation for Russian nuclear waste burial in Baltic Sea – media

Allegations that Russia illegally dumped naval nuclear waste off the Swedish coast in the 1990s. Original story in EU Political Report

The Government comes up 19.3% the rate paid by the management of nuclear waste

According to a report in El Pais, the Spanish Government has announced a small increase in the liability payments owed by nuclear operators for the safe management and disposal of radioactive waste.

Editorial: Government ‘for the people’

In praise of bipartisan approach by 2 US Representatives, working together to secure funding for a local radioactive waste clean-up project that had historically been ignored and caused much angst for residents.

State utility regulators hold off on San Onofre funding request

A request to draw down almost US$500m from a special nuclear decommissioning fund will be considered in the normal 120-day period, say state regulators. The application is being opposed by citizens’ groups.

German nuclear exit continues as planned with next reactor to close Dec 31

German Government says costs of creating more radioactive waste alone is sufficient to justify continued closure of all existing nuclear plants.

More than half of San Onofre’s nuclear waste now in dry storage

Since fuel transfers resumed in July, more than 400 spent fuel assemblies have been moved from the ‘wet’ cooling pools to a ‘dry’ storage facilities, according to Southern California Edison. Another 1,100 fuel assemblies remain in the reactors’ cooling pools. They’re scheduled to be out of the pools and into dry storage next year. Once that wet-to-dry transfer is complete, the US$4.4 billion tear-down of the shuttered power plant can begin in earnest.

Europe’s New Green Deal offers Rosatom opportunities in CEE

Rosatom claims wider economic and environmental benefits more than offset the ‘hidden’ nuclear costs of managing and disposing of radioactive waste.

Congress Directs Repairs to Nuclear Waste ‘Coffin’ Left Over from Atomic Bomb Tests

Part of the Defense Act signed into law by US President Trump just before christmas requires the Department of Energy to report back within six months on “the status of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands” and the dangers posed by potential leaks. This includes a “a detailed plan to repair the dome to ensure that it does not have any harmful effects to the local population, environment, or wildlife, including the projected costs of implementing such plan.” Also covered by the Honolulu Civil Beat, Sputnik News, Popular Mechanics, KALW, LA Times, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and in the UK & internationally by BBC, The Sun, Stuff.co.NZ, The Irish Sun, The Epoch Times, New Zealand Global Times

Could Hungary solve the problem of nuclear waste?

Hungarian scientists at the Szeged University are researching a laser procedure that could reduce the radioactive decay of used nuclear power plant fuel.

LANL seeks new hazardous waste permit from New Mexico

The state’s hazardous waste permit for Los Alamos National Laboratory is up for renewal for the first time since 2010, a process that could prove contentious as critics examine what they say are unresolved problems. Also reported by Greenwich Time

A new batch of nuclear waste from Germany has arrived in St. Petersburg

Further update from Greenpeace on latest shipment of uranium tails. Also reported by 112 International

Norway helps pay for transporting old Russian navy nuclear waste

On-going Norwegian support for Russian environmental clean-up activities, to protect fisheries.

New form of uranium found that could affect nuclear waste disposal plans

Science story previously reported by GDFWatch as example of research being done to make geological disposal ‘safer’, becomes “tabloidised” into a ‘threat’ to geological disposal.

Winners and losers in the year‑end spending deal

No funding for Yucca or any of the interim radioactive waste storage ideas in the budget agreed by Congress and US President Trump.

How Switzerland is dismantling its first nuclear power station

Just two per cent of the waste from the decommissioned power station is destined for geological disposal. Also reported by EuroNews, The Local

Waste management in non-energy uses of nuclear technologies: Council adopts conclusions

European Council agrees principles for safe management and disposal of non-energy sources of radioactive waste, eg medical radioactive wastes.

Revised plan for nuclear waste site fails to convince critics

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) have revised their plans for a radioactive waste facility near the Chalk River, so that it will only dispose of low-level radioactive waste. Also covered by Renfrew Today

Yucca Mountain or bust

Editorial calling for Yucca Mountain project to be ‘unlocked’, to save taxpayers money, and as important contribution to solving climate emergency, by having a waste disposal facility available to nuclear sector.

Ontario Power Generation supports Skills Opportunities Showcase

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and National Waste Management Organisation (NWMO), both planning to build repositories, make contributions to a local community initiative.

OPINION: Public fear of nuclear waste is misguided

Tough standards in place for management of radioactive waste, and public dread greater than actual risk.

Bellona works to shed light on Rosatom’s depleted uranium imports

Following recent demonstrations against resumption of uranium products transfer between Germany & Russia, leading NGO has conducted independent investigation and says transportation complies with law and safety standards, but greater public transparency and continued vigilance required.

A Year in Review: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Nuclear accident anniversaries passed unnoticed, but failure to progress permanent solution for radioactive waste means extra vigilance required in how we manage and store waste pending disposal.

Two dead in construction incident at Bulgaria nuclear waste site

Two construction workers died and two others were injured at the site of Bulgaria’s future storage facility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Also reported by Novinite

Saugeen Ojibway Nation sets vote on nuclear waste repository

Update on planned community ballot on whether to host a disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste. Also covered by Bayshore Broadcasting, 560CFOS

Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act hurts Utah

Local concern that a Bill (HR2699) passed by a US House of Representatives’ committee will permit long-term interim storage facilities for high-level radioactive waste throughout the US southwest, opening new facilities in New Mexico and Texas as well as completing a permanent waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain.

US to shut down Idaho nuclear waste processing project

Having cleaned up the US’ largest stockpile of transuranic waste, the processing facility, which makes waste safer for transportation and final disposal, is now deemed to be economically unviable.

Hawker ruled out as nuke waste dump site

The location of the proposed low-level radioactive waste facility has been narrowed to two sites near Kimba on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. A third site near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges has been ruled out as an option after local residents voted against the idea. Also reported by Northern Daily Leader, Eyre Peninsula Tribune, Newcastle Herald, INDaily, ABC News, Radio Adelaide

Researchers perfect nanoscience tool for studies of nuclear waste storage

A recently published study, of the first-ever use of antimatter to investigate radiological processes in clay, may help design safer underground vaults for permanent storage of radioactive waste. Also reported by Phys.Org, HazMat Management Magazine

Muons: probing the depths of nuclear waste

Report on how sub-atomic particles, used in archeology to ‘see’ into hidden areas, might also be applied to safely examining the interiors of radioactive waste containers.

Germany finds exiting nuclear power is easier said than done

Opposition in Gorleben’s community to any expansion of the the current underground radioactive waste stores. Worries that current search for a site is being ‘skewed’ towards choosing Gorleben rather than find the “best” location/s.

Hawker ballot says no to nuke waste dump

A community poll among residents in Hawker has narrowly voted against a proposed low-level radioactive waste facility in the area. About 52% voted against. The result came after a similar poll of residents in Kimba voted almost 62 per cent in favour of the facility being built in their area. Also covered by The Transcontinental, and in the UK by The Guardian

South Australia’s nuclear dump deadline looms large

Local ballot in Flinders to decide whether the community wants to host a proposed low-level radioactive waste facility closes 12 December. Also reported in Newcastle Herald

Nuclear watchdog OKs decommissioning plan for two reactors at Kepco’s Oi plant in Fukui

Plan does not apparently yet indicate where and how remaining radioactive waste will be stored on site.

IAEA Mission Says Latvia Committed to Safe and Responsible Management of Radioactive Waste, Sees Areas for Further Enhancement

Although making good progress, independent experts advise that Latvia do more to plan longer-term for radioactive waste management and disposal.

Cracked Vault Holding Nuclear Waste Could Leak Untold Radiation into the Ocean

Further reporting on the radioactive waste facility on Runit Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The Long Fight to Clean Up America’s Cold War Nuclear Waste

Turning liquid radioactive waste into solid form for disposal is a costly and complex process.

Russians protest over plans to build road near Soviet-era radioactive waste site

Continued local protests against proposed road project.

State report: LANL lost track of 250 barrels of nuke waste

The contractor in charge of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) operations for the past year lost track of 250 barrels of waste, while the company heading the legacy cleanup mislabeled and improperly stored waste containers and took months to remedy some infractions, according to the state’s yearly report on hazardous waste permit violations. Also reported by San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Alamos Reporter, KOB News4

SON to receive $150 million if it supports nuclear vault

If the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) votes to host a low-level radioactive waste facility at the Bruce nuclear site, it would receive Can$150 million from Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Saugeen Chief Lester Anoquot called the $150 million a “lowball” amount, saying the sum was presented without negotiation. He then continues to say that currently he does not expect SON to vote in favour.

Canada Plan to Store Nuclear Waste near Lake Huron Draws U.S. Ire

A group of US lawmakers has asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reconsider Ontario Power Generaion’s (OPG) proposed plan to build a low-level radioactive waste facility at a site near Lake Huron, northeast of Detroit, Michigan. Also covered by Ripon Advance, Daily Energy Insider, WHTC, WSJM

The Australian town divided over hosting the country’s first nuclear waste dump

Following a public ballot in which people voted 2-1 in favour of the proposed facility, a report on the continuing concerns amongst those who voted against the facility.

Life after Yucca Mountain: The time has come to reset US nuclear waste policy

Evidence that slowly the US political system and politicians may be waking up to the need to find a solution to disposing of radioactive waste.

First Nation vote on nuclear waste DGR set for Jan. 31

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) will hold their delayed binding vote on whether they want Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to build a repository for low-level radioactive waste under the Bruce Power site near Kincardine.

WIPP Catches Up With 2018 Waste Shipment Pace

The U. Energy Department’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico received 275 shipments of radioactive waste during the first 10 months of this year, compared to 272 during the same period in 2018. This shows that the underground site has finally caught up with last year’s waste disposal pace, after a long and planned maintenance shutdown, and bad weather early in the year.

Community Benefit Program delivers better mobile coverage for Hawker residents

Mobile reception has been improved for rural residents living near one of the proposed sites for the federal government’s nuclear waste management facility. The Aus$425,000 4G reception upgrade was made possible by the federal government’s Community Benefit Program, an initiative that funds projects in communities close sites under consideration for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF).

Disposal of spent nuclear fuel is not an unsolved problem

Letter in response to assertions made by anti-nuclear organisations that there was no scientific consensus about safe management and disposal of radioactive waste.

Huron County Warden Says Deep Geologic Repository Could Be Good For Huron

If Bruce County is selected as the site of the Deep Geological Repository for burying nuclear waste, Huron County needs to take advantage of potential economic spinoff. That’s according to Huron County Warden Jim Ginn, who reminded Council Wednesday that Huron-Kinloss and South Bruce are among three locations still on the list for consideration.

New ship to handle all nuclear waste from Rosatom’s Arctic operations

Russia unveils new vessel to support clean-up of the Artic.

Green Groups Lose Ground in Fight Against Texas Nuke Waste Plan

Local groups opposed to the proposed temporary radioactive waste storage facility in West Texas believe they are being squeezed out of the decision-making process.

Nuke chiefs deny illegal waste transfer

The Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Tint) has denied local accusations that it illegally shipped radioactive waste from reactor facilities in Bangkok and Pathum Thani to be stored in Nakhon Nayok province. This from a statement issued in response to residents of Ongkharak district who have filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Judge tosses lawsuit, clearing way for SCE to transfer nuclear waste at San Onofre

Court says Public Watchdogs suffered no injury, and was in the wrong court. Ruling clears way to move all the spent fuel to dry storage by next year. Also reported by Associated Press

Election hopeful refuses to rule out underground nuclear waste store “close to Sellafield”

Labour candidate wants to keep option of hosting a GDF on the table.

IAEA Mission Says Indonesia Strengthened Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Sees Areas for Enhancement

In a generally positive report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recommends Indonesia further aligns it’s legislative framework with IAEA safety standards, particularly for radioactive waste and spent fuel management.

Upton Pushing For Nuclear Waste Storage Site

US Congressman Fred Upton calls again for a permanent storage facility for radioactive waste to be created at Yucca Mountain. The US House of Representatives House Energy and Commerce Committee last week voted to advance the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019, which aims to license the site. Work on Yucca Mountain has stalled, while nuclear plants continue to generate waste. House vote also reported by WORT FM

Hornepayne First Nation blasts Nuclear Waste Management Organization

After Hornepayne was dropped from the final shortlist of potential sites to be investigated for Canada’s deep geological repository, local indigenous people query why they will not receive funding from a community programme. NWMO says because they did not apply or make themselves eligible for funding.

What About The Nuclear Waste?

Opinion piece that says perceived risks of disposing of radioactive waste are overstated, and that New Mexico should embrace economic opportunity.

Beyond Nuclear Fears New Mexico Being Targeted For Permanent High-Level Nuclear Waste Dump

Local fears that the proposed ‘temporary’ radioactive waste storage facility in New Mexico will open door to New Mexico hosting such waste on a permanent basis.

Yucca Mountain dormant, but definitely not dead

Opponents in Nevada to the proposed Yucca Mountain geological disposal site remind that while the project has been held-up, it is still a possibility for its development and construction.

Tao protest, reject compensation for waste

The aboriginal people on an island on which radioactive waste was secretly stored have rejected the Government’s offer of compensation, and want the waste removed instead. Also reported by Focus Taiwan, Taiwan News, The News Lens, The Diplomat

Germany is closing all its nuclear power plants. Now it must find a place to bury the deadly waste for 1 million years

Analysis of the geological, political and social issues confronting Germany as it searches for a site for its deep geological repository for disposal of radioactive waste. The same issues as every other country. Story also covered by KOAM NewsNow, Crossroads Today, Union Journal, Republic World, Blasting News, New York Post, EcoWatch

Slovenia’s Cinkarna Celje disposes 30 t of radioactive waste at U.S. facility

Slovenian chemicals producer Cinkarna Celje says it has disposed of 30 tonnes of radioactive waste at a nuclear waste facility in Idaho, USA. This solves a long-standing environmental and financial problem for the company. After 24 years, the company has finally found an export solution with the help of the Slovenian radioactive waste agency and US company US Ecology Idaho.

Facing the Nuclear Storm

In a lengthy academic analysis of issues confronting the Middle East as nuclear power plants are built, the safe storage and transport of radioactive waste is seen as key security issue.

Russia receives another batch of Ukrainian spent nuclear fuel for recycling

Ukraine continues to send radioactive waste to Russia for reprocessing.

First Nation band delaying vote on nuclear waste

A planned ballot of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation on Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) planned repository for low-level radioactive waste has been deferred until early 2020. The project cannot proceed without the Nation’s consent, and the vote had been expected during December 2019. Also covered by Owen Sound Sun Times

Community food truck funded for Hawker

A new mobile food truck in Hawker is taking community fundraising to the next level. The Aus$76,000 kitchen on wheels was made possible by the federal government’s Community Benefit Program, an initiative that funds projects in communities close to shortlisted sites for a national nuclear waste management facility.

EBRD announces breakthrough in clean-up of Andreeva Bay

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced the retrieval of abandoned, highly radioactive used nuclear fuel assemblies from the bottom of Building 5 at Andreeva Bay in north-western Russian. Following the successful operation, radiation levels at the facility have fallen by over 40%, enabling further decommissioning work and removing “one of the most significant radiological risks to the Barent Sea region”, the London-headquartered bank said.

Nuclear Waste Fund Treasury Securities Holdings Grow to $40.9 Billion

The federal fund intended to pay for the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain held US$40.9 billion in US Treasury securities at the end of the 2019 fiscal year, according to the latest audit from the US Department of Energy – a rise from US$39.2 billion in the previous year.

Belgium has to improve its radioactive waste management, says European Commission

The European Union decided on Wednesday to send reasoned opinions to Belgium and Spain for failing to comply with all requirements of European legislation on radioactive waste management. Also reported by MBS News

EDITORIAL: Owning up to nuclear waste injustice

Government right to own up to errors and to compensate local community, for deliberately misleading people when siting a radioactive waste facility. Government should now assess if there were any public health consequences, and address those, if there are any.

Some major issues with VY decommissioning

Article looking at complex issues of decommissioning Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, and the disposal of its radiaoctive waste.

Ignace a finalist for nuclear waste storage site

The Ignace area is one of only two sites left in the running, but the selection process for a geological disposal repository site is still expected to take at least another four years, before a final decision is made. Also reported by TBNewsWatch, Northern Ontario Business, WaWa News, Yahoo!News, QPBriefing, NetNewsLedger, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, The Chronicle Journal, World Nuclear News, Canada Newswire, Blackburn News, Bay Today, Bayshore Broadcasting, Daily Commercial News, Manitoulin Expositor and in the US by Detroit Free Press, Detroit News

The Staggering Timescales Of Nuclear Waste Disposal

Analysis of the complexity of planning and managing for the storage and disposal of radioactive waste faced by countries around the world.

Two groups look for paths to move nuclear waste off the beach at San Onofre

Report on the steps being taken to remove radioactive waste from the old nuclear site, balancing the complexity of the process with safety.

‘Our concern is very real’: Opposition to Port Clarence landfill disposing of radioactive waste

Stockton Council’s Labour group opposes a proposed facility for low-level radioactive waste facility. Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also opposed.

Waste storage at Africa’s only nuclear plant brimming

Interim surface storage at South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear plant will reach full capacity by April 2020, as regulatory approval for new storage facilities is awaited. Also reported by Business Times, Eyewitness News, JacarandaFM, Business Day, The South African, ESI Africa, iAfrica, News24, 2OceansVibe

FRAZER-NASH AND GALSON SCIENCES TO DELIVER COST MODELLING SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF UK GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL FACILITY

UK’s RWM awards contract to help better understand the costs and uncertainty of developing a GDF, including a benchmark of the full lifetime costs of this significant piece of national infrastructure.

What to do with nuclear waste stymies nations all over the world, study finds

Article examining global issue of radioactive waste disposal, prompted by publication of the World Nuclear Waste Report. Similar article published by Climate News Network

The Royal Navy Is Having Real Trouble Disposing Of Its Old Nuclear Submarines

Analysis of the National Audit Office (NAO) report into the disposal of nuclear submarines and their radioactive waste.

LETHAL LEGACY

Long article on search for a permanent disposal facility for the US’ plutonium stockpile, currently stored in surface facilities in South Carolina.

Plenty of safety concerns expressed at Pickering nuclear plant discussion

The fate, and lack of a deep geological disposal facility, of radioactive waste to be stored at a local nuclear site, was key issue in a community debate about how to use the 600-acre site once nuclear operations shut down.

Nuclear X-files? Academics baffled as UK govt. pulls docs from national archives

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) provide no explanation to the withdrawal of documents from the National Archive, despite pledging their commitment to openness and transparency. Academics are alarmed.

Orchid Island to get NT$2.55 billion in nuclear waste compensation

The Taiwanese government will pay US$83.6 million to Orchid Island residents to compensate them for infringing on their rights by maintaining a nuclear waste storage facility there over the past five decades. The compensation is part of a programme transitional justice for indigenous tribes now that is has been proved that the then-government decided to build a radioactive waste storage facility on reserved lands for the Yami people without their knowledge or agreement. Also reported by Taiwan News

Contest asks UM students to re-imagine nuclear waste to reverse climate change

In partnership with the University of Michigan, the first ever “Nuclear Energy Grand Challenge: Reimagining Nuclear Waste” prize will engage innovators and entrepreneurs at the college level to tackle one of the most unique challenges facing the nuclear energy industry – the perception of nuclear waste.

Deadline for nuclear submissions

After three years of consultation, public submissions on the proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility will close on December 12, 2019. The closing of submissions will coincide with the completion of a ballot of people living in Hawker. It follows the completion of the Kimba ballot, where 61 per cent of respondents supported hosting the facility in that area. Also reported by The Transcontinental

Radioactive fluid leaking from silo

Radioactive water is leaking from a nuclear waste storage building as big as 132 double-decker buses at Sellafield. Officials say there is no risk to staff nor the wider community as the water, which covers the solid radioactive waste in the silo, will remain in the ground “for some time”. Also covered by The Westmorland Gazette

Entergy and Holtec File Request to Transfer Indian Point Post-Shutdown

Application placed with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to allow Holtec International to acquire Indian Point, as part of their acqiusition programme to more quickly and cheaply decommission nuclear plants and remove radioactive waste.

‘People want justice’: Marshalls’ fury over nuclear information US withheld

The caretaker president of the Marshall Islands says it’s unconscionable that the United States kept secret key information about its nuclear tests for decades. With a radioactive waste store believed to be leaking, new details reveal the US withheld information about the nuclear waste it left behind when the Marshall Islands gained independence. But with the US increasingly jittery about China, the small Pacific country is finding it might have some leverage to get something done. Coverage of issue also in PressEnza, Science Times, World Socialist Web Site, PRN FM

Give up on the nuclear power plant

The failure to find a solution of how Taiwan disposes of its radioactive waste is an issue raised by candidates in the Presidential election campaign.

Barngarla ballot shows “no support” for facility

The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC) have announced the result of a ballot they organised amongst indigenous peoples on the proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF). The recent ‘official’ ballot in Kimba returned a 61% ‘Yes’ vote. The BDAC received no yes votes at all, as aboriginal people unanimously rejected the facility.

Govt to build KNPP nuke fuel storage despite opposition

The Indian Government is set to go ahead with its plan to set up a radioactive waste facility at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) despite opposition by political parties in the state. Also reported in Times of India

GENERAL ELECTION: Copeland hopefuls quizzed on nuclear new build, GDF and skills

All the candidates, except the Green Party, in some way support a potential GDF in Cumbria.

Opinion: California’s San Onofre nuclear plant is a Chernobyl waiting to happen

Concern that storing radioactive waste in interim surface facilities presents risks that disposing of underground would mitigate.

Activists Block Train Carrying German Radioactive Waste to Russia

Greenpeace activists have blocked a train in Germany carrying a shipment of radioactive waste destined for Russia. Shipments have been resumed after being halted in 2009. Also reported by Clean Energy Wire, Tribune de Geneve, France24, Belsat

What Happens to Nuclear Waste in the U.S.?

Nuclear plants produce waste while generating electricity, but what it is exactly and how it’s handled are different than you might think.

Australia is the great ‘white’ hope for the global nuclear industry

Concerns that Australia is being lined-up to be the world’s radioactive waste “dustbin”.

Yucca Mountain bill in House faces steep climb

A bill to allow interim storage of radioactive waste in Nevada and the completion of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository is being introduced into the House of Representatives. Even if the bill is approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it still faces steep obstacles on the floor and in the Senate, where a similar bill doesn’t exist. Also reported by Aiken Standard, Nevada Appeal, Oklahoma Energy Today, Daily Energy Insider, Ripon Advance, Carlsbad Current Argus, Wellston Journal and in more detail by World Nuclear News, Power Magazine

Department of Energy: Half of nuclear waste shipments to WIPP come from Idaho National Lab

A deal between Idaho state officials and the US Department of Energy (DoE) could mean more than half of all the radioactive waste disposed of at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) will come from Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Idaho will also receive priority when additional shipments are made available. The allocation will remain in effect until all TRU waste is shipped out of Idaho. Also reported by Albuquerque Journal, Japan News

Lawmakers ask State to fight nuclear disposal plan

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from Great Lakes states wrote to US Secretary of State urging him to stop the Canadian plan to build a radioactive waste repository less than a mile from Lake Huron in Ontario.

Opponents, supporters of proposed Holtec nuclear facility testify in New Mexico committee

Testifying before the New Mexico Legislature’s interim Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee, Holtec International defended their proposed temporary radioactive waste storage facility, and residents attacked the plan. Also reported in New Mexico Political Report

U.S. won’t clean up Marshall Islands nuclear waste dome but wants it free of anti-U.S. graffiti

US Government only took interest in the storage facility after local people painted anti-US graffiti on it.

Environmental court approves Swedish repository expansion

The expansion of Sweden’s existing repository for low-level radioactive waste at Forsmark has been approved by the Land and Environment Court. With approval already granted by the nuclear regulator, the government will now make a final decision on the application.

Nuclear Colonialism: Indigenous opposition grows against proposal for nation’s largest nuclear storage facility in NM

Holtec International’s proposed temporary storage facility for higher-level radioactive waste in New Mexico has drawn opposition from nearly every indigenous nation in the state.

Rosatom issues a public response to Bellona’s concerns over depleted uranium imports

Russia insists uranium is a valuable raw material that can be safely imported and recycled for further use, in accordance with Russian law.

Montana’s Radioactive Waste Legacy

Why should Montana take any of North Dakota’s, or any other state’s, radioactive waste?

What happens to nuclear waste from power plants?

Leading German newspaper looks at concerns that African countries are not equipped to fund or manage radioactive waste in the long term.

France risks being sued over Moruroa nuclear waste – MP

Moetai Brotherson, who is a member of both the French National Assembly and the French Polynesian assembly, has warned that his side might sue France if it fails to remove radioactive substances from its former weapons test site at Moruroa.

US companies to cooperate on waste disposal technology

California-based Deep Isolation continues to develop an alternative solution to geological disposal for some high-level radioactive wastes, by emplacing it in deep horizontal drillholes.

11th Hour Call To Action Brings Focus On San Onofre Nuclear Waste

Environmental group still trying to stop transfer of waste from ‘wet’ to ‘dry’ storage facilities.

Nuclear dump ballot opens in Hawker

Vote in second potential host community for the low-level radioactive waste facility in South Australia starts.

No country in the world has found solution for nuclear waste challenge – report

Major report on the global challenges of radioactive waste. Co-ordinated by ex-Green MEP, the authors support geological disposal (though want other options kept open, as UK does). Notes insufficient engagement with public, and social and political complexity of the issue. Report urges anti-nuclear and environmental campaigners to focus on helping find solutions to the problem.

How the U.S. betrayed the Marshall Islands, kindling the next nuclear disaster

Report on the ‘leaking’ storage facility which highlights and foretells the risks of long-term surface storage of radioactive waste. Also reported by Yahoo! News UK. Further coverage in Science Alert, IFLScience, Sky News, Futurism, Archinet, The Sun, KCRW FM, Business Insider, Sputnik, Fair Warning, News.Com.Australia, MBS News, Mice Times Asia, KALW

Planning for the future of the Indian Point workforce: Editorial Spotlight

Report on steps being taken to manage the 1000 workers losing their jobs when nuclear power plant closes in 3 years time.

Government slammed for creating extra costs for nuclear plant firms

The operators of Switzerland’s nuclear power plants have criticised a change in regulations covering decommissioning and waste disposal funds, which they say will disproportionately increase their costs. Also reported by World Nuclear News, NucNet

Japan accused of trying to justify nuclear dump

Greenpeace allege that Japan is lying when it says its radioactive waste stores are reaching capacity and it needs to build more storage, because the Japanese just want to dump the waste into the sea. No evidence supplied to support allegation.

Council removes ‘support’ for underground nuclear waste storage plan

Copeland Council in Cumbria has ‘softened’ its support for a GDF, to accommodate the concerns of newly-elected councillors.

More than 60 per cent of Kimba locals support nuclear waste dump in their region

A clear majority of Kimba residents have voted in favour of hosting a low-level radioactive waste facility. The results of a month-long postal ballot confirmed 61.6 per cent of voters were in favour of the facility. The decision is non-binding, and the community of another proposed site, at Hawker, will start their ballot next week. Also reported by Whyalla News, 9News, Eyre Peninsula Tribune, SBS, Port Lincoln Times, Magic899, Newcastle Herald, Illawarra Mercury

Nuclear power experts meet to debate best ways for plant dismantling

While it continues its search for a geological repository, and decommissions its entire nuclear fleet, Germany wants to remain at the forefront of international discussions and expertise.

How WIPP works: Waste Isolation Pilot Plant workers get to bring their family to the site

Report on a family tour of the US’ only operational deep geological repository, which changed peoples’ minds once they’d seen the facility underground. Also covered by Albuquerque Journal

Agri-food, energy, nuclear: The deals Macron agreed in China

Joint project for managing radioactive waste one of the agreements reached by French President Macron on a visit to China. Also reported by Reuters, NucNet

Bill to authorize nuclear waste storage talks withdrawn

Wyoming Republicans withdraw legislation to allow the state to negotiate with federal authorities over potentially hosting radioactive waste facilities. The bill was withdrawn because it is not thought needed. But Democrats and other opponents fear the Republicans are simply taking the issue into the shadows, away from public scrutiny. Also reported by K2Radio, Powell Tribune

New talk of nuclear storage in Wyo is wrong-headed and rushed

Environmental campaigner from the 1990s explains why they are opposed to Wyoming hosting radioactive waste sites.

NRG gets approval for near-term waste management plans

The Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group’s (NRG’s) plans for the processing and disposal of radioactive wastes from the Petten research reactor in the Netherlands over the next three years have been approved by the country’s nuclear regulator. However, NRG must submit for approval a revised plan by mid-2022.

Thirty Years After Sacramento Voted To Shut It Down, Rancho Seco Reinventing Itself While Dealing With Nuclear Past

Fascinating article from California on the long-term environmental impacts (or lack of them) after a nuclear plant closes. Radioactive waste stored on site continues to rankle everyone, but is closely monitored, pending a geological repository being available to take the waste.

‘Mailbox 200’: Soviet waste dump a landslide away from poisoning millions

Environmentalists claim thousands of tonnes of radioactive waste are one landslide away from contaminating the water supply for the whole Ferghana valley in Kyrgyzstan, home to millions of people. Also carried by EuroNews, Deutsche Welle, Radio Free Europe, Today Online

Hawker hospital upgrades complete

The Aus$110,000 upgrades to the Hawker Memorial Hospital, part of the federal government’s Community Benefit Program for communities considering the site of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF), have been finished.

New Mexico lawmakers press Holtec on waste safety

Some members of the New Mexico Legislature’s interim Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee remain unconvinced by Holtec International’s storage and transport plans for radioactive waste in a proposed temporary facility. They also feel that New Mexico has a limited role, as the federal government and agencies have all the authority.

Decision Expected Soon on Deep Geological Repository

A decision on Ontario Power Generate’s (OPG) planned repository for low-level radioactive waste could be made by the end of 2019, once the Saugeen Ojibway Nation have held a vote, expected before the end of the year. However, even if the project gets approval from the first nations community, there are still other regulatory and planning hurdles to go through.

Dispatch from Zheleznogorsk: How Russia injects radioactive waste into the ground

Concerns about how Russia is injecting liquid radioactive waste into deep geological strata, despite there being no international guidelines and Russian law requiring liquid radwastes to be solidified before geological disposal.

Voices Of Los Alamos Hears About LANL Waste Management From Steven Singledecker

Radioactive waste disposal was not a key consideration in early decades of nuclear research, but much has changed, with very different safety and environmental standards being applied today. This was a key message at a recent public meeting with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) leadership.

Gov. Gordon open to nuclear waste storage

Wyoming’s Governor would not oppose, on principle, the state offering to host radioactive waste storage facilities, but he feels there’s other business activities which are better suited for Wyoming. He says he’ll wait to see what the state Legislature finds in its studies of the idea before making a decision. Also reported by San Francisco Chronicle, Sheridan Press, Streetwater Now, Wyoming News

Exposure Pathway Analysis for a Geological Disposal Facility for Radioactive Waste at the Olkiluoto Site

Finland publishes Report on ‘exposure pathways’ — a critical early step in developing a safety case for regulatory approval requires an assessment of potential ‘pathways’ through which radiation may travel from a repository to the surface. An example of what is required in UK and every other country to ensure safe operation of a repository.

Why should anyone trust LANL on nuclear safety?

Given its history of safety failures, and lack of transparency in making public its errors, local commentator not persuaded by the “trust us” line being promoted by the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

91 bags of radioactive waste swept into rivers

Japanese Environment Ministry confirms dozens of bags containing radioactive soil being kept in interim surface storage at the Fukushima site were swept into rivers following a powerful typhoon last month. At least 25 of the bags were found empty, meaning that the tainted soil was carried away in floodwaters, but officials added that radiation levels around the sites remain unchanged. They are examining ways to improve the surface storage facilities. Story also covered by Japan Times, International Business Times

Judge declines to stop fuel transfer at San Onofre nuclear plant

Court rejects request from environmental activists to halt the transfer of spent fuel at the San Onofre nuclear plant from wet to dry storage. The Court found the transfer was in compliance with a 2017 settlement agreement that requires “commercially reasonable” efforts be made to move the waste. The judge said: “It is critically important to get this problem solved seasonably and correctly. But the court is persuaded … that enjoining the downloading may very well have the opposite result from the one the petitioners seek.”

800 local jobs from nuclear waste repository

The final two candidate communities to host Canadian deep geological repository will be known by end 2019 or early 2020, according to the National Waste Management Organisation (NWMO). This info from an update briefing by NWMO to communities on the site selection process.

Russia resumes importing depleted uranium from Germany, breaching old promises

Russia accused of “illegally” retaining German radioactive waste. Revelations that Urenco have resumed shipments of uranium hexaflouride from Germany to Russia, in breach of a commitment by Russia not to accept such imports, have reignited the debate over whether the substance meets the definition of radioactive waste.