Increasing costs of climate change–related disasters reflects importance of nuclearANS NewsPower & OperationsJanuary 11, 2021, 12:17PM|ANS News StaffHurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters across the United States caused $95 billion in damage last year, according to new data referenced by the New York Times. The cost is almost double the amount in 2019 and the third-highest loss since 2010.The new figures, reported January 7 by Munich Re—a company that provides insurance to other insurance companies—are the latest signal of the growing cost of climate change. The spike reflects the need for increased reliance on clean energy sources such as nuclear, solar, and wind.ExpandTags:clean energyclimate changenatural disastersnuclear energyShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
How HBO Got It Wrong On ChernobylANS Nuclear CafeJuly 10, 2019, 8:08PM|Dr. James ConcaI just knew it! I was hoping I'd be wrong, that HBO would have the courage and integrity to do their homework and consult even one actual nuclear scientist or radiobiologist. Or even just read the United Nations Chernobyl Forum Report, the best source of information on the disaster for non-nuclear people.Go to ArticleTags:acute radiation syndromechernobylconcadr. james concaforbeshbojim concanatural disastersradiationreactorsrussiavoices from chernobylShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Anniversary ObservationsANS Nuclear CafeMarch 11, 2019, 6:00AM|Alan MedskerThe seismic event was huge and was felt all over the world. With a moment magnitude of over 9.0, the earthquake and was the fourth largest ever in the more than 100 years of recorded history. Huge land masses shifted as much as 2.4 meters, and the rotation of the earth was changed so that days were suddenly just a little (but measurable) bit shorter. It had sped up the world.Go to ArticleTags:alan medskerauthorsearthquakeeducationfukushimafukushima daiichijapanjapan steel worksjapanesenatural disastersnuclear historynuclear newsradiationtsunamiShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
TEPCO Updates on Fukushima Daiichi Conditions (with video)ANS Nuclear CafeSeptember 30, 2016, 11:00AM|ANS Nuclear CafeSpecial ANS Friday Matinee edition by Will DavisGo to ArticleTags:earthquakefukushimanatural disastersnuclear matineeShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Three years of available lessons from FukushimaANS Nuclear CafeMarch 12, 2014, 6:00AM|Rod AdamsDuring the three years since March 11, 2011, the world has had the opportunity to learn a number of challenging but necessary lessons about the commercial use of nuclear energy. Without diminishing the seriousness of the events in any way, Fukushima should also be considered a teachable moment that continues to be open for thought and consideration.Go to ArticleTags:fukushimanatural disastersShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Fukushima Two Years LaterANS Nuclear CafeMarch 7, 2013, 2:58PM|Will DavisAt about a quarter to three in the afternoon on March 11, 2011, a gigantic and unprecedented earthquake struck just over 110 miles off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. The quake was followed, just over 40 minutes later, by the first of several rounds of tsunami, which inundated enormous areas and eradicated entire towns and villages. Over 19,000 people were killed or are still missing, and over 6,000 survivors were injured.Go to ArticleTags:bwrsearthquakefukushimalessons learnednatural disastersradiationreactor designsShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Spent Fuel Pool at Oyster CreekANS Nuclear CafeOctober 30, 2012, 1:01AM|Will DavisAs the Eastern half of the United States falls under siege by Hurricane Sandy and combined weather fronts-which together are being termed "Frankenstorm"-the nuclear community is targeted by nuclear opponents keen on capitalizing on this severe weather event. A recent piece quoting Arnold Gundersen asserts that Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is facing serious problems should it lose offsite power, saying essentially that the plant will be unable to provide cooling for the spent fuel in its spent fuel pool.Go to ArticleTags:arnie gundersonbwrshurricane sandynatural disastersnuclear regulatory commissionoyster creekspent fuelspent fuel poolswill davisShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Hurricane Sandy links: updates and information (Updated 10-31, 12:00 pm ET)ANS Nuclear CafeOctober 29, 2012, 5:05PM|ANS Nuclear CafeScroll down to hurricane graphic for resources and links.Go to ArticleTags:electricityhurricane sandynatural disastersnuclear energynuclear powerpublic safetysevere weatherShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Spent fuel at Fukushima Daiichi safer than assertedANS Nuclear CafeMay 16, 2012, 6:00AM|ANS Nuclear CafeIn recent days, a number of articles have been printed that assert that a grave danger exists at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear generating station. These articles claim that this danger exists due to the condition of the spent nuclear fuel at the site and the supposedly shaky condition of its storage and care. Two examples:Go to ArticleTags:earthquakeengineeringfukushimanatural disastersnuclear opponentsradiationspent fuelShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
ANS Fukushima press conference, March 8 at 10AM ESTANS Nuclear CafeMarch 7, 2012, 10:45PM|ANS Nuclear CafeThe American Nuclear Society Special Committee on Fukushima will issue its full report on March 8 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, at 10AM EST. The press conference will be available for viewing via this link.Go to ArticleTags:american nuclear societyans publicationsearthquakeeducationfukushimaknowledge transferlessons learnednatural disastersnuclear regulatory commissionradiationShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Can we repeat facts about Fukushima often enough to overcome fears?ANS Nuclear CafeMarch 7, 2012, 7:00AM|Rod AdamsWe are within one week of the one year anniversary of the Great North East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. That powerful punch from nature slowly destroyed four out of six of the nuclear units at Fukushima Daiichi while the world watched with rapt attention.Go to ArticleTags:american nuclear societyans publicationsearthquakefukushimalessons learnednatural disastersnuclear opponentsradiationShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Fukushima health effectsANS Nuclear CafeMarch 5, 2012, 10:00PM|ANS Nuclear CafeThe American Nuclear Society Special Committee on Fukushima has been conducting a comprehensive study of the events at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant following the Great East Japan earthquake of 2011. The special committee was tasked with providing a clear and concise explanation of what happened during the Fukushima Daiichi accident, and offer recommendations based on lessons learned. A report from the special committee will be released at a press conference on Thursday, March 8, at 10AM EST. The press conference will be webcast at http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=85244, and the report will be available for download at http://fukushima.ans.org/.Go to ArticleTags:american nuclear societyans publicationsearthquakefukushimalessons learnednatural disastersradiationShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
A Fukushima investigative scorecardANS Nuclear CafeMarch 5, 2012, 7:00AM|Leslie CorriceSince the Fukushima accident last March, several Japanese investigative groups have been created to try to establish what actually happened. As the number of groups has grown, some confusion has understandably emerged. Here's a "scorecard" of the five primary Japanese investigative commissions, with a brief description of each.Go to ArticleTags:earthquakefukushimairradiationnatural disastersradiationShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
ANS Special Committee on Fukushima to issue report on March 8ANS Nuclear CafeMarch 2, 2012, 9:00PM|ANS Nuclear CafeWebcast event available from National Press ClubGo to ArticleTags:american nuclear societyans publicationsearthquakefukushimalessons learnednatural disastersShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
ANS banner, donations support Fukushima workersANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 31, 2012, 7:00AM|ANS Nuclear CafeA banner signed by American Nuclear Society members during the society's Winter Meeting in Washington, DC, signifies the support and encouragement of ANS membership for the people of Japan and the workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant who are rebuilding after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.Go to ArticleTags:american nuclear societyearthquakefukushimanatural disastersShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Ballot initiative to close California’s nuclear plantsANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 30, 2012, 7:00AM|Jim HopfThere's not much new happening in DC right at the moment, so this month I'll discuss something that's going on in the state of California. That is, a proposed ballot initiative to shut the two remaining nuclear power plants-the two-unit Diablo Canyon and the two-unit San Onofre-in the state.Go to ArticleTags:bwrseducationfukushimaknowledge transferlessons learnednatural disastersnuclear opponentspwrsspent fuelShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Priorities for 2012 in Vermont PoliticsANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 24, 2012, 6:59AM|Howard ShafferVermont's "Citizen Legislature" meets from January to May/June. During this term, the major issue is Hurricane Irene and its aftermath. The hurricane caused major devastation, but, thankfully, few lives were lost.Go to ArticleTags:bwrsengineeringentergyfellows of anslessons learnednatural disastersnuclear opponentsnuclear regulatory commissionreactor designsspent fuelview from vermontShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Nuclear News and the new yearANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 17, 2012, 7:00AM|ANS Nuclear CafeThe January issue of Nuclear News magazine is available in hard copy and electronically for American Nuclear Society members (must enter ANS user name and password in Member Center). The issue contains the following stories:Go to ArticleTags:american nuclear societydepartment of energyearthquakeeducationengineeringenvironmental benefits of nuclearfukushimaiaeaknowledge transferlessons learnednatural disastersnuclear fuel cyclenuclear literacy projectnuclear newsnuclear regulatory commissionpwrsreactor designssmall modular reactorsspent fuelvietnamShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Little ado about nothingANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 3, 2012, 5:08PM|ANS Nuclear CafeA so-called scientific article issued on December 19 by Joseph Mangano and Janette Sherman purports that an estimated 14,000 excess deaths in the United States are linked to the radioactive fallout from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors in Japan. The article, published in the International Journal of Health Services, is available by clicking here.Go to ArticleTags:educationnatural disastersnuclear opponentsradiationShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works! ANS Nuclear CafeNovember 10, 2011, 7:00AM|Suzy Hobbs BakerI originally wrote this post as a book review, but after three or four edits, I realized that I couldn't mask my biased opinion about the new children's book, Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works! Simply put, I adore this book, as well as author Amelia Frahm, and have something of an emotional stake in its success. So, I decided it would be better to just share the reasons I love this book without trying to hide my enthusiasm.Go to ArticleTags:ans publicationsearthquakefukushimaknowledge transfernatural disastersnuclear literacy projectShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook