Reactor Reax: Roundup of Stories Related to Nuclear Power

One story explores the growing populations around nuclear facilities that were never intended to see so many human lives.

Japan Nuclear Disaster Tip of the Iceberg - earthtimes.org

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - In this week's Reactor Reax, U.S. Representative Edward Markey says a request to start building two Toshiba Corp. reactors in Georgia before the design is approved should be rejected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,.

We learn that the U.S. government is undercharging for Nuclear Loan Guarantees – from a Congressional Report: "The U.S. government is charging far less than would be demanded on the open market for loan guarantees to build nuclear plants, exposing taxpayers to additional risk, congressional analysts have found."

One story in this week's roundup of nuclear-related developments, explores the idea of growing populations around nuclear facilities that were never intended to see so many human lives potentially endangered.

Sri Lanka, a country facing very serious charges of Genocide and War Crimes, has seen a 366 percent increase in growth rate around any nuclear plant in the country, according to The Associated Press.

An AP investigation reveals that government agencies and the nuclear power industry have paid little heed to the population growth around the country's 104 nuclear reactors, even as plants are running at higher power and posing more danger in the event of an accident.

Southern Reactor Work Before Approval a 'Danger,' Markey Says, Bloomberg, August 3, 2011. "A Southern Co. (SO) request to start building two Toshiba Corp. (6502) reactors in Georgia before the design is approved should be rejected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Representative Edward Markey said."

US Undercharges For Nuclear Loan Guarantees – Congressional Report, Dow Jones, August 4, 2011. "The U.S. government is charging far less than would be demanded on the open market for loan guarantees to build nuclear plants, exposing taxpayers to additional risk, congressional analysts have found."

Rising cost of Florida's new nuclear power getting scrutiny, Miami Herald, August 1, 2011. "For the past two years, customers of Florida's largest electric companies have been paying to build new nuclear power plants that have an escalating price tag and no guarantee of completion. Attorneys for consumers and the state's largest electricity users told the Public Service Commission on Monday to demand answers from the utilities. What they want to know: When will the public see the power plants promised by Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida as the lowest cost way to meet Florida's future energy needs? How much will they cost customers? And will regulators make sure that the electric companies have skin in the game when their costs climb, such as prohibiting them from passing on cost overruns to customers?"

PSC rejects financial risk plan for Ga. nuke plant, Associated Press, August 2, 2011. "Georgia Watch, a consumer watchdog group, said the rejected plan was necessary to help protect customers from big cost overruns. 'This settlement is yet another example of the Public Service Commission caving in to pressure from Georgia Power and placing the financial interests of the utility above those of everyday hardworking Georgians — including thousands of business customers who are Georgia Power ratepayers,' said Angela Speir Phelps, the group's executive director and a former state utility regulator."

Population around St. Lucie Nuclear Plant fastest growing in nation, TCPalm, August 4, 2011. "By 2010, that area's population had ballooned to 202,010; and the 366 percent increase is the most explosive growth rate around any nuclear plant in the country, according to The Associated Press. The AP's National Investigative Team reports that government agencies and the nuclear power industry have paid little heed to the population growth around the country's 104 nuclear reactors, 'even as plants are running at higher power and posing more danger in the event of an accident'."

"Reactor Reax" is featured on www.NuclearBailout.org, a Web site maintained by Physicians for Social Responsibility. For more information, contact reactorreax@nuclearbailout.org.