Reactor Reax Top Stories - Scuffle at NRC Has Stench of Industry Influence Behind It

The latest roundup of stories about nuclear-related issues worldwide.

Rolling over toward those right leaning interests...

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is at the center of the first three entries featured in this collection of the latest stories making headlines from the world of nuclear energy and power.

There is also a fight among nation's top nuclear regulators gets airing before Congress, as Christian Science Monitor reports.

With an emphasis on the recent, ongoing tragedy in Fukushima, Japan, Daily Science covers 3 Reasons to Avoid Nuclear Power.

An op-ed by Kenneth Kales, publisher with Kales Press, carried by Technorati, discusses the relationship between Bill Gates and China.

Kales writes, "Mr. Gates is smarter than buying into a partnership on a nuclear power plant with a sometimes enemy, and always aggressive competitor who has contributed to the collapse of our national economy. To do so is foolish and dangerous."

Scuffle at NRC has stench of industry influence behind it, Las Vegas Sun, December 12, 2011. "Our state's congressional delegation needs to recognize the maneuverings of the four NRC commissioners for what they are, an effort to get Jaczko out of the industry's way. The Nevada delegation should oppose efforts to get rid of Jaczko, and they should call the White House and tell Obama to do the same."

NRC 'Coup' Leader, Bill Magwood, Consulted For Fukushima Parent Company, Huffington Post, December 12, 2011. "Bill Magwood, the man at the center of an effort to overthrow the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and his most likely successor if the move is successful, served as a consultant for Tepco, the Japanese company that owns the Fukushima nuclear power plant, according to information provided by Magwood as part of his nomination and confirmation process, which was obtained by The Huffington Post."

Fight among nation's top nuclear regulators gets airing before Congress, Christian Science Monitor, December 14, 2011. "Front and center is NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko, who is set to be grilled in hearings before the House Wednesday and in the Senate Thursday over his management style. He is alleged to have 'intimidated and bullied' the agency's senior staff and ordered them to modify or exclude vital information before it reached the four other members of the commission for their evaluation."

Nuke plant evacuation plan doesn't reassure us, (editorial), SeacoastOnline.com, December 13, 2011. "We think it's wise to keep asking questions. We think it's wise to object every step of the way as Seabrook Station seeks to gain a 20-year license renewal with 20 years still to go on its current license, even though the Associated Press has reported the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has never denied a licensing renewal. The AP also reported, in June, that many experts believe, and many nuclear operators explicitly stated when building their plants, that they should not be operated for more than 40 years."

3 Reasons to Avoid Nuclear Power, Daily Finance, December 9, 2011. "It's been nearly nine months since an earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan turned the fortunes of the nuclear world on its head. A nuclear renaissance in the U.S. came to a halt, Germany decided to nix its nuclear plants, and the industry hasn't been the same."

Ma-crosoft: Bill Gates and China, (op-ed by Kenneth Kales), Technorati, December 11, 2011. "Why in the world would any American facilitate building a nuclear power plant in China. The key to Mr. Gates' program is that the uranium is of such low grade that it is less dangerous. Mr. Gates is smarter than buying into a partnership on a nuclear power plant with a sometimes enemy, and always aggressive competitor who has contributed to the collapse of our national economy. To do so is foolish and dangerous." Mr. Kales is Publisher of Kales Press, a W. W. Norton affiliate.

"Reactor Reax" is featured on www.NuclearBailout.org, a Web site maintained by Physicians for Social Responsibility.