All articles tagged with #nuclear waste
A planned nuclear submarine dismantling project at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland has been halted due to safety concerns over radioactive waste management, with local officials opposing further disposal of radioactive parts without a safe storage solution, highlighting ongoing challenges and debates around nuclear waste safety and environmental impact.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright views offshore wind project halts as a temporary exception and emphasizes the need for permitting reform to accelerate infrastructure development, while also exploring nuclear waste management, climate science debates, and solar power growth as part of the US energy strategy.
Scientists propose using radioactive nuclear waste with advanced technology to produce tritium, a key fuel for nuclear fusion, potentially solving the tritium shortage and advancing clean energy efforts, though it requires significant investment and planning.
A radioactive wasp nest was discovered at the Savannah River nuclear waste site in South Carolina, containing radiation levels over ten times the legal limit. The nest was safely disposed of, and no contamination was found in the surrounding area, though the origin of the radioactive waste remains unclear. The site, historically involved in nuclear weapons production, is now focused on environmental cleanup and research.
Workers at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina discovered a wasp nest with radiation levels ten times above federal limits, likely contaminated by residual radioactive material from the site's historical nuclear weapons production. The nest was removed and disposed of as radioactive waste, with officials assuring no current leak or danger outside the facility. However, watchdog groups express concern over the lack of detailed information about the contamination source and potential risks.
Workers at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, a former nuclear weapons manufacturing facility, discovered a wasp nest with radiation levels ten times above federal limits. The nest was removed and disposed of as radioactive waste, likely contaminated by residual site radioactivity. Officials assure there is no current leak or danger outside the facility, but watchdog groups call for more transparency about the contamination source and potential risks.
Michigan is at the forefront of a potential nuclear energy renaissance with plans to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, marking a historic move in the U.S. nuclear industry. The state is shifting towards nuclear power as a key component of its clean energy strategy amid the closure of coal plants and challenges faced by renewables. The restart involves significant federal and state support and could pave the way for small modular reactors, although concerns about nuclear waste and public safety remain.
A Harvard-led study found that children living near Coldwater Creek in Missouri, contaminated by radioactive waste from Coldwater Creek, had a 44% higher risk of developing cancer later in life, highlighting long-term health risks from nuclear waste exposure and prompting calls for accountability and caution in nuclear projects.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, upholding its license for a nuclear waste storage facility in Texas, and dismissed a legal challenge by Texas and oil interests on procedural grounds, leaving open the possibility of future disputes over the NRC's authority.
Senator Josh Hawley announced a significant expansion and reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) as part of the Senate's version of a large bill, which aims to provide compensation to individuals exposed to nuclear waste, including residents near nuclear sites and uranium mine workers, marking the largest expansion since 1990 and a step forward in supporting affected communities.
NASA's radar scans over Greenland have revealed Camp Century, a Cold War-era US military base buried under the ice. Originally part of Project Iceworm, the base was intended to house nuclear missiles but was abandoned in 1967. The site, now covered by ice, contains radioactive and chemical waste. With climate change causing ice melt, there are concerns about the potential release of these wastes, which could lead to political tensions between Denmark and the US.
NASA researchers have rediscovered Camp Century, a Cold War-era U.S. military base buried under Greenland's ice sheet. Originally part of Project Iceworm, the base was intended to house nuclear missiles but was abandoned in 1967 due to unstable ice conditions. The site, now buried under 30 meters of ice, poses environmental risks due to leftover nuclear waste. The discovery was made using radar technology, revealing structures that align with historical maps of the base. Concerns are rising about potential exposure of the site due to climate change.
Quantum Kinetics Corporation (QKC), a Washington-based firm, has set a new world record in nuclear fusion by achieving plasma temperatures of 392 million degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours using its patented modular reactor. This surpasses the previous record held by Korea's KSTAR. QKC's breakthrough, which involves processing radioactive wastewater, promises to revolutionize the nuclear industry by offering a safe and clean energy solution and potentially transforming nuclear waste management. The company aims to lead in applied quantum physics and commercial fusion deployment.
The Senate, at the urging of Sen. Josh Hawley, passed a bill to reauthorize funds for Americans exposed to radiation from nuclear waste, with a 69-30 margin. The legislation, emblematic of bipartisan support, would provide compensation to families affected by nuclear waste exposure, costing about $50 billion over five years. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, where its future is less clear, but supporters hope the strong bipartisan showing in the Senate could make a difference. If passed by the House, President Joe Biden is expected to sign it.
The Senate passed a bill to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by the government, expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include more people who believe their illnesses were caused by that exposure. The bill, estimated to cost $50 billion, aims to address health risks and illnesses related to nuclear waste contamination in areas like St. Louis, Missouri. The legislation, which passed 69-30 in the Senate, faces uncertain prospects in the House, but President Biden is expected to sign it into law.