[Peace-discuss] Japanese warning

[C. G. Estabrook]

Concerning the proximity of the large earthquake in Japan’s recorded history to 
nuclear reactors, Bob Alvarez writes today on [CounterPunch.org],

“In the aftermath of the largest earthquake to occur in Japan in recorded 
history, 5,800 residents living within five miles of six reactors at the 
Fukushima nuclear station have been advised to evacuate and people living within 
15 miles of the plant are advised to remain indoors.

“Plant operators have not been able to cool down the core of one reactor 
containing enormous amounts of radioactivity because of failed back-up diesel 
generators required for the emergency cooling….Early on Japanese nuclear 
officials provided reassurances that no radiation has been released. However, 
because of the reactor remains at a very high temperature, radiation levels are 
rising on the turbine building – forcing to plant operators to vent radioactive 
steam into the environment.”

Perhaps the news that Japanese nuclear reactors have been damaged and that 
clouds of official deception are already rising above them will cool the revival 
of enthusiasm for building new nuclear plants here in the US, spearheaded 
politically by President Obama and okayed by major green groups using the cover 
of alleged AGW, as long ago planned by the nuclear industry.

As Harvey Wasserman points out on this site today:

“Had the violent 8.9 Richter-scale earthquake that has just savaged Japan hit 
off the California coast, it could have ripped apart at least four coastal 
reactors and sent a lethal cloud of radiation across the entire United States.

“The two huge reactors each at San Onofre and Diablo Canyon are not designed to 
withstand such powerful shocks. All four are extremely close to major faults.”

--from <http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn03112011.html>.

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[Peace-discuss] Japanese warning
E. Wayne Johnson ewj at pigs.ag
Fri Mar 11 19:33:53 CST 2011

After you stop (nay, pause) for just a moment,
consider, and reflect upon, how much, and how deeply,
the directors and stockholders of Illinois Power (now Ameren)
really and truly care about the health and happiness
of the people of central Illinois,
you will be much encouraged.
I am quite sure of that.

[pppfffffffft.]

On 3/12/2011 9:13 AM, Robert Naiman wrote:
 > The massive earthquake that forced the closure of four nuclear power
 > plants in Japan has highlighted the grave risk of inadequate back-up
 > generators at U.S. facilities, a leading U.S. scientist group said on
 > Friday.
 >
 > While the U.S. regulator made clear that the national nuclear fleet is
 > built to withstand the biggest earthquakes in history, scientists said
 > they needed to do more to ensure that future quakes don't risk the
 > kind of reactor impact that Japan is now grappling with.
 >
 > "We do not believe the safety standards for U.S. nuclear reactors are
 > enough to protect the public today," Edwin Lyman, senior scientist,
 > global security programs, at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told
 > Reuters. The group supports nuclear power as a means to combat global
 > warming, but wants tougher safety measures.
 >
 > - Reuters: Scientists Say Japan Quake Shows US Nuclear Risk
 > 
http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/a/-/technology/8998257/scientists-say-japan-quake-shows-us-nuclear-risk/
 >
 >
 > On Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 5:58 PM, C. G. Estabrook<galliher at illinois.edu> wrote:
 >
 >> Given the damage to Japanese nuclear reactors from the earthquake, what do
 >> you think would happen to the nuclear reactor down the road in Clinton, IL,
 >> if a similar quake should occur along the New Madrid fault? --CGE