Carnival of Nuclear Energy 217

1. Atomic Insights – Nonproliferation is a disguised antinuclear energy effort

A 1983 article titled Nuclear power and nuclear weapons: the connection is dangerous is the clearest piece of evidence Rod Adams has found to prove that many of the basic talking points of the nuclear nonproliferation crowd are actually aimed at slowing, halting and reversing the use of nuclear energy.

2. Forbes – Absurd Radiation Limits Are A Trillion Dollar Waste

EPA is thinking of raising the radiation threat levels from the present absurdly low values to something more reasonable. EPA is being pushed by the GAO who rightly considers the present threat level of 25 mrem as a vulnerability in itself because the most dangerous effect of an accidental release, or of a large-sized dirty bomb, is the panic, fed by the low radiation limits themselves.

3. At Nuke Power Talk, Gail Marcus comments on the concerns about the impacts the new EPA carbon emission rules may have on the coal industry and draws an analogy to other energy and technological evolutions that have occurred in the past. She observes that, while there is potential for disruption in any change, there also is often opportunity in such transitions.

4. Yes Vermont Yankee – Plant Site Boundary Measurements and More Unreasoning ALARA

The Vermont standard for radiation exposure at the plant site boundary is 20 millirem per year, or one-fifth of the NRC standard of 100 millirem per year. But 20 millirem per year above background is so low that it is hard to measure. This gave nuclear opponents much ammunition for attacking Vermont Yankee’s measurements, their contractors, and more. None of this fuss protected any Vermonter from radiation harm.

5. Yes Vermont Yankee – The Problems with “Reasonable” Regulation: Guest Post by Chris Staubus

In this guest post, Chris Staubus shows that the word “reasonable” in a regulation is an appeal to emotion, and once the “reasonable” train leaves the station, the end of the line is “unreasonable.” Staubus is General Manager at a company that supports nuclear power plants and nuclear new builds.

6. Nextbigfuture – India increases funding of atomic research and nuclear power by 27%

The Indian government has announced an increase of almost 27% in its budget for atomic research and nuclear power for the latest fiscal year. Investment in nuclear-related public enterprises has also significantly increased.

In its budget for 2014-15, which began on 1 April, the government has allocated INR 104.5 billion ($1.7 billion) to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Of this amount, INR 87.4 billion ($1455 million) is for nuclear research while the remainder is for nuclear power generation.

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