UK Nuclear Regulator Approves EDF, Areva Reactor Design

(Source) http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-12/u-dot-k-dot-nuclear-regulator-said-to-approve-edf-areva-reactor-design
EDF operates eight atomic power stations in Britain and has proposed to add Areva reactors at its Hinkley Point and Sizewell sites. Areva, based in Paris, yesterday signed agreements with 25 U.K.-based companies. The pact worth as much as 400 million pounds is to supply equipment and services for two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C, which won a site licence last month.
Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive at EDF’s local unit, said in a statement that the assessment process didn’t change cost estimates for the reactor. EDF Energy plans to have “main components” of agreements relating to contracts for power from Hinkley Point in the next few weeks, with a final investment decision “at the earliest possible date,” he said.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation in December 2011 gave “interim” approval to Areva and EDF’s design. It asked the companies to address 31 concerns, the last of which was settled on Dec. 7, the watchdog said in a statement on its website yesterday. One of those concerns was added after the Fukushima disaster, Dave Watson of the ONR said in an interview in London. The GDA acceptance doesn’t allow for construction to proceed. That still requires site specific approvals, such as planning permission, environmental permits and nuclear site licences.
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(Sousrce) http://www.ianfairlie.org/uncategorized/fallout-from-fukushima-one-year-after/
March 7, 2012 by Dr Ian Fairlie, an independent consultant on radioactivity in the environment in UK

The Political Fallout in Europe

……….In Germany, politicians have started taking energy efficiency seriously: the German government now plans to reduce electricity demand by 25% by 2050 through energy efficiency. In contrast, the coalition government in Britain is planning for electricity demand to increase by 25% over the same period.
In Italy, an astonishing 94% of those voting in a national referendum in 2011 opposed new nuclear which forced the (then Berlusconi) government to abandon its nuclear plans. In Switzerland, 25,000 attended an anti-nuclear demonstration, and the Swiss cabinet decided against new build: in effect supporting a phase-out programme as its old plants retire.
With Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Ireland and Greece all non-nuclear and phase-out programmes in Spain and Belgium, only four major EU countries – UK, France, Finland and Sweden – remain supportive. But with nuclear problems in Finland and the situation in France shifting, it is little surprise that French and Germany nuclear companies look to the UK as a safe haven for new nuclear projects – with the Con-Dem coalition offering enthusiastic, not to say slavish, support.  It is a sobering thought that on the nuclear power issue after Fukushima, the UK appears to be increasingly out-of step with the majority of its European Union neighbours.
It is a sobering thought that on the nuclear power issue after Fukushima, the UK appears to be increasingly out-of step with the majority of its European Union neighbours.

Petition: Evacuate Fukushima

(Source) http://evacuatefukushimanow.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/part-09-%E7%B5%86%E3%81%A8%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%91%E3%82%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80/
This very simple homemade video petitions is dedicated to all victims of 311 and the brave citizens of Tohoku.  Already over 10,000 written signatures were collected on top of Avaaz petition .  Please sign this petition to support on behalf of the children and become part of the solution.
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Protect_the_children_of_Japan_against_radiation_exposure/
May all the children of the great nation of Japan be safe from radiation.
Evacuate Fukushima 福島の子供を守れ       ON FACEBOOK
Evacuatekodomo  ON TWITTER
TO contact; kodomo.wo.mamoru.311@gmail.com

It was in fact well over 100mSv/y.

In my previous post it says “The WHO report put the maximum whole-body radiation dose per person in the first four months of the crisis at 50 millisieverts” ….

http://fukushimaappeal.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/who-downplayed-health-effects-of_27.html

This September, after one year and half, Fukushima government and Tepco finally revealed the radiation level of area near Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant at the time of the accident.  Highest point in Kamihatori area, Futaba-machi (5.6km away from Daiichi nuclear power plant) was 1590uSv per hour (=13,928mSv per year!) at 3pm before 1^st explosion at reactor 1 on March 12, 2012.  The level was so high that being there for 40 minutes would expose you to the annual radiation dosage limit. 

 Another higher point was in Shinzan area、(3.5km away north west from Daiichi) 904uSv/h at 5pm on 12/3/11.

Citizens within 10km radius of Daiichi nuclear power plant were evacuated in early morning on the day but not everybody managed to evacuate before vent was carried out before 9am.(*1)  Mr. Hirose, journalist and been a main figure of anti nuclear campaign in Japan commented in his lecture that we should review evidence of the high radiation level and the evacuation situation.  While central and Fukushima government, Tepco employees, IAEA members and possibly even Radiation Effects Research Foundation (they were there carrying measuring equipment) with protective gears were collecting samples, local people were staying in the shelter without any protections or safety information.  Also residents in Namie-machi and Iidate village weren’t told the danger of the radiation for several months although it was over 100uSv/h (=876mSv/y) in some places.  Although Namie-machi and Iidate village are about 30km away from Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, unfortunately wind blew towards there and became heavily contaminated area. There was an article “Prometheus’ Trap” – “Men in protective cloth” on Asahi Newspapers written by one of residents in Namie-machi. These men were IAEA members. 

In this article it says that they had men in protective cloth, visiting every day, measuring the level of radiation.  They were told it was safe although the most of the area in the town was well over 100mSv/y in March and April 2011.  

(Reference) http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0922/TKY201209220154.html

Correction more information: (1*) What time  did Tepco vent at reactor 1 before 1st explosion on 12/3/11?   Simplyinfor. org reported 10:09am.  Fukushima diary reported 11am and 4pm.  I found another information which I've been thinking probably right in wikipage.org that reported that Tepco workers started to work at 10:17am but managed to vent successfully at 14.30 by one of experienced worker after difficulties   Later he was taken to a hospital because he was exposed to very high dose of ionized radiation and also felt sick and very tired. 
In recent interview by our planet TV http://www.ourplanet-tv.org/?q=node/1518, Mr. Idogawa, ex Futaba mayor commented that there were children and pregnant women living near the highest dose of ionized radiation were detected in Kamihatori area, Futaba-machi.

Also there must be lots of other citizens who were exposed to high dose of radiation before being evacuated because after several explosions, it was in the afternoon on 15/3/11 when all the residents from homes and hospitals were evacuated out of 20km area radium of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, although an evacuation order was announced at 6.25pm on 12/3/11.  

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2011/03/15/kiji/K20110315000436000.html