Tokyo Electric Power Co. reported its second deadly radiation reading in as many days at its wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant north of Tokyo. The utility known as Tepco said yesterday it detected 5 sieverts of radiation per hour in the No. 1 reactor building. On Aug. 1 in another area it recorded radiation of 10 sieverts per hour, enough to kill a person “within a few weeks” after a single exposure, according to the World Nuclear Association. Radiation has impeded attempts to replace cooling systems to bring three melted reactors and four damaged spent fuel ponds under control after a tsunami on March 11 crippled the plant. The latest reading was taken on the second floor of the No. 1 reactor building and will stop workers entering the area.
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New Rule Could Spur More Energy Projects
By REBECCA SMITH | WSJ | Link to article Federal energy regulators approved a major rule change that they said would lead to more big electricity transmission lines getting built in the U.S. The new order, adopted Thursday, should particularly benefit wind- and solar-energy projects, which are often located in remote places […]
Green energy: California poll finds overwhelming support
By Ashlie Rodriguez | LA Times Blog: Greenspace Environmental news from California and beyond | Link to article A new statewide survey of environment issues conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California found more residents favor climate change policy, want to cut greenhouse gas emissions and believe they are already experiencing the effects of […]
American Wind Energy Association applauds FERC’s new transmission planning and cost allocation policy
“AWEA applauds FERC for its leadership in finalizing reforms that could serve to cut the Gordian knot that is blocking investment in our aging power grid. This is an important step toward removing the main hurdle: how to make sure all users pay their fair share of new lines. Preventing free-riding will help improve grid reliability, and reduce electricity bills by facilitating access to lower cost resources, including wind energy.”
Bloomberg Gives Sierra Club $50 Million to Fight Coal Plants
By Katie Glueck | WSJ Blogs | Link to article New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he will donate $50 million to the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group, to promote the organization’s fight against coal-fired power plants. Mr. Bloomberg announced the gift, which will be spread over four years, at a GenOn coal plant in […]
FERC approves sweeping overhaul of transmission rules
By Hannah Northey, E&E reporter Federal regulators finalized far-reaching rules today that revamp how the United States plans, builds and allocates costs for new power lines. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 5-0 to approve rules calling for transmission providers to participate in regional planning and cost-allocation methods and to consider state and federal goals […]
U.S., Seeking to Reshape Electric Grid, Adopts a Power Line Rule
By MATTHEW L. WALD | The New York Times | Link to article WASHINGTON – Federal regulators laid down principles on Thursday for planning and paying for new power lines, part of a long-term policy effort to help the nation’s electricity grid grow enough to meet the demands of renewable energy and a competitive electricity market. […]
Radiation-Tainted Beef Spreads Through Japan’s Markets
By HIROKO TABUCHI | The New York Times | Link to article MINAMISOMA, Japan – Even after explosions rocked the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Kuniaki Sato, who raises cattle here about 20 miles from the crippled complex, said he had received no clear warning from the government about the possible dangers of radiation to […]
Radioactive cesium detected in Fukushima shiitake
NHK World | Link to article Radioactive cesium exceeding the government standard has been detected in shiitake mushrooms grown indoors in 2 cities in Fukushima Prefecture, about 60 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This is the first detection of radioactive cesium exceeding the standard in produce grown in greenhouses in the prefecture […]