nuclear reactor news stories on Newser

Kodak Couldn't Really Have Made Nuclear Warhead

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:11:05 CDT

Much was made of the revelation this week that Kodak once had a nuclear reactor in its basement, with even your humble Newser wondering what sort of nuclear Kodak moments the photo giant might have planned. But in truth, Kodak couldn’t have developed even one nuclear warhead, Physics Central explains....

In Kodak's Basement: Nuclear Reactor

Matt Cantor — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:31:14 CDT

Would nuclear war have made a good Kodak moment? Until 2006, the company could have found out: It had 3.5 pounds of weapons-grade uranium stashed in a nuclear reactor in the basement of its headquarters—right in the busy city of Rochester, New York. It remains unclear why the...

Japan Shutting Down Last Nuclear Reactor

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:09:42 CDT

Japan is shutting down its last nuclear reactor Saturday, meaning a long, hot summer as the Japanese are forced to conserve a power supply that could fall 16% below demand. Oil- and gas-based power has been ramped up to ease the energy shortage—nuclear power provided one-third of the country’s...

US OKs First Nuclear Reactors in 30 Years

John Johnson — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:08:17 CST

It's a milestone for the nuclear energy industry: The feds today gave their blessing to a Georgia utility company to build two new reactors, the first such approval in 30 years, reports CNN . Southern Co. and its partners will build the reactors in Waynesboro, Ga., about 170 miles east of...

Japan to Shut Nuke Plants at 40 Years

Mark Russell — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:13:59 CST

Nuclear reactors in Japan will be retired after 40 years of use, as part of the government's efforts to step up nuclear safety in the aftermath of the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant disaster last March, reports the AP . There are 54 reactors in Japan, 18 of which will be 40 years...

Giant Tent Goes Up Over Japan Reactor

Mark Russell — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:43:05 CDT

TEPCO is constructing an airtight polyester tent measuring 177 feet tall and 154 feet in length to cover one of the worst-hit reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, hoping the tent will stop leaked radioactive materials from spreading and prevent possible future leaks, reports the AP . Unsafe radiation...

Germany: All Nuke Plants Shut Down by 2022

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:18:05 CDT

In the wake of the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, Germany has announced plans to phase out all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. With this move, Germany will become the largest industrial power to give up nuclear energy, the BBC reports. The country’s seven oldest reactors...

New Radiation High Found in Milk ... in Arkansas

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:20:00 CDT

The levels of radiation detected in milk tested in Little Rock, Ark., are the highest yet, according to data released by the EPA on Saturday. The level of iodine-131 in the milk was three times higher than the EPA's "maximum containment level" set for safe exposure. But the milk is...

Japan to Extend Nuclear Evacuation Zone

Mark Russell — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:23:00 CDT

With radiation continuing to spew from six damaged nuclear reactors at the Fukushima plant, Japanese authorities will finally expand the evacuation zone from 12 miles to 18 miles, reports Reuters . Engineers said they were no closer to restoring the nuclear facility's cooling system, an essential step to getting the reactor...