nuclear power news stories on Newser

Japan: No Nuclear Power for First Time in 40 Years

John Johnson — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:35:10 CDT

Japan shut down the nation's last operating nuclear reactor today, and it's not clear when another one might be fired back up. The move means that the nation is without atomic power for the first time in more than 40 years, reports the New York Times . The government isn't happy...

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...

Jellyfish-Like Creatures Shut Down Nuclear Plant

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:58:28 CDT

A horde of jellyfish-like animals has forced the shutdown of a nuclear power plant in California. The gelatinous creatures, 2 to 3 inches long, are called sea salp. The crisis began Tuesday, when workers at the Diablo Canyon plant discovered that screens which take in cooling water were clogged by...

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 Kept Worst-Case Nuclear Fears Under Wraps

Matt Cantor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:37:32 CST

Japanese officials were told that last year's nuclear disaster could have required the evacuation of tens of millions—but they didn't mention it, worried that the information might cause a panic. A 15-page report, given to the prime minister two weeks after the earthquake, was obtained by the AP and...

Judge: Vermont Can't Shut Down Nuke Plant

Rob Quinn — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:25:10 CST

Vermont is the only state with a law allowing it to have a say over whether a nuclear plant's license should be renewed, but a federal judge has slapped down Vermont's attempt to withhold such a renewal. The judge ruled that Vermont Yankee, the state's only nuclear plant, can continue...

Greenpeace Raids French Nuclear Plant

Matt Cantor — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:51:51 CST

Four Greenpeace activists were arrested in France today after breaking into a nuclear power plant; some scaled one of the reactors and sat atop it. The activists, who aimed to reveal flaws in plant safety, entered the area at 5am. "Simple activists with peaceful intentions and few means managed to...

Cain Doesn't Realize China Has Nuclear Weapons

Kevin Spak — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:48:06 CDT

Herman Cain might just be a wee bit misinformed about China. In a quick exchange from his PBS News Hour interview last night, spotted by Raw Story , Cain was asked if China was a military threat. “Yes, they’re a military threat,” he replied. "They’ve indicated that they're trying to develop...

Iran Nuke Plant Goes Online

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:09:01 CDT

Just in case you got a good night's sleep, you can stew on this tonight: Iran says its Bushehr nuclear plant went online last night, beginning testing on the national power grid that had been delayed for years. The Russian-built plant, which Tehran says will eventually supply 2.5% of...