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Beyond Nuclear today raised concerns over the potential for nuclear industry bias in a proposed study that will look at cancer risks around U.S. nuclear power reactors. The study, initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), has been offered to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The two agencies will meet to discuss the investigation of cancer risks around U.S. reactors on April 26th, the 24th anniversary of the reactor explosion at Chernobyl in the Ukraine that dispersed radiation across the planet. The NRC had previously retained Oak Ridge Associated Universities to conduct the study, but has shifted to the NAS. The move came in an apparent response to earlier criticisms of potential bias after citizens' groups, sent a letter expressing strong apprehension over conflicts of interest and inappropriate study methodology. This study would update a 1990 National Cancer Institute study which had universally recognized design flaws.

At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency last week, Israel's apparently paranoid delegate reportedly called on Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei "to avoid political bias" and to refrain from "publicly lashing" Israel. That's right! Israel's delegate - not Iran's - made those charges. Why apparently paranoid? Well, scroll back to June of 1981. The paranoid Israelis had somehow convinced themselves that the nuclear research reactor the French were building for the Iraqis at Tuwaitha - which would be fueled with near-weapons-grade enriched Uranium, already subject to IAEA Safeguards - would be misused by Saddam Hussein to produce nuclear weapons.

Following the State Counil's decision, there are 12 days left to amend the government's regulations and have the nuclear power station tender approved by the Council of Ministers. Göltaş from the Electrical Engineers Chamber said this was practically impossible. The tender's dead line is 24 November. İlkbal Polat Istanbul - BİA News Center 13 November 2009, Friday Electrical Engineers Chamber (EMO) Energy Group member Cengiz Göltaş talked to bianet and summarized the State Council's decision concerning the regulations of the tender for a nuclear power plant: The dead line of the tender is 24 November. So there are 12 days in case the government wants to alter its decision or seek approval of the Council of Ministers for new regulations. This practically means a cancellation of the tender.

Following the State Counil's decision, there are 12 days left to amend the government's regulations and have the nuclear power station tender approved by the Council of Ministers. Göltaş from the Electrical Engineers Chamber said this was practically impossible. The tender's dead line is 24 November. İlkbal Polat Istanbul - BİA News Center 13 November 2009, Friday Electrical Engineers Chamber (EMO) Energy Group member Cengiz Göltaş talked to bianet and summarized the State Council's decision concerning the regulations of the tender for a nuclear power plant: The dead line of the tender is 24 November. So there are 12 days in case the government wants to alter its decision or seek approval of the Council of Ministers for new regulations. This practically means a cancellation of the tender.

Despite opposition from legislators and environmental groups, Ontario Power Generation plans to put an underground radioactive waste dump less than a mile from the shore of Lake Huron. After pressure from citizen groups and elected officials in both Canada and the United States, the Canadian government has committed to a Full Panel Review, but the presence of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) threatens to bias decision-making in favor of a pro-nuclear position, despite the risks.

The sideshow at the Public Service Commission is overtaking the historic consideration of a rate increase for Florida Power & Light. Today, PSC chairman Matthew Carter took the unusual step of offering a press release proclaiming his independence from utility lobbyists. It seems unusual for a commissioner who is considering a rate increase from a utility to specifically note his votes against that utility in the past. Here is Carter's statement, (and see below for FPL comment): Assertions have been made that the Florida Public Service Commission is too "cozy" with regulated utilities, FPL in particular. To the extent that these criticisms are directed toward me, I take great offense because they are false. An examination of the record, not some special interest's characterizations, demonstrates my independence and freedom from external bias. In nearly every high-profile issue that FPL has brought before this Commission, I have voted to deny or severely limit the company's request.

Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, New Mexico AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Planning Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement FES 09-10. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), Public Law (Pub. L.) 92-199, and the general authority to conduct water resources planning under the Reclamation Act of 1902 and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in cooperation with the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Gallup, State of New Mexico, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Heath Service, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, and Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, has prepared and made available to the public a Planning Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PR/FEIS). This document was undertaken to provide a discussion for the (1) Various ways to provide a municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply to the Navajo Nation, City of Gallup, and Jicarilla Apache Nation; (2) identification of a preferred alternative; and (3) associated environmental impacts and costs of the No Action and two action alternatives.