A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently announced that Japan may need more than 40 years to decommission the Fukushima power plant. The head of the IAEA clean up team, Juan Carlos Lentijo, said that the damage at the nuclear plant is so complex that it is impossible to predict how long the cleanup may last, and he has urged Japanese nuclear provider TEPCO to improve stability at the facility.

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Post tags: Fukushima, fukushima clean up, fukushima nuclear disaster, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Japan, nuclear disaster, nuclear energy

A little over two years since a devastating earthquake struck Japan and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Google has collaborated with the town of Namie-machi, which sits inside the Fukushima Prefecture, to produce haunting Street View images of the stricken area. In a guest post on Google’s blog, Namie-machi Mayor Tamotsu Baba explains that the town has remained untouched since the disaster, and its 21,000 residents unable to return due to high levels of radiation.

Read the rest of Google Launches Haunting Street View of Fukushima Exclusion Zone Two Years After the Disaster

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Post tags: disaster zone, earthquake, exclusion zone, Fukushima, fukushima daiichi, fukushima picture, Google, Google Street View, Japan, namie-machi, natural disaster, nuclear disaster, tsnami

Last year’s Fukushima nuclear disaster in Northeast Japan could have been avoided, Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) admitted at a recent conference in Tokyo. A parliamentary inquiry found that bad habits and the absence of a strong safety culture resulted in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. Three reactors melted down after an earthquake-triggered tsunami engulfed the plant on 11 March, releasing obscene quantities of radiation into the air and sea and forcing at least 160,000 people from their homes.

Read the rest of Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Could Have Been Avoided, Tepco Admits

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Post tags: chernobyl, environmental news, Fukushima, Fukushima could have been avoided, Japan, nuclear disaster, radiation, TEPCO

During Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, emergency workers were often unable to get close to the site due to high levels of radiation. In order to combat this challenge in the future, the Toshiba Corporation has developed a tetrapod robot that is able to carry out investigative and recovery work in locations that are be too risky for people to enter, such as volcanic regions, major disaster zones or a nuclear accident sites.

Read the rest of Toshiba Develops Tetrapod Robot to Enter Dangerous Disaster Sites Unreachable by Humans

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Post tags: disaster zone, Fukushima, nuclear accident, nuclear disaster, rescue bot, resuce robot, tetrapod robot, Toshiba, toshiba corporation, toshiba robot

This morning, officials announced that New Jersey’s Oyster Creek nuclear plant is no longer on alert. The alert was brought on by quickly rising water levels, which posed a danger to the plant’s cooling equipment. Oyster Creek wasn’t the only nuclear plant to be affected by Hurricane Sandy; three other rectors in New Jersey and Upstate New York were also forced offline by the storm. Even though those facilities dodged the bullet this time, it brings to light just how vulnerable the nation’s nuclear energy facilities are to extreme weather events.

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Post tags: Exelon Corp., Fukushima, Hurricane Sandy, hurricane sandy damage, hurricane sandy damage new jersey, hurricane sandy nuclear power, hurricane sandy power, New Jersey Oyster Creek. NJ alert nuclear power plant, nuclear disaster, nuclear power threats, Nuclear Regulatory Commission warnings hurricane sandy

Germany fed a whopping 22 gigawatts of solar power per hour into the national grid last weekend, setting a new record by meeting nearly half of the country’s weekend power demand. After the Fukushima disaster, Japan opted to shut down all of its nuclear power stations and Germany followed suit after considerable public pressure. This seems to have paved the way for greater investment in solar energy projects. The Renewable Energy Industry (IWR) in Muenster announced that Saturday’s solar energy generation met nearly 50 percent of the nation’s midday electricity needs AND was equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity!

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Post tags: "solar energy", 2020 energy goals, alternative energy, clean tech, cleantech, eco design, EU, Fukushima, germany, green design, inhabitat-news, meltdown, nuclear, nuclear disaster, nuclear power, protests, renewable energy, solar panels, sustainable design

Residents of Japan may be able to breathe a sigh of relief as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced that radiation levels in most of the country are “below cancer-causing levels.” It has been 14 months since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The damage caused massive radiation leaks and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. At the time, the disaster was said to be worse than Chernobyl, but now the WHO report suggests that the contamination is not as bad as originally supposed.

Read the rest of Fukushima Radiation Finally Below “Cancer-Causing Levels”

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Post tags: cancer, chernobyl, Fukushima, inhabitat-news, Japan, nuclear disaster, nuclear power, radiation, tsunami, WHO, World Health Organization

For the first time in a generation, Japan is set to go nuclear-free next month. Nuclear energy has suffered a serious blow to its public image since the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, and Japanese authorities have been cautious about restarting idled nuclear plants. Over the weekend, Japan’s Trade Minister Yukio Edano indicated that on May 6 the last operating nuclear reactor in the country is set to be taken offline, meaning that for the first time since 1970, Japan will be getting zero energy from nuclear power plants.

Read the rest of Japan to Shut Down Last Operating Nuclear Reactor on May 6th

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Post tags: "clean energy", atomic energy, earthquake, fossil fuels, Fukushima, fukushima daiichi, Japan, nuclear disaster, nuclear meltdown, nuclear power, nuclear reactor, power plant, tsunami

Ghost ships aren’t the only remnants of Japan’s March 2011 tsunami that are washing up on the shores of North America. Cal State Long Beach marine biologists studying kelp beds along the California coast have collected samples of radioactive iodine that spread to the US from the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant last year. The highest concentration contained 250 times more radioactivity than levels before the accident.

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Post tags: algae, beach, California, fukushima daiichi, Japan, Kelp, long beach, nuclear disaster, nuclear meltdown, nuclear power, orange county, pacific ocean, sand, Santa Cruz, Seaweed, tsunami

The Japanese government has relaxed restrictions imposed on some of the towns impacted by last years Fukushima nuclear disaster. The towns of Kawauchi and Tamura were largely reopened to residents on April 1st, and the town of Minamisoma will begin to allow residents to return beginning mid-April. The areas, which were home to around 16,000 residents, sit within 20 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Under the new rules, residents will be permitted to return to “green” zones, but not stay overnight. Residents had previously been unable to reenter without police approval and protective clothing. As the government allows reentry into these first few towns, it remains uncertain whether these areas are safe enough to live in again; and if so, how many citizens will choose to go home amidst the skepticism.

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Post tags: 20 millisievert, environmental disaster, fukushima daiichi, Fukushima Nuclear, green zone, japan earthquake, Japan Evacuation, japan ministry of economy trade and industry, japan tsunami, nuclear disaster, radiation levels, Radioactive Soil

The most recent inspection of the No. 2 Nuclear Reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant has cast doubts on government claims of the reactor’s stability. A probe found radiation levels 10 times the fatal dose inside the reactor; seven times higher than previously measured. The cooling water in the reactor’s containment beaker stands at only 60 centimeters — far lower than the 10 meters previously estimated. The newly collected data confirms that it could take decades to decommission the plant, as special equipment and technology will have to be developed to operate in the highly radioactive reactors.

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Post tags: environmental disaster, fukushima daiichi, Fukushima disaster, japan earthquake, japan tsunami, nuclear disaster, nuclear power, radiation levels, radiation water, radioactive material, Shunichi Yamashita

As the government in Japan continues to lead the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster response, many people in Japan say the government’s efforts are misguided. Critics of the government and nuclear experts say the government’s billion dollars in cleanup contracts and hundreds of untrained workers are just wasting money. The Japanese leaders have awarded billions to the very same companies who built the flawed reactors that failed at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant — companies who nuclear experts say know nothing about reducing radioactive pollution.

Read the rest of Critics Say Japan’s Cleanup of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster is Disorderly & Ineffective

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Post tags: clean up, Fukushima, fukushima daiichi, how to clean up radiation, japanese nuclear disaster, japanese nuclear fallout, nuclear disaster, nuclear fallout in japan, nuclear power plant, nuclear power plant issues, radiation cleanup

Japan’s Yomiuri newspaper has reported that the Japanese government is looking to nationalize the nation’s nuclear power plants. Trade and industry minister Yukio Edano announced the still unfinalized decision which is being considered in the wake of the response to the Fukushima Nuclear disaster. Nuclear plants in Japan benefit from lower operating costs thanks to the government but officials say they need to claim more responsibility when disasters occur.

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Post tags: Fukushima, green power in japan, japan electrical grid, japan green power, japan nationalize power plants, japan nucler, japanese electrical grid, japanese nuclear power, japans nuclear power, nuclear disaster, nuclear power plant, nuclear safety, tokyo power company

Within weeks of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, the EPA reported that radiation levels in their specialized air, water, and milk monitoring systems had slightly risen above normal levels. Now, a group of activists are claiming that the slight rise in radiation levels killed thousands of American citizens this year* even though the EPA has repeatedly noted that though the levels rose, they didn’t jump enough to cause panic. As the government in Japan declares the disaster solved, against the wishes of many nuclear specialists worldwide, there is a huge push from both sides of the nuclear power debate to decide whether or not it is a truly safe sustainable energy. We are open to ideas from both sides of the spectrum — nuclear disasters are surely dangerous but the emissions-free energy is tempting — we’re just not open to the idea that anyone can throw out numbers without backing up their own research.

* This is the opinion of a group of independent activists.

Read the rest of Activists Claim 14,000 US Deaths Linked to Radiation Leaks at Damaged Fukushima Nuclear Reactor in Japan

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Post tags: fukushima daiichi, fukushima nuclear disaster, japan nuclear disaster, japan radiation poisoning, japan radiation threat, japanese nuclear disaster, nuclear disaster, nuclear fallout, radiation, radiation deaths, radiation disaster, radiation effects, radiation poisoning, radiation sickness, us radiation threat

Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) have isolated and explained the phenomenon that causes microbes to generate electricity while cleaning up nuclear waste. The team is hoping to use their findings to create a microbial fuel cell that is capable of generating renewable energy while it cleans up environments exposed to nuclear waste. The bacteria the team studied is a kind of geobacter that is covered in a coat of tiny, natural nanowires that protect the bacteria from the toxic materials. The nanowires are also the essential elements in immobilizing radioactive material and preventing it from seeping into the groundwater. While completing the complex task of stabilizing radioactive spills, the bacteria simultaneously creates energy that can be harnessed and used as a zero-emissions power supply.

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Post tags: fuel cell, microbial fuel cell, nuclear disaster, nuclear energy, nuclear power, nuclear spill, nuclear waste, toxic clean up", toxic spill, toxic waste

Earlier this year, the Japanese government considered a bill that would require renewable energy to be integrated into the consumer energy grid. Initially proposed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, the bill has taken on more significance since the great Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The bill, which requires renewable energy to be set at fixed prices, is projected to pass.

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Post tags: "wind power", geothermic power, Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan, nuclear disaster, renewable energy, Solar Power

After more than a month of battling the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster, Tokyo Electric and Power announced today that radiation leakage is likely to exceed Chernobyl levels. The utility has raised the safety threat from 5 to 7, the same threat posed by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear explosion that killed dozens of people. Thousands more were stricken with cancer following radiation exposure. “The radiation leak has not stopped completely and our concern is that it could eventually exceed Chernobyl,” an official from operator Tokyo Electric and Power told reporters on Tuesday. The current level of radiation is at about 10% of what was emitted following Chernobyl, but it has not yet been contained.

Read the rest of Our Worst Fears Realized: Fukushima Radiation Leakage On Par With Chernobyl

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Post tags: chernobyl, eco design, fukushima daiichi, green design, Japan, nuclear disaster, nuclear meltdown, nuclear reactor, radiation leakage, sustainable design, TEPCO

In order to protect workers from radiation exposure at the Fukishima Daichi Plant, Japan has now developed another rescue robot, called “Quince,” so assist in the cleanup. Authorities have already deployed the Monirobo robot, to monitor radiation levels and collect samples. But developers say Quince may be more beneficial, as it is controllable by remote control from the safe, and very far, distance of a mile and a half.

Read the rest of Quince Robot Can Explore Fukushima Nuclear Site Controlled from Over a Mile Away

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Post tags: fukushima daichi power plant, Japan, monirobo, nuclear disaster, Quince, quince robot, robot technology

Over night, four lead lined military helicopters dumped 30 tons of water on the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The seawater was meant to cool the reactors, and the fill the water in the pools of spent fuel rods, which have reportedly boiled dry at reactor No. 4. Eleven water cannon trucks joined the effort. However, ABC is now reporting that officials have suspended more water flights by helicopters due to high levels of radiation.

Read the rest of Japan’s Nuclear Crisis Escalates, Helicopters Dump Water on Crippled Fukushima Plant

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Post tags: Fukushima, fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant, japan earthquake, japan nuclear crisis, japan nuclear disaster, japan nuclear power, nuclear disaster, nuclear energy, nuclear energy policy, nuclear meltdon, nuclear power crisis

While nuclear energy experts disagree on just how bad the situation is at Japan’s stricken nuclear plants, there is one thing that they are all certain of: things could get worse. Over the last few days, various media reports about the nuclear crisis have shown that the only certainty is uncertainty. Yesterday’s explosion and fire at Fukushima Dai-ichi heightened concerns and precautions, but the long term effects are still hard to pin down.

Read the rest of Exactly How Bad is the Nuclear Crisis in Japan? Experts Disagree on the Severity

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Post tags: Fukushima, fukushima daiichi power plant, japan nuclear crisis, nuclear crisis, nuclear disaster, nuclear disaster japan, nuclear energy japan, nuclear energy policy, nuclear power, nuclear power japan, nuclear power plant