On-Farm Renewable Energy Generation Rises Sharply

March 30, 2011–The first national report on renewable energy generation on farms and ranches indicates that the number of solar, wind, and methane digestion energy sources is increasing substantially. The US Dept. of Agriculture report, based on 2009 data, provides information on multiple factors.

Japan Nuclear Crisis: Non-Disclosure Hides Multitude of Sins

March 23, 2011–As a quake-stricken Japanese nuclear plant continues to spew radiation into the environment, journalists and people across the world are getting an unwelcome lesson in how secrecy can threaten people's health and safety. A New York Times team finally on March 16 did the story on the withholding of information. Read their coverage, as well as others.

"Japan Meltdown: Could It Happen Here?"

March 16, 2011–The aging fleet of US nuclear power reactors have some technological similarities to the reactors failing in Japan. Could similar loss-of-cooling events happen at some US reactors — whether caused by earthquake, tsunami, terrorist attack, electrical outage, flooding, equipment failure, or some other problem?

Some Key Sources for Reporting on Nuclear Issues

March 16, 2011–Here you'll find links to Japanese News Agencies; International News Sources; International and National Nuclear Agencies; Nuclear Industry Trade Groups; and Environmental, Anti-Nuclear, and Scientists' Groups

Upcoming Decisions on US Nuclear Program

March 16, 2011–Will the newly budget-conscious GOP-dominated 112th Congress fund all the nuclear loan guarantees currently available or in the pipeline? Signals from the Obama administration — even after the Japan meltdown — are that it will push forward with its nuclear plans, despite budget deficits and safety perils.

Oil Fracking Poses Similar Concerns As Gas Fracking

March 2, 2011–EPA is conducting a study of fracking, no matter where it is used (e.g., gas shale, oil shale, coalbed methane, tight sands). Public comment is being allowed as the agency's Science Advisory Board meets March 7-8, 2011, to review the draft study plan. Initial study and research results are possible by the end of 2012, and a report may be published some time in 2014.

Proposed Rule for Power Plant Toxics Due March 16

March 2, 2011–The consent decree that established the March 16 release date also mandates that a final rule be published by Nov. 16, 2011 (nine years later than the deadline dictated by the Clean Air Act). Here are several tools you can use to get a handle on the power plants and their emissions in your audience area prior to release of the rule.

First of Many Potential Offshore Wind Power Sites Identified

February 16, 2011–After participating in an 8-year struggle to get offshore wind development approved in Massachusetts waters, federal officials are pushing for expedited reviews and approvals in a rapidly growing number of other US coastal areas.

Enviros Claim "Secret Plan" To Use Weapons Plutonium in Reactors

February 9, 2011–The environmental group Friends of the Earth got the information that an electric utility wants to use surplus weapons plutonium in a commercial power reactor through a Freedom of Information Act request to the Energy Department.

Meetings Set for Getting Public Feedback on Solar Sites

February 2, 2011–The federal government has released its draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for identifying and evaluating the best areas on public lands for building utility-scale solar plants. A 90-day public comment period ends March 17, 2011, preceded by 14 meetings in 6 Western states and Washington, D.C.