Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Study rates nuclear a cheap source of energy
And for anyone wondering about the price tag for nuclear energy: Study rates nuclear a cheap source of energy: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/ political-news/ study-rates-nuclear-a-cheap-sou rce-of-energy-20120731-23d56.h tml#ixzz22F0QGaM2
..."The study by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics found
both nuclear and solar photovoltaics would be more cost-competitive than
previously thought.
Nuclear power came in on par with solar
photovoltaics and just a little more expensive than wind power in a
comparison of low carbon technologies in 2020."
Replacing nuclear with wind power: Could it be done?
A good read: Replacing nuclear with wind power: Could it be done? http://ansnuclearcafe.org/ 2012/05/10/ replacing-nuclear-with-wind-pow er-can-it-be-done/
...'The answer is clearly no. No technology is perfect, and there is
always some impact in everything we do. Nuclear has the capability to
meet the electrical needs for humanity for a millennia. That is a very
compelling reason to use it, versus using a technology that only works
intermittently and requires keeping all the conventional generators that
we already have."
New nuclear power plant in South Korea
New nuclear power plant in South Korea: http:// www.world-nuclear-news.org/ NN-New_nuclear_in_South_Korea-3 107124.html
"South Korea's nuclear energy program continues apace, with first
concrete being poured for unit 1 of the Shin Ulchin plant, while unit 1
at the Shin Wolsong plant has entered commercial operation.
A
ceremony was held on 21 July to mark the pouring of first concrete at
Shin Ulchin 1, marking the official start of construction of the
Korean-designed Advanced Pressurised Reactor-1400 (APR-1400), Korea
Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced. Groundbreaking for the first
two units at the site took place in early May. First concrete for unit 2
is set to follow in about a year.
Government approval for the 7
trillion won ($6.2 billion) project to build Shin Ulchin units 1 and 2
was given in April 2009. Major contracts related to the plant's
construction were signed in March 2010, with detailed site studies
starting the following month. The reactor ipressure vessel is scheduled
to be installed in unit 1 in June 2014. Unit 1 is expected to be
completed in April 2017, with unit 2 expected to be finished in April
2018.
South Korea has worked hard to develop an independent nuclear
industry since its first three commercial units were built as turnkey
projects by Westinghouse and AECL in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
From those beginnings, through an extended technology transfer program
with Combustion Engineering (which became part of Westinghouse), came
the development of the OPR 1000 and then the APR-1400. The Shin Ulchin
units are the second pair of APR-1400s to be built - two are already
under construction at Shin Kori – but will be the first to be virtually
free of intellectual property content from Westinghouse."
More on NASA's Curiosity rover and its landing
Here a few more interesting links related to NASA's Curiosity rover and its upcoming landing only 6 days away!: http:// www.itsokaytobesmart.com/post/ 28418576960/ wil-wheaton-nasa-mars-curiosity -grand-entrance
http://science.time.com/ 2012/07/31/ the-coolest-mars-landing-ev er-attempted/ ?iid=sci-main-lede
APS: This Month in Physics History: July 1957: Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer submit their paper, “Theory of Superconductivity”
APS:
This Month in Physics History: July 1957: Bardeen, Cooper, and
Schrieffer submit their paper, “Theory of Superconductivity” http://aps.org/publications/ apsnews/200707/history.cfm
Fifty five years ago, in 1957, John Bardeen, Leon Cooper, and Robert
Schrieffer presented their complete theory of superconductivity, finally
explaining superconductivity that had been a mystery to physicists
since its discovery in 1911... still remains one of the greatest
theories of physics...
Monday, 30 July 2012
Westinghouse to prepare bid for Darlington
Westinghouse to prepare bid for Darlington: http:// www.world-nuclear-news.org/ NN-Vendors_to_prepare_bids_for_ Darlington-2407124.html
... seems like the competition between Candu inc and Westinghouse is
on!: "Westinghouse will prepare detailed construction plans and cost
estimates for two potential AP1000 reactors at Ontario Power
Generation's (OPG's) Darlington site.
"The plans and estimates
would provide significant input in helping the Province of Ontario
determine the baseload generation option that is best for Ontario's
ratepayers," Westinghouse said.
Westinghouse Americas president Joe
Zwetolitz said that the company "is pleased to participate in the
province's information-gathering process." The company has also opened
an office in Toronto to better serve the Canadian market.
Some 100
Canadian suppliers currently provide a wide range of products and
services for the Westinghouse product lines, the company said.
"Additionally, a large percentage of the scope for the potential
construction of AP1000 reactor units at Darlington would be sourced from
Ontario or elsewhere in Canada.""
Nuclear powered Mars rover Curiosity scheduled to land on 1:31 a.m. EDT, Aug. 6, 2012
Nuclear powered Mars rover Curiosity scheduled to land on 1:31 a.m. EDT, Aug. 6, 2012, closing in on Mars to hunt for life clues!... here you could follow Curiosity on her journey, through these simulated views, which are updated daily: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
Interested in finding out how nuclear battery of the Curiosity Rover works? see: http:// www.about-robots.com/ curiosity-rover-nuclear-bat tery.html "Why didn't they send the Mars Science Laboratory with solar panels like the 2 previous generations of Mars rovers?
In short, NASA wanted to make this mission better and faster. The 2
main drawbacks of solar panels is that they don't work during the night,
and they don't work during the Martian winter. One consequence is that
the Mars Exploration Rovers couldn't work for more that half of the
time."
Nuclear 'a stepping stone' to space exploration
This is neat! Nuclear 'a stepping stone' to space exploration: http:// www.world-nuclear-news.org/ NN_Nuclear_a_stepping_stone_to_ space_2707121.html#.UBY6qplY79 U.twitter
..."A new era of space exploration is dawning through the application
of nuclear energy for rovers on Mars and the Moon, power generation at
future bases on the surfaces of both and soon for rockets that enable
interplanetary travel.
NASA has
reported the successful tests of power conversion and radiator systems
for a nuclear power system it hopes to deploy on the Moon by 2020. It is
based on a small fission reactor which would heat up and circulate a
liquid metal coolant mixture of sodium and potassium. The heat
differential between this and the outside temperature would drive two
complimentary Stirling engines to turn a 40 kWe generator. Some 100
square metres of radiators would remove process heat to space.
Using
an electric heat source instead of a real reactor, the Stirling
engines, generator and a section of the radiator have recently been
tested - producing a steady 2.3 kWe. The tests included operation in a
vacuum chamber that simulates extreme temperature swings at NASA's Glenn
Research Center, and under elevated radiation levels at Sandia National
Laboratory. "It is very efficient and robust," said Lee Mason of Glenn,
"we believe it can last for eight years unattended."
Space missions
have so far used a range of power sources: chemical energy for rocket
propulsion, solar power with batteries for low-power systems and small
radioisotope thermal generators for even lower power applications and to
prevent damage from the cold of space. The highest power level so far
generated is the 100 kWe of the International Space Station, whereas a
satellite or probe might use 25 kWe from solar cells.
Nuclear energy
from fission reactors can provide larger constant supplies without
reliance on sunlight or the burden of heavy batteries and rocket fuel.
"A lunar base needs lots of power for things like computers, life
support, and to heat up rocks to get out resources like oxygen and
hydrogen," said Ross Radel of Sandia. The Moon is dark for up to 14 days
at a time, and Mars is so much further from the sun that solar power
would not be sufficient for life-support. For those reasons, "nuclear is
a stepping stone to move further out into manned space exploration,"
said Radel.
NASA said that current plans foresee nuclear power
employed on the Moon in around 2020. However, a nuclear-powered rover
named Curiosity is due to land on Mars in the next ten days."
Climate change study forces sceptical scientists to change minds
Climate change study forces sceptical scientists to change minds: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ science/2012/jul/29/ climate-change-sceptics-change- mind
..."The Earth's land has warmed by 1.5C over the past 250 years and
"humans are almost entirely the cause", according to a scientific study
set up to address climate change sceptics' concerns about whether
human-induced global warming is occurring.
Prof Richard Muller, a
physicist and climate change sceptic who founded the Berkeley Earth
Surface Temperature (Best) project, said he was surprised by the
findings. "We were not expecting this, but as scientists, it is our duty
to let the evidence change our minds." He added that he now considers
himself a "converted sceptic" and his views had undergone a "total
turnaround" in a short space of time.
"Our results show that the
average temperature of the Earth's land has risen by 2.5F over the past
250 years, including an increase of 1.5 degrees over the most recent 50
years. Moreover, it appears likely that essentially all of this increase
results from the human emission of greenhouse gases," Muller wrote"
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Uranium supplies good for the long haul
Uranium supplies good for the long haul: http:// www.world-nuclear-news.org/ ENF-Uranium_supplies_looking_go od_for_the_long_haul-2607127.h tml
"Uranium resources are good for 100 years at current rates of usage,
but new mining investment will be needed to supply the sector in 2035
when it will have grown by 45-100%."
According to the WNN article
to meet the "high" case demand to 2035 both "Significant investment and
technical expertise will be required to bring these resources to the
market and to identify additional resources." ... also see for a bit
more details on the world's uranium mining: http:// www.world-nuclear.org/info/ inf23.html
Nuclear expansion on track despite Fukushima: OECD report
Great
news: Nuclear expansion on track despite Fukushima: OECD report... good
to see that sensible decisions are still being made! http://in.reuters.com/article/ 2012/07/26/ us-nuclear-uranium-report-idINB RE86P04S20120726
..."Strong expansion of nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source in
Asia is expected to press ahead despite the Fukushima accident in Japan
that soured sentiment in some countries, a benchmark report said on
Thursday.
An earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima plant in
February 2011, leading to the closure of Japan's 50 reactors and
spurring Germany to pledge to close all of its nuclear reactors by 2022.
Nuclear energy had been gaining momentum as an energy source for
nations seeking to reduce harmful carbon emissions, but the Japanese
accident caused second thoughts in some countries.
World nuclear
capacity is, however, expected to grow by 44 percent to 99 percent by
2035, according to a biennial report from the United Nations nuclear
body and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
This was little changed from the range of growth of 37 percent to 110
percent in the edition two years ago of the report on uranium resources,
production and demand, known as the "Red Book."
"We see it as a
speed bump," said Gary Dyck, head of nuclear fuel cycle and materials at
the International Atomic Energy Agency, referring to the long-term
impact of the Fukushima accident on the global nuclear industry. "We
still expect huge growth in China.""
Inventory of radioactive waste in Canada
Inventory of radioactive waste in Canada: http://www.radiationsafety.ca/ resources/library
...a good overview of production and accumulation as well as
projections of radioactive waste in Canada, the pdf document can be
found at: http://www.radiationsafety.ca/ wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ Inventory-Report-2012_EN.pdf
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
How I learned to stop worrying and embrace the atom
Another interesting read: How I learned to stop worrying and embrace the atom
Fukushima 'crisis' changed my mind on nuclear power: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ rss/fl20120724zg.html
..."Let's look objectively at what happened. There was a major
earthquake, unprecedented in scale, followed by a 15-20-meter tsunami
that flooded a large nuclear power plant. The equipment designed to
provide power to the cooling systems in case of accident was flooded,
and human error was also a factor. As a result, full or partial meltdown
occurred in three separate reactors. It was pretty much a worst-case
scenario.
Yet, not one person was killed by radiation, and nobody
has been harmed, though two workmen, who have since been released from
hospital, were reported to have received "radiation exposure to the
legs." Overall, not much of a "disaster," especially compared to a
genuine industrial catastrophe like Bhopal in India in 1984, where more
than 10,000 people died and 500,000 were injured."
Using insights from social science to understand climate change deniers
Interesting read: Using insights from social science to understand climate change deniers: http:// theenergycollective.com/ karenstreet/96306/ using-insights-social-science-p resentations-climate-change
..."While we all want to do something about climate change, I’m not
sure that we can move as fast as we would like. The one thing in our
immediate control is to continue reducing our own greenhouse gas
footprint. This helps reduce our cognitive dissonance (if I believe the
climate is important, then I want to live as if it were important) and
gives us better understanding of policies that encourage us to change
our behavior.
Harder but more urgent is to begin working with
society to encourage implementing good policies. Before we can
accomplish much, however, two steps seem critical: move our planet’s
accelerating climate change and the need for a steep cost on greenhouse
gas emissions onto the list of what we all pay attention to. And
secondly, tone down the rhetoric: instead of polarizing the discussion
by attacking those who disagree with us, start questioning and testing
our own assumptions and those of like-minded people in our group.
Working with like-minded people, to help bring the discussion of
controversial social issues to a better place, can be difficult; it is
also where we are most likely to be successful.
Both steps require
us to consider which sources are trustworthy, and to study those that
point to possible errors in our thinking. Learning that we might be
wrong feels awful, but it’s in a good cause, increasing the chance we
will find actual solutions to problems such as climate change."
Monday, 23 July 2012
A to-do list for Canada at the world’s nuclear watchdog
A to-do list for Canada at the world’s nuclear watchdog: http://www.cigionline.org/ articles/2012/07/ do-list-canada-world%E2%80%99s- nuclear-watchdog
..."Canada is likely to soon assume the chair of the IAEA’s Board of
Governors (the IAEA says it hasn’t received any nominations in advance
of the Sept. 24 vote, but chairmanship rotates geographically and it’s
in this region’s court). The position would provide the country with a
perfect opportunity to pursue strengthening and reform of the agency and
bolster Canada’s own image at the same time.
Among the measures it
should pursue are: depoliticization (to the extent possible) of the
board’s own proceedings; the drafting of an agency-wide strategic plan;
implementation of the Action Plan on Nuclear Safety agreed after the
March 2011 Fukushima disaster; and budgetary reform that makes
contributions more equitable, replaces zero real growth with a
needs-based approach, and brings key programs like nuclear security and
technical co-operation into the regular budget rather than relying on
voluntary contributions."
CNSC allows Point Lepreau restart
CNSC allows Point Lepreau restart: http:// www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/ mediacentre/releases/ news_release.cfm?news_release_i d=418
..."Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its
decision authorizing New Brunswick Power Nuclear (NBPN) to begin
activities to restart the Point Lepreau Generating Station. At this
stage, the station will not produce electricity, but will restart the
reactor in order to perform several safety tests under the oversight of
CNSC staff. NBPN will require further CNSC regulatory approvals to
increase power above 0.1% of full power and above 35% of full power."
Sunday, 22 July 2012
An update on alternative radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging
An update on alternative radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/ 45577.html
...even if there are advances in medical imaging that may not require
the production of 99mTc by NRU reactor, there is still need for a new
research reactor to replace aging NRU for neutron scattering and nuclear
R&D... "Medical imaging is one of the fastest growing fields in
medicine. The development of innovative new imaging modalities, contrast
agents, molecular probes and radiopharmaceuticals has significantly
improved our ability to study biological structure and function in
health and disease, and continues to contribute to the evolution of
medical care. Imaging technologies that require the use of
radiopharmaceuticals such as positron emission tomography (PET) and
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) fall within the field
of nuclear medicine, a small but essential sub-specialization within
the field of medical imaging. It is estimated that about 1.5 million
nuclear medicine procedures are performed annually in Canada. Over 80%
of all nuclear medicine investigations involve radiopharmaceuticals
labeled with Technetium-99m (99mTc). The 99mTc is produced from
Molybdenum-99 using generators manufactured by just two companies in
North America: Covidien and Lantheus. The world's current supply of
99mTc is remarkably fragile, relying on the continued operation of just a
handful of aging nuclear reactors that produce the Molybdenum-99. About
20% of the world's supply of Molybdenum-99 is made in Canada at the
National Research Universal (NRU) nuclear reactor at Chalk River.
Although alternative, non-reactor technologies for producing
molybdenum-99 and its medically-useful daughter 99mTc have been known
for many years, this technology has never been commercially developed as
there has always been a plentiful supply of nuclear reactors around the
globe."..."The emergency closure of the NRU in 2007 led to a
significant disruption in the supply of Molybdenum-99 and the
cancellation of large numbers of medical procedures due to the ensuing
shortage of 99mTc. Although the shutdown was for a relatively brief
period, the crisis highlighted the fragility of the Molybdenum-99 supply
chain. The second closure of the NRU in 2009 resulted in a major
interruption in supply, leading to a serious situation in the health
care system due to challenges accessing Technetium-labeled
radiopharmaceuticals. The continuing uncertainties in the supply of
medical isotopes, especially 99mTc, caused both the clinical and
biomedical research communities to look for alternative ways to produce
the 99mTc needed for diagnosis and clinical care and also to explore the
potential of alternative medical isotopes to replace 99mTc as the
radiopharmaceutical label of choice in certain clinical procedures."
Candu workers picket in Brampton
Candu workers picket in Brampton: http:// www.bramptonguardian.com/print/ 1407584
..."A group of engineers set up pickets around Brampton this week to
protest against Candu Energy’s proposal to cut employee wages and
benefits.
About 800 nuclear scientists, engineers and technologists
at Mississauga-based Candu Energy Inc. went on strike earlier this month
after negotiators failed to reach a contract before the strike
deadline.
Candu is owned by Montreal-based engineering giant
SNC-Lavalin, and its employees design, build and service nuclear
reactors that supply nearly half of Ontario’s electricity and 16 per
cent of Canada’s overall electricity requirements.
Members of the
Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA), the union that
represents employees, say they are protesting against unfair demands by
SNC and hoped to generate public awareness by hosting information
sessions at various Metro Foods grocery stores in GTA locations,
including Brampton.
The reason for this somewhat unusual protest,
say SPEA members, is the fact that the president of Metro Food, Pierre
Lassard, is also a senior executive at SNC Lavalin, the parent company
of Candu Energy Inc. "
Sask. to benefit with Canada-China uranium export agreement
Sask. to benefit with Canada-China uranium export agreement: http://www.newstalk650.com/ story/ sask-benefit-canada-china-urani um-export-agreement/66340
...great news for SK, more jobs, more prosperity: "The signature of
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister has put the Canada-China Nuclear
Cooperation Agreement into force, meaning good things for Canada’s
uranium exporters and even better things for producers in Saskatchewan.
The agreement expands a 1994 pact on nuclear cooperation and has been in the works for more than a year.
In January, the prime minister completed negotiations on the protocol
during a visit to China. Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, penned
his name to the supplementary protocol in Beijing this week.
Canadian exports for uranium currently generate about a million dollars a
year with the majority of those exports coming from Saskatchewan.
Baird said the potential with the new agreement will see that figure rise significantly.
“It will definitely be in the billions of dollars in years to come and
most of that benefit will be to the people of Saskatchewan,” said Baird.
Baird said this agreement has been a huge priority for the government
as uranium mining giant Cameco already has contracts with Chinese
electricity generation companies."
The story on CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/ canada/saskatchewan/story/ 2012/07/20/ sk-canada-china-uranium-dea l-1207.html
And this is from SK gvnt: http://www.gov.sk.ca/ news?newsId=809d106d-cea0-4 caf-a3b8-82ed874be6d8
China in talks to build five new reactors in UK
China in talks to build five new reactors in UK: http://in.reuters.com/article/ 2012/07/21/ nuclear-britain-china-idINL6E8I KHDI20120721
...remarkable for both China to be able to do this and for to continue
with its plans to increase its nuclear power capacity..."A team from the
Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (SNERDI), an
arm of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), met senior
British officials in the past week, the Guardian newspaper said on its
website.
The first part of the plan would involve CNNC and another
state-owned firm, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation, bidding in
two separate groups against each other for a stake in the Horizon
project, it said.
The paper, citing unnamed sources close to the
Chinese, said the Chinese are also interested in other locations at
Bradwell in Essex, in the southeast, Heysham in Lancashire and
Hartlepool in County Durham, both in northern England.
"The Chinese have the money and the experience," the paper quoted a source close to the Chinese as saying.
"They see setting up in the UK as an opportunity to show they can
operate in one of the world's toughest regulatory environments so they
can then move into other markets in Africa and the Middle East."
The French company EDF is also interested in building new reactors in Britain."
Friday, 20 July 2012
Global Warming's Terrifying New Math
A must read: Global Warming's Terrifying New Math: http://www.rollingstone.com/ politics/news/ global-warmings-terrifying-new- math-20120719?print=true
Senators see urgent need for national energy policy
This
sounds about time, glad to see nuclear has a prominent place: 'Maintain
strong support for Canada’s nuclear industry, Nuclear energy has an
important role to play in Canada energy future"! Senators see urgent
need for national energy policy: http://www.cbc.ca/news/ technology/story/2012/07/19/ pol-paris-senate-energy-report. html ... see also: http:// www.canadianmanufacturing.com/ energy/news/ senate-defines-priorities-for-c anadas-energy-policy-71760
"A new report from The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the
Environment and Natural Resources (ENEV) outlines 13 priorities to
define an energy strategy for Canada.
“We see Canada’s potential as
the most productive energy nation in the world, with the highest levels
of environmental performance,” said Conservative Sen. David Angus,
Committee Chair in a release. “But we also conclude that there is a
great sense of urgency—and we need an energy literacy that includes a
profound recognition that energy pervades all aspects of our lives, and
is a key element of our social fabric. The future is fraught with peril
if we don’t get it right.”
Dynamic transformation of the global
energy landscape was underway during the three years the committee
developed its report, with aggressive competition for international
energy markets becoming a major factor.
Here are the 13 policy points:
-Canada must strive for collaborative energy leadership
All levels of government, industry, environmental groups and
Aboriginal leaders need to come together to chart a course for
responsible development and marketing of our energy resources.
-Advance nation-building through energy infrastructure
Modernize and expand electricity systems and oil and gas pipelines to connect regions and diversify export markets.
-Natural gas: a game-changing fuel
Natural gas is becoming a platform fuel for the Canadian economy and its expansion should be encouraged.
- Encourage efficiency, conservation and energy literacy
Efficiency and conservation represent the most important elements
of Canada’s energy future. Every citizen must be part of the solution
and start by becoming more energy literate.
-Frame a strong strategy for energy employment
Governments must work proactively to ensure recruitment and training meet the needs of the growing Canadian energy sector.
-Strengthen the foundation for energy innovation
Canada’s full potential depends on effectively designing and
funding R&D to unlock innovation throughout the energy system.
-Pursue high-level environmental performance of non-renewable sources
Continuous improvement of the environmental footprint of
non-renewable energy resources is required, including the minimization
of energy sector activities on water, land and air.
- Hydropower superpower: energy of the past for the future
This reliable, low-emitting source of energy is a key priority for
the country and every opportunity for its responsible expansion must be
undertaken.
-Foster renewable fuels
Canada foster its
substantial renewable energy resources, including massive supplies of
water, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and marine energy.
- Regulatory reform
The committee supports the ongoing commitment of federal,
provincial and territorial governments to streamline environmental
reviews while ensuring rigorous environmental oversight, especially for
major projects.
-Responsible Northern and Arctic energy exploration & development
The development of these resources may reshape the country’s energy
landscape and has the potential to create tremendous economic and
social benefits.
-Maintain strong support for Canada’s nuclear industry
Nuclear energy has an important role to play in Canada energy future.
-Speak for Canada
The federal government must fulfill a leadership role in clearly,
accurately and forcefully communicating Canada’s energy story to the
world.
"This is the write up about this report in FP: http:// business.financialpost.com/ 2012/07/19/ 13-ways-to-make-canada-worl ds-most-energy-productive- nation/?__lsa=3cc0a9fd
... "Maintain strong support for Canada’s nuclear industry:Nuclear
energy has an important role to play in Canada energy future, especially
as it employs 70,000.
“The committee also heard from witnesses who
believe in the game-changing potential of nuclear fusion technology.
Nuclear fusion is the mechanism that fuels the sun and the stars and may
one day provide nearly unlimited source of energy,” the report notes.
“The challenges are enormous, but progress has been made towards safely
harnessing fusion energy for electricity generation. Allan Offenberger,
professor emeritus of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the
University of Alberta, told the committee that new laser technology may
hold the key to making this goal a reality.”"
CNSC Allows Bruce A Unit 1 Restart
CNSC Allows Bruce A Unit 1 Restart: http:// www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/ mediacentre/releases/ news_release.cfm?news_release_i d=417
..."This authorization will allow Bruce Power to restart the reactor
and bring it up to 50% of full power in order to perform several safety
tests under the oversight of the CNSC."
First nuclear power plants for settlements on the Moon & Mars
Cool! The first nuclear power plants for settlements on the Moon & Mars http://portal.acs.org/portal/ acs/corg/ content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=P P_ARTICLEMAIN&node_id=222&cont ent_id=CNBP_028086&use_sec=tru e&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=a e015955-e0ac-4c43-a544-7e1bcd1 206f4
...research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society
"he first nuclear power plant being considered for production of
electricity for manned or unmanned bases on the Moon, Mars and other
planets may really look like it came from outer space, according to a
leader of the project who spoke here today at the 242nd National Meeting
& Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
James E.
Werner said that innovative fission technology for surface power
applications is far different from the familiar terrestrial nuclear
power stations, which sprawl over huge tracts of land and have large
structures such as cooling towers.
“People would never recognize the
fission power system as a nuclear power reactor,” said Werner. “The
reactor itself may be about 1 ½ feet wide by 2 ½ feet high, about the
size of a carry-on suitcase. There are no cooling towers. A fission
power system is a compact, reliable, safe system that may be critical to
the establishment of outposts or habitats on other planets. Fission
power technology can be applied on Earth’s Moon, on Mars, or wherever
NASA sees the need for continuous power.”"
AECL, union reach agreement, union membership ratification scheduled on July 25
AECL, union reaches agreement, union membership ratification scheduled on July 25: http:// www.thedailyobserver.ca/2012/ 07/19/ aecl-union-reaches-agreement
..."Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has reached a tentative three-year
deal with it's nuclear engineers and scientists averting a summer strike
at Chalk River Laboratories.
The agreement between the corporation
and the union, represented by the Chalk River Professional Employees
Group and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada,
came about after a round of mediated negotiations ended last Friday.
The agreement will go before the union membership for ratification on
July 25. Both sides said Thursday they were pleased to have reached a
deal staving off a walkout that could have occurred earlier this week.
Since April, AECL has renewed six collective bargaining agreements with
employees at Chalk River and the Whiteshell Laboratories located near
Pinawa, Manitoba. Pat Quinn, AECL manager of site and communications,
said he is pleased there will not be a disruption at the facility.
"It allows AECL to focus on its nuclear science and technology business," said Mr. Quinn.
The deal will implement salary increases of 1.75 per cent for each year
retroactive to July 1, 2011. Terms also calls for improvements to
overtime provisions and some benefits."
Point Lepreau restart may be ahead of schedule
Point Lepreau restart may be ahead of schedule: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ new-brunswick/story/2012/07/20/ nb-point-lepreau-restart-627.ht ml
...great to see some positive news: 'The Point Lepreau Nuclear
Generating Station’s refurbishment project is in the homestretch and is
starting to hit some of its deadlines earlier than expected.
The refurbishment project is three years behind schedule and more than $1 billion over budget.
NB Power is now getting some positive reports about the refurbishment
project’s restart timeline. However, the Crown corporation and the
provincial government are refusing to talk about it publicly.
Point
Lepreau is not scheduled to be running at full power until the end of
September, but there have been signs for months that it could happen
earlier."
A great and cool educational website/resource for students to learn about nuclear science and technology
What a great and cool educational website/resource for students to learn about nuclear science and technology: http://www.ne.doe.gov/ students/Track_electra.html
Uprating a way of increasing nuclear power capacity
Uprating a way of increasing nuclear power capacity: http://www.eia.gov/ todayinenergy/ detail.cfm?id=7130
..."Currently, there are 104 commercial nuclear reactors in the United
States. In 2011, these plants provided 786 billion kilowatthours of
electricity, or nearly one-fifth of total generation. The electrical
output of the nuclear power plant fleet can be increased either by
constructing new plants or by 'uprating' operating plants. Uprating
generally involves physically modifying the plant to increase its
generating capacity. Since 1977, more than 6,500 megawatts-electric
(MWe) of nuclear uprates have been approved, and most of these have
already been implemented. Through July 10, 2012, these cumulative
uprates are roughly the equivalent of constructing six new nuclear power
plants."
Radiation risk from tests are worth diagnostic information
Radiation risk from tests are worth diagnostic information: http://www.stltoday.com/ lifestyles/health-med-fit/ fitness/ radiation-risk-from-tests-are-w orth-diagnostic-information/ article_7bead379-43ee-5a45-8665 -a1605f58885c.html#ixzz219jW10 VS
...""First, do no harm" is a concept as relevant to modern medicine as
it was to the ancient Greeks. Tasked with the well-being of those
entrusted to their care, even the youngest medical student understands
it is better to do nothing than take an action harmful to patients.
With the rapid advancement of medical technology, are we unintentionally
causing harm to our patients? Advances in diagnostic medical imaging
have been enormously beneficial to patient care. Illnesses that defied
diagnosis in the past can be detected and treated at earlier stages,
resulting in better treatment and outcomes for our patients."
"The risk of developing
cancer from a CT scan is so small it has been hard to measure. Linking
the words "cancer" and "radiation" together in a sentence is
frightening, but combining these two words with "child" is even more
terrifying for a parent. However, it is very important to place risk in
perspective. Diagnostic tests such as CT scans are incredibly important
and useful tools. Such tests can detect the causes of serious and
potentially fatal conditions.
When used for the proper indications,
the risk of death or disability from missing such important medical
information dwarfs the small risk from medical radiation. It's important
for a parent to understand the significant benefits of an examination
in comparison to the small risk and be a partner with their physician in
the care of their child."
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Nuclear power seen focus of next general election in Japan
Nuclear power seen focus of next general election in Japan: http://in.reuters.com/article/ 2012/07/17/ japan-nuclear-idINL4E8IH0K02012 0717
..."The government is considering three options for its medium-term
energy portfolio -- reduce nuclear power's role to zero as soon as
possible, aim at a 15 percent share by 2030, and seek a 20-25 percent
share by the same date.
The new energy mix, to be decided in August,
will replace a scrapped 2010 programme that had sought to raise nuclear
power's share to more than half of electricity needs by 2030 from about
30 percent before the March 2011 disaster.
The 15 percent solution
-- which most experts expect the government to select -- would require
all 50 of Japan's reactors, all but one of which are now idled for
safety checks, to resume operations before gradually closing older
units, an official at the government's National Strategy Unit told
reporters on Friday."
Nuclear waste-burning reactor moves a step closer to reality
Nuclear waste-burning reactor moves a step closer to reality: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ environment/2012/jul/09/ nuclear-waste-burning-reactor# ... remarkable: Using nuclear waste, PRISM reactor could power UK for 500 years
Also see: http:// www.smartplanet.com/blog/ cities/ using-nuclear-waste-prism-r eactor-could-power-uk-for- 500-years/3881
Uses of Uranium: medical isotopes
The first in a series of posts by AREVA on the uses for Uranium, this one on medical isotopes: http://kiggavik.ca/2012/07/17/ arevas-proposed-kiggavik-mine-w ill-contribute-to-the-worlds-p roduction-of-medical-isotopes/
..."More than 40 million medical isotopes are used every year around
the world, and many of the isotopes are produced right here in Canada.
Each week In Canada alone, 30,000 nuclear diagnostic scans are
performed, and there are about 300 therapeutic doses administered.
Demand around the world is growing as the medical community seeks safe,
non-invasive ways of diagnosing and treating serious diseases. This
increased demand is causing medical facilities around the world to look
for safe producers of uranium to be used in isotope production – that’s
where AREVA comes in. Seventeen percent of the world’s uranium and about
a third of the world’s medical isotopes are produced here in Canada.
With 16 percent of the world’s uranium production, including over 4%
from its Canadian assets, AREVA is dedicated to the safe and ethical
production of uranium for potential uses like this, and the Kiggavik
Project may help address some of the world’s growing demand for medical
isotopes."
Monday, 16 July 2012
Nuclear Experts Hold Rally at the AECL's Chalk River Laboratories
In case you missed it: Nuclear Experts Hold Rally at the AECL's Chalk River Laboratories http://www.marketwire.com/ press-release/ nuclear-experts-hold-rally-at-t he-aecls-chalk-river-laborator ies-1678834.htm
..."With a July 17, 2012 strike deadline fast approaching, nuclear
experts represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service
of Canada (PIPSC) held a news conference and staged an information
picket today at Chalk River Laboratories to seek a fair settlement from
their employer, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).
These
engineers and scientists working at the Chalk River facility have been
without a contract for more than a year. These specialists operate the
Chalk River reactor, conduct nuclear research and development, support
CANDU nuclear power reactors in Canada and throughout the world, produce
medical isotopes, and manage nuclear waste. The parties are at an
impasse over wage cuts and other concessions.
"The current
negotiations will either steer the Laboratories towards a thriving
future, or put them on the path to decommissioning, with serious
economic and social consequences on Renfrew County", said PIPSC
President Gary Corbett."
And this is the latest news release from AECL: http://www.aecl.ca/ NewsRoom/News/Press-2012/ 120713.htm
"We are pleased to announce that with the assistance of a federal
mediator, PIPSC-CRPEG and AECL reached a tentative agreement. This
agreement will be taken to members of PIPSC-CRPEG for a ratification
vote in the coming weeks."
And see this link for more background: http://www.cbc.ca/news/ technology/story/2012/07/ 09/ ottawa-strike-engineers-nuc lear-candu-chalk-river.htm l
OPG pays out $26M for nuclear cost estimate
OPG pays out $26M for nuclear cost estimate: http://www.nugget.ca/ ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3593407
..."Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has agreed to pay two prospective
reactor builders $26 million to come up with an estimate on how much two
new nuclear reactors at the Darlington Generating Station would cost,
Energy Minister Chris Bentley told a Queen's Park committee Wednesday.
"They reached an agreement with them to prepare the various proposals
and estimates, and although I am advised that the specific price between
the two is commercially sensitive - they had negotiations with each -
the ballpark total price for the two is less than $26 million," Bentley
said in response to a question from New Democrat energy critic Peter
Tabuns.
The two firms - SNC-Lavalin's now-striking Candu Energy Inc.
and Westinghouse - have up to 14 months to deliver their cost
estimates, which are expected to be at least $10 billion for two 1,000
megawatt reactors."... "Paying prospective builders for coming up with a
cost estimate is normal practice for massive projects such as nuclear
reactors, OPG spokesman Ted Gruetzner said in an e-mail.
"This is
common in large projects like this as there is a recognition that firms
will incur expenses in order to provide the level of detail we require,"
Gruetzner wrote.
The province's long-term energy plans have called
for the new nuclear generation for years but the process was suspended
in 2009 by then-energy minister George Smitherman, who said at the time
the cost was simply too high.
Bentley later told the committee the
decision to go ahead with the estimates does not mean Ontario is
definitely going ahead with construction.
"It does not mean we're committed to new build, it does not mean we need the new generation," he said.
Outside the committee, Bentley said that even though the new reactors
are still in the province's long-term plan, it's not certain the
province needs the new power. If it's decided the extra megawatts are
needed, the government will still have to decide if nuclear is the way
to go and which firm to get to build it, he said.
"This is a new approach," different from the procurement process suspended in 2008, Bentley said."
Areva and Babcock & Wilcox are years into development of next generation reactors
Areva and Babcock & Wilcox are years into development of next generation reactors: http://www2.newsadvance.com/ business/2012/jul/15/ areva-bw-are-years-development- next-generation-rea-ar-2056280 / ?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_med ium=twitter
too bad Canada is not in the mix..."Both Areva and Babcock & Wilcox
are years into the development of the next-generation nuclear power
plants, hoping to add to the crop of new reactors being built in the
United States.
Lynchburg’s two nuclear-industry companies — which
employ about 4,400 area residents — are vying for a Department of Energy
public-private partnership to develop small modular reactors, or SMR.
Babcock & Wilcox is testing the design of its mPower reactor and
Areva is partnering with Holtec International and The Shaw Group Inc. to
work on the SMR-160.
Two companies will be awarded DOE grants estimated at $452 million over five years.
The SMR-160’s name is an apt descriptor of what it is: a small modular
reactor capable of generating 160 megawatts of electricity. Holtec is
the lead in the project, Shaw’s expertise comes from building two
reactors currently under construction in the U.S. and Areva was brought
in for its technology expertise, according to a Holtec news release.
The SMR-160 can be put on as little as five acres and, like other SMR
designs, there is no limit to the number that can be installed at a
site."
UK government announces liberated open-access policy
Remarkable,
this should be done every where: U.K. government has announced plans to
make all scientific journal articles on research founded by British
taxpayers free: http://blogs.nature.com/news/ 2012/07/ uk-research-funders-announce-li berated-open-access-policy.htm l
..."From April 2013, science papers must be made free to access within
six months of publication if they come from work paid for by one of the
United Kingdom’s seven government-funded grant agencies, the research
councils, which together spend about £2.8 billion (US$4.4 billion) each
year on research.
The policy, announced this morning by the
agencies’ umbrella body Research Councils UK (RCUK), makes clear that
researchers should shun science journals that don’t allow authors to
follow this mandate.
Also this morning, the UK government formally
welcomed the Finch report into open access (which it had commissioned).
Its response makes clear that RCUK’s new policy is the driving force for
change.
RCUK hasn’t said how it will sanction those who don’t
comply. (Astrid Wissenberg, who chairs the RCUK Impact Group, tells
Nature that it will be looking to push to “75% compliance over a number
of years”). But if it does rigorously enforce the policy, that will mark
a dramatic shift for scientists, publishers and universities — perhaps
the most significant change on the ground since Britain’s science
minister David Willetts began discussing how to improve access to
research papers more than a year ago."
see also: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ science/2012/jul/15/ free-access-british-scienti fic-research?newsfeed=true
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Report on the Death of Evidence rally toda
Report on the Death of Evidence rally today: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ canada/ 115611-scientists-march-on-parl iament-hill-to-protest-death-o f-evidence "They chanted: No Science, No Evidence, No Truth, No Democracy."
Does 'death of evidence' warnings of Canadian scientists alarm you? http://www.cbc.ca/news/ yourcommunity/2012/07/ do-the-death-of-evidence-wa rnings-of-canadian-scienti sts-alarm-you.html ..."Some of the decisions that have distressed typically dispassionate scientists include:
-Scrapping the mandatory long-form census, which the journal Nature
argued will lower the quality and raise the cost of information.
-
Ending funding for the Polar Environmental Atmospheric Research
Laboratory in Eureka, Nunavut, which has been tracking ozone depletion,
air quality and climate change in the High Arctic since 2005.
-Cutting the departmental budgets of Environment Canada, Fisheries and
Oceans Canada, Library and Archives Canada, the National Research
Council Canada, Statistics Canada and the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada. · Closing the Experimental Lakes
Area, a world-renowned research facility in northwestern Ontario.
- Deciding not to renew the national science adviser.
- Limiting access to federal government scientists, which some have
called "muzzling" and which has drawn international attention
-
Ending the National Roundtable on the Environment. Findlay says many in
the scientific community suspect the federal government is deliberately
thwarting their ability to gather evidence and bring facts forward
during public debate.
For many, the sweeping changes contained in
the Bill C-38 - on everything from the Fisheries Act to environmental
assessments - pushed them to their breaking point."
And this is a video of the rally today: http:// www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ Video+Death+Evidence+rally/ 6913158/story.html
Another video of some of the speeches at the rally yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jeBHlS8Yl_k&feature =youtu.be
Candu Energy employees strike
"About 800 nuclear scientists, engineers and technologists at Candu Energy Inc. went on strike Monday morning after negotiators failed to reach a contract before the strike deadline.
Candu is owned by Montreal-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, and its employees design, build and service nuclear reactors that supply nearly half of Ontario’s electricity and 16 per cent of Canada’s overall electricity requirements.
The company has operations in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Reactors designed by Candu supply more than 22,000 megawatts of power at sites around the world.
Candu says it does not operate any nuclear power plants so the strike action should have no impact on the day-to-day operations at the plants.
The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates, which represents the workers, said power plants will not shut down but there will a noticeable effect on operations.
“There’s not enough people to replace us, so work will definitely be impacted,” spokeswoman Michelle Duncan said.
The union has said the main sticking points in the labour dispute involved wages and seniority.
SPEA president Peter White said a key issue is what he calls the company’s desire to move away from nuclear industry standards and compensate its employees differently from other workers in the field.
He said a full strike threatens the future of Canada’s nuclear industry as it will almost certainly guarantee the loss of technological talent.
Senior engineers with years of expertise are choosing to leave the company, which could cause the design and service capabilities at Candu to decline, he said."
Monday, 9 July 2012
Anti-Nuclear Hysterics, not Melted Reactors to Blame for Fukushima Health Impacts
Not surprising!: Anti-Nuclear Hysterics, not Melted Reactors to Blame for Fukushima Health Impacts: http://thisweekinnuclear.com/ ?p=1473
"The health effects to Japan’s population were NOT from radiation, but
from stress caused by the unfounded fear of future health effects. The
responsibility for this lies squarely on anti-nuclear activists who
relished in spouting fatalistic, exaggerated claims, and on an
uninformed media who presented those claims as virtual facts while
downplaying opposing views from true experts in the field."
See also: http:// theenergycollective.com/ rodadams/91701/ dr-kiyohiko-sakamoto-low-do se-radiation-used-cancer-t reatment 'Dr. Sakamoto, a medical doctor (MD) and a PhD has been studying the effects of radiation experimentally since 1975 and medically
since 1985. He started his career in Radiology in 1964. Based on what
he has learned he made the following statement early in his
presentation:
Based on my experience in treating many patients the radiation level near Fukushima is not a cancer risk."
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Science community to protest research cuts with funeral march
Science community to protest research cuts with funeral march: http://www.canada.com/ technology/ Science+community+protest+resea rch+cuts+with+funeral+march/ 6902085/ story.html#ixzz205WyhLg4
..."A funeral procession — complete with a coffin, black-clad mourners
and a scythe-wielding grim reaper — will make its way to Parliament Hill
Tuesday as hundreds of scientists from across Canada rally in protest
of federal science cuts.
Members of Canada's scientific community
are staging the rally to mourn the "death of evidence" in what the
rally's organizers say is the federal government's war on science.
Whatever values Canadians cleave to, they should be presented with
evidence on the impacts of federal government policies and programs and
be able to make informed decisions based on that information, said
co-organizer Scott Findlay, associate professor of biology and former
director the University of Ottawa's Institute of the Environment.
"The prevention of this evidence getting into the public domain, the
consequence of that is that the public continues to be uninformed. And
an informed public is the basis on which democracy depends," Findlay
said.
"I think it's important for the public to understand that
scientists are getting increasingly concerned about this. I'm hugely
concerned."
The cuts, according to the organizers' media release,
are being imposed on critical research programs in Environment Canada,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the National Research Council of Canada,
Statistics Canada, through the closure of Experimental Lakes Area, the
Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory and the First Nations
Statistical Institute, and through the elimination of the National
Science Adviser and National Round Table on Environment and Economy.
It would be easy to say that scientists are upset because the cuts are
resulting job losses, but the issues are much more fundamental than
that, Findlay said.
"Every Canadian must surely be of the view that,
if you're going to make a decision, especially if you're a government
making a decision, it should be based on evidence. Sound evidence. And
it's important that all the evidence be presented," Findlay said.
"And science is the best method that we have for assembling and
collecting the evidence and bringing it forward into the public domain,
relatively untainted by political agendas and ideology."
There is
growing concern in many quarters about what is being viewed as the
government's excessive information control. Several organizations say
they are concerned with what they call the silencing of Canada's federal
scientists."
And this is the link to the Death of Evidence rally on Tuesday, July 10th, 2012: http:// www.deathofevidence.ca/
Saskatchewan Seeking Nuclear Leadership
Saskatchewan Seeking Nuclear Leadership: http:// www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/ seeking-nuclear-leadership/ itemid_21-dp1
it is great to see at least somewhere in Canada some positive
development is happening in the field of nuclear! "The goal is to have
Saskatchewan among the global leaders in nuclear research, development
and training.
The Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation, which is
funded by the Province of Saskatchewan, and is a not-for-profit
subsidiary of the University of Saskatchewan, has issued a pilot call
for research proposals.
CCNI spokesperson, Matthew Dalzell, says
this initial call will fund a total of 500-thousand dollars for anywhere
from five to 30 projects.
He explains this first call is a chance
to check out the internal processes before launching full scale calls
twice annually, with larger amounts of funding.
With these projects,
a Saskatchewan-based researcher will be the lead researcher, but it is
also encouraged to build networks of experts, so researchers can reach
out to experts outside of the province as well.
The projects can
focus on one of four areas: nuclear medicine, how to make and use
materials using nuclear techniques, nuclear energy, or public engagement
related to nuclear science, medicine or energy."
SNC-Lavalin nuclear engineers may strike on Monday
SNC-Lavalin nuclear engineers may strike on Monday: http://www.reuters.com/ article/2012/07/08/ snclavalin-strike-idUSL2E8I84S3 20120708
..."The union representing nuclear engineers at Canadian engineering
and construction firm SNC-Lavalin Group Inc said on Sunday the workers
could go on strike Monday unless the sides settle a contract dispute.
If the workers go on strike, the union said it could delay several
ongoing nuclear projects in Canada and elsewhere around the world.
The union already had 144 members on strike and another 700 could go
walk off the job Monday morning unless the sides can agree on a
contract, Michael Ivanco, a senior scientist and vice president of the
Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA), told Reuters.
Officials at the company were not immediately available for comment.
Ivanco said the workers have been without a contract since Jan. 1, 2011
and the main sticking points were over compensation, pensions and
seniority rights.
The engineers became employees of SNC-Lavalin in
October 2011 when Canada's federal government sold off the commercial
business of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL), which designed the CANDU
(CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactor, to a unit of SNC.
All of the reactors in Canada are CANDU reactors."
The news even made it in huffingtonpost: http:// www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/ 07/08/ candu-energy-inc-strike_n_1
Nordion International Provides Update on AECL MAPLE Arbitration
Nordion International Provides Update on AECL MAPLE Arbitration: http://www.biospace.com/News/ nordion-international-provides- update-on-aecl/265606
..."Nordion Inc. (TSX: NDN) (NYSE: NDZ), a leading provider of
products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
disease, today released an update to the ongoing arbitration process
with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) relating to the MAPLE
facilities. The MAPLE facilities are the nuclear reactors and processing
facility that were being constructed to serve as the Company's source
of long-term medical isotope supply.
Nordion has been informed by
the arbitration tribunal that, subject to agreement by Nordion and AECL,
the tribunal proposes to render a decision in September 2012. Nordion
will provide an update as to the specific date of the decision as soon
as it is confirmed.
Nordion served AECL with a notice of arbitration
proceedings on July 8, 2008, after AECL and the Government of Canada
unilaterally announced their intent to discontinue development work on
the MAPLE facilities. The arbitration seeks to compel AECL to fulfil its
contractual obligations to Nordion to complete the MAPLE facilities
and, in the alternative and in addition to such order, to pay
significant monetary damages. Hearings in the arbitration were completed
at the end of May 2012. "
Is SNC-Lavalin Bending Rules to Avoid Paying Taxes
Is SNC-Lavalin Bending Rules to Avoid Paying Taxes? http:// www.exchangemagazine.com/ morningpost/2012/week27/Friday/ 12070607.htm
..."The Society of Professional Engineers and Associate (SPEA) is
holding an information picket this morning at the Toronto offices of the
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to urge them and the Ontario Ministry of
Finance to investigate the inappropriate use of contractors at
SNC-Lavalin's newly acquired subsidiary, Candu Energy Inc. to avoid
paying taxes and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums.
Both companies and individuals pay considerably less in taxes if they
label their relationship as a "contractor" relationship, rather than an
"employment" one. The company or the individual in a contractor
relationship does not pay CPP, EI and WSIB premiums.
"We understand
why individuals and companies are tempted to mislabel their relationship
so as to minimize taxes," said Peter White President of SPEA. "However
we are troubled why the CRA does not take a more active role in
combating this abuse, the result of which is lower tax revenue for our
governments, which results in higher taxes for the rest of us."
Since the federal government announced the sale of the commercial
division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to SNC-Lavalin in
June of 2011, scientific and technical staff has been reduced by
approximately 25%. The number of contractors has more than tripled since
the October 2011 sale closed.
According to White, "Some of the
contractors pre-date SNC-Lavalin's acquisition of AECL. They have been
around for three, four or more years. The vast majority of these
contractors and the more recent hires easily meet the CRA's definition
of employees.""
Thursday, 5 July 2012
NRC staff enraged by gift cards
NRC staff enraged by gift cards: http:// www.winnipegfreepress.com/ local/ nrc-staff-enraged-by-gift-cards -161407515.html
..."Have a doughnut on your way out the door. That is the message
several dozen employees of the National Research Council took away June
29 as the president of the agency issued gift cards for a coffee and a
doughnut to all employees, including 65 who are being laid off this month.
"Thank you for the contribution you have made in helping NRC
successfully work through our massive transformation," read the letter
from NRC president John McDougall. "To celebrate our success in gaining
government support, here is a token of appreciation: have a coffee and a
doughnut on me."
A $3 gift card to Tim Hortons accompanied each letter to more than 4,000 NRC employees. It cost taxpayers more than $12,000.
Some of the employees being laid off received the gift card on their last day of work. Most others had their last day July 2.
"Talk about a kick in the teeth," said one NRC employee, who asked not
to be identified. The employee, who is not losing their job, said the
emotion in the NRC offices as the letters were received ranged from fury
to tears.
"It was awful."".... "For more than a year, the NRC has
been changing the research it does to accommodate a federal government
request to focus mostly on commercially viable research. The recent
budget specifically plans to refocus the NRC toward "research that helps
Canadian businesses develop innovative products and services.""
For those of you who wish to read more about the recent changes at NRC here are a couple of good reads: http:// www.theglobeandmail.com/ report-on-business/careers/ careers-leadership/ john-mcdougall-hungry-for-b etter-return-on-research/ article600382/
"So Mr. McDougall is moving the venerable 94-year-old institution away
from pure “curiosity research” toward work on a cluster of key
scientific challenges that have the potential to drive Canada’s economy.
So far, the short list of four flagship projects, or “big ideas,”
includes research into higher-output wheat strains, printable
electronics, composite materials made from biomass and CO2-ingesting
algae."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/ technology/story/2012/03/ 06/ technology-goodyear-nationa l-research-council.html
"Canada's national government research and development agency is being
transformed and "refocused" into a service that provides solutions for
businesses, Canada's Minister of State for Science and Technology
announced Tuesday. Gary Goodyear says he envisions the National Research
Council becoming a "concierge" service that offers a single phone
number to connect businesses to all their research and development
needs, as recommended in a report by an expert panel last fall.
"It
will be hopefully a one-stop, 1-800, 'I have a solution for your
business problem,'" Goodyear said Tuesday, following a speech to the
Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa.
"It will be the powerhouse that
takes the ideas from wherever they come from… and literally pushes those
ideas into the marketplace through our business communities, as well as
respond to the needs of the business community by providing, for
example, research capacity and solutions." The panel that recommended
changes to the NRC, led by Tom Jenkins, executive chairman and chief
strategy officer of Waterloo, Ont.-based Open Text, was asked to address
a persistent problem — Canada spends more than most countries to help
businesses create new products. But it hasn't been paying off, and the
participation of Canadian businesses in research and development is
still lagging.
The National Research Council, founded in 1916, is a
government agency dedicated to research and development through more
than 20 institutes and national programs specialized in areas ranging
from plant biotechnology to aerospace to fuel cells. It has more than
4,000 staff across Canada.
Goodyear acknowledged that originally,
the NRC was developed to do basic research. But he said that was before
Canada developed research strength at its universities."
And this is the link to a
recent speech he gave at the 2012 Canadian Nuclear Association
Conference and Trade Show where he outlines his vision of steering the
council away from basic science: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fb4bWVBX47s&feature =player_embedded
Also see: http://www.scansite.ca/ news/2011/07/ nrc_narrows_the_door_for_sm es.html
"Back issues of Research Money newsletter — which unfortunately you
can’t read unless you pay them quite a bit to subscribe — contain
restructuring proposals by people who have credentials and experience to
spare. These ideas and more have been given no hearing. Long-standing
NRC advisory boards have not been called to meet. Consultation, if it
deserves such a name, has been with very few and those unrecognized. The
tone of the March memo is very much about doing it his way or taking
the Queensway. “Those who are still hesitant will need our help to
develop their courage and conviction,” he writes. “We require the right
attitude and the right behaviour.”
Mr. McDougall stands as high with
this government as any conservative Albertan has a right to. It’s
reasonable to assume that whatever stamp he wants to put on NRC will
stick. If the strategy looks to be succeeding it will probably crown
centennial celebrations for the 95-year-old Council.
But there are
considerable reservations about the predictable consequences of this
change. The first is that big projects attract big players and big
players tend to shoulder out smaller fry. So the outlook for SMEs that
want access to NRC’s expertise is not bright. Already smaller companies
are finding NRC’s fee schedule and rules of engagement onerous. Fees
starting at $200 an hour escalate for ‘overtime’. Royalty rates for IP
reach 48% of licensee profits. One recent applicant wanted to take IP
that is resting on a shelf unused at NRC and adapt it for a market
opportunity the company had identified. The company would have to do
further tests to make sure the technology would work in the intended
application. NRC’s response was to ask for a $25,000 fee on signing an
agreement, with royalties based on sales (not profits as previously) and
with minimum annual payments starting at $10,000 in Year 3 and
escalating thereafter.
This is of critical moment because NRC has
always been the essential provider of science and tech services to small
business in Canada. NRC has expertise and equipment far beyond the
resources of small companies."
While there may have been issues that needed to be addressed at NRC, the concern is whether steering it away from basic science is the right move, some questions that come to mind are: 1. shouldn't the federal government fund the science that benefits all of people equally, the type of science (basic science often requires national facilities) that is impossible to perform by universities alone? 2. should the scientists be also salespersons for partnerships with private companies? 3. wouldn't attracting private sector to NRC flagship programs mean selective corporate welfare (selective companies get taxpayer support)? 4. wouldn't lack of funding/support for basic science mean that the issue of brain drain will even become worse? 5. how could one plan innovation? how often in the history of science and technology major scientific discoveries were made entirely by accident and motivated by general curiosity? wouldn't it be better to invest in a diverse manner across many areas to ensure that there will some substantial gain when one of them hits the jackpot? 6. Is always the return on research defined by the money it makes? what about training HQP and the impact that has throughout the society? 7. wouldn't working only on a handful of programs be shortsighted? what if there are major discoveries in these areas or others that would mean it is time to work on something else? 8. shouldn't government funded science be independent from business? shouldn't it be that the science that leads the business? feel free to post more questions as they come to mind or answers to any of these...
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