Negligence and Cover-Ups at Fort Calhoun Reactor

[ensho]

http://counterpunch.com/giambrone06272011.html


Nuclear Catastrophe Imminent in Nebraska?


When I wrote last week about the Nebraska reactor surrounded by floodwaters I, like most, still considered it a highly remote possibility of cataclysm.

Upon further investigation, it seems much more likely now. The New York Times has exposed some major criminal negligence and game playing with the safety of the nation by the plant's operator. Peter Behr's June 24th report examines what we've been told vs. what's there on the ground at Fort Calhoun's nuclear power station. This is truly frightening with water levels approaching the 1007 ft. above sea level mark.

The "aqua berm" collapsed on Sunday, and nothing holds back the waters but random chance at this point.

-long snip of lies told by the media, the plant, our govt. and others-

The plant has not actually passed inspection, nor was it originally designed to handle the current reality. Its operator is criminally negligent in the extreme and incompetent also in the extreme. The operator has clearly fought the very safety improvements that are now desperately needed to hold back the river and avert a possible full meltdown a la Fukushima.

-snip-
-----------------------------

not good, very, very bad

[xchrom]

1. Interesting. Nt

[ensho]

2. kicking before I go

nt

[enough]

3. Anyone interested in this must read the NYT article that is mentioned in the OP.

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/24/24climatewire-a-nuclear-plants-flood-defenses-trigger-a-ye-95418.html?scp=2&sq=Peter%20Behr&st=cse

It's quite a detailed picture of what's been going on behind the scenes with regard to this plant for the past year. Also gives a clear view of the dysfunction of the regulatory system.

[rurallib]

4. could be a spectacular sight on the 4th of July

poor attempt at gallows humor.

[CoffeeCat]

6. and you and I are fairly close to this plant...

...so your post may not be too far off.

Can you believe that we're dealing with this, so close to home???

I've put up with the lies about Fukushima, but I sure as hell won't--when
we're only two hours away. I'll be over there with a Geiger Counter and
filming with my camera phone.

[CoffeeCat]

5. I live a couple of hours from this plant...

Here I am--so concerned about the Fukushima isotopes that I've got my
family on daily kelp tablets--and we're also off milk and other select
produce.

Now, I'm just a couple of hours away from a Fukushima-like situation? Is
there enough kelp in the world?

If you look at the pictures of the plant, it is glaringly obvious that those
waters (if they haven't all ready) will deluge that plant. The plant is
a frickin island! You can't keep out the water. It's just not physically
possible. So that they are lying about.

Someone told me that they removed the rods and that there is no chance of a
Fukushima happening--because the components which make the nuclear reactions
possible--were dismantled. That may be complete bunk. I'm no nuclear physicist.
Just repeating what I heard.

Seriously...this isn't funny.

[rurallib]

11. I am not believing a word they say.

[TheWraith]

12. Relax and start listening to scientists, and not panic mongers.

"Here I am--so concerned about the Fukushima isotopes that I've got my family on daily kelp tablets--and we're also off milk and other select produce."

You're worrying about nothing. Even the one tiny spike in detectable isotopes that reached the US was far below even legal limits let alone any level that could ever be considered dangerous. And it's now dropped back so low that it's not scientifically detectable anymore, even as trace elements. You're in more danger from the fumes from your car.

[snooper2]

7. does counterpunch have any credibility?

[Overseas]

9. Here's an AP link for you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1371343

[SpiralHawk]

10. Yep. While the Nuke 'officials' have the cred of a republicon corporate shill

which is to say, if their lips are moving they are likely lying.

[Overseas]

8. K&R. It is sad to see the reality on the ground. Dangerous situation.

The aqua berm collapsed on Sunday.


We need to establish our plan to shut down all our nuclear plants within ten years.