LLAW’s All Things Nuclear #576, Thursday, (03/21/2024)
“End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity.”
Metsamor nuclear power plant in Azerbaijan
LLAW’s CONCERNS & COMMENTS, Thursday, (03/21/2024)
The following letter of complaint is not only outrageous to witness and be able to openly read, it is deathly serious, and all countries with nuclear powered power plants must be aware that all things nuclear, especially nuclear power plants, are as dangerous to human life as nuclear war, and, in fact, what is meant to support human comforts may well become weapons of mass destruction both before or during a nuclear war. As an instance of nuclear irresponsibility and neglect this plea for help may be the worst example I have ever seen. The letter is short and to the point, and I beg you to read it with what it could portend in mind! ~llaw
POLITICS
Metsamor nuclear power plant poses huge nuclear threat to the region – OPEN LETTER
Baku, March 21, AZERTAC
Representatives of Azerbaijan’s civil society have addressed an open letter to the leadership of the Nuclear Energy Summit.
The letter shared with AZERTAC says:
“We, representatives of Azerbaijan's civil society and scientists, are appealing to the co-chairs of the Brussels Nuclear Energy Summit - the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Alexander De Croo, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi - asking them to urge the Armenian government to immediately cease the operation of the country’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which is in an emergency condition, has significantly exceeded its intended service life, and poses a global threat.
The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, built in a 9.5-point seismic zone in 1976, operates using outdated technology and is designed to withstand an earthquake of 8 points in magnitude, poses a huge nuclear threat to Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Armenia and the region as a whole. The irresponsible conduct of the Armenian authorities regarding this nuclear power plant and the circulation of false reports about its operation are intended to mislead the world community and lead the region towards another Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. This risk is increasing with each passing day. Instead of decommissioning the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and following the rules and procedures expected by the international community, the Armenian authorities are trying to artificially extend its service life every time.
Liquid waste from the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is ultimately discharged into the Araz, a trans-boundary river. The plant is located in a water-scarce area, drawing water from deep wells to cool its aging reactor. During earthquakes, it is possible to change the level of underground water and the direction of flows, which is a clear evidence of the unreliability of the cooling system.
The illegal trade of some nuclear materials originating from Metsamor is also of great concern. There are more than 200 radioactive sources in the territory of Armenia. These sources include various types of isotopes. There have also been cases of smuggling of radioactive isotopes in Armenia. This increases the possibility of using radionuclides for terrorist purposes.
The fact that the landfills where Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant waste is disposed are already full and the creation of a new nuclear waste landfill show that there are serious problems with the disposal of this waste.
We call on the International Atomic Energy Agency and other relevant international organizations to closely cooperate with the Republic of Azerbaijan as the worst affected country in this regard.
The Armenian authorities, which pay no heed to the nuclear safety of their own people and the peoples living in other regional states, can be forced to stop the operation of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant only with a joint global effort. The Nuclear Energy Summit, which defines as its main direction the achievement of the goals arising from COP28, acts as a convenient platform in this regard. This is the expectation of the Azerbaijani community, which will host COP29.
Signatories:
Fagan Aliyev - International Eco-Energy Academy
Islam Mustafayev – “Ruzgar” Ecological Public Union
Sabit Bagirov - Entrepreneurship Development Foundation
Mirhasan Hasanov – “Union of Chernobyl Disabled People” Public Union
Eyvaz Asgarov – “Chernobyl Disabled People of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” Public Union
Firuza Sultanzada – “EkoSfera” Social Ecological Center
Gulshan Akhundova – “Women, Development, Future” Public Union
Parvana Valiyeva – “Service to Health” Public Union
Muslim Gurbanov – “Ecoil" Scientific Ecological Public Union
Rovshan Abbasov – “Towards a Healthy Life” Ecological Public Union
Zurab Israfilov – “Azerbaijan Nature Protection Society” Public Union
Maryam Majidova - Youth Gender Equality Center “Gender Hub” Public Union
Zaur Ibrahimli – “Prioritet” Social Economic Research Center Public Union
Umud Mirzayev - International Eurasian Press Foundation
Israyil Iskandarov – “Umid” Social Development Support Public Union
Ramil Iskandarli - Legal Analysis and Research Public Union
Gunel Safarova – “Vatandash” Research and Development Public Union
Khalid Kazimov - Regional Human Rights and Media Center Public Union
Ahmad Abbasbayli – “Center for Community Development” Public Union
Elchin Mukhtarli – “Service to Health” Public Union
Amin Mammadov - Public Union “Experts in the Field of Water Use”
Elman Jafarli – “Green World” Environmental Awareness Public Union
Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli - Biosphere Public Union
Gamza Yusubova - Environmental Awareness and Monitoring Public Union
Rahila Mehtiyeva – “Socioeconomic and Ecological Development” Public Union
Irada Hasanova – “Sema va Eko” Social Economic Development Public Union
Tukazban Aghababayeva - Eco Hub Support for Ecological Initiatives
Sevil Isayeva – “Ekolex” Ecological Legal Center Public Union
Rustam Malikov – “Ana Kur” Public Association for Helping to Study Environmental Problems
Azizagha Hunbataliyev - Environmental Protection Public Union
Yazgul Abdiyeva – “Health Protection” Public Union
Ayyub Karimli - Economic and Social Research Public Union
Tavakkul Iskandarov – “Biological Diversity Center” Public Union
Jasarat Huseynzada – “Support for Information and Social Initiatives” Public Union
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’S ALL THINGS NUCLEAR” RELATED MEDIA:
There are 6 categories, including a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera activity around the world that play an important role in humanity’s lives, as do ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links in each category about the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:
All Things Nuclear
Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power Emergencies
Nuclear War
Nuclear War Threats
Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There are no Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available in tonight’s Post.)
Whenever there is an underlined link to a Category media news story, if you press or click on the link provided, you no longer have to cut and paste to your web browser, since this Post’s link will take you directly to the article in your browser.
A current Digest of major nuclear media headlines with automated links is listed below by nuclear Category (in the above listed order). If a Category heading does not appear in the daily news Digest, it means there was no news reported from this Category today. Generally, the three best articles in each Category from around the nuclear world(s) are Posted. Occasionally, if a Post is important enough, it may be listed in multiple Categories.
TODAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS (03/21/2024):
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
Can the US Develop A Nuclear Bomb Without Ever Testing It? We're About to Find Out.
Popular Mechanics
... things all the time.' And I'm sure that they are incredible simulations.” Yet military programs for things such as new fighter jets are often ...
State representatives unveil bipartisan plan to spur nuclear energy generation in Michigan
Michigan House Republicans
“We're working together across party lines to make Michigan a national leader in all things nuclear energy,” Filler said. “Our plan is designed to ...
The state's first small modular nuclear reactor likely won't be built in Southwest Virginia after ...
Cardinal News
“But as of today, the site work and all of that has really been focused on spots other than in Southwest Virginia. And the primary reason for that is ...
Nuclear Power
NEWS
Leaders from over 30 countries meet in Brussels to promote nuclear energy | AP News
AP News
Over 30 leaders and delegations from around the world are backing the idea of using nuclear energy to help achieve a climate-neutral globe while ...
Nuclear power absolutely needed to reach climate goals, IEA's Birol says | WTVB
WTVB
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Nuclear power is absolutely needed to reach worldwide climate goals, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih ...
Leaders commit to 'unlock potential' of nuclear energy at landmark summit
World Nuclear News
Leaders and representatives from 32 countries at the Nuclear Energy Summit backed measures in areas such as financing, technological innovation, ...
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
Seacoast officials ask for more clarity on changes to Seabrook nuclear emergency plan
Concord Monitor
Seacoast officials ask for more clarity on changes to Seabrook nuclear emergency plan. Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant Dan Tuohy—NHPR. Published: ...
Safety mechanisms in place at UWI modular reactor - officials | Loop Jamaica
Loop Jamaica - Loop News
... radiation and emergency protection plans. ... Gov't looking to introduce nuclear power in Jamaica's energy mix ... PM: Use of nuclear reactor to solve ...
Metsamor nuclear power plant poses huge nuclear threat to the region – OPEN LETTER
azertag.az
... emergency condition, has significantly exceeded its intended service life, and poses a global threat. The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, built in a ...
Nuclear War
NEWS
The rising threat of nuclear war | KALW
KALW
Visitors look at a model of a Soviet AN-602 thermonuclear aerial bomb. The reality of a nuclear war probably seems unimaginable to the average ...
The rising threat of nuclear war | 1A
1A
Visitors look at a model of a Soviet AN-602 thermonuclear aerial bomb. TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images. The reality of a nuclear war probably ...
Beating Putin's Game of Nuclear Chicken - Just Security
Just Security
“One can trace a straight line from the overthrow of Libya's dictator Muammar Gaddafi to today's devastating war in Ukraine,” she wrote. Attempts to ...
Nuclear War Threats
NEWS
Global Eyes: How seriously should we take Putin's nuclear threats? – DW
DW
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warInclusion. Advertisement. PoliticsAsia. Global Eyes: How seriously should we take Putin's nuclear threats? To ...
Beating Putin's Game of Nuclear Chicken - Just Security
Just Security
It's not by chance that Russia in 2020 published its revised strategy allowing for a nuclear first use to counter a conventional existential threat.
America's Strategic Posture Is Slouching - WSJ
The Wall Street Journal
Washington has struggled to modernize its nuclear forces in response to the Russian threat. Worse, the commission found, we have barely begun to ...
I wish I could remember where I saw this somewhere earlier today. The comment was that we might expect to see hundreds of nuclear plants going up. I almost couldn't believe it.