NGO Warns Of Explosion Risk At Russian Nuclear Storage

CIVIL NUCLEAR

Bellona publicised the first data on the dangers presented by Andreyeva Bay in 1993. Since then, a number of rehabilitation projects, which have been largely cosmetics, have been undertaken - leaving he real problems far from being solved.

by Staff Writers
Oslo (AFP) June 01, 2007
A Russian nuclear waste storage facility on the Kola Peninsula runs the risk of exploding soon due to severe corrosion on three tanks, the Norwegian environmental organisation Bellona warned on Friday. "The risk of an uncontrolled chain reaction in the storage facility is imminent," Bellona, which works with nuclear contamination on the Kola Peninsula in northern Russia, said in a statement.

Salt water has corroded and seeped through the three tanks which were until now believed to be intact. They are located in Andreyev Bay, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the Norwegian border.

Bellona based its statement on an investigation conducted by the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom.

"The ongoing deterioration (of the concrete tankers) is causing the fuel to split into small particles.... If these particles form a homogenous mix with water it can lead to an uncontrolled chain reaction," Bellona warned.

The Bellona statement comes amid increasing calls in the Scandinavian country to shift responsibility for the old nuclear facilities back to Russia, which could afford to take on the task thanks to increased oil revenues.

"We are not going to reduce our support to the project of securing the storage of nuclear waste in the Andreyev Bay," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.

Norway has taken an active part in demolishing old Russian nuclear sites since 1997.

Over the past 10 years, the Norwegian government has contributed some 120 million kroner (14.8 million euros, 19.8 million dollars) to the task.

According to the ministry, the contribution will in 2007 amount to 14.5 million kroner.

Source: Agence France-Presse

Email This Article

CIVIL NUCLEAR

US Sees Technical Delay In India Nuclear Pact

Washington (AFP) May 31, 2007
The United States on Thursday again blamed "some technical issues" for delays in a nuclear energy deal with India but insisted it was still "committed" to the unprecedented agreement. "I can't give you a sense on the final timing, but, look, the government's clearly committed to it," White House spokesman Tony Snow said as negotiators from both sides held talks in New Delhi.

ENERGY TECH GE's Jenbacher Engine Powers Commercial Landfill Gas Conversion Plant Supplying Fuel For Public Vehicles GE Unit To Double Renewable Energy Investing And Disclose Greenhouse Gas Emissions Airline Sector Puts Global Warming High On Meeting Agenda EON To Halve Carbon Emissions By 2030	CIVIL NUCLEAR NGO Warns Of Explosion Risk At Russian Nuclear Storage US Sees Technical Delay In India Nuclear Pact US Positive On Clinching India Nuclear Accord Britain To Sell Part Of British Energy
BLUE SKY AIRS Global Map Of Carbon Dioxide From Space Widespread Twilight Zone Detected Around Clouds Rand Says Further Study Warranted On Save The World Air Technology Noxious Lightning	WOOD PILE Uganda Shelves Plan To Convert Rainforest Indonesia's Crackdown On Illegal Logging Under Fire Brazil Demonstrating That Reducing Tropical Deforestation Is Key WinWin Global Warming Solution Global Scientists Urge Canada To Save Boreal Forest
FARM NEWS Space-Inspired Garden Takes Top Prize At UK's Chelsea Garden Show Top Chef Warns Of Environmental Impact Of Fine Dining Climate Change Threatens Wild Relatives Of Key Crops Journal Details How Global Warming Will Affect The World's Fisheries	CAR TECH Power Auto Group Debuts Fuel Efficient E-Vehicle Program Hydrogen Breakthrough Could Open The Road To Carbon-Free Cars New Research Advances Energy Efficiency, Safety And Performance Of Public Transit Toyota To Launch 100-Percent Ethanol-Powered Cars In Brazil
AEROSPACE Australia Fears Jet Flight Guilt Could Hit Tourism Nondestructive Testing Keeps Bagram Aircraft Flying New FAA Oceanic Air Traffic System Designed By Lockheed Martin Fully Operational NASA Seeks New Research Proposals	NUCLEAR SPACE Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement