Environmental News For The Week Ending 23May 2019
This is a collection of interesting news articles about the environment and related topics published last week. This is usually a Tuesday evening regular post at
GEI (but can be posted at other times).
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Note: Because of the high volume of news regarding the coronavirus outbreak, that news has been published separately:
Covid totals continue to fall, both in the US and worldwide. New US cases during the week ending May 22nd were down 22.0% from those testing positive during the week ending May 15th, and down 64.2% from our mid-April surge high; this week s new cases were also the lowest for a 7 day period since that ending June 19th of last year. US deaths attributed to Covid this week were down 7.1% from the prior week, and less than a sixth of the death rate during the peak weeks of January. US Covid deaths were also the lowest since t
Experts and activists contend plans to demolish the most radioactive building don t provide enough safeguards. Author: Investigative Post, Phil Gambini Published: 9:27 AM EDT May 19, 2021 Updated: 6:48 PM EDT May 19, 2021
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. Contractors are in the homestretch of clearing the West Valley Demonstration Project of buildings.
Fifty-one of 55 structures have been taken down, and the most contaminated of them all the Main Plant Processing Building is scheduled for demolition this fall.
How hot are its five stories of reinforced concrete? A trio of activists said it “could be one of the most radioactive buildings in the country.”
The demolition might be welcome news, but the manner in which contractors plan to bring the building down is causing concern, even alarm, in some quarters.
Environmental Management Enters New Era With Release Of 2021 Priorities To Advance Cleanup Mission - 5:30 am
Crews demolish Building 9210 at the 1940’s-era Biology Complex at the Oak Ridge Site. Courtesy/DOE
DOE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. The Department of EnergyOffice of Environmental Management Monday released its Calendar Year 2021 Mission and Priorities, a key marker to the program’s continuing success in addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons production and government-sponsored nuclear energy research.
The Calendar Year 2021 Mission and Priorities outlines a new list of specific planned accomplishments across the cleanup complex for the coming year. Built on significant achievements in 2020, the Calendar Year 2021 Mission and Priorities marks a new era for EM that will continue progress in addressing environmental risks and financial liabilities, while advancing EM’s obligations to the communities that played such an important role in U.S. secur
Nuclear workers plagued by leukaemia, cancers and other illnesses
Some workers developed cancer, leukemia and other illnesses. The same held true for workers at other nuclear facilities across the nation.
The number of potentially eligible workers across the nation is uncertain. Likewise, the number of employees potentially affected at West Valley could be in the thousands when accounting for temporary workers.
“This was particularly troubling if the same workers were hired repeatedly as temporaries and received high doses each time,”
In addition, the exposure of growing numbers of individuals increased the possibility of genetic consequences for the entire population.”
Federal program has paid former employees $20.3 million in compensation. Other claims are pending and still more workers are unaware of the program.
Cancer plagues West Valley nuke workers
Federal program has paid former employees $20.3 million in compensation. Other claims are pending and still more workers are unaware of the program. Author: Investigative Post, Phil Gambini Published: 12:39 PM EST March 2, 2021 Updated: 7:05 PM EST March 2, 2021
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. David Pyles says he lives on painkillers and moves with the help of a cane and walker. He worked for five years at the West Valley Demonstration Project, a failed experiment to process spent nuclear fuel.
“What we were doing was insane. We were dealing with so much radiation,” he told Investigative Post from his home in New Hampshire.