Senator Leahy is not getting much love these days on GMD, thanks to his puzzling support for the Protect IP Act; but a spoonful of sugar truly does make the medicine go down.  So I think he deserves applause for the extremely well-crafted statement he has released urging President Obama not to yield to Republican gamesmanship around Keystone XL.

The statement is focussed on two key issues that should resonate with even the most conservative readers.

Addressing the jobs argument he says:

Unable to sell the pipeline as necessary to meet the country’s energy needs, which it is not, or to refute charges that tar sands strip mining and the refining and burning of high carbon oil cause egregious harm to the environment and health, which it does, the Canadian energy company, TransCanada, has flooded the media with dire warnings about the American jobs that will be lost if the pipeline is rejected

…What they don’t tell you is that the 5,000 or 6,000 temporary construction jobs will disappear once the pipeline is built.  Only a few hundred permanent jobs are needed to operate and maintain the pipeline.

And on the topic of our “need” for this fuel source:

We cannot lessen our reliance on fossil fuels by continually ignoring it.

Fossil fuels are finite, inefficient, and dirty.  The cost we pay at the gas pump bears no resemblance to the long-term environmental and health costs borne by society as a whole.

Well said, Senator. Let’s hope President Obama heeds your sage advice; and, in the same vein, let’s hope our discussion here will get you to look with new perspective at Protect IP.

Fairewinds Associates has just released a new video explaining some more of the science behind what may have taken place beneath the reactors, out of sight and out of reach; and further exploring the implications of the water issues discussed below.

Fukushima – Could it Have a China Syndrome? from Fairewinds Associates on Vimeo.

We keep revisiting the Fukushima disaster because, rather than an event fixed in the past, it is a slowly unfolding drama with broadening impacts revealing themselves like the layers of an onion.

Now Japanese engineer, Setseo Fujiwara of JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization) has independently agreed with Fairewinds Associate’s Arnie Gundersen, that there was indeed a hydrogen explosion at Reactor 3, as well as a nuclear explosion in the Spent Fuel Pool.

Fujiwara cites the same evidence as Arnie did many months ago.  An English translation of Mr. Fujiwara’s interview in SPA magazine contains the following quote:

Inside the SFP (spent fuel pool), it was like a nuclear reactor becoming critical, and the water boiled. Then there was a hydrogen explosion above the surface of the water in the SFP, and due to the pressure from the explosion, voids (steam bubbles) in the boiling water were compressed. The void coefficient was negative, so the reactivity of nuclear fission was suddenly heightened, resulting in a nuclear explosion from the prompt criticality. When you see the slow-motion video of Reactor 3’s explosion, you hear three explosive sounds. It is the evidence that the nuclear explosion occurred after the hydrogen explosion.”

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, TEPCO is finding it difficult to deal with the shear volume of radiation contaminated water generated by the ongoing cooling process and a monumental influx of ground water.  

In April, they released more than 10,000 tons of contaminated water into the ocean in order to accommodate accumulations with higher levels of radiation, a move that inflamed relations with nearby South Korea and China, and raised an alarm in the Japanese fishing industry.

Operators are estimating that storage capacity will be exceeded once again by March of 2012.  The situation is being exacerbated by the inflow of groundwater to the crippled plant at a rate of 200 to 500 tons per day!

Despite efforts to remove some of the radiation from the accumulated water, nuclear expert Kenji Sumita, Professor Emeritus at Osaka University, is publicly challenging the government not to allow further releases of “treated” water into the ocean.  Says Prof. Sumita,

“The reality is that semipermanent storage is the only solution available under current technological constraints. Tepco may have to find the storage space and look for a technological breakthrough in the coming years that allows it to condense and greatly reduce the volume of tainted water.”

Though it is the fervent wish of the entire nuclear industry to leave Fukushima behind in its rear-view mirror, that’s not going to happen any time soon.

This is why we love us some Bernie.

In what represents the first constitutional amendment he has ever proposed while in Congress, Senator Sanders is seeking to reverse the sweeping impacts of the Citizens United Decision handed down two years ago by the Supremes.

“There comes a time when an issue is so important that the only way to address it is by a constitutional amendment,” Sanders said of the effort to override the court decision that he labeled “a complete undermining of democracy.”  

Why is a Constitutional Amendment the only answer to the Citizens United decision?  

The “Saving American Democracy Amendment ” should have popular support amongst the cross-generational tide that has embraced # Occupy Wall Street and carried it to distinct political significance.  This popularity, which should extend broadly beyond Occupy sympathizers, even to include the more cautious denizens of the 99%, is unlikely to go very far in the people’s Congress.

There seems to be little appetite in DC for fighting the “good fights” when it is all most Democrats can do to simply resist the worst impulses of the hostage situation in which they find themselves, vis-a-vis the petty tyranny of the Republican right.

Nevertheless we celebrate Senator Sander’s absolutely necessary proposal, as this and a companion measure proposed in the House by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) represent the steadily building drumbeat for reform that will eventually become irresistible.  

While many may be tempted to characterize Bernie as a Don Quixote figure, forever tilting at windmills, I like to think that, understanding his unique position as an Independent in the midst of a gridlocked chess-game, he is maximizing the opportunity of his free agency to bring the peoples’ true voice thundering into the Senate chamber.  That is a powerful conduit which cannot indefinitely be ignored.

Hold the presses!  There’s been another incident report from Vermont Yankee.  Only this one took two months for the NRC report to appear, and it clearly illustrates that there were significant safety and reliability concerns at the time:

LOSS OF VITAL AC POWER WHILE SHUTDOWN

“This 60-day telephone notification is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) and 10CFR50.73(a)(1) to describe an invalid actuation of a containment heat removal system.

“On October 11, 2011, with the reactor shutdown for refueling, a partial loss of vital AC power was experienced which resulted in a loss of shutdown cooling as well as PCIS group 2, 3, 4, and 5 half isolations. The actuation was determined to be invalid as it occurred because a breaker supplying power to the ‘A’ vital AC was manually opened, resulting in actuation of the associated PCIS logic circuitry. The Group 4 actuation resulted in a complete isolation of the single train Residual Heat Removal shutdown cooling suction path. The shutdown cooling path was isolated for approximately 12 minutes resulting in a coolant temperature increase of approximately 2 degrees F. At the time of the event, the reactor cavity was flooded with the spent fuel pool gates removed and the normal fuel pool cooling system in operation to provide reactor cavity cooling. Based on this, there was no impact on public health and safety.”

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

That’s one hell of a temperature climb in just twelve minutes!

What took them so long to log the incident?

Vermont Yankee missed the golden opportunity to use their “Friday Flash” model to share their latest misadventure with the public in a more timely manner.

Apparently, this event actually occurred last Friday, December 2; so it will be interesting to see how long it takes for it to grind its way into the Free Press.

“While hanging tags on the ‘B’ Diesel Generator, which was tagged out for maintenance, the operator mistakenly entered the ‘A’ Diesel Generator Room and tripped the ‘A’ Diesel Generator fuel rack, making it inoperable. At this time both diesels were inoperable placing the plant in a 24 Hour LCO.

“When the fuel rack was tripped alarms were received in the control room, the operator was immediately contacted and the problem was identified and corrected. Total LCO time was approximately 2 minutes.”

Operator error.  Makes you think, doesn’t it?

Sometimes I am struck by the persistent oddity of our local news.

This week in St. Albans, a bank robber who escaped on bicycle is being sought by authorities; and apparently, Burlington police are so untroubled by real emergencies that they are hunting the “raccoon lady.”

The story has even captured the imagination of national news outlets like Huffington Post which seldom considers Vermont beyond Bernie Sanders.

For those of you who missed the bulletin two weeks ago, a woman marched up to the doors of Burlington’s City Hall and angrily whacked them with a dead raccoon.  The mysterious blonde perpetrator now appears to be the subject of a man-hunt, complete with blurry front page photo in the Free Press!

What I want to know is why?  

Is she sought in the murder investigation of said raccoon?  Given her brazen approach to the seat of power, it seems unlikely that she done the deed herself.

Are the police looking for her because she defaced public property?  That would represent truly screwy priorities.

All that remains as a reasonable possibility is that they are looking for her to make sure she is alright; that her issue, whatever it was, gets addressed; and that, if there are underlying health issues in her assault on City Hall, she gets the care she badly needs.  

This is what I’d like to believe is going on here, but we aren’t exactly distinguishing ourselves these days as a poster-state for mental healthcare.

I can’t help thinking that a highly public police pursuit is hardly what the doctor would have ordered for this enigmatic lady.

You’ve got to give it to Vermont Department of Environmental Engineering’s Todd Menees for getting some straight talk about post-Irene stream mitigation into the Free Press today.

It’s obviously become a major bone of contention within the Administration as to how much is too much intervention.

Menees says:

“When you dig down too deep, the water can’t get out onto the flood plain,”…which is where rivers are supposed to go when they flood.

And then Governor Shumlin says:

“We’ve got to get in here and get this work done…Irene left a mess behind and it’s got to be cleaned up.”

And then Menees says:

“We don’t want to take out every blessed stick,” …noting that clearing the way in one spot could cause further damage downstream.

The obvious disconnect between the Governor’s agenda and that of his science experts only worsens as the pressure builds.  While conceding that he is “not a scientist,” Shumlin seems unmoved:

“Our lesson in all areas where we don’t have development (is), let the river have a flood plain. In areas where we do have development … find the balance between maintaining flood protection and natural resources…That may mean doing more maintenance in some of those areas than we have in the past.”

It’s enough to make an engineer weep.  

Says Menees:

“I have people screaming at me every day – they say you care more about the fish than the people…if it’s good for the river, it’s good for the people and it’s good for the fish. People don’t get that.”

His boss, Commissioner David Mears, walking the thin-line as he attempts to reconcile the science staff’s position with that of the governor, has this to say about his boss’s position:

“The governor’s response has been visceral.”

Which one might take to mean that his head is less than sufficiently involved.

In comes Secy. of State Deb Markowitz, (aka The Peacemaker) apparently charged with the impossible task of maintaining a unified message from the Administration on this sensitive issue:

“When the governor is on the road with homeowners he’s empathizing,” Markowitz said. “He’s also saying you need to talk to the river engineer.”

Piece of advice to the Governor: when you enjoy the distinction of being “Greenest Governor” in the country, you would do well to listen carefully to your scientists before you make promises you may later come to regret.

(I have to disclose that I identify myself as a Vermont Progressive Party member and currently serve as Chair for St. Albans City.)



If Governor Shumlin’s ears were burning yesterday, it could have been because he was so often the topic of conversation at Saturday’s Progressive Party Convention in Montpelier.  

But that is not to say that he was anything like the focus of the Convention, which elected a roster of officers including Martha Abbott (who was reconfirmed as Chair), passed the revised party platform, and endorsed three significant resolutions.

The first resolution, in support of labor, represented more or less exactly the same one which Democrats failed to introduce at their State Committee meeting two weeks ago.

The second, supports restrictions on corporate funding of political campaigns, and encourages local citizens to petition for similar language to be included in the vote on Town Meeting Day.

The third, is an expression of solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.

The agenda of the Convention was shaped around those topics.  Guest speakers included Chicago-based political podcaster, Norman Goldman  and labor organizer, Steve Early.

Based on feedback he has received from around the country Mr. Goldman believes that there is growing interest in forming a national Progressive Party with Vermont’s home-grown example as the model.  He said that California may already be poised to begin the initiative.

Mr. Early asserts that, in step with Occupy Wall Street, the time is ripe for a mutually beneficial alliance between the Vermont Progressive Party and labor to promote a statewide agenda consistent with the interests of both.

Once again, it was a pleasure to join a gathering that focussed primarily on policy, with political pragmatism a decidedly secondary consideration.

I have to credit Al Norman of Sprawl Busters for alerting me and countless others to a story that may have slid past us in the crunch of front page news, but has far reaching implications for us all.  

Apparently healthcare is poised to be the next industry to be “Walmartised.”

We all know how Walmart has moved into offering deep discounts on a limited range of common medications.  

Some may be aware that this move, and corresponding promotions by other big box retailers, has further marginalized smaller pharmacies to the brink of extinction, as drug companies make-up their Walmart losses in pricing applied only to the little guys.  

With those dying independent pharmacies goes not only the traditional relationship of patient to trusted family pharmacist, but also some of the quality assurances that formed the basis for that trust.  

You may recall a bizarre story a couple of years ago, of a couple of undocumented drivers in southern Utah ferrying discount drugs from Walmart store to Walmart store in open packages and an unsecured vehicle.

Anyway, having gutted U.S. manufacturing in order to provide cheaper and cheaper goods to an underemployed and undercompensated America; and having strip-mined the poor both as consumers and labor, Walmart then turned its attention to gas and groceries, two of the three essential categories beyond shelter that remain when all other spending must be curtailed.  

Now Walmart is eyeing that third essential, healthcare.

Following the premature release of a 14-page request from Walmart to healthcare service and goods providers, seeking input to the planning of a major healthcare initiative, the company quickly back-pedaled:

Wal-Mart issued a statement Wednesday saying its request for partners to provide primary care services was “overwritten and incorrect.” The firm is “not building a national, integrated low-cost primary health care platform,” according to the statement by Dr. John Agwunobi, a senior vice president for health and wellness at the retailer.

Does Walmart not protest too full?  Could anyone now doubt where this is heading?

As Al Norman points out, the bitter irony is not wasted on Walmart workers who just last week learned that their healthcare benefits are on the chopping block.

The release of this internal document came roughly two weeks after The New York Times reported that Wal-Mart was “substantially rolling back coverage for part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many full-time staff.” Wal-Mart informed its “associates” working less than 24 hours per week that they would no longer have health care coverage at all. Deductibles for many workers are rising steeply.

Walmart’s excuse for scrooging its “associates?  Not enough profits:

Wal-Mart had operating income of $25.5 billion in fiscal year 2011. They have been telling workers for years that giving them better health care would jeopardize the growth of the company. Meanwhile, the Walton family uses its vast wealth to open up a glitzy art museum this week near Wal-Mart’s headquarters. Health care? Let them eat art!

Could we be glimpsing a future in which care providers must compete to provide lower and lower cost care every year or be ejected from the rolls, a practice that already outsourced most U.S.manufacturing jobs?  

But what happens when those personal care jobs cannot be outsourced and all possible efficiencies have been achieved with a fully qualified staff?  Will quality healthcare and patient welfare be sacrificed, Walmart-stye, to the bottom line?

So, the next time you hear someone complain about the wait in a local emergency room, try imagining it run like the check-out at your nearby Walmart store.  Price-check on aisle nine!

Undeterred by nuclear catastrophe in Japan, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is racing to approve a new model of reactor, the Westinghouse-Toshiba  AP1000, that is being constructed right now in China, and is on track for licensing to operate at several locations in the southeastern U.S.

Analysis of the Fukushima disaster has yielded 40-pages of concerns that experts conclude should be addressed in new reactor designs, but the NRC is not insisting that the manufacturer incorporate any improvements relative to those concerns in the AP 1000 before licensing.

The NRC has yet to certify the design, but two plants in Georgia and S. Carolina are pushing for swift approval. Despite the fact that there is no immediate need for the energy these plants would provide, and that it will only be available at a higher cost than rate-payers currently enjoy,  the new plants are being sold as “job-creators;” so pressure to “fast-track” licensing is tremendous.

If the NRC’s past behavior is any predictor, approval of the design, without modification, will be swift.

In fact, the NRC dismisses concern that Fukushima-related modifications have not been made to the design by saying, in essence, that we can worry about all that later but must make licensing them to operate the immediate priority.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to detect the folly in this approach, so it is hardly surprisingly that Fairewinds Associates’ Arnie Gundersen doesn’t think it’s a very good idea.

The AP1000 Oversight Group has retained Fairewinds  to take a look at the new design relative to the findings of concern at Fukushima; and Fairewind’s newest video analysis summarizes their conclusions.

In it, Arnie cites six specific areas in which the design has significant short-comings, especially in light of new evidence provided by the real experiences at Fukushima.  

Among those short-comings is the minimal tolerance allowed between what the AP1000 containment has been designed to withstand and the theoretical predictions that were the untested standard before Fukushima.  Those predictions have already been demonstrated in Japan to have been woefully inadequate.  

To put it simply, it is recognized that there is insufficient margin for failure designed into the AP1000 containment, but the NRC does not intend to require Westinghouse to correct this fault before licensing the new reactors to operate.

This deficiency alone should have sent the whole thing back to the drawing board, but there are a number of other equally concerning issues.  

Watch the whole video; then if you really want to get to the nuts and bolts, read the full report, posted on Fairewinds’ website.

Fukushima and Its Impact Upon the Westinghouse-Toshiba Designed AP1000 Atomic Power Plant from Fairewinds Associates on Vimeo.