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Radiation from Japan Nuclear Plant May Have Reached Wisconsin
By Marcie Kobriger
2wbay (ABC)
Radiation from the failing Fukushima nuclear power plant on Japan's coast may now be present in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says within the past few days it's seen an increase in radioactivity at monitoring sites.
The EPA's nationwide radiation monitoring system, RADNET, continuously monitors the nation's air for radiation.
Monitors in at least 14 states have recorded trace amounts of iodine-131, the isotope associated with the Fukushima plant. In addition, iodine-131 has a half-life of just eight days, meaning in that time half of it will decay to a non-radioactive state -- a process that will continue until it is undetectable, which nuclear physicists say would take a couple of months. Compare that to the isotope associated with Chernobyl, cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years
According to the DHS, Wisconsin may soon be added to the list.
"We have seen some indications of an increase in background radioactivity levels that could be attributed to that accident. We have sent those samples off to the Environmental Protection Agency for further analyses," DHS's Chief of Radiation Protection Paul Schmidt said.
The DHS says the spike in radioactivity was detected in the air in the past few days.
The Kewaunee and Point Beach nuclear plants, which also continuously monitor the air for radioactivity, say they also noticed an increase in radioactivity.
However, all agencies say the amounts are minuscule and pose no threat.
(GC Notes: the radiation could come from our 2 plants; radiation may be always leaking out)
Wisconsin Nuclear Profile
State Nuclear Profiles with data for 2008
Last Updated: September 2010
Next Update: August 2011
State Overview
There are two operating nuclear power plants in Wisconsin. Both of them built on the shore of Lake Michigan.
1.) Kewaunee in Kewaunee County
Kewaunee was the fourth nuclear plant built in Wisconsin, and the 44th built in the United States.
In June 2005, the plant was acquired by Dominion from its previous owners, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Alliant Energy.
The Virginia-based company owns the North Anna and Surry plants in its home state, and acquired one other out-of-state plant, Millstone in Connecticut.
2.) Point Beach in Manitowoc County
Wisconsin's first commercial reactor, Point Beach 1 is one of the oldest reactors still in service.
It went into commercial service in December 1970.
In October 2007, Wisconsin Energy Corporation completed the sale of the Point Beach facility to FPL Energy.
On October 7, 2007, Florida Power & Light acquired Point Beach from the Nuclear Management Company.
The purchase price was reported as $998 million, of which $215 million was for fuel, inventory, and other items.
Contribution of Nuclear Power
Wisconsin’s nuclear capacity is approximately 10% of the State’s total electric generating capacity.
Nuclear generation represents about 20% of the State’s total generation.
Wisconsin is a net importer of electric energy, importing 20% of its electric power use.
License Renewals
Kewaunee: In August 2008, Kewaunee requested approval for a 20-year life extension. The current license expires December 21, 2013.
Point Beach: In December 2005, Point Beach received approval for a 20-year life extension. Unit 1’s license now expires in October 2030. Unit 2’s license now expires in March 2033.
Permanently Shutdown Commercial Reactors
La Crosse in Vernon County
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read Uppity also my head is throbbing
2wbay (ABC)
Radiation from the failing Fukushima nuclear power plant on Japan's coast may now be present in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says within the past few days it's seen an increase in radioactivity at monitoring sites.
The EPA's nationwide radiation monitoring system, RADNET, continuously monitors the nation's air for radiation.
Monitors in at least 14 states have recorded trace amounts of iodine-131, the isotope associated with the Fukushima plant. In addition, iodine-131 has a half-life of just eight days, meaning in that time half of it will decay to a non-radioactive state -- a process that will continue until it is undetectable, which nuclear physicists say would take a couple of months. Compare that to the isotope associated with Chernobyl, cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years
According to the DHS, Wisconsin may soon be added to the list.
"We have seen some indications of an increase in background radioactivity levels that could be attributed to that accident. We have sent those samples off to the Environmental Protection Agency for further analyses," DHS's Chief of Radiation Protection Paul Schmidt said.
The DHS says the spike in radioactivity was detected in the air in the past few days.
The Kewaunee and Point Beach nuclear plants, which also continuously monitor the air for radioactivity, say they also noticed an increase in radioactivity.
However, all agencies say the amounts are minuscule and pose no threat.
(GC Notes: the radiation could come from our 2 plants; radiation may be always leaking out)
And get this—a quarter of our reactors are leaking or have leaked radioactive carcinogenic, tritium-polluted water. (See “Zombie Nuke Plants,” December 7, 2009.)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin Nuclear Profile
State Nuclear Profiles with data for 2008
Last Updated: September 2010
Next Update: August 2011
State Overview
There are two operating nuclear power plants in Wisconsin. Both of them built on the shore of Lake Michigan.
1.) Kewaunee in Kewaunee County
Kewaunee was the fourth nuclear plant built in Wisconsin, and the 44th built in the United States.
In June 2005, the plant was acquired by Dominion from its previous owners, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Alliant Energy.
The Virginia-based company owns the North Anna and Surry plants in its home state, and acquired one other out-of-state plant, Millstone in Connecticut.
2.) Point Beach in Manitowoc County
Wisconsin's first commercial reactor, Point Beach 1 is one of the oldest reactors still in service.
It went into commercial service in December 1970.
In October 2007, Wisconsin Energy Corporation completed the sale of the Point Beach facility to FPL Energy.
On October 7, 2007, Florida Power & Light acquired Point Beach from the Nuclear Management Company.
The purchase price was reported as $998 million, of which $215 million was for fuel, inventory, and other items.
Contribution of Nuclear Power
Wisconsin’s nuclear capacity is approximately 10% of the State’s total electric generating capacity.
Nuclear generation represents about 20% of the State’s total generation.
Wisconsin is a net importer of electric energy, importing 20% of its electric power use.
License Renewals
Kewaunee: In August 2008, Kewaunee requested approval for a 20-year life extension. The current license expires December 21, 2013.
Point Beach: In December 2005, Point Beach received approval for a 20-year life extension. Unit 1’s license now expires in October 2030. Unit 2’s license now expires in March 2033.
Permanently Shutdown Commercial Reactors
La Crosse in Vernon County
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read Uppity also my head is throbbing
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