New Mexico Uranium Enrichment Plant to Address Two Apparent Violations

https://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/02/24/new-mexico-uranium-enrichment-plant-to-address-two-apparent-violations-022401.aspx

In New Mexico, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has threatened to take actions against an uranium enrichment plant following two inccidents. The first incident was record-keeping mistake. It was an incorrect log of the mass of uranium in bottles undergoing decontamination. The incident was taken care of and minimal critical level was not triggered. This failure of something so simple as management is frigthening, considering the risks invovled with nuclear power. The second inccident occurred when bottles of the previous uranium were handled in a pleixglass box on a cart. 8 bottles were in critical mass and there weren't any saftey procedures to deal with the situation. The agency will make an enforcement date later. 

Up to 82,000 Tons of Toxic Coal Ash Spilled Into North Carolina River

http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/46985

In Eden, North Carolinia, a stormwater pipe under a pond of coal ash burst, displacing thousands of tons of coal ash into the nearby Dan River. Duke Energy, the company who own the Dan River Steam Station estimates that up to 27 million gallons of water are now polluted. There has been a temporary solution to the problem, however a permenant solution is still being decided. Duke has 14 coal plants in the state, with 7 of them retired. Many people believe that Duke should clean up the polluntants. This is also not the first ashspill. The Tennesse Valley Authority accidentally spilled over a billion tons of ash spread out over 300 acres of land. The EPA is finallly processing laws about proper coal ash cleanup.

Gas company to drill in Manu National Park buffer zone, imperiling indigenous people

http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/46981


In Peru, the Peruvian government has approved for the drilling of gas in the buffer zone of the Manu National Park, which is home to indigenous people. The gas company, Pluspetrol, has been highly reviewed and analyzed as well as effects of the drilling after meeting approval. There has been repeated criticism from the indigenous and society. Seismic tests have been outlawed in indigenous native areas, however been approved for most of the area. There will be 18 exploratory wells in six different locations. Unfortunately for the native group, the Nahua , could become devastated or possibly extinct because of this action.