The Tokyo Electric Power Company has said the cooling systems of three reactors at a second nuclear power plant, Fukushima-Daini, are malfunctioning, according to the Kyodo news agency.
The plant is 11km (7 miles) to the south of Fukushima-Daiichi, where the cooling system in one of its reactors is not working and pressure is rising.
It says the ability to control pressure in some of the reactors at Fukushima-Daini has been lost. Pressure is stable inside the reactors, but rising in the containment vessels, a company spokesman says.
Japan is “on the path of a core-melt accident,” a nuclear expert tells Newsmax in an exclusive interview.
The news Friday afternoon that the only nation that ever has endured a nuclear-weapons attack is venting contaminated vapor from a nuclear power plant’s containment core could indicate that the coolant loss is quite serious, says Mark Hibbs, a Berlin-based senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a nonprofit think tank. Hibbs, who works in Carnegie's Nuclear Policy Program, has spent 20 years reporting for nuclear-energy journals and has spoken with Japanese officials in the aftermath of the nuclear plant mishap resulting from the earthquake there.
Japanese officials have evacuated 3,000 residents who live near the damaged reactors as a precautionary measure, according to Fox News. The pressure inside the reactor containment domes is 50 percent higher than normal, the officials say, although they contend that a last-ditch emergency cooling system is intact.
“The Japanese public is generally very alarmed about things like radioactive emissions,” says Hibbs, who served for two decades as an editor and correspondent for the nuclear energy publications “Nucleonics Week” and “Nuclear Fuel.” “They have an extreme high standard of safety protection, and they don’t like to see risks like this taken even if the risk is small.
“It’s a very, very risk-averse culture in this regard. So if the authorities are willing to do this, that might be a sign of how serious they perceive the threat to the reactor.”
Although coolant interruptions to nuclear power plants are not all that unusual, says Hibbs, who adds that the surprising aspect of this incident is that Japan’s redundant systems apparently have been unable to counteract reactor core heating.
“What happened in Japan is very alarming because it would appear . . . that about 2:30 this afternoon Japan time, when the earthquake struck . . . three of the reactors that were operating were disenabled because of a loss of offsite power that was caused by the earthquake.”
The Japanese situation appears to be roughly analogous to the Three Mile Island incident in the United States, where authorities struggled for days to contain an improperly cooled reactor core but were able to avert a widespread release of nuclear material.
“We were in a situation as I recall then very similar to where we are now, where we were told by news media in 1979 that there was a core melt accident unfolding, we didn’t know how serious it would become, and what would happen,” Hibbs tells Newsmax.
At least one of the reactors in Japan, and perhaps more, “ are on the path of a core-melt accident. It’s called a loss of coolant accident. . . . And it’s up to the Japanese authorities, together with the industries in that country, to find a way to stem this problem,” he said.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed that the United States is trying to help alleviate the situation. "We just had our Air Force assets in Japan transport some really important coolant to one of the nuclear plants," Clinton said, according to the Associated Press.
The Japanese reactors are designed to drop neutron-blocking control rods into the core as soon as the plants detect a seismic disturbance. These controls apparently functioned normally. But even after the procedure, scientists say a base level of heat continues to flow, and coolant is needed to constrain those temperatures.
Asked how long Japanese scientists have to correct the problem to avoid a core meltdown, Hibbs tells Newsmax that it depends on system design, adding, “it could be a day, plus or minus 10 hours.”
“After a while, with the heat building up in there, and lack of coolant, you’re going to see damage in your fuel, the cladding, the metal container around the nuclear material, begins to buckle or balloon or break, and after a little while you’ll get a situation where the fuel falls apart, melts, and falls into the core, and then you’ve got a classical core melt accident like you had in Three Mile Island that you had in the United States in '79.”
Hibbs spoke with Japanese government officials who told him the force of the tsunami was so severe that the water may have flooded the reactors, power generators, and cooling mechanisms, disabling the equipment. "Which means they have to resort to basically a military-type exercise, to rush in to the devastated site equipment that they can quickly hook up to the reactor to get power in there and start this emergency equipment, to get cooling water into that core and prevent that fuel from overheating.
“And if they can’t do that,” he told Newsmax, “then you’re going to have this meltdown.”
They have 24 hours or so to avoid a core meltdown, he says. But if one occurs, two scenarios could follow: The good outcome would mirror what happened at Three Mile Island, while the bad one could involve what he called a “Chernobyl scenario, where the damage to the reactor was such that the integrity of the structures were damaged.
The pressure inside one of the six Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) at the Fukushima-Daiichi plant has built up because the cooling system was damaged by the earthquake. The heat produced by the nuclear reaction inside the core still needs to be dissipated even after a shutdown. If the outage in the cooling system persists, eventually radiation could leak out into the environment, and, in the worst case, could cause a reactor meltdown, experts say.
The Associated Press is also now citing Japanese nuclear safety agency officials as saying that radiation levels inside one of the reactors at the Fukushima-Daini nuclear power plant have surged to 1,000 times their normal levels after the cooling system failed. Pressure inside the reactor has risen to 1.5 times the level considered normal.
The Tokyo Electric Power Company has said radiation may already have been released at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan has announced that residents living within 10km (6.2 miles) of the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear station must evacuate their homes, according to the Kyodo news agency. Engineers are trying to fix the cooling system of one of the plant's reactors, which was damaged by the earthquake. The authorities had earlier told some 3,000 residents living within 3km (1.9 miles) to leave.
Officials in Washington have said the US military has not provided any coolant to the nuclear plant in Japan. Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said US Air Force "assets" had been used to do so.
I know, I know … you never thought that you would read something written by me AND that was critical of freshman Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). I’m a little surprised myself. However, I never would have thought that Harris would have voted for a measure that actually expanded ObamaCare. Unfortunately, he did.
The bill itself is not of major concern. It’s actually good for the Eastern Shore and the poultry industry. The problem is that the affected program is part of ObamaCare.
It has been a not-so-well-kept secret that part of the left’s strategy for ObamaCare has been to allow portions of the electorate to begin receiving benefit from the bill and voila! we have a new entitlement that is extremely difficult to alter without the risk of electoral consequences. This is precisely why conservatives have been adamant that a piecemeal approach cannot be taken to this measure. It must be repealed. If it can’t be repealed, if must be de-funded. The last thing we can do is EXPAND programs within the bill.
According to Congressman Harris’ press secretary Ryan Nawrocki, Harris was torn on this vote. However, poultry producers and the Maryland Farm Bureau were firmly behind the measure:
Congressman Harris has voted for full repeal. He has supported repeal of the onerous 1099 provisions within ObamaCare. But in the end, this bill is good for the Eastern Shore and the District. It means jobs and the Congressman felt that he needed to look at the entire picture.
Andy is wrong on this one! To date Harris has done a great job. He helped lead the revolt for greater cuts in the budget and should be commended. He voted to keep the GOP’s pledge of cutting $100 billion from the current budget (or lack thereof). That doesn’t excuse voting to expand a program that is part of ObamaCare.
I understand that jobs are important. Unfortunately, we can’t create enough jobs to keep America from going broke IF we allow ObamaCare to move forward. Even without ObamaCare, we must have meaningful entitlement reform if we are to ever get our debt back down to a manageable level.
Conservatives should view this vote as a “mulligan”. We should give it to Andy; BUT we should also let him know that we expect the man we elected to represent us. That doesn’t mean making “easy” votes that have dangerous long term consequences.
A week ago the look of fear on this couples faces was clear and evident. Today, Chuck and Vicki Campbell have a new outlook on life as Chuck is beating all odds with a successful double lung transplant just a few days ago.
Chuck and Vicki were kind enough to send me this updated photo just for everyone following Salisbury News. I put in the request early this morning because I wanted everyone to see the difference, so thank you Vicki & Chuck.
To the many of you who participated in raising the funds to help save Chuck's life, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
While Vicki may be looking hot, Chuck, you're looking absolutely fantastic yourself. The two of you make a fantastic couple who have truly been blessed in so many ways.
Keep us posted as many are asking for updates several times a day.
Walker says bill will save $30M in budget year; union leaders plan to launch counterattack
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has officially taken away nearly all collective bargaining rights from the vast majority of the state's public employees.
Walker signed the bill to do so privately Friday morning. He planned an afternoon news conference in the Capitol.
The explosive measure passed the Assembly on Thursday following more than three weeks of protests that drew tens of thousands of people to the Capitol in opposition. The Senate cleared the way for passage with a surprise move Wednesday that allowed them to vote on the bill without 14 Democratic senators present.
That ends — for now — a three-week battle that saw all Democratic state senators flee to a neighboring state and as many as 80,000 protest at the Capitol building.
The Food Lion on Tilgman Road has been closed all morning. The HAZMAT team has made entries on an unknown oder that evacuated the building. Delmar had to bring their DECON for them.
UPDATE: Truck 2 with the ladder to the roof and the hazmat team. Chesapeake
Utilities truck just pulled up.
Awhile back, when the initial campaign funding reports were submitted by the candidates in Salisbury’s city council election, we asked for information about Mr. Hopkins, who has made very substantial (for Salisbury) donations to Boda, Dryden and Dixon – the SAPOA slate. Because his address was listed as Fairfax Station, VA, we wondered about the basis of his largess. Now, our readers have responded, and we have double-checked.
Mr. Hopkins is heavily engaged in residential rental, mostly to students, in and around Salisbury as the manager of the LLC firm that in 2010 purchased much of the housing stock then owned and operated by Donnie Williams and his enterprise. The price was nearly $4 Million, which may well explain why Mr. Hopkins has so generously supported the SAPOA backed candidates, one of whom (Dixon) did not make it through the primary. Rental of the units is apparently being handled by Fairfax Station Enterprises, another LLC firm in which Mr. Hopkins may have an interest.
It seems that residential rental in Salisbury is so rewarding, financially, that it is attracting investors from far and wide who want to have a handle on the City’s government. Can you say “ca-ching”?
On March 11, 2011 at approximately 1:52 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol and heard a single gunshot that originated in the area of Roland Street in Salisbury. As the officers responded to the area of Roland Street, the officers observed a vehicle driving away from the area at a high rate of speed. Officers stopped the vehicle and found that the vehicle had sustained damage as a result of a gunshot. The vehicle had been struck in the rear trunk area and a portion of the rear glass had been broken out. The occupants of the vehicle were unable to provide any information regarding the incident, to include suspect information. The occupants of the vehicle indicated that the vehicle had been shot while in the parking lot of Gully’s Nightclub, on Roland Street. Detectives of the Salisbury Police received information indicating that there were a number of witnesses to the event that were in the parking lot at the time the shot was fired.
The Salisbury Police are asking anyone that may have witnessed the incident, or has any information pertaining to the incident, to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be left at both locations anonymously.
CC # 201100008859
On March 10, 2011 at approximately 3:16 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Superfresh Food Store on East College Avenue for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that store employees had observed the below listed suspect take cosmetics from the store without making any attempts at payment before leaving the store. Officers, with the assistance of store security, located the suspect at a nearby residence. The suspect was positively identified and taken into custody. The cosmetics were not recovered.
ARRESTED: Tishea Lashay Green, 18 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100008790
On March 10, 2011 at approximately 4:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the PNC Bank on W. Isabella Street for the report of a check fraud. Upon arrival the officers met with bank officials who advised that the below listed suspect was attempted to cash a forged check. Salisbury detectives responded and learned that the suspect had forged and was attempting to cash a check stolen from the victim’s residence. The investigation is continuing as to additional thefts from the victim.
ARRESTED: Sheila Jean Jones, 44 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Forgery
Possession of a forged document
Issuing a forged document
Theft (under $ 100)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100008794
On March 10, 2011 at approximately 8:33 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant for a fraud and theft that was reported on February 23 of 2011. On that date, Salisbury officers met with a victim who advised that the below listed suspect, who was a family member, had fraudulently opened up a cellular telephone account with her information and without her consent. Salisbury detectives investigated the incident and obtained the arrest warrant.
ARRESTED: Brooke Nathaniel Allison, 34 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Fraud – Identity theft
Fraudulent use of a signature
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100006019
On March 10, 2011 at approximately 11:11 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the three hundred (300) block of Prince Street for the report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival the officers met with an adult female victim who advised that she had been assaulted by the below listed suspect during an argument. The victim advised that while arguing with the suspect, the suspect threw her to the ground and kicked her. The suspect was located a short distance from the residence and taken into custody. The female victim refused medical treatment.
ARRESTED: Maurice Clayton Brown, Jr., 33 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100008840
'Pro-choice' comes up as Republicans attack energy efficiency standards
WASHINGTON — The humble light bulb became a lightning rod for philosophical differences in the Senate on Thursday — a debate so vitriolic that while the focus was supposed to be on more efficient bulbs the talk went as far off-topic as abortion.
"You favor a woman's right to abortion but not a woman or man's right to a light bulb," Sen. Rand Paul, R-N.Y., told an Obama administration official from the Energy Department testifying about the savings to consumers and the environment of energy standards.
"You're really anti-choice," he added, saying he supported a bill to repeal those standards.
"I find it insulting," Paul said, calling federal officials "busybodies" trying to tell Americans what to do.
After hours of lengthy debate and wrangling over amendments, the Senate gave tentative approval Wednesday night to a bill that would grant young illegal immigrants who have graduated from state high schools in-state tuition for community colleges and state universities. The estimated cost of the tuition is about $800,000 in fiscal 2014, rising to $3.5 million in 2016.
At a United Seniors rally in Annapolis Wednesday morning, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown made an unusual revelation in response to a question about in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Turns out his Jamaican grandmother illegally immigrated to the United States sometime in the 1930s after the Cuban government had thrown out migrant Jamaican workers during the Depression.
Several tax watchdogs and policy analysts concerned about the state of Maryland’s economy and buoyed by a new report urged delegates to revisit a just-expired method of raising more money — extending the tax surcharge on millionaires. Enacted in 2008, the “millionaires’ tax” taxes all net income above $1 million at [...]
More than a third of the nation’s $9.3 trillion in pension assets belong to state and local government employees, even though they make up only 15 percent of the U.S. work force, a study shows.
Research by the Spectrum investment group found that public-sector employees, primarily through powerful unions, have accumulated by far the most generous retirement programs in the country. Meanwhile, many private-sector workers have had their retirement plans cut back and have had to delay retirement.
Even with $3.4 trillion set aside to pay public pensions, dozens of strapped state and local governments are struggling to make payments. Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida are calling on state employees for the first time to contribute to their retirement plans the way workers do in the private sector.
These efforts have met sharp opposition from public-sector unions and are at the center of battles over whether unions should have the right to collectively bargain with the government over pension and health care benefits.
The $3.4 trillion total set aside for public pensions understates the burden for states and taxpayers since the plans collectively are underfunded by as much as $2.5 trillion, said Milton Ezrati, senior economist at Lord Abbott & Co.
“The undeniable fact is that most states and municipalities offer more generous pensions than they can afford,” he said, noting that the plans typically allow employees full retirement benefits after 20 or 30 years of employment and include generous cost-of-living increases, health care benefits and other perks that are not common in the private sector.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) said he stood-by a proposal he made last week that could result in the federal government providing an Ipad for every student in the nation, despite a barrage of criticism he has suffered from the media in recent days.
"Let me be clear about a few things," Jackson said, brandishing both an Apple Ipad and an Amazon Kindle on the House floor. "These devices are revolutionizing our country-- and they will fundamentally alter how we will educate our children."
Jackson said he had been skewered on conservative radio and in the blogosphere and was called "misleading" and “malicious” names.
"Now, because I've suggested this idea, I've been called a communist and a socialist and any number of another things,” Jackson said.
Jackson is promoting his idea to amend the Constitution so that it guarantees every American the right to an equal education. Under that amendment Congress would be given discretion to implement the educational reforms which, Jackson said, may lead to an Ipad, Kindle, or Nook for every schoolchild.
As 
