January, 2010

This weekly digest provides links to headlines that feature FAS projects, staff, and important issues. Stay up-to-date with FAS IN THE NEWS.

Roundup For Week Ending January 29, 2010

Energy, safety and nuclear capabilities intertwined – ScienceNews – 30 January 2010:
On January 1, Charles D. Ferguson became president of the Federation of American Scientists, a nongovernmental organization founded in 1945 by Manhattan Project scientists to promote humanitarian uses of science and technology. Ferguson worked at FAS 10 years ago as director of its nuclear policy project, and he returns after working from 2004 to 2009 at the Council on Foreign Relations as part of the Independent Task Force on U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy. Science News assistant managing editor Kristina Bartlett Brody asked Ferguson to discuss nuclear energy and nonproliferation.

New Palestinian Charter Drops Mention of Zionism, Sparking Questions – Huffington Post: 28 January 2010:
Fatah, led by Palestinian National Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, met last year to revise its charter for the first time in decades and that revision has just been translated by the Director of National Intelligence’s Open Source Center, a copy of which was obtained by the Federation of American Scientists’ Secrecy News blog.

START-ing Without China – Disarmament talks between the United States and Russia should include Beijing — Wall Street Journal: 27 January 2010:
How big is China’s arsenal? Beijing is not telling. Western analysts have been guessing, with wildly divergent assessments. The highly respected Federation of American Scientists believes the People’s Liberation Army now has 240 nuclear devices, of which 180 are strategic in nature.

Canadian Tamil Tiger Supporter Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison – Software engineer tried to buy guns, missiles for terrorist group – Ottawa Citizen: 23 January 2010:
Expert Matt Schroeder said the sentences sought by prosecutors were not out of line considering the grave threat posed by the illicit trafficking of missiles. “I think it’s perfectly reasonable to levy that kind of punishment.” “They’re highly sought after,” said Schroeder, manager of the arms sales monitoring project at the Federation of American Scientists. “Anybody who attempts to acquire missiles on U.S. soil really runs a risk of being nabbed in a sting operation,” he said.

Sarachandran jailed for 26 years for trying to aid Tamil Tigers Unlikely arms dealer – National Post: 23 January 2010:
Surface-to-air missiles are a hot commodity on the black market. Rebel groups want them to repel air strikes and terrorists want them to target commercial aviation, such as the 2002 Strela-2 missile attack on an Israeli airliner in Mombassa, Kenya. ”They’re highly sought after,” said Mr. Schroeder, manager of the arms sales monitoring project at the Federation of American Scientists.

Report Backs End of Bombers’ Nuclear Role – Air Force Times: 18 January 2010: “If they retire the cruise missile, that marks the end of the B-52 in the nuclear bomber business,” said Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. Despite the report, the Air Force wants a next-generation bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons, according to recently retired Lt. Gen. Bob Elder.

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Ivanka Barzashka is intrigued by the puzzle that is Iran’s nuclear program. Unlike North Korea’s public pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran has been steadfast in its denial of developing a nuclear bomb, stating time and time again that it is pursuing a self-sustaining nuclear energy program. The dual-use nature of nuclear technology, specifically uranium enrichment, is at the heart of the uncertainty concerning the Iranian situation.

AAAS Logo (Credit: http://aaas.org)

Participants at a January 11^th forum on Minimizing the Risks of Synthetic DNA, held at the AAAS, appeared to be in general agreement on the principles behind proposed US guidelines to safeguard the rapidly advancing technology of gene synthesis.

Because a kilowatt saved is a penny earned.

Actually, the average cost of 1 KW of electricity in the US as of September 2009 was 12.6¢.  And while this figure doesn’t seem very large, all those cents add up when you consider that an average household consumes more than 34,000 KWH of electricity annually, including about 1200 KWH/Year to run each refrigerator and even more to run a plasma screen TV.  And when you add in the natural gas, fuel oil, kerosene, and wood used to heat houses, run hot water tanks, and operate ovens and other appliances, that’s even more energy consumed and more ways for you to begin cutting your energy costs.

In celebration of National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, which is Sunday, January 10th, FAS has provided a brief list of easy steps  you can  take  to cut your energy use, energy costs, and carbon footprint.  While this list is by no means comprehensive, use it as a starting point to think about how you can begin cutting your energy consumption  today, this month, and over this coming year.  Why not make your New Years resolution to consume less energy in your home?  And as you implement this resolution, we welcome your input into the best ways you have found to reduce your energy consumption and costs.

What you can do today:

-Set your thermostat down to 55 degrees or less at night and when you’re away from the house.

- Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and door that have gaps or where the seam is not adequately sealed.  You can also use a removable caulk to seal windows that you will use in the summer—when the weather warms up, you can just peel off the strip of caulk.

-Reduce “vampire power” in your house by unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use (especially electronics that stay in “stand by” mode such as TVs and computer).

-Visit the Home Energy Saver, an online do-it-yourself energy audit tool that offers advice on how to save energy in your home.  Find it at: http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/.

What you can do this month:

-Upgrade to an Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat if you don’t have one.  Many local utilities and governments will provide and install a free programmable thermostat or will offer a subsidy or tax credits for installing one.

-Have a blower door test done to see where your house is leaking energy.  Many utility companies and some local/municipal governments will offer free or subsidized blower door tests.

What you can do this year:

-Based on the results of your blower door test, add and/or upgrade your house’s insulation.  Insulating around your ducts, in your attic, and in the basement or crawlspace especially is both highly effective and low in cost.

-If it’s time to upgrade your HVAC system, hot water heater, major appliances, or roof, look for Energy Star certified products, which can be found at: www.energystar.gov.  Note that not all Energy Star products are equal and make sure you compare to find those products with the greatest efficiency and lowest operating cost.   Don’t forget to look for state and local tax credits!