Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Will completion of Bellefonte be a boom or bust?

Will completion of Bellefonte be a boom or bust?


https://neutronbytes.com/2016/11/19/will-completion-of-bellefonte-be-a-boom-or-bust/

Fail-Safe Nuclear Power

Fail-Safe Nuclear Power

Cheaper and cleaner nuclear plants could finally become reality—but not in the United States, where the technology was invented more than 50 years ago.


https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602051/fail-safe-nuclear-power/

Friday, November 18, 2016

The Trump Doctrine: America First

The Trump Doctrine: America First

Transforming nuclear economics – why and how?

 

Transforming nuclear economics – why and how?

 

http://www.neimagazine.com/opinion/opiniontransforming-nuclear-economics-why-and-how-5665711/

Feds sue proposed Vermont Yankee disposal company - VTDigger

Feds sue proposed Vermont Yankee disposal company - VTDigger

FitzPatrick Sale Critical to Success of New York Clean Energy Standard

 
Nuclear Energy Institute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2016
Contact: media@nei.org, 202.739.8000 or 703.644.8805 (after hours and weekends)

FitzPatrick Sale Critical to Success of New York Clean Energy Standard


http://www.nei.org/News-Media/Media-Room/News-Releases/FitzPatrick-Sale-Critical-to-Success-of-New-York-C

New York agency approves FitzPatrick plant sale

New York agency approves FitzPatrick plant sale

WRVO Public Media - ‎10 hours ago‎
The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) voted unanimously Thursday to approve the sale of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, an essential component to its completion. Entergy, the plant's owner, had been planning to shut it down because of ...

$110 million upstate nuclear plant sale approved by state

Albany Business Review - ‎2 hours ago‎
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station in Scriba, New York, is adjacent to the FitzPatrick plant. Via Bloomberg. Plans to sell the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear plant in Oswego County, New York, for $110 million have been approved by the New York Public ...

New York approves sale of Oswego's FitzPatrick nuclear plant

Albany Times Union - ‎16 hours ago‎
The state's Public Service Commission on Thursday approved the sale of an Oswego County nuclear power plant that they say will help meet the state's clean energy needs, but which critics say creates a corporate subsidy. Sale of the FitzPatrick plant ...

New York regulators approve sale of FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant

CNYcentral.com - ‎16 hours ago‎
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York utility regulators have approved the sale of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant as part of the state's broader plan to invest in nuclear power while expanding its use of renewable energy. The Public Service Commission voted in ...

New York regulators endorse sale of nuclear plant

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal - ‎15 hours ago‎
PURCHASE: Entergy Corp. wants to sell FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County to Exelon Corp. for $110 million. The Associated Press; 11 hrs ago. New York regulators endorse sale of nuclear plant. Stephen D. Cannerelli. THE ASSOCIATED ...

PSC approves sale of the Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant

WSYR - ‎16 hours ago‎
The State Public Service Commission Thursday morning unanimously approved the sale of the Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Scriba. The terms include the transfer of Fitzpatrick's operating license to Exelon Corporation for $110 million. Before the ...

New York approves sale of FitzPatrick nuke from Entergy to Exelon

Utility Dive - ‎Nov 17, 2016‎
The New York Department of Public Service has approved the sale of the FitzPatrick nuclear plant, from Entergy Corp. to Exelon, part of an arrangement aimed at keeping the state's nuclear fleet online. Entergy had planned to shutter the struggling ...

The Latest: NY Regulators Approve Sale Of Nuclear Plant

WAMC - ‎22 hours ago‎
New York utility regulators have approved the sale of an upstate nuclear power plant, part of the state's strategy of investing in nuclear energy while weaning itself off of fossil fuels. Listen. Listening... /. 0:57. The Public Service Commission on ...

Nuclear closures magnify US climate challenge for Trump

Environment & Energy Publishing - ‎Nov 17, 2016‎
The closed-down Vermont Yankee nuclear plant is transferring nuclear fuel to concrete-encased dry casks, shown in the foreground. The plant's dismantling, decontamination and site restoration is expected to take until 2030. The radioactive fuel could ...

Entergy gets OKs to sell FitzPatrick nuclear plant, build Louisiana power plant

Investing.com - ‎21 hours ago‎
Entergy's (NYSE:ETR) FitzPatrick nuclear power plant in New York is approved for sale to Exelon (NYSE:EXC) by the New York Public Service Commission. ETR will transfer the 838 MW plant's operating license to EXC for $110M upon closing, subject to ...

A Q&A with Edward Kee - Power Engineering

A Q&A with Edward Kee - Power Engineering

Energy Crisis: The Nuclear Option

Energy Crisis: The Nuclear Option

Will Nuclear Power Flourish Under a Trump Presidency? Probably Not.

Will Nuclear Power Flourish Under a Trump Presidency? Probably Not.

Can We Meet Global Energy Demands With Nuclear Power?

Can We Meet Global Energy Demands With Nuclear Power?

Senators Told They Must Fund Nuke Plant Upgrades – Courthouse News Service

Senators Told They Must Fund Nuke Plant Upgrades – Courthouse News Service

NRDC Testifies at Senate Hearing on Nuclear Power's Future | NRDC

NRDC Testifies at Senate Hearing on Nuclear Power's Future | NRDC

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Nuclear Roundup November 18, 2016


Nuclear Roundup
November 18, 2016
A compilation of quality nuclear policy news published on the Web, around the world.
Iran Nuclear Deal

Report: 12 members of nuclear negotiating team arrested by Iran for espionage

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Iranians-officials-arrested-for-spying-473021

U.S., Iran clash over Tehran's testing of limit in nuclear deal

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-idUSKBN13C17D

Trump Should Build on Iran Deal — Not Rip it Up

https://www.niacouncil.org/trump-build-iran-deal-not-rip/

United States

Wherever Trump goes, nuclear 'football' to follow

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/17/politics/donald-trump-nuclear-codes/

Will Trump change America’s nuclear policy?

http://wwlp.com/2016/11/18/will-trump-change-americas-nuclear-policy/

Missouri couple says WWII nuclear waste made home unsafe

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/11/17/missouri-couple-says-wwii-nuclear-waste-made-home-unsafe.html

International

India's Parrikar's 'no first use' of nuclear weapons statement amounts to nothing: FO

http://www.dawn.com/news/1297108/indias-parrikars-no-first-use-of-nuclear-weapons-statement-amounts-to-nothing-fo

Where And How Pakistan Is Storing Nuclear Weapons According To US Scientists

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/where-and-how-pak-is-building-nuclear-weapons-according-to-us-scientists-1627130
U.N. under-secretary-general urges N. Korea to give up provocations, nuke program

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/11/18/89/0200000000AEN20161118005300315F.html

International Team Completes Security Enhancements to Uzbekistan's National Radiological Waste Disposal Site

https://nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/international-team-completes-security-enhancements-uzbekistans-national

Japan's nuclear export ambitions hit wall as Vietnam set to rip up reactor order

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-vietnam-nuclearpower-idUSKBN13D0RK

Third former energy minister charged in Bulgaria over nuclear project

http://www.reuters.com/article/bulgaria-nuclear-charge-idUSL8N1DJ2C0
Send Jodi Lieberman items of interest for the Nuclear Roundup at brodnica67@gmail.com. Receive this message as a forward? Subscribe to the Nuclear Roundup here.

NRC Blog Update Updating Radioactive Materials Transportation Regulations



Updating Radioactive Materials Transportation Regulations

by Moderator
Emma Wong
Project Manager
10cfrIf you have ever wondered about the safety of packaging and transporting radioactive materials, now is the perfect opportunity to learn about it. The NRC is kicking off the process of updating our requirements in 10 CFR Part 71.
We do this periodically to reflect new information. Changes to international packaging and transportation standards published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which serve as a standard for the U.S. and other nations, can also trigger revisions. Stringent safety requirements, as well as coordination among federal agencies, international regulators, and tribal, state and local officials, help to ensure radioactive materials shipments are made safely.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has primary responsibility for regulatory materials transport, while the NRC regulates packages for larger quantities. This structure provides many layers of safety.
When it is time to review our requirements, the NRC coordinates with DOT to ensure the two agencies have consistent regulatory standards. The process may take several years. We are also working to align our regulations with the IAEA’s.
To encourage public input, we are publishing an “issues paper” that outlines areas we have identified for possible revision. We’ll take comments on it for 60 days. We plan to use that input to develop a draft regulatory basis—a document that identifies a regulatory issue, and considers and recommends a solution. Once finalized, the draft regulatory basis will be made available for public comment. After taking comments on the draft, we can publish a final regulatory basis.
At that point, if our Commission agrees that revision to our requirements are needed, we would move into developing a proposed rule, then a final rule. Each step in the process takes about a year. Details on how to submit comments can be found in a Federal Register notice that will be published on November 21. This information and additional details about the rulemaking will be available on the federal rulemaking website.
We’re also planning a public meeting on Dec. 5-6 at NRC headquarters in Rockville, Md., to discuss the paper and answer questions. Details on participating, including by teleconference and webinar, can be found in our meeting notice.
img_0230While the regulations are being updated, the fact remains that radioactive materials are transported safely all the time. Millions of these shipments are made each year and arrive at their destination without incident. Occasionally, a carrier might be involved in a traffic accident. But in decades of experience, there has never been an accident that resulted in injury from exposure to the radioactive contents.
All shipments of radioactive material must also be made in compliance with DOT regulations. Smaller shipments pose extremely low risk. The larger the amount of radioactive materials, the more stringent DOT’s requirements are. DOT limits how much radioactivity can be transported in each package. That way, no transport accident involving these shipments would pose a significant health threat.
But what about larger amounts of radioactive materials? What about spent nuclear fuel?
In addition to meeting DOT requirements, larger shipments of radioactive cargo such as spent nuclear fuel and fissile material must meet NRC regulations for packaging and transport in Part 71. These regulations include very detailed requirements for shipping under normal conditions, as well as stringent tests to show the packages can withstand hypothetical severe accidents. These are the regulations we are updating now. If you would like to learn more about the transportation of spent fuel and radioactive materials, see our website.

The experts, and the Trump administration | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

The experts, and the Trump administration | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Epic Orphan: A Nuclear Risk Game by Games for Change — Kickstarter

Epic Orphan: A Nuclear Risk Game by Games for Change — Kickstarter

What if nuclear weapons are used? | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

What if nuclear weapons are used? | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Friday, November 18, 2016


Friday, November 18, 2016
 
 
Dan Drollette Jr.
 
That time 71 Nobel laureates issued a call for immediate action on climate change.
Image: Markus Pössel, WikiCommons

Sergey Paltsev
Despite uncertainty, there is no question that the balance of power in energy geopolitics is shifting from fossil-fuel owners to countries that are developing low-carbon solutions. A free-access article from our latest subscription journal.
 
 
Hans M. Kristensen, Robert S. Norris
 
Pakistan has a nuclear weapons stockpile of 130–140 warheads and appears to have plans to increase its arsenal further. The deployment of short-range, so-called tactical nuclear weapons is causing considerable concern. A free-access article from our latest subscription journal.

The Nuclear Roundup is now at the Bulletin
Sign up to receive Jodi Lieberman's Nuclear Roundup. Discover why so many readers find this daily summary of nuclear-related news simply indispensable.
 
Lawrence J. Korb, Alan Robock, John Mecklin, Frank von Hippel
 
How can people with true expertise in major global threats help the Trump administration to take actions that protect humanity in the long-term? Excellent new post by Frank von Hippel in our collection of expert commentary.
 
 
Victor Gilinsky
 
The world relies too much on the indefinite continuation of the post-1945 taboo on military use of nuclear weapons.
 
 
Hua Han, Gregory Kulacki, Rajesh Rajagopalan
 
China is ready to disarm - it's just needs the US and Russia to take the lead. Hua Han kicks off the first installment of the second round of our new debate on China's role in the nuclear order.
 
 
 
Jayita Sarkar, Rabia Akhtar, Mario E. Carranza
 
Our excellent debate on reducing South Asia’s nuclear dangers is closing. Find out what measures are available to India, Pakistan, and outside nations that might reduce the risk of a South Asian nuclear exchange. 
 
 
 
Emma Hansen, University of Toronto, and Zian (Zane) Liu, UC Berkeley
 
As you know, our donors make it possible for us to move forward with new features and new columnists. This #GivingTuesday, November 29th, the Bulletin is dedicating all contributions we receive to the very important effort of recruiting and publishing today's emerging leaders. Help us publish authors like Emma Hansen and Zian (Zane) Liu by making a donation to this effort, and know you are supporting the Bulletin's Next Generation of authors and researchers.
 
Use the hashtags #GivingTuesdayBAS and #BulletinNextGen on your social networks to increase the Bulletin’s reach and fundraising potential. You can share our social media messages and post your own to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, and others.
 
Epic Orphan, a nuclear risk game
Epic Orphan is a video game that aims to raise awareness about nuclear risk. In this episodic, choice-based adventure game, players will take the role of a secret agent working on international crises around nuclear weapons, including the tracking of nukes in unstable countries, management of waste, and nuclear materials used in terrorism.
About the Bulletin
For more than 70 years the Bulletin has engaged science leaders, policy makers, and the interested public on topics of nuclear weapons and disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies.
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Trump, Nuclear Weapons and the Human Future


Trump, Nuclear Weapons and the Human Future

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/11/18/trump-nuclear-weapons-and-the-human-future/

Breakthrough offers greater understanding of safe radioactive waste disposal

Breakthrough offers greater understanding of safe radioactive waste disposal


http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=170121&CultureCode=en

Safety first: Philippines’ Duterte says no to nuclear energy

Safety first: Philippines’ Duterte says no to nuclear energy


https://www.doe.gov.ph/energist/index.php/88-categorised/energy/energy-resources/nuclear-and-mineral-resources/11321-safety-first-philippines-duterte-says-no-to-nuclear-energy

Nuclear power generation tipped to double by 2040

Nuclear power generation tipped to double by 2040


http://www.iol.co.za/business/news/nuclear-power-generation-tipped-to-double-by-2040-2091120

A Path to Updating the Regulatory Process for Advanced Nuclear Reactors

A Path to Updating the Regulatory Process for Advanced Nuclear Reactors


http://www.power-eng.com/articles/print/volume-120/issue-11/features/a-path-to-updating-the-regulatory-process-for-advanced-nuclear-reactors.html

Thursday, November 17, 2016

MeyGen tidal power site reaches milestone with production of first energy

MeyGen tidal power site reaches milestone with production of first energy


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/hydro/2016/11/meygen-tidal-power-site-reaches-milestone-with-production-of-first-energy.html

The Energy Collective Daily: Businesses Continue to Lead on Climate

Businesses Continue to Lead on Climate | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective

Japan agrees second nuclear reactor life extension since Fukushima | Reuters

Japan agrees second nuclear reactor life extension since Fukushima | Reuters

NuScale Sees U.S. Market for Modular Reactors, Others Don’t | Bloomberg BNA

NuScale Sees U.S. Market for Modular Reactors, Others Don’t | Bloomberg BNA

Green Elites, Trumped - WSJ

Green Elites, Trumped

The planet will benefit if the climate movement is purged of its rottenness.


http://www.wsj.com/articles/green-elites-trumped-1479254147

NRC begins environmental review for proposed WCS spent fuel storage facility - Daily Energy Insider

NRC begins environmental review for proposed WCS spent fuel storage facility - Daily Energy Insider

FitzPatrick nuclear plant seeks extra time to make safety upgrades | syracuse.com

FitzPatrick nuclear plant seeks extra time to make safety upgrades | syracuse.com

Entergy's FitzPatrick nuclear power plant sale approved | Reuters

Entergy's FitzPatrick nuclear power plant sale approved | Reuters

UTILITIES: Nuclear closures magnify U.S. climate challenge for Trump -- Thursday, November 17, 2016 -- www.eenews.net

UTILITIES: Nuclear closures magnify U.S. climate challenge for Trump -- Thursday, November 17, 2016 -- www.eenews.net

Judge allows San Onofre waste lawsuit to advance - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Judge allows San Onofre waste lawsuit to advance - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Trump Administration May Be A Nightmare For Nuclear Power

Trump Administration May Be A Nightmare For Nuclear Power

 The instant analysis following Donald Trump’s surprising defeat of Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election was that renewable energy would take a hit and fossil fuels would prosper. I think that is a vast over-simplification, but that is a topic for a later post. The question of the day is what will happen to the nation’s nuclear sector.



http://www.theenergycollective.com/djwamsted/2393038/trump-administration-may-be-a-nightmare-for-nuclear-power

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup November 17, 2016


Nuclear Roundup
November 17, 2016
A compilation of quality nuclear policy news published on the Web, around the world.
Iran Nuclear Deal
U.N. Agency Warns Iran on Nuclear Deal
President Trump and the Iran Nuclear Deal
Corker says Trump won't tear up Iran nuclear deal
Iran deal critics to Trump: Please don't rip it up
Iranian leaders taunt Trump: ‘We are not worried’ about his opposition to nuclear deal
Why Donald Trump needs the Iran nuclear deal
United States
How President Trump Might Radically Rethink U.S. Nuclear Policy
10 Big Nuclear Ideas for the Next President
Ploughshares Launch Event for 10 Big Nuclear Ideas for the Next President
Nuclear Trump: 3 Dangers and 3 Opportunities
Garamendi: No Halt for Nuclear Modernization Programs in Sight
DARPA Completes 2nd Field Test of Experimental Nuclear Detection Network
State-Level Nuclear Policy Elicits Strong Opinions at Regulators’ Meeting
OLEM: NNSA capability that strengthens the global nuclear safeguards mission
IAEA installs high-tech replacement seals at NNSA site to enhance nuclear material monitoring
International
John Bolton: Odds of U.S. pre-emptive strike against North Korea are 'zero'
Seoul, Washington gear up for bilateral panel on nuke deterrence against N. Korea
Russia: Return of the nuclear threat
DG Amano Statement to November Meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors
IAEA Director General Outlines 2017 Technical Cooperation Programme at Board of Governors Meeting
Bulgarian ex-energy minister charged over nuclear project
General Interest
Before the next mushroom cloud
Send Jodi Lieberman items of interest for the Nuclear Roundup at brodnica67@gmail.com. Receive this message as a forward? Subscribe to the Nuclear Roundup here.
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