Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Friday, April 29, 2022
US ‘whole-of-govt’ animosity against China building up with Blinken's upcoming speech - Global Times
US ‘whole-of-govt’ animosity against China building up with Blinken's upcoming speech - Global Times
Biden Asks Congress for $33 Billion for New Ukraine Aid - News From Antiwar.com
Biden Asks Congress for $33 Billion for New Ukraine Aid - News From Antiwar.com: $20.4 billion will go towards military aid
Newsom: California rethinking Diablo Canyon nuclear closure - Los Angeles Times
Newsom: California rethinking Diablo Canyon nuclear closure - Los Angeles Times: Delaying the closure of Diablo Canyon would mark a shift for nuclear politics as the climate crisis worsens.
China Greenlights Six New Nuclear Reactors | Neutron Bytes
China Greenlights Six New Nuclear Reactors | Neutron Bytes: China Greenlights Six New Nuclear Reactors Russia’s Mixed Prospects for Exports Due to Its Invasion of Ukraine Update on Prospects for New Nuclear Power Plants in Poland NuScale Spins Up Supp…
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
New Mexico sues US over proposed nuclear waste storage plans
New Mexico sues US over proposed nuclear waste storage plans: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico sued the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday over concerns that the federal agency hasn’t done enough to vet plans for a multibillion-dollar facility...
Monday, March 29, 2021
How long can a nuclear plant run? Regulators consider 100 years | Utility Dive
How long can a nuclear plant run? Regulators consider 100 years | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Why More and More Environmentalists Want to Go Nuclear | IE
Why More and More Environmentalists Want to Go Nuclear | IE: Nuclear power could be a big help in the fight against climate change. Learn why more environmentalists are starting to endorse it.
The Reality of the Need for More Nuclear Energy Is Hard to Ignore – Ricochet
The Reality of the Need for More Nuclear Energy Is Hard to Ignore – Ricochet: Shutting down nuclear power plants is a lot easier than generating reliable, carbon-free energy. As The New York Times reports on the tenth anniversary of the meltdown of three nuclear reactors in Fukushima, Japan, following a massive earthquake-tsunami: “As the share of nuclear energy in Japan has plummeted from about a third of total power […]
Legislation Approved To Eliminate Nuclear Plants Bailout
Legislation Approved To Eliminate Nuclear Plants Bailout: The $1 billion bailout for Ohio nuclear plants tied to a bribery investigation at the Ohio Statehouse is one step closer to being eliminated.
EU experts to decide nuclear power qualifies for green investment label -document | Reuters
EU experts to decide nuclear power qualifies for green investment label -document | Reuters: Experts tasked with assessing whether the European Union should label nuclear power as a green investment will say that the fuel qualifies as sustainable, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
Dear Readers
After 11 years of running the Nuclear Wire, I have decided that nuclear news
aggregation should pass to another, preferably someone in the industry who
is willing to take an activist role in promoting nuclear energy.
I originally started this wire as a tribute to my late husband, Joseph P. Kearney
whom I met decades ago when he was at OMB and I at EPA. My career path brought me into
OMB and to an InterAgency Review of the Federal Government's Nuclear
Waste Management Program during the Carter Administration. Joe's career path
took me out of Washington DC to Los Angeles, where we were married, and I went
on to Loyola Law School.
Joe's career then led me to Detroit, Michigan when he joined ANR Pipeline
Corporation during a hostile takeover by the Coastal Corporation.
From there, Joe was tapped to lead a joint venture between Bechtel Corporation and
Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation to develop an independent power company outside
of California. The U.S. Generating Company was established and sited in Bethesda,
Maryland.
At the time, the goal of this power company was the development of fossil
electric generation. Its a shame that nuclear wasn't included in the portfolio, because
the development of innovation in the nuclear industry could have commenced sooner with
the acquisition of coal plants that were being shut down. This was in the late 1980s.
More about Joe's career can be found here:
Powering A Generation: Joseph Kearney Interview (main ...
americanhistory.si.edu › powering › ohi › kearney1
Joe Kearney had over 25 years of financial and managerial experience in the energy business, covering a wide range of industries and technologies
and
Supporting NSE: Kearney Fellowship is legacy of a “Nuclear Green”
https://web.mit.edu/nse/news/spotlights/2013/kearney.html
The rest is industry history. Nuclear plants are being shut down to the detriment
of climate and economic efficiency. New nuclear hasn't resolved the regulatory morass,
financing, and proper cost estimating to rationally develop new nuclear. The industry
has not managed to move the bureaucratic inertia of the federal government regulatory
agencies to manage the grid, electricity supply and production, reliability, and waste disposal. On the international front, Russia and China are the primary suppliers of
nuclear energy and component parts. That is a sad legacy. In certain respects, we have
given away the store, and that didn't need to happen.
ANS has finally started a news summary of significant nuclear newsworthy activities. Occasionally I may post on LinkedIN or Facebook, but I have decided that my grandchildren
are calling, and the COVID pandemic has made manifest that life is too short. My mother
used to say "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." I'm left with that
view of the nuclear industry. And I have known some of the best in the industry who have
done their very best to move the industry. To no avail. It's truly a shame.
One glimmer of hope. The work that has gone on at Fukushima is well done. I had the privilege to review the ANS review of the past 10 years. If you have not seen this review, you should. The work at Fukushima is indeed impressive. Then, compare that with Hanford. And we come full
circle to where we were in 1979.
Meanwhile, spent fuel should be reprocessed and not buried. The criteria of retrieveability
of waste once buried should be changed. And consideration should be given to shooting defense
wastes into space now that space exploration is being nuclearized. But I leave all that to the
future.
In the meantime, I wish all of you a very Happy Easter. God Speed and God Bless you all.
Michele Kearney
Saturday, March 27, 2021
PG&E's October 2019 shut-offs may have stopped 3 million acres from burning, analysis says
PG&E's October 2019 shut-offs may have stopped 3 million acres from burning, analysis says: PG&E’s October 2019 preemptive outages may have prevented fires that could have...
North Korea's new missile a strategic game-changer - Asia Times
North Korea's new missile a strategic game-changer - Asia Times: SEOUL - North Korea's ballistic missiles tested on March 25 were a new, advanced model that confounds defenses, state media revealed today. The tests
Top scientists warn of 'ghastly future of mass extinction' and climate disruption | Environment | The Guardian
Top scientists warn of 'ghastly future of mass extinction' and climate disruption | Environment | The Guardian: Sobering new report says world is failing to grasp the extent of threats posed by biodiversity loss and the climate crisis
The ‘Green Energy’ That Might Be Ruining the Planet - POLITICO
The ‘Green Energy’ That Might Be Ruining the Planet - POLITICO: The biomass industry is warming up the South's economy, but many experts worry it's doing the same to the climate. Will the Biden Administration embrace it, or cut it loose?
'Invisible killer': fossil fuels caused 8.7m deaths globally in 2018, research finds | Pollution | The Guardian
'Invisible killer': fossil fuels caused 8.7m deaths globally in 2018, research finds | Pollution | The Guardian: Pollution from power plants, vehicles and other sources accounted for one in five of all deaths that year, more detailed analysis reveals
Friday, March 26, 2021
Bid to bring world’s first nuclear fusion power plant to Gloucestershire is prepared by Western Gateway - Business Live
Bid to bring world’s first nuclear fusion power plant to Gloucestershire is prepared by Western Gateway - Business Live: If successful the bid could see thousands of jobs created in the region
Doosan Heavy breaks into spent-fuel market with storage supply to NAC in US - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse)
Doosan Heavy breaks into spent-fuel market with storage supply to NAC in US - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse): 매일경제 영문뉴스 Pulse. 한국의 경제·산업·금융·기술 분야에 대한 심층뉴스 제공
China sets up nuclear safety committee to boost 2060 carbon neutral efforts | South China Morning Post
China sets up nuclear safety committee to boost 2060 carbon neutral efforts | South China Morning Post: Committee will create ‘strict and high’ safety standard, with nuclear power generation capacity set to rise as China aims to cut its carbon dioxide emissions.
UPDATE 2-Czechs open preliminary round in nuclear project, keep Russia in for now | Reuters
UPDATE 2-Czechs open preliminary round in nuclear project, keep Russia in for now | Reuters: The Czech Industry Ministry has decided to invite four bidders including Russia to pre-qualify for a tender to build a new nuclear power plant, but a final decision on who will be allowed to bid will be made after an October election, it said on Thursday.
Ohio legislature close to revoking nuclear power subsidy | Reuters
Ohio legislature close to revoking nuclear power subsidy | Reuters: Ohio's Senate amended and unanimously passed a House bill that would repeal nuclear subsidies for Energy Harbor Corp's Davis-Besse and Perry reactors in the state.
Doosan Heavy breaks into spent-fuel market with storage supply to NAC in US - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse)
Doosan Heavy breaks into spent-fuel market with storage supply to NAC in US - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse): 매일경제 영문뉴스 Pulse. 한국의 경제·산업·금융·기술 분야에 대한 심층뉴스 제공
US DOD awards contracts for development of advanced microreactor - Nuclear Engineering International
US DOD awards contracts for development of advanced microreactor - Nuclear Engineering International: The US Department of Defense (DOD) said on 22 March that it had exercised contract options for two teams - led by BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-energy - to proceed with development of a final design for a transportable advanced nuclear...
Centrus on Track to Produce HALEU Nuclear Fuel Material by Early 2022
Centrus on Track to Produce HALEU Nuclear Fuel Material by Early 2022: Centrus Energy, a firm under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to demonstrate production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) with
More nuclear power needed in the future to meet carbon reduction goals, TVA CEO says | Chattanooga Times Free Press
More nuclear power needed in the future to meet carbon reduction goals, TVA CEO says | Chattanooga Times Free Press: The Tennessee Valley Authority, once the nation's most ambitious developer of nuclear power of any U.S. utility, hasn't started building a new nuclear reactor in nearly a half century.
Understanding Energy Crises of the 1970s and Avoiding Problems Today
Understanding Energy Crises of the 1970s and Avoiding Problems Today: If you were alive and living in the U.S. during the 1970s, you probably remember waiting in long lines to fill your car with fuel. Yet, gasoline wasn’t
Centrus expects to begin HALEU production in 2022 - Nuclear Engineering International
Centrus expects to begin HALEU production in 2022 - Nuclear Engineering International: US-based Centrus Energy Corp on 23 March provided an update on construction of the USA’s first production facility for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) in Piketon, Ohio, saying it hoped to begin production next year....
BWXT Awarded $28 Million Contract for Continued Mobile Microreactor Design | Business Wire
BWXT Awarded $28 Million Contract for Continued Mobile Microreactor Design | Business Wire: BWXT Awarded $28 Million Contract for Continued Mobile Microreactor Design
More delays for US Vogtle NPP - Nuclear Engineering International
More delays for US Vogtle NPP - Nuclear Engineering International: Georgia Power Company said in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 19 March that the planned November start up of unit 3 at the Vogtle NPP in Georgia could be delayed by at least a month. Georgia Power said that its Southern...
Nuclear industry calls for state policy focus as resource outstrips coal generation in US | Utility Dive
Nuclear industry calls for state policy focus as resource outstrips coal generation in US | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
More nuclear power needed in the future to meet carbon reduction goals, TVA CEO says | Chattanooga Times Free Press
More nuclear power needed in the future to meet carbon reduction goals, TVA CEO says | Chattanooga Times Free Press: The Tennessee Valley Authority, once the nation's most ambitious developer of nuclear power of any U.S. utility, hasn't started building a new nuclear reactor in nearly a half century.
Wireless tech a 'game changer' for nuclear power plants | EurekAlert! Science News
Wireless tech a 'game changer' for nuclear power plants | EurekAlert! Science News: Application of Wireless Technologies in Nuclear Power Plant Instrumentation and Control Systems (December 2020; IAEA Nuclear Energy Series) is the culmination of a four-year International Atomic Energy Agency research project on the economic benefits and emerging uses of wireless technology in the field of nuclear energy. Rudy Shankar, director of Lehigh University's Energy Systems Engineering, chaired the international group that produced the report.
Macron, Orban urge EU to ‘actively support’ nuclear power – EURACTIV.com
Macron, Orban urge EU to ‘actively support’ nuclear power – EURACTIV.com: A group of seven European leaders fronted by French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Commission to stop hindering nuclear power and consider ways of bringing atomic energy into the EU’s green finance rule book ahead of an EU summit on Thursday (25 March).
Small nuclear power plants no use in climate crisis | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific
Small nuclear power plants no use in climate crisis | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific: Governments are investing in a new range of small nuclear power plants, with little chance they’ll ease the climate crisis.
Czechs Delay $7 Billion Nuclear Reactor Tender, Leave China Out - Bloomberg
Czechs Delay $7 Billion Nuclear Reactor Tender, Leave China Out - Bloomberg: The Czech government postponed a tender to build a $7 billion nuclear reactor until after October elections and said it won’t invite Chinese companies to participate in a security assessment of potential bidders.
Ohio legislature close to revoking nuclear power subsidy
Ohio legislature close to revoking nuclear power subsidy: Ohio's Senate amended and unanimously passed a House bill that would repeal nuclear subsidies for Energy Harbor Corp's Davis-Besse and Perry reactors in the state. House Bill 128 (HB128), which the Senate passed on Wednesday, would confirm what state courts have already done in halting collection of the subsidies under House Bill 6 (HB6). Analysts at ClearView Energy Partners said the Ohio House could approve the slightly amended Senate version of HB128 this week and send it to Governor Mike DeWine, who is expected to sign the legislation.
NextEra Energy plans to turn Iowa’s only nuclear power plant into a solar farm | Clay and Milk
NextEra Energy plans to turn Iowa’s only nuclear power plant into a solar farm | Clay and Milk: U.S. energy company NextEra Energy announced plans last week to build a 690-megawatt solar project at the site of its closed Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Palo, Iowa. The company shut the nuclear reactor in […]
Nuclear Power Continues To Break Records In Safety And Generation
Nuclear Power Continues To Break Records In Safety And Generation: Energy Northwest in Richland, WA, which operates the only nuclear power plant in the region, the Columbia Generating Station, has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2020. Not to mention breaking all generation records.
Dukovany pre-qualification round announced : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Dukovany pre-qualification round announced : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade has selected EDF, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Rosatom and Westinghouse to participate in a pre-qualification round for a tender to supply a new unit for the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The ministry has not included China General Nuclear. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in the Czech Republic told Radiožurnál that the exclusion of CGN "seriously deviates from the principle of fair competition and the rules of international trade".
TVO cleared for fuel loading at Finnish EPR : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
TVO cleared for fuel loading at Finnish EPR : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj has been granted a permit by the country's Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority to load fuel into the reactor of the Olkiluoto 3 EPR. The unit, construction of which began in 2005, is scheduled to enter commercial operation early next year.
California wildfires spur re-examination of regulatory barriers to widespread microgrids | Utility Dive
California wildfires spur re-examination of regulatory barriers to widespread microgrids | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Nuke Roadie News As Iran toughens stance, hopes for nuclear thaw before June diminish
Nuke Roadie News: As Iran toughens stance, hopes for nuclear thaw before June diminish
reuters.com
The odds of Washington and Tehran making progress to revive the 2015 nuclear deal before Iran's June elections have dwindled after Iran opted to take a tougher stance before returning to talks, diplo…
Shared by The Bands of Time
China says it will safeguard Iran nuclear deal, defend Sino-Iran ties
China says it will safeguard Iran nuclear deal, defend Sino-Iran ties: China will make efforts to safeguard the Iran nuclear deal and defend the legitimate interests of Sino-Iranian relations, the commerce ministry said on
Why Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Won’t Help Counter the Climate Crisis | EWG Next Level Energy
Why Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Won’t Help Counter the Climate Crisis | EWG Next Level Energy: Small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, are designed to generate less than 300 megawatts of electricity – several times less than typical reactors, which have a range of 1,000 to 1,600 MW. While the individual standardized modules would be small, plans typically call for several modules to be installed at a single power generation site. Photo credit: NuScale Power, LLC
Doosan Heavy ships nuclear waste storage casks for U.S. nuclear plant
Doosan Heavy ships nuclear waste storage casks for U.S. nuclear plant: [Courtesy of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction ]SEOUL -- Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, a key player in South Koreas nuclear power industry, has shipped five cask sets for a U.S. nuclear power plant under a contract with Nuclear Assurance Corporation (NAC), an American provider...
Not So Advanced: Hype vs. Reality for Nuclear Technology | NRDC
Not So Advanced: Hype vs. Reality for Nuclear Technology | NRDC: While aging US nuclear plants continue to close because they cannot compete in the market, proponents of so-called “advanced nuclear reactors” promise they are the future because of their significant benefits. However, a recent report by the Union of Concerned...
Is an end to nuclear waste possible?
Is an end to nuclear waste possible?: Nuclear waste is one of the main sticking points in the public discourse about the future of nuclear power. But technological advances are greatly reducing the amount and radiotoxicity of it.
WILDFIRES: Judge mulls requiring PG&E to turn off power more frequently -- Wednesday, March 24, 2021 -- www.eenews.net
WILDFIRES: Judge mulls requiring PG&E to turn off power more frequently -- Wednesday, March 24, 2021 -- www.eenews.net: A federal judge overseeing Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s criminal probation said yesterday that he is considering requiring the utility to be more aggressive about turning off its electricity lines near tall trees, a plan that could double the number of power outages in six Northern California counties over the next decade.
California DAs Could Sue Utilities for Unkept Power Lines Under New Proposal – Courthouse News Service
California DAs Could Sue Utilities for Unkept Power Lines Under New Proposal – Courthouse News Service: A proposal that would allow counties to fine utilities like PG&E that fail to clear brush from power lines up to $100,000 per violation clears a key committee in the Assembly. Supporters argue…
Why commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration has failed and how it can work | Energy Central
Why commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration has failed and how it can work | Energy Central: Why the commercialisation of carbon capture and sequestration has failed and how it can work?The main reason used to be a lack of incentives for CO2 capture.With the 45Q tax in the US and higher CO2 emission allowance price in the EU, I trust that there will be more incentives for the industry to pick up CCS.What do you think - why CCS has not been yet commercialised?
Nuclear industry calls for state policy focus as resource outstrips coal generation in US | Utility Dive
Nuclear industry calls for state policy focus as resource outstrips coal generation in US | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
Construction Of Belarus Unit 2 Completed - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers
Construction Of Belarus Unit 2 Completed - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers: The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.
Hot Tests At Vogtle 3 Pushed Back - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers
Hot Tests At Vogtle 3 Pushed Back - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers: The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.
BWXT and X-Energy selected to develop Project Pele mobile microreactor : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
BWXT and X-Energy selected to develop Project Pele mobile microreactor : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The Strategic Capabilities Office of the US Department of Defense has selected BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-energy LLC to develop a final design for a prototype mobile microreactor under the Project Pele initiative.
Plant Vogtle's latest delay prompts negative comment on Georgia Power: Moody’s - SaportaReport
Plant Vogtle's latest delay prompts negative comment on Georgia Power: Moody’s - SaportaReport: This story has been updated with comments from Georgia Power.
US Nuclear Completes $256,626 Shipment to China, Signs New Agreement With CNNC Subsidiary
US Nuclear Completes $256,626 Shipment to China, Signs New Agreement With CNNC Subsidiary: US Nuclear Corp. (OTCQB: UCLE) Nuclear Power Plants in China LOS ANGELES, CA, March 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – US Nuclear Corp. (OTCQB: UCLE) recently completed a shipment to China of USN’S popular tritium and carbon-14 air samplers as well as portable tritium monitors worth a total of $256,626. Furthermore, as part of US Nuclear’s expansion into the Chinese market, US Nuclear signed a new “Cooperation Agreement” on March 1, 2021 with Dalian Zhonghe Scientific and Technological Development Co., a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Together, the companies will work to design the perfect instrumentation to outfit Chinese nuclear power plants. The instruments are planned to be built at a local factory in China to be cost-competitive and will be optimized for Chinese operators based on the local regulations and procedures. This can be a game changer since currently 80% of nuclear instruments purchased are imported into China at a high cost, and the functionality often does not fit local procedures, regulations, and language. US Nuclear already has a local sales office in Beijing, China, and this new cooperation agreement with Dalian Zhonghe wi
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