Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Earth’s oceans are ‘perilously close’ to tipping point, marine biologist says | The National

Earth’s oceans are ‘perilously close’ to tipping point, marine biologist says | The National

Flagship nuclear reactor finally set to open in France after being delayed for over a decade — here's why America should be paying attention

Flagship nuclear reactor finally set to open in France after being delayed for over a decade — here's why America should be paying attention

TerraPower receives state permit for nuclear power plant - Casper, WY Oil City News

TerraPower receives state permit for nuclear power plant - Casper, WY Oil City News

Trump’s energy ‘emergency’ won’t look like Jimmy Carter’s - E&E News by POLITICO

Trump’s energy ‘emergency’ won’t look like Jimmy Carter’s - E&E News by POLITICO

Russia, China turn nuclear fuel into bargaining chip with the West - Nikkei Asia

Russia, China turn nuclear fuel into bargaining chip with the West - Nikkei Asia

Trump can power the US into the future with a muscular nuclear energy policy | Fox News

Trump can power the US into the future with a muscular nuclear energy policy | Fox News

Saudi Arabia on track to tighten nuclear oversight | Semafor

Saudi Arabia on track to tighten nuclear oversight | Semafor

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium, energy minister says | Reuters

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium, energy minister says | Reuters

Washington Must Prioritize Mineral Supply Results Over Political Point Scoring

Washington Must Prioritize Mineral Supply Results Over Political Point Scoring

Vietnam and Russia sign an agreement to expand cooperation on nuclear energy | AP News

Vietnam and Russia sign an agreement to expand cooperation on nuclear energy | AP News

Biden orders Energy, Defense departments to lease sites for AI data centers, clean energy generation | Utility Dive

Biden orders Energy, Defense departments to lease sites for AI data centers, clean energy generation | Utility Dive

What’s next for nuclear power | MIT Technology Review

What’s next for nuclear power | MIT Technology Review

Argonne’s nuclear energy research drives innovation in Gen-IV reactor safety and efficiency | Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne’s nuclear energy research drives innovation in Gen-IV reactor safety and efficiency | Argonne National Laboratory

French auditor warns of challenges for EPR2 programme - World Nuclear News

French auditor warns of challenges for EPR2 programme - World Nuclear News

Nuclear Energy's Deadly Past Stokes Uranium Mine Standoff in Arizona - Bloomberg

Nuclear Energy's Deadly Past Stokes Uranium Mine Standoff in Arizona - Bloomberg

What’s next for nuclear power | MIT Technology Review

What’s next for nuclear power | MIT Technology Review

Three Mile Island’s Nuclear Reactor Is Restarting. Can Scientists Make It Safer?

Three Mile Island’s Nuclear Reactor Is Restarting. Can Scientists Make It Safer?

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Department of Energy expert reveals game-changing mission to safely neutralize dangerous substance found in nuclear reactors

Department of Energy expert reveals game-changing mission to safely neutralize dangerous substance found in nuclear reactors

United States nuclear weapons, 2025 - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

United States nuclear weapons, 2025 - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

NANO Nuclear Energy Closes Acquisition of Patented Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®) and Pylon Transportable Reactor Technologies

NANO Nuclear Energy Closes Acquisition of Patented Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®) and Pylon Transportable Reactor Technologies

Constellation increases US reach with major acquisition - World Nuclear News

Constellation increases US reach with major acquisition - World Nuclear News

Partnership to develop pumps for Swedish SMR design - World Nuclear News

Partnership to develop pumps for Swedish SMR design - World Nuclear News

Chernobyl gets go-ahead for solid radioactive waste processing - World Nuclear News

Chernobyl gets go-ahead for solid radioactive waste processing - World Nuclear News

UK government considering role for SMRs in AI expansion - World Nuclear News

UK government considering role for SMRs in AI expansion - World Nuclear News

A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival? | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival? | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Russia, China turn nuclear fuel into bargaining chip with the West - Nikkei Asia

Russia, China turn nuclear fuel into bargaining chip with the West - Nikkei Asia

Monday, January 13, 2025

MoA - Sanctions - Trump's Only Old/New Iran Policies

MoA - Sanctions - Trump's Only Old/New Iran Policies

Regulators to hold meeting on plans to repair 1,400 cracked tubes at shuttered nuclear plant

Regulators to hold meeting on plans to repair 1,400 cracked tubes at shuttered nuclear plant

Becoming a responsible ancestor - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Becoming a responsible ancestor - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival? | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival? | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Five Energy Transition Lessons for 2025 | BloombergNEF

Five Energy Transition Lessons for 2025 | BloombergNEF

Indonesia Council Proposes 29 Sites For Potential Nuclear Power Plants

Indonesia Council Proposes 29 Sites For Potential Nuclear Power Plants

Newsom's Atomic Folly: Now By Fire, Next by Quake, Then by Apocalyptic Radiation?   - CounterPunch.org

Newsom's Atomic Folly: Now By Fire, Next by Quake, Then by Apocalyptic Radiation?   - CounterPunch.org

Survey says . . . Emotional intelligence important in nuclear industry -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Survey says . . . Emotional intelligence important in nuclear industry -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear fusion could be the future of clean energy if it can overcome these hurdles - Fast Company

Nuclear fusion could be the future of clean energy if it can overcome these hurdles - Fast Company

UK Will Explore Nuclear Power for New AI Data Center Plan - Bloomberg

UK Will Explore Nuclear Power for New AI Data Center Plan - Bloomberg

Power Giant Strikes While the Iron Is Hot - WSJ

Power Giant Strikes While the Iron Is Hot - WSJ

Why are nuclear energy companies racing to make microreactors? | Euronews

Why are nuclear energy companies racing to make microreactors? | Euronews

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium, energy minister says | Reuters

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium, energy minister says | Reuters

In Colorado, will electric grid keep up as renewable energy comes online?

In Colorado, will electric grid keep up as renewable energy comes online?

Nuclear power plant: A milestone towards energy independence - Poland at Sea - maritime economy portal

Nuclear power plant: A milestone towards energy independence - Poland at Sea - maritime economy portal

Dutch consortium to develop molten salt reactors - World Nuclear News

Dutch consortium to develop molten salt reactors - World Nuclear News

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

Utah nuclear energy: State sues feds over licensing requirements

Utah nuclear energy: State sues feds over licensing requirements

Sunday, January 12, 2025

When Jimmy Carter met Kim Il-sung and stopped a nuclear war

When Jimmy Carter met Kim Il-sung and stopped a nuclear war

To make nuclear fusion a reliable energy source one day, scientists will first need to design heat- and radiation-resilient materials

To make nuclear fusion a reliable energy source one day, scientists will first need to design heat- and radiation-resilient materials

Nuclear Fusion: Is It the Key to Solving the Energy Crisis?

Nuclear Fusion: Is It the Key to Solving the Energy Crisis?

33 Myths About Renewable Energy | Columbia Magazine

33 Myths About Renewable Energy | Columbia Magazine

US scientists use Summit to tame runaway electrons in fusion reactors

US scientists use Summit to tame runaway electrons in fusion reactors

Drones have been spotted over a Louisiana nuclear power plant

Drones have been spotted over a Louisiana nuclear power plant

Dutch consortium to develop molten salt reactors - World Nuclear News

Dutch consortium to develop molten salt reactors - World Nuclear News

Reactors to Go Deep Underground to Power Data Centers | Neutron Bytes

Reactors to Go Deep Underground to Power Data Centers | Neutron Bytes

Friday, January 10, 2025

NRC Lawsuit Could Change Small Reactor Regulation | Independent Women's Forum

NRC Lawsuit Could Change Small Reactor Regulation | Independent Women's Forum

Plans to expand the grid are finally underway. Will… | Canary Media

Plans to expand the grid are finally underway. Will… | Canary Media

S. Korea, US formally ink MOU on principles concerning nuclear exports, cooperation - The Korea Herald

S. Korea, US formally ink MOU on principles concerning nuclear exports, cooperation - The Korea Herald

Clean Energy: Two New 'Microreactor' Designs Could Be Game Changers – RedState

Clean Energy: Two New 'Microreactor' Designs Could Be Game Changers – RedState

Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator | Utility Dive

Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator | Utility Dive

Two Nuclear Microreactors Reach Milestone - IEEE Spectrum

Two Nuclear Microreactors Reach Milestone - IEEE Spectrum

Better Nuclear Stock: Uranium Energy vs. NuScale Power

Better Nuclear Stock: Uranium Energy vs. NuScale Power

Chart: Who’s Building Nuclear Reactors? | Statista

Chart: Who’s Building Nuclear Reactors? | Statista

Westinghouse To Continue Development Of Space Microreactor For Nasa

Westinghouse To Continue Development Of Space Microreactor For Nasa

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

Daily on Energy: L.A. wildfires, shipping industry support for a carbon tax, and nuclear microreactors get noticed

Daily on Energy: L.A. wildfires, shipping industry support for a carbon tax, and nuclear microreactors get noticed https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/e-mail-daily-on-energy/?env=805cbe2ee72715c18638028212b1231b9200d9aa1f81ac4115cbb8f305728c5d&rid=24919191 ELECTRIC BATTERIES MAY HAVE COMPETITION…FROM NUCLEAR: The nuclear power industry is looking to go head-to-head with companies producing electric batteries in the race to replace diesel and natural gas generators with clean alternatives. The details: A number of nuclear energy companies are now detailing plans to develop microreactors to power data centers, small communities, offshore drilling operations, remote mining operators, and more, according to a Financial Times report. One company, Westinghouse, is working on building a transportable microreactor roughly the size of a shipping container that can run on its own for years before needing more fuel. Typically, these miniature reactors generate up to 20 megawatts. While this can be enough to power around 20,000 homes, it is dramatically lower than even small modular reactors that generate around 300 megawatts. As the mining industry, offshore and onshore drilling, as well as isolated communities often rely on diesel and gas generators for power, nuclear power may offer a solution for those looking to lower emissions. “Initially, the idea was there are parts of the economy that are very difficult to decarbonise, especially remote communities that depend on transportable diesel, which is very expensive,” Jon Ball, who leads Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor program, told the Financial Times. “But the level of interest has really expanded and we believe this is going to be a significant growth area.” Possible timelines: Like anything in the nuclear industry, it is expected to take several years before these microreactors can be put on the market or be in use. Westinghouse is expected to start a test program for their eVinci microreactor in 2027 at the Idaho National Laboratory. The company has also entered an agreement with UK-based Core Power, which is reportedly looking to build nuclear power plants at sea. The company told the Financial Times that it is on track to receive an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by 2029. Other possible producers, including Nano Nuclear Energy, are reportedly seeking to bring their own microreactors to the market by 2031.

Climate change is showing its claws: The world is getting hotter, resulting in severe hurricanes, thunderstorms and floods | Munich Re

Climate change is showing its claws: The world is getting hotter, resulting in severe hurricanes, thunderstorms and floods | Munich Re

Eight Indiana coal sites offer 'intriguing opportunities' for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study • Indiana Capital Chronicle

Eight Indiana coal sites offer 'intriguing opportunities' for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study • Indiana Capital Chronicle

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

The Nuclear Engineer Who Introduced Himself as a Peanut Farmer

The Nuclear Engineer Who Introduced Himself as a Peanut Farmer

Richland joins competition for $3B nuclear fuel facility | Tri-City Herald

Richland joins competition for $3B nuclear fuel facility | Tri-City Herald

PJM ‘shovel-ready’ interconnection plan draws mixed reviews at FERC | Utility Dive

PJM ‘shovel-ready’ interconnection plan draws mixed reviews at FERC | Utility Dive

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Enron Is Back. Could This Possibly Be Real? - The New York Times

Enron Is Back. Could This Possibly Be Real? - The New York Times

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

Constellation agrees to buy Calpine for $26.6 billion

Constellation agrees to buy Calpine for $26.6 billion

Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Thursday, January 9, 2025

US Government Agrees To 10-Year Nuclear Power Plan - CleanTechnica

US Government Agrees To 10-Year Nuclear Power Plan - CleanTechnica

Nuclear Energy Investment: Charting the $300 Billion Spend

Nuclear Energy Investment: Charting the $300 Billion Spend

Constellation's $30 Billion Calpine Talks Are Fueled by AI — and Gas - Bloomberg

Constellation's $30 Billion Calpine Talks Are Fueled by AI — and Gas - Bloomberg

Deep Fission's reactors buried 1-mile-underground to supply power

Deep Fission's reactors buried 1-mile-underground to supply power

Trump Demands Defense Spending 5 Percent of Europe GDP, No Chance of That – MishTalk

Trump Demands Defense Spending 5 Percent of Europe GDP, No Chance of That – MishTalk

U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually – outpacing inflation – pv magazine USA

U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually – outpacing inflation – pv magazine USA

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

Getting Russia Right  - The American Conservative

Getting Russia Right  - The American Conservative

Nuclear Energy Supply Forecast by Region - Visual Capitalist

Nuclear Energy Supply Forecast by Region - Visual Capitalist

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

US missile shield buckling under China, Russia, and North Korea - Asia Times

US missile shield buckling under China, Russia, and North Korea - Asia Times

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025 | Utility Dive

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025 | Utility Dive

US to study proliferation risk of HALEU nuclear fuel, after warning by scientists | Reuters

US to study proliferation risk of HALEU nuclear fuel, after warning by scientists | Reuters

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Biden expands wind and solar tax credit to nuclear, hydropower, geothermal energy

Biden expands wind and solar tax credit to nuclear, hydropower, geothermal energy

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette