Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Three Florida Plants on Nuclear-Quake List; Utilities Unshaken
Three Florida Plants on Nuclear-Quake List; Utilities Unshaken
"How a Pressurized Water Reactor Shuts Down during an event such as a hurricane or earthquake."
"How a Pressurized Water Reactor
Shuts Down during an event such as a hurricane or earthquake."
http://evergreennuclear.
Shuts Down during an event such as a hurricane or earthquake."
http://evergreennuclear.
UN nuclear agency calls for rare Mideast talks on non-proliferation
UN nuclear agency calls for rare Mideast talks on non-proliferation
Israel, Arab states signal readiness to join talks but Iran says no 'justification' for proposed forum now.
Israel is widely assumed to hold the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal and is also the only country in the region outside the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Arab states, backed by Iran, say this poses a threat to peace and stability. They want Israel to subject all its atomic facilities to IAEA monitoring.Israel, which has never confirmed or denied having atom bombs, says it will only join the NPT if there is a comprehensive Middle East peace. If it signed the pact, Israel would have to renounce nuclear weaponry
The Nuclear Option
The Nuclear Option
A Documentary Film Exploring Nuclear Energy's Future Potential
Director's Statement
A Documentary Film Exploring Nuclear Energy's Future Potential
Director's Statement
At North Anna nuclear plant, reassurances but no final data on quake impact
At North Anna nuclear plant, reassurances but no final data on quake impact
By Brian Vastag , Published: September 2
Mineral, Va. — “It must be a burst steam pipe in the turbine room.”
That thought flitted through the mind of North Anna
nuclear power plant senior operator Jason Russell when the Aug. 23 earthquake began shaking the facility’s control room.At North Anna nuclear plant, reassurances but no final data on quake impact
That thought flitted through the mind of North Anna
“That’s when I knew it was something else,” said Russell, 30, who was supervising Unit 1 when the largest Virginia earthquake in more than a century struck.
Friday, September 2, 2011
N. Korea hits out at US over nuclear row: reports
N. Korea hits out at US over nuclear row: reports
Tokyo (AFP) Sept 1, 2011 - North Korea's number-two leader slammed the United States on Thursday for singling out his country's uranium enrichment programme in a drive against nuclear proliferation, reports said. "Not only our country but other countries in the world are enriching uranium," Kim Yong-Nam, the president of the Supreme People's Assembly -- North Korea's parliament -- told Japanese media in Pyongyang, according to Kyodo news agency.
Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes Shifting views on nukes and quakes
Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes
Shifting views on nukes and quakes
Reactor operators and regulators scramble when the earth moves
India's Atomic Fuel Reprocessing Capacity to be Upgraded
India's Atomic Fuel Reprocessing Capacity to be Upgraded
India's Atomic Energy Commission reported that the country’s nuclear fuel reprocessing capacity will be greatly upgraded in order to provide for the nation’s indigenously designed Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), which are to play an ever increasing role in providing for India’s soaring energy requirements.
AEC Chairman Srikumar Banerjee said, “The country's current 100 ton capacity of reprocessing will be multiplied several times so that the two in-principle sanctioned 500 megawatt FBRs do not face fuel shortage in the coming decade. We are also going ahead with enhancement of the country's enrichment program so that we can use enriched uranium in the
Read more...
AEC Chairman Srikumar Banerjee said, “The country's current 100 ton capacity of reprocessing will be multiplied several times so that the two in-principle sanctioned 500 megawatt FBRs do not face fuel shortage in the coming decade. We are also going ahead with enhancement of the country's enrichment program so that we can use enriched uranium in the
Read more...
Will France Also Play the Nuclear Fool?
Will France Also Play the Nuclear Fool?
Many years ago, although it seems like centuries, I was sitting in a small bar-disco in a town near Stuttgart Germany, talking to an Ivy League type from the same brigade in the U.S. Army as myself, as well as a friend of his who was the son of a former German general, but whose Christian name was definitely American/English.
I of course asked him how so many Germans could have jumped for joy when Adolph Hitler declared war on the United States (on December 11, 1941). Didn’t they understand what that was going to mean? Didn’t the German generals understand?
What
Read more...
I of course asked him how so many Germans could have jumped for joy when Adolph Hitler declared war on the United States (on December 11, 1941). Didn’t they understand what that was going to mean? Didn’t the German generals understand?
What
Read more...
DOD Releases Energy Consumption Report for 2010
DOD Releases Energy Consumption Report for 2010
Finally, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment) released the DOD’s Annual Energy Management Report for Fiscal Year 2010.
This report focuses on energy used by military installations and non-tactical vehicles. For ease of discussion, this report refers to both as “facilities energy.” In a footnote you will find out that this report does not address operational energy. This is the first shock you will get on the first page.
Read more...
This report focuses on energy used by military installations and non-tactical vehicles. For ease of discussion, this report refers to both as “facilities energy.” In a footnote you will find out that this report does not address operational energy. This is the first shock you will get on the first page.
What does the report say About DoD Energy Consumption?
“DoD accounts for approximately 80 percent of all Federal energy consumption and spent about $15.2 billion onRead more...
Frack Gas Not Likely To Displace King Coal, Study Suggests
Frack Gas Not Likely To Displace King Coal, Study Suggests
Top economist warns green jobs 'creation' will undermine recovery
Press Release
Top economist warns green jobs 'creation' will undermine recovery
London, 2 September: One of the UK's leading energy and environment economists warns that the government's promise that green energy policies will create tens of thousands of jobs and stimulate competitive industries is an illusion.
In his report The Myth of Green Jobs, published today by the Global Warming Policy Foundation, Professor Gordon Hughes (University of Edinburgh) dispels this assumption by finding that
• The government target for generating electricity from renewable energy sources will involve a capital cost that is 9-10 times the amount required to meet the same demand by relying upon conventional power plants.
• The extra investment required for renewable energy - about £120 bln - will be diverted from more productive uses in the rest of the economy
• Increases in the cost of energy together with the diversion of investment funds means that many manufacturing firms will either go bankrupt or relocate.
• It is impossible for the UK to acquire a long-term comparative advantage in the manufacture of renewable energy equipment by any combination of policies that are both feasible and affordable.
• Policies to promote renewable energy could add 0.6-0.7 percentage points per year to core inflation from now to 2020.
• The cumulative impact of these policies could amount to a loss of 2-3% of potential GDP for a period of 20 years or more.
"Claims by politicians and lobbyists that green energy policies will create a few thousand jobs are not supported by the evidence. In terms of the labour market, the gains for a small number of actual or potential employees in businesses specialising in renewable energy has to be weighed against the dismal prospects for a much larger group of workers producing tradable goods in the rest of the manufacturing sector," Professor Hughes said.
The full report can be downloaded here: The Myth of Green Jobs
About the Author
Dr Gordon Hughes is a Professor of Economics at the University of Edinburgh. He was a senior adviser on energy and environmental policy at the World Bank until 2001. He has advised governments on environmental policies and was responsible for some of the World Bank’s most important environmental guidelines.
Contact details:
Dr Benny Peiser
The Global Warming Policy Foundation
1 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DB
benny.peiser@thegwpf.org
tel: 020 7930 6856
mob: 07553 361717
NEI Weekly Intelligence Brief Nuclear Energy Policy and Commission Update 26 August – 1 September 2011
Weekly Intelligence Brief
Nuclear Energy Policy and Commission Update 26 August – 1 September 2011
NEI Weekly Intelligence Brief Weekly Intelligence Brief 26 August – 1 September 2011
Weekly Intelligence Brief
Weekly Intelligence Brief 26 August – 1 September 2011
NEI Industry Insight A nuclear phase out for France: Is it really on the cards?
Industry Insight
A nuclear phase out for France: Is it really on the cards?
The 2011 Canadian Nuclear Factbook
I am pleased to present you with the 2011 edition of the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, now available online in PDF format<http://www.cna.ca/
As part CNA's proactive Five Year Communication's Strategy, we have redesigned the Factbook to more effectively promote Canada's nuclear industry beyond its role as a source of safe, clean, and affordable electricity now and in the future.
These changes include:
* Complete new design to visually align the Factbook with our strategy for dialogue, including social media and NUnuclear.ca<http://www.
* Expanded and updated sections on the role of nuclear in science, health, and medicine.
* Prominent branding as The Canadian Nuclear Factbook.
As in previous years, we are distributing 25,000 copies of the Factbook free of charge to member companies, parliamentarians, stakeholders, schools, and individuals in Canada and around the world. Last year alone we received individual requests for almost 3,000 copies through our education website.
I hope that you will find this year's Canadian Nuclear Factbook<http://www.cna.ca/
In case you wish to order additional copies, you can do so free of charge at www.cna.ca/NUclearFactbook.asp
If you have any suggestions, comments, or feedback on this year's Factbook, please feel free to share them our Manager of Research, Dietwald Claus, at clausd@cna.ca
And I encourage all of you to please visit to follow us on our social media channels - our "TalkNUclear.ca<http://
Yours sincerely,
Denise Carpenter
President and CEO
PEST(EL) in the Nuclear Industry – The Economic (part 5)
PEST(EL) in the Nuclear Industry – The Economic (part 5)
Post-Flood Recovery Begins At Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant
 | Post-Flood Recovery Begins At Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant |
The NRC today issued a Confirmatory Action Letter documenting actions that the officials have agreed to take prior to restarting the plant, located about 19 miles north of Omaha, Neb.
The plant was shut down April 9 for a refueling outage, which was extended due to flooding along the Missouri River. As the floodwaters have receded, workers at the site have begun removing flood barriers and an elaborate elevated catwalk used create access from the flooded parking lot to key buildings.
At a public meeting on July 27, OPPD officials discussed post flooding recovery actions and agreed not to restart the plant without NRC approval. Region IV Administrator Elmo E. Collins has said a series of comprehensive inspections will have to be performed before the agency clears the plant for restart.
Victor DricksRegion IV Public Affairs Officer
French map of cesium-137 deposition from Fukushima shows the US more contaminated than Western Japan
French map of cesium-137 deposition from Fukushima shows the US more contaminated than Western Japan
NRC cites safety failures at Pilgrim Shutdown blamed on human error
NRC cites safety failures at Pilgrim
Shutdown blamed on human error
Japan’s New Prime Minister Vows Gradual Nuclear Phaseout
Japan’s New Prime Minister Vows Gradual Nuclear Phaseout
BRC Announces Its Public Meetings For Input On Draft Report
BRC Announces Its Public Meetings For Input On Draft Report
The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (Commission), in association with state regional groups that work on high-level radioactive waste policy, will be hosting public meetings to solicit feedback on the draft commission report. The participant host groups include; the Western Governors’ Association/Western Interstate Energy Board, the Southern States Energy Board, the Council of State Governments-Midwestern Office, and the Council of State Governments- Eastern Regional Conference.
Five one-day meetings will be held to present the draft Commission report (issued on July 29, 2011) and hear feedback from state, local and tribal perspectives - as well as from interested members of the public. The meetings will begin with a briefing from Commission staff on the draft report, followed by comments from elected and appointed state and regional representatives. The latter portion of the meeting will be devoted to facilitated and interactive breakout sessions open to all who attend and will conclude with a public comment period.
All public are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged but not required. Information about registration will be available in the near future. The meetings will not be video webcast. Transcripts of the meetings will be available on the website, along with all written comments anyone chooses to offer. There will be time at all meetings for public comment, and the deadline for sign-up is at 1:00 pm the day of the meeting. Additional comments can either be made directly to the website at www.brc.govor by email to: CommissionDFO@nuclear.energy.gov
The meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations. We will be updating this information soon and will post agendas at least one week prior to each meeting.
Five one-day meetings will be held to present the draft Commission report (issued on July 29, 2011) and hear feedback from state, local and tribal perspectives - as well as from interested members of the public. The meetings will begin with a briefing from Commission staff on the draft report, followed by comments from elected and appointed state and regional representatives. The latter portion of the meeting will be devoted to facilitated and interactive breakout sessions open to all who attend and will conclude with a public comment period.
All public are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged but not required. Information about registration will be available in the near future. The meetings will not be video webcast. Transcripts of the meetings will be available on the website, along with all written comments anyone chooses to offer. There will be time at all meetings for public comment, and the deadline for sign-up is at 1:00 pm the day of the meeting. Additional comments can either be made directly to the website at www.brc.govor by email to: CommissionDFO@nuclear.energy.gov
The meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations. We will be updating this information soon and will post agendas at least one week prior to each meeting.
- September 13, 2011 Denver, CO Embassy Suites, 1420 Stout Street
- October 12, 2011 Boston, MA Harvard Medical School Conference Center, 77 Louis Pasteur, Longwood
- Pre-registeration
- Meeting Agenda
- October 18, 2011 Atlanta, GA Marriot Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue
- Pre-registeration
- Meeting Agenda
- October 20, 2011 Washington, DC Hilton Garden Inn, 815 14th Street N.W
- Pre-registeration
- Meeting Agenda
- October 28, 2011 Minneapolis, MN Radisson Plaza Hotel, 35 South Seventh Street
- Pre-registeration
- Meeting Agenda
Vietnam has 'absolute confidence' in Japan nuke technology: ambassador
Vietnam has 'absolute confidence' in Japan nuke technology: ambassador
North Anna's Scratchplate Accelerographs
North Anna's Scratchplate Accelerographs
From the reports, it sounds like scratchplates may have been the only seismic instrumentation in the plant. New technologies offer opportunities for augmentation: http://www.bartec.de/homepage/eng/downloads/produkte/200_seismik/App_Details_SI_NPP.pdf .
Inspectors check Virginia nuclear plant for earthquake damage
Inspectors check Virginia nuclear plant for earthquake damage
The inspection is unusual, said Scott Burnell, a spokesman for NRC. Such “augmented inspection teams” are dispatched to nuclear plants “infrequently. If I had to put a number on it I’d say once every couple of years.”
During the quake, 36 “scratch plates” at the facility recorded ground motion in three dimensions, said Richard Zuercher, a Dominion spokesman. Preliminary analysis of the plates performed by a seismologist contracted by Dominion showed “the plant may have exceeded design basis for ground-force acceleration,” Zuercher said.
The plant’s reactor containment buildings were built to withstand shaking equal to 12 percent of the force of gravity. Dominion said on the day of the quake that the plant would be safe up to a magnitude 6.2 earthquake. But the amount of shaking such a quake produces varies with distance to the epicenter, depth, and the type of rock the quake occurs in.
RPT-SPECIAL REPORT-Fuel storage, safety issues vexed Japan plant
RPT-SPECIAL REPORT-Fuel storage, safety issues vexed Japan plant
Seismic tension on northern Japan highlights escalating danger
地球と空の振動: Seismic tension on northern Japan highlights escalating danger
Another aftershock jolts Mineral, Central Virginia
Another aftershock jolts Mineral, Central Virginia
List of 27 nuclear power reactors where gov’t says earthquake damage is more likely
List of 27 nuclear power reactors where gov’t says earthquake damage is more likely
U.S. quake shows nuclear plants need checkups: Jaczko
U.S. quake shows nuclear plants need checkups: Jaczko
Quake shifted nuclear storage containers at Virginia plant
Quake shifted nuclear storage containers at Virginia plant
France and Germany Go Their Separate Ways on Nuclear Power
France and Germany Go Their Separate Ways on Nuclear Power
Germany has closed down its nuclear reactors and confronts a power shortage. France is touting its safe nuclear reactors.
China's Upcoming Nuclear Power Boom
China's Upcoming Nuclear Power Boom
The emerging superpower is developing a different type of reactor that should be less prone to dangers like those that emerged recently in Japan.
What's in Store for Generation IV? A Look at Molten Salt
What's in Store for Generation IV? A Look at Molten Salt
The Case for the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty: Some Key Points
The Case for the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty: Some Key Points
U.S. Priorities for the NPT and Moving Forward
U.S. Priorities for the NPT and Moving Forward
Remarks
Marcie B. Ries
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
High Level Workshop Against Nuclear Tests--From Here to 2015: Meeting the Targets of the NPT Action Plan
New York City
September 1, 2011
Good Afternoon. I would like to begin by thanking the EastWest Institute for their invitation and for their continued dedicated efforts to help forge collective action from the international community towards a safer and better world. I’d also like to thank the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan for inviting me to speak at this High Level Workshop. It is an honor to be here and we have much to discuss regarding our priorities in moving forward, including our efforts to advance the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference Action Plan.
I know Ambassador Susan Burk, U.S. Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation, spoke very aptly at this event last year about the 2010 NPT Final Document and U.S. priorities for the NPT. I will update you on these priorities and U.S. actions taken to advance them, but before I do, let me take say a few words about the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
2010 NPT Review Conference
As Ambassador Burk noted last year, the 2010 NPT Review Conference succeeded because the vast majority of the Treaty Parties understood that the Review Conference was an opportunity to strengthen the NPT and the global nonproliferation regime at a time of great challenge to both. Most Parties worked diligently and in good faith throughout the Conference to find common ground. There was widespread agreement that a balanced, forward-looking agenda covering all three of the NPT’s supporting pillars -- nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy -- would reinvigorate both the Treaty and the nuclear nonproliferation regime of which it is the cornerstone.
The Action Plan adopted at the Conference reflects the understanding that efforts to strengthen the Treaty must be balanced among its pillars, as well as the need for “mutual responsibility” in its implementation, which is critical to the continued viability of the NPT regime. The real test of the RevCon’s success will be how seriously all the Parties take the agreement they reached and how well they implement the commitments they made at the RevCon.
I would like to go into some detail on actions in which we have been engaged involving all three of the NPT pillars, although I will dwell in more detail on disarmament, the area for which I have responsibility. Much has been accomplished since the RevCon.
New START Treaty Implementation
As you all know, the New START Treaty entered into force on February 5th of this year. Implementation of the Treaty is so far going well. It continues to be a bright spot in the U.S.-Russian relationship. So far, the process of Treaty implementation has been very pragmatic, professional, and positive – a continuation of the positive working relationship we established during the negotiations in Geneva. We are constantly in communication with our Russian colleagues and the implementation process has been precise and efficient.
This Treaty responsibly limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons and launchers that the United States and Russia may deploy. When the Treaty is fully implemented, it will result in the lowest number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by the United States and the Russian Federation since the 1950s, the first full decade of the nuclear age.
The United States and Russia have exchanged data, held exhibitions, and notified each other on the status of our strategic forces. In fact, we have exchanged more than 1,000 notifications since February. We also have begun conducting on-site inspections. To date, the United States has conducted eight on-site inspections in Russia and Russia has conducted seven in the United States since the period for New START Treaty inspections began on April 6.
The access and information derived from this Treaty provide important predictability and stability in the U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship. Without this access and information, the risks of miscalculations, misunderstandings, and mistrust would be greater.
Next Steps in U.S.-Russian Reductions
The United States is committed to continuing a step-by-step process, as outlined by President Obama in Prague in 2009, to reduce the overall number of nuclear weapons, including the pursuit of a future agreement with Russia for broad reductions in all categories of nuclear weapons – strategic, non-strategic, deployed and non-deployed.
We would also like to increase transparency on a reciprocal basis with Russia. We are in the process of thinking through how this and other such transparency measures might be implemented. We will consult with our NATO allies and invite Russia to join with us to develop an initiative, including examination of potential reciprocal actions that could be taken in parallel by the United States and Russia.
We have a lot of very complicated issues to consider, so the more creative and innovative ideas we have to work with, the better off we will be. For that reason, we are grateful to the community of experts, both government and nongovernment, American, Russian, and international, who are contributing to our work.
While the United States and Russia have more steps to pursue bilaterally, it is also time to continue, with greater intensity, a multilateral dialogue among the P5. In late June at a conference in Paris, the P5 discussed transparency, verification, and confidence-building measures. The conference, a follow-on to the first such meeting held in London in 2009, was another constructive step in the process of nuclear-weapons states’ engagement on disarmament and related issues, and demonstrated the P5’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan that was adopted by consensus at the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
All the P5 states recognized the fundamental importance of transparency in building mutual understanding and confidence. We exchanged information on nuclear doctrine and capabilities and discussed possible voluntary transparency and confidence-building measures. To this end, we approved the creation of a working group on Nuclear Definitions and Terminology. We will also hold technical consultations on verification issues later this year in London. In order to ensure that these conferences evolve into a regular process of P5 dialogue, we agreed to hold a third conference in the context of the 2012 NPT Preparatory Committee to continue our discussions.
The United States is proud to be at the leading edge of transparency efforts – publically declaring our nuclear stockpile numbers; participating in voluntary and treaty-based inspections measures; and working with other nations on military to military, scientific and lab exchanges, and site visits.
We hope that all countries will join in the common effort to increase transparency and build mutual confidence. Confidence-building, at its very core, is a shared effort.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
The United States is committed to pursuing U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and to its entry into force at the earliest possible date. Entry into force of the CTBT is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. While the United States abides by the core prohibition of the CTBT through our nuclear testing moratorium promulgated in 1992, the principal benefit of the Treaty -- that of constraining all states from testing -- still eludes us.
We have begun a deliberate and methodical process of engaging the U.S. Senate and the American public on the importance of the CTBT. Entry into force of the CTBT is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons, a vision articulated by the President when he spoke in Prague in 2009. Our recent experience working with the U.S. Senate to gain ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – New START – with the Russian Federation has prepared us for what is expected to be an equally thorough and robust debate over the CTBT. We do not expect it will be easy or happen quickly, but we will work hard to make it happen.
The Administration commissioned a number of reports, including an updated National Intelligence Estimate and an independent National Academy of Sciences report to assess the ability of the United States to monitor compliance with the Treaty and the ability of the United States to maintain, in the absence of nuclear explosive testing, a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal so long as these weapons exist. A public version of the Academy’s report is expected to be released soon. These authoritative reports, together with others, will give the U.S. Senate a wealth of information to assist them in making a determination on the merits of ratification of the CTBT.
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
A Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty continues to be a top priority for the United States and a large majority of other countries. Negotiating an FMCT would be a major international achievement for nonproliferation and for disarmament. So it is disappointing that the Conference on Disarmament has been unable to achieve consensus to commence negotiations. Because of this continuing stalemate the P5 agreed to renew their efforts to promote such negotiations prior to the upcoming UNGA. Acting on that commitment, the P5 met this week in Geneva, to take stock of developments regarding the Conference on Disarmament (CD). They discussed how to achieve at the earliest possible date in the CD their shared goal of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons purposes. They expressed their determination to this end. In that context, they look forward to meeting again, with other relevant parties, during the United Nations General Assembly First Committee. We are hopeful that the P5, working with other relevant partners, will be able to chart a productive path forward.
Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement
On a similar front, just last month, Secretary of State Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov brought the U.S.-Russian Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement and its 2006 and 2010 Protocols into force. The amended Agreement commits each country to dispose of -- under strict non-proliferation conditions -- no less than 34 metric tons of excess weapon-grade plutonium, which represents enough material for about 17,000 nuclear weapons in total. Disposition of the plutonium is scheduled to begin in 2018 following construction of the necessary facilities. The two countries and the IAEA are making progress on appropriate IAEA verification measures for each country’s disposition program.
Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones
Nuclear weapon-free zones are a high priority for the United States. At the 2010 NPT Review Conference, Secretary Clinton announced that the Administration would submit the protocols to the Africa and the South Pacific nuclear weapon-free zones to the U.S. Senate for advice and consent to ratification. This was done on May 2 of this year. As Secretary Clinton also committed last May, the United States is consulting with the parties to nuclear weapon-free zone treaties in Central and Southeast Asia in an effort to reach agreement that would allow us to sign the protocols to those treaties.
Middle East WMD Free Zone
A related issue is the proposal for a zone free of weapons-of-mass-destruction in the Middle East. For months we have been meeting regularly with the other co-sponsors of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East and the UN to determine the best way to fulfill our responsibilities as laid out in the plan on the Middle East endorsed by the NPT RevCon in a way that will best ensure a successful conference. We are fully committed to this effort. However, the success of the conference and similar efforts cannot be imposed from outside. It will depend on the willingness of the regional states to help build an atmosphere conducive to constructive dialogue on all relevant issues.
Nonproliferation
President Obama stated in Prague that, “We need real and immediate consequences for countries caught breaking the rules or trying to leave the treaty without cause.” The 2010 NPT RevCon Action Plan underscores the importance of resolving all cases of non-compliance with safeguards obligations. Our collective efforts in the UN Security Council regarding the nuclear challenges posed by Iran, Syria, and North Korea are designed with these goals in mind, and we look forward to continued cooperation with the international community in seeking to resolve these situations.
The United States, other Member States, and the IAEA Secretariat are actively considering ways to strengthen the IAEA safeguards system, and the United States remains committed to ensuring the Agency has the resources and political support it needs to make effective use of its existing authorities. A comprehensive U.S. review of potential options for strengthening safeguards produced several recommendations, including improving the IAEA’s abilities to investigate potential and actual undeclared nuclear activities, ensuring that the IAEA has reliable funding to meet its evolving safeguards mandates, and expanding adherence by all relevant states to NPT safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol.
Since the NPT RevCon, nine countries have put Additional Protocols into force. As of August 22, 2011, 110 states have Additional Protocols in force and another 25 states have signed them, but have not yet completed their ratification process. We are committed to universalizing these important safeguards instruments. To this end, we are working with our partners to engage countries without them to address concerns they have with bringing them into force and to provide assistance in implementation where necessary.
While the 2010 Final Document did not include consensus on the issue of abuse of the NPT’s withdrawal provision (Article X), it did note that many NPT Parties “underscore that under international law a withdrawing party is still responsible for violations of the NPT.” We will continue to pursue measures to dissuade such abuse with other NPT Parties.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
The third pillar of the NPT is the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The United States continues its active effort to fulfill its commitments under the Treaty’s Article IV to international peaceful nuclear cooperation with states that abide by their nonproliferation obligations. At the RevCon, Secretary Clinton announced a Peaceful Uses Initiative to raise $100 million over five years in new funding for IAEA activities in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including projects related to human health (especially cancer), water management, food security, and nuclear power infrastructure development. In support of this new campaign, the United States has pledged $50 million and is seeking funding from other countries to match that amount before the next Review Conference in 2015; Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand have already stepped forward to join us in this effort with contributions of their own. Our own contributions have funded more than $10 million in specific projects in these areas since the RevCon, benefitting more than 80 IAEA Member States.
It is important that we ensure that the worldwide expansion of nuclear power not be accompanied by an increased threat of nuclear proliferation. That could result if more countries seek to acquire their own sensitive fuel-cycle facilities, in particular enrichment or reprocessing plants. Since the 2010 RevCon, the IAEA Board of Governors has approved, without a single negative vote, two new measures to assure IAEA members of an adequate supply of fuel for peaceful nuclear power plants -- a low enriched uranium reserve to be established under IAEA auspices at a location to be determined and the United Kingdom’s proposal for nuclear fuel assurances.
Conclusion
Challenges and threats to the NPT must be effectively addressed so that progress in one area is not undermined or negated by actions in another area. Countries with nuclear weapons will be reluctant to disarm when they perceive risks that additional states might acquire such weapons, one of the reasons nonproliferation compliance is so important. Conversely, the indefinite possession of nuclear weapons by some states can erode the willingness of non-nuclear weapon states to maintain or strengthen their commitments to forgo them. In sum, we cannot succeed in disarmament without continued progress in nonproliferation, and vice versa. We must all commit to work together to carry out and strengthen the goals and objectives of the NPT.
We have come a long way in the last two years and our hard fought achievements should inspire us all to accomplish even more. Although the challenges ahead are great, and we have a much longer road yet to travel, we’re confident that by working together we can make further progress as we seek to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. The stakes and the benefits to all states are enormous, and all states must do their part to make the NPT’s objectives a reality. Let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work together to achieve these objectives and to ensure the future success of the NPT.
Thank you. I welcome our discussion and your questions.
I know Ambassador Susan Burk, U.S. Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation, spoke very aptly at this event last year about the 2010 NPT Final Document and U.S. priorities for the NPT. I will update you on these priorities and U.S. actions taken to advance them, but before I do, let me take say a few words about the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
2010 NPT Review Conference
As Ambassador Burk noted last year, the 2010 NPT Review Conference succeeded because the vast majority of the Treaty Parties understood that the Review Conference was an opportunity to strengthen the NPT and the global nonproliferation regime at a time of great challenge to both. Most Parties worked diligently and in good faith throughout the Conference to find common ground. There was widespread agreement that a balanced, forward-looking agenda covering all three of the NPT’s supporting pillars -- nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy -- would reinvigorate both the Treaty and the nuclear nonproliferation regime of which it is the cornerstone.
The Action Plan adopted at the Conference reflects the understanding that efforts to strengthen the Treaty must be balanced among its pillars, as well as the need for “mutual responsibility” in its implementation, which is critical to the continued viability of the NPT regime. The real test of the RevCon’s success will be how seriously all the Parties take the agreement they reached and how well they implement the commitments they made at the RevCon.
I would like to go into some detail on actions in which we have been engaged involving all three of the NPT pillars, although I will dwell in more detail on disarmament, the area for which I have responsibility. Much has been accomplished since the RevCon.
New START Treaty Implementation
As you all know, the New START Treaty entered into force on February 5th of this year. Implementation of the Treaty is so far going well. It continues to be a bright spot in the U.S.-Russian relationship. So far, the process of Treaty implementation has been very pragmatic, professional, and positive – a continuation of the positive working relationship we established during the negotiations in Geneva. We are constantly in communication with our Russian colleagues and the implementation process has been precise and efficient.
This Treaty responsibly limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons and launchers that the United States and Russia may deploy. When the Treaty is fully implemented, it will result in the lowest number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by the United States and the Russian Federation since the 1950s, the first full decade of the nuclear age.
The United States and Russia have exchanged data, held exhibitions, and notified each other on the status of our strategic forces. In fact, we have exchanged more than 1,000 notifications since February. We also have begun conducting on-site inspections. To date, the United States has conducted eight on-site inspections in Russia and Russia has conducted seven in the United States since the period for New START Treaty inspections began on April 6.
The access and information derived from this Treaty provide important predictability and stability in the U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship. Without this access and information, the risks of miscalculations, misunderstandings, and mistrust would be greater.
Next Steps in U.S.-Russian Reductions
The United States is committed to continuing a step-by-step process, as outlined by President Obama in Prague in 2009, to reduce the overall number of nuclear weapons, including the pursuit of a future agreement with Russia for broad reductions in all categories of nuclear weapons – strategic, non-strategic, deployed and non-deployed.
We would also like to increase transparency on a reciprocal basis with Russia. We are in the process of thinking through how this and other such transparency measures might be implemented. We will consult with our NATO allies and invite Russia to join with us to develop an initiative, including examination of potential reciprocal actions that could be taken in parallel by the United States and Russia.
We have a lot of very complicated issues to consider, so the more creative and innovative ideas we have to work with, the better off we will be. For that reason, we are grateful to the community of experts, both government and nongovernment, American, Russian, and international, who are contributing to our work.
While the United States and Russia have more steps to pursue bilaterally, it is also time to continue, with greater intensity, a multilateral dialogue among the P5. In late June at a conference in Paris, the P5 discussed transparency, verification, and confidence-building measures. The conference, a follow-on to the first such meeting held in London in 2009, was another constructive step in the process of nuclear-weapons states’ engagement on disarmament and related issues, and demonstrated the P5’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan that was adopted by consensus at the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
All the P5 states recognized the fundamental importance of transparency in building mutual understanding and confidence. We exchanged information on nuclear doctrine and capabilities and discussed possible voluntary transparency and confidence-building measures. To this end, we approved the creation of a working group on Nuclear Definitions and Terminology. We will also hold technical consultations on verification issues later this year in London. In order to ensure that these conferences evolve into a regular process of P5 dialogue, we agreed to hold a third conference in the context of the 2012 NPT Preparatory Committee to continue our discussions.
The United States is proud to be at the leading edge of transparency efforts – publically declaring our nuclear stockpile numbers; participating in voluntary and treaty-based inspections measures; and working with other nations on military to military, scientific and lab exchanges, and site visits.
We hope that all countries will join in the common effort to increase transparency and build mutual confidence. Confidence-building, at its very core, is a shared effort.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
The United States is committed to pursuing U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and to its entry into force at the earliest possible date. Entry into force of the CTBT is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. While the United States abides by the core prohibition of the CTBT through our nuclear testing moratorium promulgated in 1992, the principal benefit of the Treaty -- that of constraining all states from testing -- still eludes us.
We have begun a deliberate and methodical process of engaging the U.S. Senate and the American public on the importance of the CTBT. Entry into force of the CTBT is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons, a vision articulated by the President when he spoke in Prague in 2009. Our recent experience working with the U.S. Senate to gain ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – New START – with the Russian Federation has prepared us for what is expected to be an equally thorough and robust debate over the CTBT. We do not expect it will be easy or happen quickly, but we will work hard to make it happen.
The Administration commissioned a number of reports, including an updated National Intelligence Estimate and an independent National Academy of Sciences report to assess the ability of the United States to monitor compliance with the Treaty and the ability of the United States to maintain, in the absence of nuclear explosive testing, a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal so long as these weapons exist. A public version of the Academy’s report is expected to be released soon. These authoritative reports, together with others, will give the U.S. Senate a wealth of information to assist them in making a determination on the merits of ratification of the CTBT.
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
A Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty continues to be a top priority for the United States and a large majority of other countries. Negotiating an FMCT would be a major international achievement for nonproliferation and for disarmament. So it is disappointing that the Conference on Disarmament has been unable to achieve consensus to commence negotiations. Because of this continuing stalemate the P5 agreed to renew their efforts to promote such negotiations prior to the upcoming UNGA. Acting on that commitment, the P5 met this week in Geneva, to take stock of developments regarding the Conference on Disarmament (CD). They discussed how to achieve at the earliest possible date in the CD their shared goal of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons purposes. They expressed their determination to this end. In that context, they look forward to meeting again, with other relevant parties, during the United Nations General Assembly First Committee. We are hopeful that the P5, working with other relevant partners, will be able to chart a productive path forward.
Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement
On a similar front, just last month, Secretary of State Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov brought the U.S.-Russian Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement and its 2006 and 2010 Protocols into force. The amended Agreement commits each country to dispose of -- under strict non-proliferation conditions -- no less than 34 metric tons of excess weapon-grade plutonium, which represents enough material for about 17,000 nuclear weapons in total. Disposition of the plutonium is scheduled to begin in 2018 following construction of the necessary facilities. The two countries and the IAEA are making progress on appropriate IAEA verification measures for each country’s disposition program.
Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones
Nuclear weapon-free zones are a high priority for the United States. At the 2010 NPT Review Conference, Secretary Clinton announced that the Administration would submit the protocols to the Africa and the South Pacific nuclear weapon-free zones to the U.S. Senate for advice and consent to ratification. This was done on May 2 of this year. As Secretary Clinton also committed last May, the United States is consulting with the parties to nuclear weapon-free zone treaties in Central and Southeast Asia in an effort to reach agreement that would allow us to sign the protocols to those treaties.
Middle East WMD Free Zone
A related issue is the proposal for a zone free of weapons-of-mass-destruction in the Middle East. For months we have been meeting regularly with the other co-sponsors of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East and the UN to determine the best way to fulfill our responsibilities as laid out in the plan on the Middle East endorsed by the NPT RevCon in a way that will best ensure a successful conference. We are fully committed to this effort. However, the success of the conference and similar efforts cannot be imposed from outside. It will depend on the willingness of the regional states to help build an atmosphere conducive to constructive dialogue on all relevant issues.
Nonproliferation
President Obama stated in Prague that, “We need real and immediate consequences for countries caught breaking the rules or trying to leave the treaty without cause.” The 2010 NPT RevCon Action Plan underscores the importance of resolving all cases of non-compliance with safeguards obligations. Our collective efforts in the UN Security Council regarding the nuclear challenges posed by Iran, Syria, and North Korea are designed with these goals in mind, and we look forward to continued cooperation with the international community in seeking to resolve these situations.
The United States, other Member States, and the IAEA Secretariat are actively considering ways to strengthen the IAEA safeguards system, and the United States remains committed to ensuring the Agency has the resources and political support it needs to make effective use of its existing authorities. A comprehensive U.S. review of potential options for strengthening safeguards produced several recommendations, including improving the IAEA’s abilities to investigate potential and actual undeclared nuclear activities, ensuring that the IAEA has reliable funding to meet its evolving safeguards mandates, and expanding adherence by all relevant states to NPT safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol.
Since the NPT RevCon, nine countries have put Additional Protocols into force. As of August 22, 2011, 110 states have Additional Protocols in force and another 25 states have signed them, but have not yet completed their ratification process. We are committed to universalizing these important safeguards instruments. To this end, we are working with our partners to engage countries without them to address concerns they have with bringing them into force and to provide assistance in implementation where necessary.
While the 2010 Final Document did not include consensus on the issue of abuse of the NPT’s withdrawal provision (Article X), it did note that many NPT Parties “underscore that under international law a withdrawing party is still responsible for violations of the NPT.” We will continue to pursue measures to dissuade such abuse with other NPT Parties.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
The third pillar of the NPT is the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The United States continues its active effort to fulfill its commitments under the Treaty’s Article IV to international peaceful nuclear cooperation with states that abide by their nonproliferation obligations. At the RevCon, Secretary Clinton announced a Peaceful Uses Initiative to raise $100 million over five years in new funding for IAEA activities in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including projects related to human health (especially cancer), water management, food security, and nuclear power infrastructure development. In support of this new campaign, the United States has pledged $50 million and is seeking funding from other countries to match that amount before the next Review Conference in 2015; Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand have already stepped forward to join us in this effort with contributions of their own. Our own contributions have funded more than $10 million in specific projects in these areas since the RevCon, benefitting more than 80 IAEA Member States.
It is important that we ensure that the worldwide expansion of nuclear power not be accompanied by an increased threat of nuclear proliferation. That could result if more countries seek to acquire their own sensitive fuel-cycle facilities, in particular enrichment or reprocessing plants. Since the 2010 RevCon, the IAEA Board of Governors has approved, without a single negative vote, two new measures to assure IAEA members of an adequate supply of fuel for peaceful nuclear power plants -- a low enriched uranium reserve to be established under IAEA auspices at a location to be determined and the United Kingdom’s proposal for nuclear fuel assurances.
Conclusion
Challenges and threats to the NPT must be effectively addressed so that progress in one area is not undermined or negated by actions in another area. Countries with nuclear weapons will be reluctant to disarm when they perceive risks that additional states might acquire such weapons, one of the reasons nonproliferation compliance is so important. Conversely, the indefinite possession of nuclear weapons by some states can erode the willingness of non-nuclear weapon states to maintain or strengthen their commitments to forgo them. In sum, we cannot succeed in disarmament without continued progress in nonproliferation, and vice versa. We must all commit to work together to carry out and strengthen the goals and objectives of the NPT.
We have come a long way in the last two years and our hard fought achievements should inspire us all to accomplish even more. Although the challenges ahead are great, and we have a much longer road yet to travel, we’re confident that by working together we can make further progress as we seek to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. The stakes and the benefits to all states are enormous, and all states must do their part to make the NPT’s objectives a reality. Let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work together to achieve these objectives and to ensure the future success of the NPT.
Thank you. I welcome our discussion and your questions.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Eastern Utilities Tap Virtually Every Resource Available East of the Rockies to Restore Power Following Irene
Eastern Utilities Tap Virtually Every Resource Available East of the Rockies to Restore Power Following Irene
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Editor's Note
Dear Readers
I will be on business travel Thursday, September 1. I will be posting over Labor Day weekend; however, I will be away a few days next week. Hopefully no earthquakes and/or other weather conditions will
interrupt a few days break.
Best Regards.
I will be on business travel Thursday, September 1. I will be posting over Labor Day weekend; however, I will be away a few days next week. Hopefully no earthquakes and/or other weather conditions will
interrupt a few days break.
Best Regards.
Japanese Innovation Could Make Wind Power Cheaper Than Nuclear
Japanese Innovation Could Make Wind Power Cheaper Than Nuclear
Germany's power giants must join green revolution or risk extinction
Germany's power giants must join green revolution or risk extinction
Ground broken at Davis-Besse $5M emergency operations center being built
Ground broken at Davis-Besse
$5M emergency operations center being built
Power output cut at Salem 1, Salem 2 nuclear reactors as debris from Hurricane Irene clogs cooling water intakes
Power output cut at Salem 1, Salem 2 nuclear reactors as debris from Hurricane Irene clogs cooling water intakes
Once A Shining Light For Solar Power, Solyndra Goes Bust
Once A Shining Light For Solar Power, Solyndra Goes Bust
Greenpeace goes to court over nuclear policy
Greenpeace goes to court over nuclear policy
By Bryan Johnston Tuesday, 30 August 2011
The government's national policy statement on nuclear energy faces a legal challenge from environmental group Greenpeace on the grounds that ministers failed to take into account the implications of this spring's Fukushima incident in Japan.
Fukushima Crisis: Caldicott Says Evacuate North-West Japan
Fukushima Crisis: Caldicott Says Evacuate North-West Japan
No quake damage found at Shearon Harris nuclear plant
No quake damage found at Shearon Harris nuclear plant
Japan announces 40-year nuclear phase out as Germany grapples with upcoming atomic power losses
Japan announces 40-year nuclear phase out as Germany grapples with upcoming atomic power losses
Fourteen fault lines found near Japanese nuclear plants
Fourteen fault lines found near Japanese nuclear plants
Bolstering emergency preparedness at US plants
Bolstering emergency preparedness at US plants
First Energy Nuclear Operating Company has begun construction of a new emergency operations facility for its Davis-Besse nuclear power plant in Ohio. The move comes as the US nuclear regulator makes changes to emergency preparedness regulations.No nuclear back-up for Germany
No nuclear back-up for Germany
A nuclear reactor will not be kept on standby for Germany's winter months, the network agency has decided. Threats to grid stability are real, it said, but more fossil fuel and grid improvements should ensure power supplies.NRC Ups Emergency Preparedness Requirements at Nuclear Plants
NRC Ups Emergency Preparedness Requirements at Nuclear Plants
Japan Disaster Caps Decades of Faked Reports, Accidents
Japan Disaster Caps Decades of Faked Reports, Accidents
“The plants performed exactly as they should…”
“The plants performed exactly as they should…”
From the Washington Post, here is a Bloomberg video interview with Seth Grae, President and CEO of Lightbridge …“The plants performed exactly as they should … and I know the NRC is now taking a look, particularly at earthquakes and other effects, at making the systems even more robust …”
Nuclear Politics
Nuclear Politics
Last December, the United States and Belarus entered into an agreement that was hailed as a non-proliferation success. Under the deal, Belarus agreed to hand over several hundred kilograms of highly enriched uranium in its possession to Russia for downblending. But on August 19, Belarus announced that it was suspending the agreement in response to economic sanctions imposed by Washington over its crackdown on the opposition. While the United States often engages in such moves to ‘promote respect for human rights,’ what has made this case especially interesting is the use of nuclear material as a bargaining tool. Clearly, the contemporary threat perceptions of the United States outlined in the Nuclear Posture Review of 2010, namely the twin threats of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism, have led Belarus to believe it has a winning hand. From 1991 to 2001, the United States saw the breakup of the Soviet Union, the return of ... Read More...
The Importance of Alternative Energy to the U.S. Military
The Importance of Alternative Energy to the U.S. Military
Much has been written on the dependency of the US military on oil. However, most of the writings focus on the supply side of the issue and emphasize the role of technology primarily on alternative fuel production. A US Army research paper by Colonel Fields is rather different. That is why this post is about his paper.
Col. Fields argues that “A country equal or near equal in economic and military power but considerably less depend on fossil-fuel-based technologies would pose a major threat to our nation.” In the context of Peak Oil, which he seems to be subscribed to,
Read more...
Col. Fields argues that “A country equal or near equal in economic and military power but considerably less depend on fossil-fuel-based technologies would pose a major threat to our nation.” In the context of Peak Oil, which he seems to be subscribed to,
Read more...
Earthquake and Hurricane Irene Impact U.S. Nuclear Power Industry
Earthquake and Hurricane Irene Impact U.S. Nuclear Power Industry
Since the 11 March Fukushima nuclear disaster, the global nuclear industry has been mounting an aggressive PR campaign to convince an increasingly skeptical public that not only is nuclear energy safe, it has a number of benefits, such as zero carbon dioxide emissions.
The center of the global nuclear industry is the United States, where the first civilian nuclear power plants for generating electricity were built and which now operates 104 commercial reactors, producing roughly 20 percent of the nation’s electricity. Until Fukushima, nuclear power advocates saw a potential renaissance of the industry – besides arguing the global warming
Read more...
The center of the global nuclear industry is the United States, where the first civilian nuclear power plants for generating electricity were built and which now operates 104 commercial reactors, producing roughly 20 percent of the nation’s electricity. Until Fukushima, nuclear power advocates saw a potential renaissance of the industry – besides arguing the global warming
Read more...
Updates from ANS Nuclear Cafe ANS Winter Meeting is coming
| Updates from ANS Nuclear Cafe |
ANS Winter Meeting is comingBy rmichal on Aug 31, 2011 01:00 amIt’s time to make plans to attend the American Nuclear Society‘s 2011 Winter Meeting and Nuclear Technology Expo, this year held in Washington, DC, on October 30–November 3 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The theme of the meeting is “The … Continue reading → Read in browser » |
Exxon wins BP's lost Russian Arctic fields By Robert M Cutler
Exxon wins BP's lost Russian Arctic fields
By Robert M Cutler
MONTREAL - ExxonMobil, the United States oil major and the world's biggest company, and Russia's Rosneft have signed an agreement to develop the three offshore areas in Russia's Arctic shelf.
By Robert M Cutler
MONTREAL - ExxonMobil, the United States oil major and the world's biggest company, and Russia's Rosneft have signed an agreement to develop the three offshore areas in Russia's Arctic shelf.
BNC: What is your energy philosophy?
What is your energy philosophy?
Barry Brook | 31 August 2011 at 11:06 PM | Categories: Future, Nuclear, Renewables | URL: http://wp.me/piCIJ-1id
South Korea touts tidal power plant
South Korea touts tidal power plant
Seoul (UPI) Aug 30, 2011 - South Korea has inaugurated what it says is the world's largest tidal power plant. "This is not only a symbol of low-carbon, green growth, but also represents a landmark on the path the world should take," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said at the opening ceremony for the Shihwa station on the west coast near Seoul, the country's news agency Yonhap reports. The 254,000-kil ... more
Seoul (UPI) Aug 30, 2011 - South Korea has inaugurated what it says is the world's largest tidal power plant. "This is not only a symbol of low-carbon, green growth, but also represents a landmark on the path the world should take," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said at the opening ceremony for the Shihwa station on the west coast near Seoul, the country's news agency Yonhap reports. The 254,000-kil ... more
NATIONAL GRID, BANGOR HYDRO SEEK FERC APPROVAL ON FUNDING APPROACH FOR PROPOSED NEW TRANSMISSION LINE TO BRING RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM MAINE TO MASSACHUSETTS
July 11, 2011 - Waltham, Mass. -- National Grid and Emera Inc. subsidiary, Bangor Hydro Electric Company, have taken a major step in advancing the Northeast Energy Link (NEL) transmission project by filing today with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval of its funding approach for the proposed project. Today�s filing seeks confirmation that the companies� sale of transmission capacity is consistent with FERC�s Open Access policies. Under the proposed participant funding approach, renewable energy generators would pay to use NEL�s transmission capacity.
The NEL, as currently proposed, is a new underground transmission line that would stretch approximately 220 miles from northern Maine to northeastern Massachusetts by 2016.
The new line will provide a critical connection to the vast renewable and carbon-neutral energy resources of northern and eastern Maine and eastern Canada.
�This proposed project is yet another example of National Grid�s commitment to and leadership in expanding the region�s portfolio of clean energy resources,� said Tom King, president, National Grid USA. �Having access to the significant renewable and carbon-neutral energy resources in Maine and eastern Canada makes this a huge win for New England energy consumers, who will enjoy the benefits of cost-competitive, clean and reliable energy for years to come.�
�The Northeast Energy Link will serve as a pathway for the region�s energy independence. Projects like this one make it possible to develop the region�s renewable energy resources and reduce its dependence on carbon-based fuels for electricity generation,� said Gerry Chasse, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bangor Hydro Electric Company. �We are pleased to be working with a number of private companies and state governments to improve the region�s energy independence by bringing clean, indigenous energy to market at a cost that will be competitive, predictable, and stable for the long term.�
NEL, which is in the preliminary stages of development, is expected to have a capacity of 1,100 megawatts. It is being proposed as an underground, high voltage direct-current line. The companies will evaluate a number of potential routes, including one that would utilize existing corridors in eastern Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. By utilizing such existing rights-of-way to the greatest extent possible, National Grid and Bangor Hydro are seeking to mitigate potential effects on the environment and the communities where the line would be located. It is important to emphasize that the project route has not yet been chosen.
Under the proposed project, renewable generators would pay to use NEL�s transmission capacity. First Wind Holdings, LLC, based in Boston, Mass., plans to build wind farms in northern and eastern Maine and would purchase the majority of the proposed transmission line�s capacity. Remaining capacity, if any, would be sold to other generators.
While the project is in the preliminary stages, significant research has been undertaken related to energy consumer benefits, siting, and the impact the new line would have on the New England power system. Delivered renewable supply over NEL was found to be cost-competitive with other means of meeting state Renewable Portfolio Standards. Further research, site planning and permitting preparation are planned for this year, along with the negotiation of a Transmission Service Agreement with First Wind.
Siting and permitting work for NEL are expected to continue over the next two to three years, followed by an estimated three-year construction period. As part of this work, National Grid and Bangor Hydro plan to reach out to communities where the proposed new line might be located to begin discussions about possible routes and other considerations. The companies anticipate the project will be completed at the end of 2016.
Additional information about NEL can be found at http://www.northeastenergylink.com .
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.
National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.
Bangor Hydro Electric Company is an electric utility wholly-owned by Emera Inc. Bangor Hydro serves 117,000 customers in an area encompassing 5,275 square miles in eastern and east coastal Maine. Bangor Hydro is a member of the New England Power Pool and is interconnected with other New England utilities to the south and with the New Brunswick Power Corp. to the north. Visit us at www.bangorhydro.com .
Emera Inc. is a growing energy and services company with $6.5 billion in assets and 2010 revenues of $1.6 billion. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, as well as gas transmission and utility energy services. Emera's strategy is focused on the transformation of the electricity industry to cleaner generation and the delivery of that clean energy to market. Emera operates throughout northeastern North America, in three Caribbean countries and in California. More than 80% of the company's earnings come from regulated investments. Emera common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA and EMA.PR.A. Additional information can be accessed at www.emera.com .
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Extreme soil contamination detected near Fukushima plant
Extreme soil contamination detected near Fukushima plant
Does Japan's new Fukushima exclusion zone add up? - August 22, 2011
Does Japan's new Fukushima exclusion zone add up? - August 22, 2011
Getting the next generation interested in nuclear science
| | Getting the next generation interested in nuclear science |
Youngsters tour the NRC training simulatorThe youngsters got an up-close-and-personal tour of the simulator, and were amazed to see the complexity of the buttons, switches, and alarms covering the control panels.
Training center employees enjoyed introducing the kids to the NRC, and the fields of science and engineering. The theme was “Inspector Training” and the day started with a quiz show on the NRC and its inspection program, and then the children had fun with hands-on science experiments.
In addition to touring the simulator, the youngsters got a demonstration of the center’s x-ray unit and got dressed in the protective clothing that NRC inspectors may wear when visiting nuclear power plants.
Young visitors try on protective clothing.N. Jeff Griffis, CHPSenior Health PhysicistNRC Technical Training Center
The Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future Draft Report to the Secretary of Energy (BRC) has been released for review and comment.
The Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future Draft Report to the Secretary of Energy (BRC) has been released for review and comment.
http://www.brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/brc_draft_report_29jul2011_0.pdfThe report addresses seven key elements:
- A new, consent-based approach to siting future nuclear waste management facilities.
- A new organization dedicated solely to implementing the waste management program and empowered with the authority and resources to succeed.
- Access to the funds nuclear utility ratepayers are providing for the purpose of nuclear waste management.
- Prompt efforts to develop one or more geologic disposal facilities.
- Prompt efforts to develop one or more consolidated interim storage facilities.
- Support for continued U.S. innovation in nuclear energy technology and for workforce development.
- Active U.S. leadership in international efforts to address safety, waste management, non-proliferation, and security concerns.
Vermont Gov. Shumlin Seeks To Close Nuclear Plant AND Reduce GHGs- Illogical!
Vermont Gov. Shumlin Seeks To Close Nuclear Plant AND Reduce GHGs- Illogical!
Irene Shuts Down Nuclear Plants, Refinery; 6 Million Without Power
Irene Shuts Down Nuclear Plants, Refinery; 6 Million Without Power
FPL's nuclear program is the wrong move in the wrong place
FPL's nuclear program is the wrong move in the wrong place
Grae Says Nuclear Plants Worked Well During Quake, Irene
Grae Says Nuclear Plants Worked Well During Quake, Irene
Shipping and power experts join forces to explore the potential for nuclear power to propel future generations of commercial tankers
Shipping and power experts join forces to explore the potential for nuclear power to propel future generations of commercial tankers
China needs to act fast to develop nuclear sector -official
China needs to act fast to develop nuclear sector -official
‘UN nuclear safety proposals weakened’
‘UN nuclear safety proposals weakened’
Diplomats said countries including the United States, India, Pakistan and China were among a group stressing the primary role of national authorities. IAEA board to debate safety plan in September
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
inShare