Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, January 12, 2013

2012- Not The End of the World for Nuclear Either

From Things Worse Than Nuclear Power:
2012- Not The End of the World for Nuclear Either
Despite holiday party chatter, nuclear is alive and well in 2013.
 

NEI: Stakeholders React to DOE Used Fuel Management and Disposal Strategy

Nuclear Energy Institute FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  • Contact :
    For Release :
    202.739.8000
    1/10/2013

Stakeholders React to DOE Used Fuel Management and Disposal Strategy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Nuclear Energy Institute, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition welcome the release of the U.S. Department of Energy’s strategy to address the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future recommendations presented to the Secretary last January.
The DOE’s report recognizes the need to establish a sustainable, integrated program to safely and efficiently manage used nuclear fuel from nuclear energy facilities and high-level radioactive waste from our nation’s defense program. On behalf of nuclear energy producers and suppliers, state public utility commissions, and other public and private sector organizations, the three groups advocate meaningful reform of policy that guides America’s nuclear fuel management program and look forward to fully analyzing DOE’s proposed strategy. NEI, NARUC, NWSC and others stand ready to work with Congress and the administration on legislative proposals that contribute to the development of a sustainable used fuel management program for this country.
The Energy Department endorsed several used nuclear fuel management principles outlined by the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. Many of these concepts have long been supported by our members and other experts. We believe that Congress and the administration should place high priority on the following:
  • assured access by the nuclear waste management program to the revenues generated by consumers’ continuing fee payments and to the balance in the Nuclear Waste Fund
  • prompt efforts to develop one or more consolidated storage facilities at volunteer sites with priority given to the used fuel from decommissioned reactors
  • a new, congressionally chartered federal corporation dedicated solely to implementing the waste management program and empowered with the authority and resources to succeed.

If implemented, these elements would create a solid foundation on which to build a sustainable used fuel management program while development of a permanent repository is pursued. After two years of BRC deliberations and an additional year for DOE to develop its strategy, it is essential that the nuclear waste fee be used solely for its intended purpose—to cover the cost of used fuel management and disposal. The fee (one-tenth of a cent per kilowatt-hour of electricity) paid by consumers of electricity from nuclear power plants, which totals about $750 million each year, is effectively unavailable for its intended purpose.
We believe actions can be taken to encourage and achieve consolidated storage in a willing host community within the next 10 years, well before a repository could be opened. This facility would permit the federal government to begin meeting its contractual and statutory obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to remove used reactor fuel from decommissioned and operating nuclear power plants while reducing the taxpayer liabilities associated with the government’s delay in accepting used fuel. The DOE was required by the 1982 law to accept used nuclear fuel beginning in 1998.
In addition to a consolidated storage program, a geologic repository program is necessary and should be pursued simultaneously. We continue to support the completion of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s review of DOE’s license application for the proposed Yucca Mountain, Nev., repository so that the science can dictate whether it is a suitable site. We believe that a consolidated storage program that focuses initially on decommissioned fuel must be pursued in conjunction with any repository program including Yucca Mountain.
Creating a new management organization is a priority. It will provide consistent leadership for a focused mission of managing used nuclear fuel while better insulating the program from political interference or a constant rotation of managers. In addition to safeguarding consumer payments, fixing the funding issues will help ensure that the new organization will have a sustainable revenue stream to fulfill its mission.
These proposals by the administration are a positive step toward creating a sustainable used fuel management program for both commercial used nuclear fuel and defense radioactive waste. The administration must work with Congress on near-term actions, such as a pilot storage project for used fuel from decommissioned reactors, ending the misuse of the Nuclear Waste Fund and providing sufficient resources within DOE in the fiscal 2014 budget and thereafter to manage the waste program until a new organization is created.
###

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners is the national association representing the State Public Service Commissioners who regulate essential utility services, including energy, telecommunications, and water. NARUC members are responsible for assuring reliable utility service at fair, just, and reasonable rates.
The Nuclear Energy Institute is the policy organization for the nuclear technologies industry. NEI’s members include all utilities licensed to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, major architect/engineering firms, fuel fabrication facilities, nuclear material licensees, and other organizations and individuals involved in the nuclear energy industry. For more information on integrated used nuclear fuel management visit our website.
The Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition is an ad hoc organization representing the collective interests of state utility regulators, consumer advocates, tribal governments, local governments, electric utilities, and associate members, on nuclear waste policy matters. NWSC’s primary focus is to protect ratepayer payments into the Nuclear Waste Fund and to support the removal and ultimate disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste currently stranded at numerous commercial, defense, research, and decommissioned sites in 39 states.

Resources:

Energy Department proposes first new nuclear waste site by 2021

Energy Department proposes first new nuclear waste site by 2021http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/11/energy-department-proposes-first-new-nuclear-waste/

Shut reactors' spent fuel would be first at storage facility: US DOE


Shut reactors' spent fuel would be first at storage facility: US DOEhttp://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/6018506

Safe nuclear power not a pipedream

Safe nuclear power not a pipedream

Date

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

If China can crack thorium, it will have clean energy for 20,000 years.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/safe-nuclear-power-not-a-pipedream-20130107-2ccqh.html#ixzz2Hk1Z3eTL

DOE: New target date for a nuclear repository is 2048

DOE: New target date for a nuclear repository is 2048
Las Vegas Review - Journal
Once upon a time, the government envisioned opening a repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada in 1998. Later it was revised to 2020.http://www.lvrj.com/news/doe-new-target-date-for-a-nuclear-repository-is-2048-186542641.html

Announcing the Thorium Energy Conference – ThEC13 in Geneva

Announcing the Thorium Energy Conference – ThEC13 in Geneva ...
The purpose of ThEC13 is to review the status of thorium energy technologies, from R&D to industrial developments. It will cover front-end and back-end of the ...
www.itheo.org/.../announcing-thorium-energy-conference-–-t...


Nuclear Power from Thorium? - Global Economic Intersection
A new economics based website. Global Economic Intersection (econintersect. com) focuses on the economic effects on finance, investing, social interactions, ...
econintersect.com/wordpress/?p=32091

California reaches renewable-energy milestone

California reaches renewable-energy milestone
San Francisco Business Times (blog)
California regulators report that more than 1 gigawatt of solar power has been installed under the state's California Solar Initiative. The initiative, launched in 2007, encourages the installation of solar panels on roofs of homes, businesses and ...http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2013/01/california-reaches-renewable-energy.html



12,000 Megawatts of Local Renewable Energy for California on Vimeo
This presentation, sponsored by the Northern California chapter of the American Planners ...
vimeo.com/56926357

Q&A: Can renewables alone (with storage) power the grid?

Q&A: Can renewables alone (with storage) power the grid?
Midwest Energy News
Conventional wisdom among many utilities and analysts says that renewable energy is expensive and unreliable because the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine when electricity demand is highest, and because grid-scale storage is ...http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2013/01/11/qa-can-renewables-alone-witih-storage-power-the-grid/

Friday, January 11, 2013

China to trial two new nuclear generation technologies

China to trial two new nuclear generation technologies

China to trial two new nuclear generation technologies

HazardEx -
Construction has begun on a Chinese high-temperature gas cooled reactor known as HTR-PM, Xinhua news agency reported January 6. The 3 billion-yuan ($476 million) 200MW nuclear project is being built at Shidao Bay in the coastal city of Rongcheng in ...http://www.hazardexonthenet.net/article/55414/China-to-trial-two-new-nuclear-generation-technologies.aspx?AreaID=2

The Fukushima 50 Tell Their Story

The Fukushima 50 Tell Their Story

Justin McCurry, The Guardian
Dressed in a dark-blue work jacket with his company motif stamped on his breast pocket, Atsufumi Yoshizawa does not look like a man who spent the best part of a year in the thick of battle. Yet that is how he describes his time among the group of engineers, technicians, soldiers and firefighters who risked their lives to remain at the heart of Japan's worst nuclear crisis.http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/11/fukushima-50-kamikaze-pilots-sacrifice

Like We've Been Saying -- Radiation Is Not A Big Deal

Like We've Been Saying -- Radiation Is Not A Big Deal

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/01/11/like-weve-been-saying-radiation-is-not-a-big-deal/ 

The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation has finally admitted that we can't use the LNT hypothesis to predict cancer from low doses of radiation. Now the Japanese people can start eating their own food again and stop being as afraid. Source: United Nations
A very big report came out last month with a very little fanfare.  It concluded what we in nuclear science have been saying for decades – radiation doses less than about 10 rem (0.1 Sv) are no big deal. The linear no-threshold dose hypothesis (LNT) does not apply to doses less than 10 rem (0.1 Sv), which is the region encompassing background levels around the world, and is the region of most importance to nuclear energy, most medical procedures and most areas affected by accidents like Fukushima.

Lightbridge has an investor presentation which describes the economic case and technical details of their annular metallic fuel for uprating the power in nuclear reactors.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/01/lightbridge-annular-metallic-fuel-for.html

Lightbridge has an investor presentation which describes the economic case and technical details of their annular metallic fuel for uprating the power in nuclear reactors.

Registration Opens for NRC Regulatory Information Conference March 12-14

Registration Opens for NRC Regulatory Information Conference March 12-14 in ...
Power Engineering Magazine
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold its 25th annual Regulatory Information Conference (RIC) March 12-14 at the Bethesda North Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Rd., Bethesda, Md. The conference is jointly hosted by the NRC's offices of Nuclear Reactor ...http://www.power-eng.com/news/2013/01/11/registration-opens-for-nrc-regulatory-information-conference-march-12-14-in-rockville-md.html

US NRC Blog: NRC Reports on Oyster Creek Hurricane Performance

U.S. NRC Blog

NRC Reports on Oyster Creek Hurricane Performance

by Moderator
Photo of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1, located near Forked River, N.J.
A photo of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1, located near Forked River, N.J.
Courtesy:©Exelon Nuclear
Neil Sheehan
Public Affairs Officer
Region I
The NRC staff has issued the findings of the Special Inspection it conducted at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant to review events related to “Superstorm” Sandy. The inspection was launched on Nov. 13.
Our three-member team’s primary focus was the timing of the emergency declarations at the Lacey Township (Ocean County), N.J. facility during the storm. Sandy-generated high water levels at the plant’s water intake structure, prompting first an “Unusual Event” declaration and later an “Alert” declaration.
The inspectors also reviewed preparations by Exelon, the plant’s owner, prior to the storm’s arrival; equipment performance; and overall command and control from an emergency preparedness perspective.
The inspectors’ report is now available on the NRC website. The team has concluded that the declarations were timely and accurate and that plant personnel appropriately carried out their duties during the storm.
At the same time, the inspectors did observe several areas where performance could be improved. Some examples included heightened awareness of emergency declaration thresholds, clearer documentation in control room records and ensuring reliable back-up power for the plant’s emergency operations facility.
The report also contains a company-identified violation determined to be of very low safety significance related to the use of incorrect meteorological tower data.
In general, the report underscores how plant operators dealt with the harsh conditions at the water intake structure and other challenges, such as the loss of off-site power for a time.
While the Special Inspection is finished, the NRC’s Resident Inspectors at Oyster Creek will provide additional observations about plant performance during the storm in an upcoming report.
What’s more, an NRC Petition Review Board continues working on a petition, submitted by several environmental organizations, that raises questions regarding plant performance during the storm. The board on Jan. 3rd conducted a public meeting with the petitioners to gather more information about their concerns. As NRC staff made clear, their goal was to listen to the petitioners, though the staff did explain why the NRC denied the petitioners’ request to keep Oyster Creek shut down following the storm.

Moderator | January 11, 2013 at 2:18 pm | Categories: Emergency Preparedness and Response, New Reactors | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-W9

EDF nuclear to power UK trains

EDF nuclear to power UK trainshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Nuclear_for_the_long_haul_1101131.html

Salman Khurshid says Areva nuclear is close: report


Salman Khurshid says Areva nuclear is close: reporthttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/salman-khurshid-says-areva-nuclear-is-close-report/articleshow/17982770.cms

Japan seeks to reverse commitment to phase out nuclear power


Japan seeks to reverse commitment to phase out nuclear power

The Fukushima Daiich meltdown prompted the previous government to pledge a phaseout of all 50 reactors in Japanhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/11/japan-reverse-nuclear-phase-out

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Fukushima Daiichi unit 4 roof installation. Source: TEPCOA new roof for Fukushima Daiichi unit 4, a new nuclear research center for Fukushima Prefecture and an investigation into shoddy decontamination work in areas surrounding the plant highlighted the recent news from Japan.
...(read more)http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2013/01/11/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-plant-weekly-review-011102.aspx

Reprocessed nuclear waste on its way from Britain, to arrive in Feb

Reprocessed nuclear waste on its way from Britain, to arrive in Feb

By   /   January 11, 2013  /  
Reprocessed nuclear waste on its way from Britain, to arrive in FebIt was revealed yesterday that in the second half of February, northern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture will receive 28 canisters of radioactive waste from the U.K. Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. says the canisters are from spent Japanese nuclear fuel that was reprocessed in Britain, and will be stored at the Rokkasho nuclear facility.http://japandailypress.com/reprocessed-nuclear-waste-on-its-way-from-britain-to-arrive-in-feb-1121298

EDF, China Guangdong In Talks Over UK Nuclear Partnership -Sources

EDF, China Guangdong In Talks Over UK Nuclear Partnership -Sources


http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130110-706736.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Nuclear regulator says checking all reactors in 3 yrs difficult

Nuclear regulator says checking all reactors in 3 yrs difficulthttp://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130110p2g00m0dm027000c.html

SRS contractor earns praise, performance fee


More energy development would significantly help US, Donohue says


Nuclear is clean energy

Nuclear is clean energy


Leslie Kemeny

As global warming looms larger, there is but one clear way to cut emissions.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/nuclear-is-clean-energy-20130110-2cinm.html#ixzz2Hgb47lNL

New calculations show nuclear is "much more expensive" than offshore wind power


New calculations show nuclear is "much more expensive" than offshore wind power


http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/...re-wind-power/

World’s Most Powerful Laser Beams to Zap Nuclear Waste


Fukushima Updates

Here are the topic summaries for today's Fukushima updates. Please click the link for the full reports.
 
Fukushima internal radiation exposures are declining. 92% of 7,000 adult examinations and 99.9% of the 1,700 given to children since April 1, 2012, have no detectible levels of radioactive Cesium... The Tokyo Cabinet Office wants to upgrade medical facilities within 5 kilometers of Japan’s nukes to avoid evacuating patients in the event of a nuclear accident... Nearly a billion dollars from Tokyo's expansion will be used to build a modern radiological research center in Fukushima Prefecture... Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered his Cabinet to focus heavily on quake/tsunami reconstruction, and not only on Fukushima recovery... Survivors of the 3/11/11 tsunami have begun teach-ins concerning their disaster experiences... Rice from Miyagi Prefecture has been found to contain more than double the national limit for radioactive Cesium... Tokyo Electric Company will install filtration devices on the “vents” of their nuclear plant containments.
 

Nuclear News Round Up (4th Jan – 11th Jan 12)

Nuclear News Round Up (4th Jan – 11th Jan 12)

Contaminated rice found outside of Fukushima Prefecture

Contaminated rice found outside of Fukushima Prefecture

Kihara Rice Paddy
The Miyagi Prefectural government announced that cesium levels in rice grown in Kurihara had been found contaminated up to 240 becquerels of cesium per kilogram.  Kurihara is mostly farmland, mostly known for its rice fields, and small mountain ranges dispersed throughout. The prefectural government announced that it will prevent nearby rice farms from shipping their produce to the markets for sale.http://enformable.com/2013/01/contaminated-rice-found-outside-of-fukushima-prefecture/

Enhanced by Zemanta

Cernavoda reactor shutdown again after failure of logic relay control system

Cernavoda reactor shutdown again after failure of logic relay control system

Cernavoda
One of the two operational nuclear power reactors of Cernavoda nuclear power plant, the only nuclear power plant in Romania, was automatically shutdown Wednesday night by emergency system, according to Nuclearelectrica who operates the facility.  The cause of the shutdown has not been determined yet.http://enformable.com/2013/01/cernavoda-reactor-shutdown-again-after-failure-of-logic-relay-control-system/

Polish nuclear site contract awarded

Polish nuclear site contract awarded

Polish nuclear site contract awarded

WorleyParsons is to carry out site characterisation, licensing and permitting services for Poland’s first nuclear power plant, Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA (PGE) has announced.http://energyandnuclear.com/2013/01/11/polish-nuclear-site-contract-awarded/

EDF’s nuclear-backed power supply deal with Network Rail

EDF’s nuclear-backed power supply deal with Network Rail

 

EDF’s nuclear backed power supply deal with Network Railhttp://energyandnuclear.com/2013/01/11/edfs-nuclear-backed-power-supply-deal-with-network-rail/

Is the Dream of Arctic Oil Now a Nightmare?

Is the Dream of Arctic Oil Now a Nightmare?

David Unger, CS Monitorhttp://www.realclearenergy.org/2013/01/11/is_the_dream_of_arctic_oil_now_a_nightmare_251055.html

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

January 7, 2013
Arctic Dangers to Oil Platforms
Neal Lineback, National Geographic
The Arctic Ocean is a formidable foe to ships, even in the summer. Nonetheless, oil exploration continues despite the dangerous conditions created by wind and ice floes, particularly in the winter. Concerns by Alaskans and... more ››
January 4, 2013
The Perils of Arctic Oil Drilling
Editorial, Los Angeles Times
There's at least a tiny bit of good news in the grounding of an oil rig in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska: As of midday Wednesday, the Kulluk, which ran aground near Kodiak Island, didn't appear to be leaking fuel, thanks to its... more ››

Bechtel Team Replaces Babcock & Wilcox As Nuclear Sites Manager

Bechtel Team Replaces Babcock & Wilcox As Nuclear Sites Managerhttp://enr.construction.com/business_management/companies/2013/0110-bechtel-team-to-replace-babcock-wilcox-as-doe-nuclear-sites-manager.asp

Vogtle vessel in the news


9:10 AM (12 minutes ago)

to ANS
Slight mishap with one of the reactor vessels bound for Vogtle:
 
 
For those unfamiliar with the Schnabel, here is a great view of it:
 
 
Finally, a bit of perspective on how often the US Schnabel car is used:
 
 
I present this here primarily for interest, but also in case it begins to get traction in anti-nuclear media.
 
I have seen old press photos showing the vessel and one of the other tanks destined for the Hallam Nuclear Power Facility which had broken free from their supports on a large road vehicle and rolled part way down a hillside.  Seeing the first article brought those to mind.
 
Will Davis
 
Consultant / Author:  ANS

Contributing Author:  Fuel Cycle Week

Author:  Atomic Power Review
iPhone:  216-544-3808

New Russian nuclear submarine enters service

New Russian nuclear submarine enters service

 

PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News

Top Oil & Gas News
PennEnergy Video News Update
From Iceland's new offshore licenses, to the natural gas output in the U.S.., to Turkey's possible LNG partner, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update.
Full Article

Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Interior launches probe into Shell arctic drilling operations
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announces an assessment of the 2012 offshore drilling program in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, with special attention paid to challenges encountered by Royal Dutch Shell.
Full Article

Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Energy Insights
The Black Swan Blog: The Panama Canal, Apollo 11, ISS... Energy Storage
Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. Fortunes have been made (and sometimes lost) on devices as simple as a new type of vegetable chopper (“the Slap Chop”) or as complex as a self-balancing people mover (“the Segway”).
Full Article

Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Oil & Gas Jobs
Gas Process Engineer
- Provides expert advice and assistance on operating problems relating to area of expertise.
- Specifies design criteria and relevant operating parameters for development of new projects within area of expertise.
- Participates in project technical reviews and reviews proposals for new or changed operating procedures on area of expertise to ensure efficient and economic operations.
- Conducts economic studies on cost analysis as appropriate to resolve alternative causes of action relative to area of expertise.
- Acts as Task Force Leader as assigned to solve special problems in area of expertise.
- Originates ideas for improvements, develops a basis for required field testing and Management review, analyses results and recommends new or changed procedures and/or facilities.

Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Corrosion Engineer
- Pipeline and facility external corrosion control,
- Facilities and pipelines cathodic protection design,
- External corrosion field surveys, cathodic protection monitoring and troubleshooting,
- Pipeline Coatings, and pipeline coating inspection,
- Pipeline HVAC induced interference,
- In-line inspection hardware and software,
- Data collection, management, alignment, and integration
- Degradation mechanisms and their control
- Repair technologies,
- Risk management.

Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Oil & Gas Research
Worldwide Refinery Survey and Complexity Analysis 2013
The Worldwide Refinery Survey and Complexity Analysis combines the 2013 Worldwide Refinery Survey with the Nelson Refinery Complexity Index. The Index provides insight into such things as refinery construction costs, replacement value, conversion capability and product slate. The Bottom of Barrel Index is also included. The BoB index provides a means of quantifying and characterizing a refinery’s ability to process heavy crudes and produce premium refined products. It represents the combined capacity of a refineries Coking, Catalytic Cracking and Hydrocracking units relative to Distillation Capacity (expressed as a percentage). US average BoB Index is 55% (1/1/2011) Rest of the World average is 21% (excluding the US). Total World average is 28%.
Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend
Evaluating Production Potential of Mature US Oil, Gas Shale Plays
An in-depth analysis was made of the production performance of the Barnett and Fayetteville shale gas plays, and of the Elm Coulee field that produces from the tight oil Bakken formation. These are the only existing mature fields of shale gas and tight oil resource plays and the object was to establish field performance values of key parameters such as recoverable oil and gas, and recovery efficiencies; and, ultimately, to develop algorithms that can provide a reliable estimate of production potential. This latter parameter is fundamental to the planning of production and take-away infrastructure, and finally determines the value of the asset.
Share: Facebook Linkedin Twitter Forward to Friend