Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Time for DOE to Complete Its Part 810 Nuclear Export Reform By Margaret Harding

http://www.nucleartownhall.com/blog/time-for-doe-to-complete-its-part-810-nuclear-export-reform/

Scientists study nuclear kelp radiation in California

http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2014/02/kelp-radiation-california/

How has Fukushima affected future of nuclear power?

http://www.theridgefieldpress.com/26435/how-has-fukushima-affected-future-of-nuclear-power/

Our responsibility to know reality has never been more important.

http://energyrealityproject.com/our-responsibility-to-know-reality-has-never-been-more-important/

How much nuclear power does Iran need?

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ar/contents/articles/originals/2014/02/iran-nuclear-energy-domestic-need.html#

How much nuclear power does Iran need?

Author: Seyed Hossein MousavianPosted February 21, 2014
The new round of Iran nuclear talks concluded on Feb. 20, where the world powers and Iran agreed on a framework, a plan of action and a timetable to conduct negotiations on a comprehensive agreement in the next four months. “We have had three very productive days during which we have identified all of the issues we need to address in reaching a comprehensive and final agreement,” European Union foreign policy head Catherine Ashton said.

Energy News Roundup: Mexican Energy Reforms Take Shape and US Natural Gas Market Convulses

By Jared Anderson
View of a tank containing processed oil
The secondary laws needed to enact Mexico’s historic constitutional changes that break state oil company Pemex’ 75-year monopoly on oil & gas development will reportedly be released mid-March. Additional laws covering royalties and taxes, however, will not be finalized until September. [Reuters] The Nymex natural gas futures contract for March delivery closed at $6.149 per

For a Strong Economy in the Face of Future Storms, Cities Need Resiliency Innovation

For a Strong Economy in the Face of Future Storms, Cities Need Resiliency Innovation

By David Gilford
Verizon Tests Flood Wall Around Its Building In Lower Manhattan
Without power, the wheels of a city’s economy would quickly grind to a halt. Reliable energy underpins every aspect of modern business, and yet we see its full importance only when things go wrong. When Hurricane Sandy’s flood waters reached New York City in 2012, first responders, citizens and businesses alike faced the challenges of

Energy Innovators to Convene for 2014 ARPA-E Summit

Energy Innovators to Convene for 2014 ARPA-E Summit

By US Department of Energy
IMG_9059183
Next week, more than 2,000 energy innovators will gather just outside Washington, D.C., for the Energy Department’s ARPA-EEnergy Innovation Summit. The event, now in its fifth year, brings together entrepreneurs, investors, industry and government thought leaders to collaborate, share knowledge and build relationships to help bring transformative energy technologies to market. Here is what you

US Government Gets it Right on the Future of Solar; Now It’s Time to Commercialize It (at Home)

US Government Gets it Right on the Future of Solar; Now It’s Time to Commercialize It (at Home)

by Brad Mattson, Siva Power | February 21, 2014 | 1 Comment
The U.S government takes a lot of grief, some of it deserved. Criticism might be most pronounced in industrial policy, where the mantra “we can’t pick winners and losers” was proven to many with the demise of solar start-up Solynd... Full Articlehttp://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/02/u-s-government-gets-it-right-on-the-future-of-solar-now-its-time-to-commercialize-it-at-home?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-February22-2014

Despite New Plants, Nuclear Future Still Decades Away

Despite New Plants, Nuclear Future Still Decades Away

The Energy Department provided financing for the nation's first new nuclear plants in years, but a generation of new plants remains a long way off.


http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/02/21/energy-dept-backs-new-nuke-plants-but-nuclear-future-still-decades-away?s_cid=rss:energy-dept-backs-new-nuke-plants-but-nuclear-future-still-decades-away

US State Department Brokers Israeli-Arab Gas Deal

The U.S. looks to the Eastern Mediterranean energy finds to help foster economic ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors.http://www.ibtimes.com/us-state-department-brokers-israeli-arab-gas-deal-1556951

SCE to Auction Surplus Nuclear Plant Machinery, Equipment

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 03:38 PM PST
Press release below from Southern California Edison.http://atomicpowerreview.blogspot.com/2014/02/sce-to-auction-surplus-nuclear-plant.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtomicPowerReview+%28atomic+power+review%29

EIA Increases Short-Term Coal Retirement Prediction by 50%

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:00 AM PST
Coal retirements are happening, and fast, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2014 Annual Energy Outlook reference case. EIA’s latest prediction that about 60 gigawatts of coal will retire by 2016 is up from about 40 gigawatts that it predicted just last year.read morehttp://theenergycollective.com/katherinetweed/341661/eia-increases-short-term-coal-retirement-prediction-50

"If You're Going to Force People to Buy Insurance, You Have to Make It Affordable"

Bill Boyarsky
"If You're Going to Force People to Buy Insurance, You Have to Make It Affordable" -- In November, Californians will vote whether to give the state insurance commissioner power to approve health insurance premium increases and veto or scale back those he finds excessive.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/fixing_obamacare_california_might_cap_insurance_hikes_20140218/

DOE Signing What May be the Only Nuclear Loan Guarantee

 

DOE Signing What May be the Only Nuclear Loan Guarantee

http://atomicinsights.com/doe-signing-may-nuclear-loan-guarantee/

PLUTONIUM DISPOSITION PROGRAM


PLUTONIUM
DISPOSITION
PROGRAM
DOE
Needs to
Analyze the Root
Causes of Cost
Increases and
Develop Better Cost
Estimates
Report to the Subcommittee on Energy
and Water Development, and Related
Agencies, Committee on
Appropriations, House of
Representatives
preshttp://www.gao.gov/assets/670/660927.pdf

New Hanford cleanup price tag is $113.6B


New Hanford cleanup price tag is $113.6B


Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/02/19/2837564/new-hanford-cleanup-pricetag-is.html#storylink=cpy
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/02/19/2837564/new-hanford-cleanup-pricetag-is.html

LIFE BEYOND 60: NRC STAFF EXPLORES OPTIONS FOR AGING U.S. FLEET


 
LIFE BEYOND 60: NRC STAFF EXPLORES OPTIONS FOR AGING U.S. FLEET 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/secys/2014/2014-0016scy.pdf

The myth of ‘settled science’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-myth-of-settled-science/2014/02/20/c1f8d994-9a75-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html

Westinghouse SMR progress slows

Westinghouse SMR progress slows
Development of the 225 MWe Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is being scaled back following the decision by the US Department of Energy to award funding to competing reactor designs.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Westinghouse-SMR-progress-slows-210214ST.html

Fukushima water storage tank overflows

Fukushima water storage tank overflows
An investigation is underway into why a storage tank at the Fukushima Daiichi site overflowed, leading to a spill of 100 cubic metres of partially treated radioactive water. Clean-up of this water is underway.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Fukushima-water-storage-tank-overflows-2102144.html

New lease of life for Garoña?

New lease of life for Garoña?
Spain's cabinet has approved a royal decree that allows recently shutdown nuclear power plants to apply for their operating permits to be renewed. The regulatory change could lead to the restart of the Garoña plant.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-New-lease-of-life-for-Garona-2102146.html

Waste storage weighing on nuclear power plant's future

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201402210037.aspx

On the fence: ‘If everyone agrees, nuclear power is the best option’

http://tribune.com.pk/story/674323/on-the-fence-if-everyone-agrees-nuclear-power-is-the-best-option/

Why The Economics Don't Favor Nuclear Power In America

Why The Economics Don't Favor Nuclear Power In America


http://www.forbes.com/sites/energysource/2014/02/20/why-the-economics-dont-favor-nuclear-power-in-america/

Study: Earthquake scenario at Peach Bottom nuclear plant shows spent-fuel pools are safe


Study: Earthquake scenario at Peach Bottom nuclear plant shows spent-fuel pools are safe


http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/study-earthquake-scenario-at-peach-bottom-nuclear-plant-shows-spent/article_103382f8-9a5d-11e3-a39f-001a4bcf6878.html

Western NY nuclear plant cited for flood risk


Western NY nuclear plant cited for flood risk

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/24132/20140220/western-ny-nuclear-plant-cited-for-flood-risk

N.E. states should energy coordinate policy

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2014/02/12/states-should-energy-coordinate-policy/LKQRMzeMpqYtI3thZtuLtN/story.html

A Step Towards the Bridge to Clean Energy

http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org/blog/2014/02/19/a-step-towards-the-bridge-to-clean-energy/

Friday, February 21, 2014

PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News

PennEnergy

When High Risk Planning Matters, Check-6’s JPS Delivers

The Check-6™ Job Planning System™ (JPS) is a complete job planning and management suite that works with your company’s current library of JSA’s. JPS tracks hazard ID and assesses risk, environmental and human factors, empowering crews with the critical ability to stop the job. JPS turns your JSA program into an effective safety weapon that combats complacency and encourages participation, all while increasing operational efficiency. To learn more about JPS, click here.
Top Oil & Gas News
Derailed train spills crude oil in Pennsylvania
A train carrying crude oil partially derailed in Pennsylvania on the morning of February 13th. The accident happened in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, about 36 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. No injuries have been reported.
Full Article

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PennEnergy Video News Update
From ExxonMobil's new production offshore Malaysia, to Brightoil's major purchase in China, to the BOEM's latest Gulf of Mexico lease sale, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update.
Full Article

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This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News
2 hospitalized after Kentucky natural gas pipeline explosion
BOEM offers 40 million offshore oil and gas exploration acres in Gulf of Mexico
ExxonMobil announces first gas production from Damar Development
Brightoil purchases $1.08 billion in oil and gas assets
America's natural gas system is leaky and in need of a fix, new study finds
Stay true to your core: Preparing mid-managers for leadership in today’s oil and gas industry
ONGC Videsh signs contract for offshore exploration blocks in Bangladesh
Technip awarded contract for furnace technology and services in Russia
Foster Wheeler awarded study for Statoil LNG facility improvement
Siemens names new head to oil and gas sales unit
Schramm expands into Houston to increase shale production
Breitling announces production well acquisition
Jura announces gas discovery in Pakistan
Richfield Oil & Gas updates exploration well completion operations in Central Utah Overthrust

Energy Insights
Governing Energy: Cyber T
Almost a decade ago this author put forth the concept of a Chief Security Officer, an individual responsible for both physical and cyber security of the global enterprise. One of the points made in support of that position was the long-standing dispersed information management that was integrated with plant operations.
Full Article

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Smart Griddler: Reliability and Value First! That is the Creed of Grid Asset Management
We sit down with Alstom Grid Asset Management Director Jean-Louis Coullon and learn how utilities today take advantage of new tools to better manage their assets and plan for maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Full Article

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Penn Energy's Top Power Headlines 2/21

Top Power Headlines
Duke Energy to exit Midwest power generation business
Duke Energy announced it has begun the process to exit its Midwest commercial generation business, which includes ownership interests in 13 power plants with a total capacity of approximately 6,600 megawatts.
Full Article

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Study: America's natural gas system is leaky and in need of a fix
A new research study published in the journal Science reports that federal estimates of methane emissions have been consistently underestimated over the last 20 years, raising questions about the role of natural gas as a bridge fuel.
Full Article

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PennEnergy Blogs
All Energy: I Heart Engineers
Allow me to explain that this passion of mine is larger than my long-standing crush on the charmingly introverted and inventive fixers of the world. It’s that last part you see. I love engineers, all engineers, because at their root they are fixers.
Full Article

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Reliability and Value First! That is the Creed of Grid Asset Management
Smart Griddler Stephen Heiser sits down with Alstom Grid Asset Management Director Jean-Louis Coullon and learns how utilities today take advantage of new tools to better manage their assets and plan for maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Full Article

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Governing Energy: Cyber T
Cyber Terrorism has been taken to a new level. This is not to say nothing has been done, but that the challenges rise at a meteoric rate.
Full Article

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