Fossil Fuel Industry's Tired Battle Against Clean Energy Is Also A Losing One

http://www.forbes.com/sites/edfenergyexchange/2014/04/12/fossil-fuel-industrys-tired-battle-against-clean-energy-is-also-a-losing-one/

Thorium Tech Solutions is a japanese company working towards small thorium molten salt reactors

Thorium Tech Solutions is a japanese company working towards small thorium molten salt reactors

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/04/thorium-tech-solutions-is-japanese.html

How “An Inconvenient Truth” Contributed to Partisan Polarization on Climate

http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/voices/michael-shellenberger-and-ted-nordhaus/how-an-inconvenient-truth-contributed-to-partisan-polarization-on-climate

Time for a Nuclear Energy Policy Makeover

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/townhallmagazine/2014/04/11/time-for-a-nuclear-energy-policy-makeover-n1822408

The nuclear industry thinks its under siege; but it brought it on itself

The nuclear industry thinks its under siege; but it brought it on itself

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/11/1291327/-The-nuclear-industry-think-s-its-under-siege-but-it-brought-it-on-itself#

Nuclear News Round Up 4/12

7th Apr 2014

http://energyandnuclear.com/2014/04/11/nuclear-news-round-up-7th-11th-apr-14/

Climate Change Drying Out Southwest Now, With Worse To Come For A Third Of The Planet

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/04/11/3424247/climate-change-drying-out-southwest/

* Vorläu g Quelle: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen (AGEB), Arbeitsgruppe Erneuerbare Energien-Statistik (AGEE-Stat) Primärenergieverbrauch in Deutschland 2012 (13.757 PJ* )

* Vorläu g

Quelle: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen (AGEB), Arbeitsgruppe Erneuerbare Energien-Statistik (AGEE-Stat)

Primärenergieverbrauch in Deutschland 2012

(13.757 PJ*

)

http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Redaktion/PDF/E/energiestatistiken-energiegewinnung-energieverbrauch,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi2012,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf

http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Redaktion/PDF/E/energiestatistiken-energiegewinnung-energieverbrauch,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi2012,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf

The Cost of Renewable Energy

18 Replies

Life is about trade-offs. Some people act as though solar and wind power are somehow free, but of course they aren’t–and the cost goes beyond just the dollar cost of erecting wind turbines or putting solar cells in the desert.
http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=8881

Strengths of the State of Ohio in Developing LFTR Technology

http://energyfromthorium.com/2014/04/11/strengths-state-ohio-developing-lftr/

The Closed Loop Brayton Cycle at Sandia

http://energyfromthorium.com/2014/04/04/closed-loop-brayton-cycle-sandia-national-laboratory/

Economic Evaluation of Projects in the Electricity Supply Industry

http://theenergycollective.com/hisham-khatib/366921/economic-evaluation-projects-electricity-supply-industry

Japan opts to reactivate nuclear power plants and expand thermal capacity

http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/2014/04/japan-opts-to-reactivate-nuclear-power-plants-and-expand-thermal-capacity.html

Anti-nuke group seeks to reopen Vermont Yankee permit case

http://www.reformer.com/state/ci_25550694/anti-nuke-group-seeks-reopen-vermont-yankee-permit

Three U.S. states want to expand the use of nuclear power

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/04/three-u-s-states-want-to-expand-the-use-of-nuclear-power.html

Sendai nuclear power plant may get OK in June

Sendai nuclear power plant may get OK in June
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140410_28.html

NRG clears hurdle on nuclear plant expansion

http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2014/04/nrg-clears-hurdle-on-nuclear-plant-expansion.html/

What an Energy Revolution Doesn't Look Like

Over the last five years, not all that much has changed in the American energy picture. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/04/what-an-energy-revolution-doesnt-look-like/360404/

The Twilight of Abundance By David Archibald

The Twilight of Abundance

By David Archibald

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/04/the_twilight_of_abundance.html

“Not Cheap, Not ‘Green’” at the California Energy Commission -

“Not Cheap, Not ‘Green’” at the California Energy Commission - See more at: http://www.masterresource.org/category/book-reviews/not-green-book-reviews/#sthash.qtM2HFmr.dpuf

http://www.masterresource.org/category/book-reviews/not-green-book-reviews/

Peabody Energy: Let’s Talk About Energy Inequality (coal for the masses, solar and wind for the elites)

Peabody Energy: Let’s Talk About Energy Inequality (coal for the masses, solar and wind for the elites) - See more at: http://www.masterresource.org/2014/04/peabody-energy-inequality/#sthash.dHDc0NhG.dpuf

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/04/peabody-energy-inequality/

Crude oil is displacing other commodities on trains, critics charge

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/04/10/224064/crude-oil-is-displacing-other.html?sp=/99/104/244/112/#storylink=cpy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/04/10/224064/crude-oil-is-displacing-other.html?sp=/99/104/244/112/

Gaius Publius: Climate Scientist Michael Mann – If We Don’t Stop Now, We’ll Surpass 2°C Global Warming

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/04/gaius-publius-climate-scientist-michael-mann-dont-stop-now-well-surpass-2c-global-warming.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

Time for a Nuclear Energy Policy Makeover

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/townhallmagazine/2014/04/11/time-for-a-nuclear-energy-policy-makeover-n1822408

Nuclear Power Plant Outages ‘No Place for Cowboys’

http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/Nuclear-Power-Plant-Outages-No-Place-for-Cowboys

Ukraine, Westinghouse Seal Nuclear Fuel Deal

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ukraine-westinghouse-seal-nuclear-fuel-deal-23288308

Fukushima’s lessons, unlearned in America?

http://thebulletin.org/fukushima%E2%80%99s-lessons-unlearned-america7041

Czech Utility Scraps Nuclear Plants Over Costs

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkanellos/2014/04/11/czech-utility-scraps-nuclear-plants-over-costs/

General Atomics Energy Multiplier Module (EM²) reactor

General Atomics Energy Multiplier Module (EM²) reactor

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/04/general-atomics-energy-multiplier.html

General Fusion will start building a full size prototype fusion reactor as early as this year

General Fusion will start building a full size prototype fusion reactor as early as this year

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/04/general-fusion-will-start-building-full.html

Construction progresses on China's High Temperature Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor

Construction progresses on China's High Temperature Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/04/construction-progresses-on-chinas-high.html

Nuclear Video Matinee: NuScale and TerraPower at CERAWeek

http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2014/04/11/nuclear-video-matinee-nuscale-and-terrapower-at-ceraweek/

Are Reporters Challenging Mangano's "Junk Science"?

Are Reporters Challenging Mangano's "Junk Science"?

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2014/04/are-reporters-challenging-manganos-junk.html

Expanding Ontario's Nuclear Expertise in China

Expanding Ontario's Nuclear Expertise in China

Global Energy Partnerships Support Jobs in Ontario

http://news.ontario.ca/mri/en/2014/4/expanding-ontarios-nuclear-expertise-in-china.html

Nuclear waste facility in political, environmental limbo with full decommissioning still years away

http://innovationtrail.org/post/nuclear-waste-facility-political-environmental-limbo-full-decommissioning-still-years-away

PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News 4/11

Top Oil & Gas News
	Russia oil talks pose new hurdle to Iran nuke pact The United States could impose economic sanctions if Iran and Russia move forward with a reported oil-for-goods contract, Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday, discussing with a Senate panel an emerging threat to talks designed to finalize a nuclear deal with Iran. Full Article Share:
	PennEnergy Video News Update From proposed changes to crude rail transportation, to the control of Libyan oil terminals, to the restart of a Petrobras offshore platform, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update. Full Article Share:

This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News
• Feds say oil trains should have two-man crews
• Petrobras platform P-20 resumes offshore production
• Shell lifts first crude oil from the Majnoon oilfield
• Libyan militia agrees to give up 4 oil terminals
• Shale gas: The demand side of the equation
• Norway's oil fund could dump shares in oil, coal
• Newpark offering cleaner way forward in Eagle Ford shale play (Interactive map)
• API praises congressional action on natural gas exports
• Gudrun offshore production platform goes on stream
• Foster Wheeler and ENI renew framework agreement
• Statoil presents oil sands production report for 2013
• Saipem awarded contract for expansion of Versalis plant in Italy
• Water-based drilling fluid success in Fort Worth Basin (Interactive map)
• CB&I announces refining technology award in China

Nuclear Options

http://www.technologyreview.com/graphiti/526316/going-nuclear-the-global-power-picture/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_source=newsletter-weekly-business&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20140411

PennEnergy's Top Power Headlines 4/11

Top Power Headlines
	Only a third of Japan’s nuclear reactors may be restarted New analysis from Reuters reveals that under new safety standards and the current sociopolitical climate as little as a third of Japan's reactors are expected to be restarted. Full Article Share:
	U.S. calls on Europe to wean itself from Russian gas The United States has called on Europe to wean itself from a dangerous dependency on Russian gas, saying it was time to stand together and bring an end to the Kremlin's use of energy supplies as political leverage. Full Article Share:

Top Power News
• Half of 2013 power plant capacity additions from natural gas
• Rescuers struggle to save 22 trapped in Chinese coal mine
• ODEC wins final approval for 1 GW combined cycle power plant
• The Japanese nuclear plant that didn't melt down on 3/11
• Coal plant operators consider emissions compliance strategies
• Vertex leading partner on 30 MW solar power project in Mexico
• Norway plans to boost renewable energy investment up to $8.3B
• Ameresco biomass plant uses damaged wood from ice storm
• AEP: Over 50 percent of generation to come from coal power
• NHA adds DOE Secretary, FERC Commissioner to conference lineup
• Reading the Commodity Market Barometer: Energy and Non-Energy Commodity Price Movements

Fukushima Updates 4/11

Fukushima Updates today -

Industry Minister says F. Daiichi groundwater releases should begin next month... The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy posted its latest progress report on Fukushima site recovery... Severe radiophobia and distrust of the government made a Fukushima family take extreme measures to keep their daughter from the exposure she fears... Many of the evacuees from the newly-unrestricted Miyakoji district are staying away... The reason for the latest problem with the ALPS water purifying system is resin failure... The filtered vent system at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa station has been tested... The Sendai nuclear plants could restart this summer... Radiophobic American sailors have again filed for damages from Tepco.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

Regulator approves Olkiluoto I&C architecture

Regulator approves Olkiluoto I&C architecture
Finnish nuclear regulator STUK has approved the overall architecture of the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems for Olkiluoto 3 but has asked for further studies to be completed before final approval.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Regulator-approves-Olkiluoto-I-and-C-architecture-1104148.html

More Westinghouse fuel for Ukraine

More Westinghouse fuel for Ukraine
Ukraine's national electricity utility Energoatom has extended its nuclear fuel supply contract with Westinghouse through to 2020. The country primarily sources its nuclear fuel from Russia.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/ENF-More-Westinghouse-fuel-for-Ukraine-1104144.html

Japan retains nuclear in energy mix

Japan retains nuclear in energy mix
Three years after the Fukushima accident, which led to calls for Japan to phase-out nuclear power, the country's cabinet has given its approval to an energy policy that recommendations the restart of its idled nuclear reactors.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Japan-retains-nuclear-in-energy-mix-1104147.html

The Forecasting Challenge for Power Networks of the Future

The energy-efficient power networks of the future will require entirely new ways of forecasting demand on the scale of individual households. That won’t be easy.

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/526356/the-forecasting-challenge-for-power-networks-of-the-future/

A small nuclear reactor with a difference

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/a-nuclear-reactor-with-a-difference/

India, Russia finally sign agreement on Kudankulam 3, 4 units

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-russia-finally-sign-agreement-on-kudankulam-3-4-units_923831.html

 

Start-ups fuel boom in small-scale nuclear power

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229644.900-startups-fuel-boom-in-smallscale-nuclear-power.html#.U0iggBlXBDQ

Japan approves energy plan reinstating nuclear power

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-japan-energy-nuclear-20140410,0,3657414.story

Guest Post: Glenn Schleede: Irresponsible Senate Finance Committee Action on Wind Energy Tax Break

April 11, 2013

Irresponsible Senate Finance Committee Action on Wind Energy Tax Break

Once again, the Senate Committee that manages to make life miserable for millions of tax-paying Americans with its manipulation of the US Tax Code, is acting to aid its friends, punish ordinary taxpayers, and load another $85 billion in debt on our children and grandchildren.

On April 3, 2014, by “voice” (no fingerprints) vote, the Senate Finance Committee reported out an $85 billion tax break ”extender” bill  -- which the Committee calls the “EXPIRE Act.” [1]  The bill includes billions in unwarranted tax breaks for special interests, including the wind industry.

As long as Congress fails to pass a balanced budget, every dollar provided to special interests in this $85 billion “Extender” bill is a direct addition to the national debt that will be dumped on our children and grandchildren.  Further, each dollar that Congress adds to the national debt will be DOUBLED in about 15 years due to interest that will accrue on that debt.

An egregious example of an unwarranted special interest tax break in the Finance Committee’s bill is Senator Grassley’s wind and other renewable energy “Production Tax Credit” (PTC) and “Investment Tax Credit” (ITC).  Grassley insisted on extending this 20-year old “temporary” tax break for another 2 years at a cost, according to the Joint Tax Committee, of more than $13 billion over the next 10 years (and more thereafter).

When Senator Toomey attempted to eliminate unwarranted energy tax breaks from the bill, Republican Senators Grassley, Cornyn, Thune, Crapo, & Portman[2] joined Finance Committee Democrats in voting to keep the massive energy tax breaks in the bill!

The votes for Grassley’s $13+ billion wind PTC and ITC extension to benefit “wind farm” owners would result in an equal addition to future generations’ debt burden!  Under Grassley’s measure, owners of “wind farms” would be able to continue reducing their corporate income tax liability by $0.023 (adjusted upward for inflation) for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity produced by their wind turbines during the next 10 years. 

The wind PTC was initially passed in 1992 as a temporary incentive to help a then fledgling industry – with the expectation that wind energy would be environmentally benign and would become commercially viable.  However, after nearly 40 years of subsidies for wind energy R&D and 20 years of lucrative wind energy tax breaks -- together totaling over $100 billion:

·       Electricity from wind remains high in true cost and low in real value[3] – with the wind industry providing no evidence that electricity from wind will ever become commercially viable (i.e., without large tax breaks and subsidies).

·       Producing electricity from wind has proven to have numerous adverse environmental, economic, electric system reliability, scenic, and property value impacts not originally foreseen and still not admitted by wind industry advocates; and

Eight Republicans[4] (some claiming to be “conservatives”) and 110 Democrats in the US House of Representatives have signed a letter to House leaders urging extension of the wind PTC.  The tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee hasn’t taken up the wind PTC, but one of the wind industry’s Washington lobbyists has bragged that the wind industry still has "very strong support from Democrats in the House and strong support from some, but not all, of the Republicans."[5]

Last December, Senator Grassley told constituents in Iowa that the costly wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) would be extended soon.  “…Congress will come back after the New Year and approve four dozen or more tax credits.”  “There are a lot of economic interests”…represented in the tax credits.  Those interest groups collectively “put a lot of pressure on Congress to re-institute the credits’[6]

In addition to wind industry lobbyists, Grassley undoubtedly was referring to such Washington establishment organizations as the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and Business Roundtable.  Organizations such as these once championed private enterprise but now seem to be heavily influenced by member companies that:

·       Have concluded that there is less risk and more profit in “mining” Washington for tax breaks and subsidies than in pursing truly innovative and productive activities in private, competitive markets.

·       Have no problem in accepting special interest tax breaks that load debt on future generations.

 

The April 3^rd action by the Senate Finance Committee certainly helps explain why a recent Gallup Survey shows that Congress currently has a 13% favorability rating.  If the nation’s “Millennials” understand how the Congress is adding to the debt that they and their children will bear, they may assign an even lower rating!

Glenn R. Schleede

Ashburn, VA 20147

---

[1] Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act.

[2] See “Results of [Senate Finance Committee] Executive Session.040314” download 4/9/14 from: http://www.finance.senate.gov/legislation/details/?id=67094f10-5056-a032-52ff-257830e0a938

[3] Electricity is produced by wind turbines only when wind speeds are in the right range (starting around 6 MPH, reaching rated capacity around 32 MPH, and cutting out around 55 MPH).  Electricity from wind turbines is, therefore, low in value because it is intermittent, volatile, unreliable, and most likely to be produced at night in colder months, not on hot weekday afternoons when most needed.  Reliable generating using conventional energy sources must always be available to maintain stable electric grids and a reliable electricity supply.

[4] King (IA), Lucas (OK), Runyan (NJ), Fitzpatrick (PA), Gibson (NY), Latham (IA), Noem (SD). Cole (OK).

[5] http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-27696241-11565  (downloaded April 11, 2014)

[6] The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), December 11, 2013.

Near Term Thorium Reactors in China, India and the USA

Near Term Thorium Reactors in China, India and the USA

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/04/near-term-thorium-reactors-in-china.html

Democratic senators press Obama on deadline for Keystone decision

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/04/10/democratic-senators-press-obama-to-set-deadline-for-keystone-decision/

Chevron CEO urges more diversity in energy employment

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/04/10/chevron-ceo-urges-diversity-in-energy-employment/

ENERGY TECH Is the power grid too big?

Is the power grid too big?http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Is_the_power_grid_too_big_999.html

Putin Expected to Sign China Gas Deal as Crisis Forces Hand

Putin Expected to Sign China Gas Deal as Crisis Forces Hand:

Vladimir Putin is more likely to sign a 30-year deal to supply pipeline gas to China next month after more than a decade of false starts because the crisis in Ukraine is forcing Russia to look for markets outside Europe

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-09/putin-seen-signing-china-gas-deal-as-crisis-forces-russia-s-hand.html

Thorium reactors Asgard’s fire

 

Thorium reactors

Asgard’s fire

Thorium, an element named after the Norse god of thunder, may soon contribute to the world’s electricity supply

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21600656-thorium-element-named-after-norse-god-thunder-may-soon-contribute

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold public meeting about Pilgrim on May 1

Public invited to observe meeting between NRC and Pilgrim's owner Entergy

http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2014/04/09/24867-us-nuclear-regulatory-commission-hold-public-meeting-about-pilgrim-may-1

Ben Phillips: Climate Change Is Not a Debate: It Is a Struggle That Pits Survivors Against Fossil Fuel Profiteers

Ben Phillips: Climate Change Is Not a Debate: It Is a Struggle That Pits Survivors Against Fossil Fuel Profiteers
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2014/04/10-2

Naomi Klein: Why US Fracking Companies Are Licking Their Lips Over Ukraine

Naomi Klein: Why US Fracking Companies Are Licking Their Lips Over Ukraine
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2014/04/10-7

Evidence of Acceleration of Anthropogenic Climate Disruption on All Fronts

Evidence of Acceleration of Anthropogenic Climate Disruption on All Fronts

http://truth-out.org/news/item/22999-evidence-of-acceleration-on-all-fronts-of-anthropogenic-climate-disruption

Japan's Sendai nuclear plant may not restart by July: official

Tokyo (Platts)--10Apr2014/1227 pm EDT/1627 GMT

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/tokyo/japans-sendai-nuclear-plant-may-not-restart-by-21459427

CHAMPS Software Meets Special Requirements for Nuclear Power Plant Construction

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1843074#ixzz2yVbngOES

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1843074

Launch of China's 1st inland nuclear power project denied

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140409000054&cid=1102

CNA chief touts nuclear power

http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2014/04/09/cna-chief-touts-nuclear-power

NRC: Nuclear plant emergency zones stay at 10 miles

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/indian-point/2014/04/09/nuke-zone-expansion-nrc-says/7517813/

Nuclear Power in the US, Market Outlook to 2025

Nuclear Power in the US, Market Outlook to 2025, Update 2014 - Capacity, Generation, Deployment Trends, Investments, Power Plants, Regulations, and Company Profiles

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1844275#ixzz2yVaPBNvh

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1844275

Solar Energy Jumps to 22% of New US Generation Capacity in 2013

http://theenergycollective.com/katherinetweed/365541/solar-jumps-22-new-us-generation-capacity-2013?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Biomass: Not Carbon Neutral and Often Not Clean

http://theenergycollective.com/nrdcswitchboard/365506/biomass-not-carbon-neutral-and-often-not-clean?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Crews make first trip into troubled underground nuclear waste dump -

Crews make first trip into troubled underground nuclear waste dump - See more at: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/news/world/crews-make-first-trip-into-troubled-underground-nuclear-waste-dump-1.940367#sthash.2XAzNphK.dpuf

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/news/world/crews-make-first-trip-into-troubled-underground-nuclear-waste-dump-1.940367#

U.S. Nuclear Waste Dirty-Bombs New Mexico with Plutonium

http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/04/u-s-nuclear-waste-dirty-bombs-new-mexico-with-plutonium/

ORNL Modeling Program to Simulate SMR Designs

http://digital.power-eng.com/power-eng/201404?sub_id=XtrMxrvGGblw&folio=54#pg57

Fukushima Updates 4/10

Fukushima Updates today -

Industry Minister says F. Daiichi groundwater releases should begin next month... The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy posted its latest progress report on Fukushima site recovery... Severe radiophobia and distrust of the government made a Fukushima family take extreme measures to keep their daughter from the exposure she fears... Many of the evacuees from the newly-unrestricted Miyakoji district are staying away... The reason for the latest problem with the ALPS water purifying system is resin failure... A filtered vent system at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa station has been tested... The Sendai nuclear plants could restart this summer... Radiophobic American sailors have again filed for damages from Tepco.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

CEZ cancels Temelin expansion tender

CEZ cancels Temelin expansion tender
Czech utility CEZ has informed the participants in the tender to construct two new reactors at the Temelin nuclear power plant that it has decided to cancel the procurement process.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-CEZ-cancels-Temelin-expansion-tender-1004144.html

Celebrations at US centrifuge plant

Celebrations at US centrifuge plant
The second phase of the Urenco USA uranium enrichment plant is now fully operational, with the plant working at a capacity of 3.7 million separative work units.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/ENF-Celebrations-at-US-centrifuge-plant-1004147.html

ELECTRICITY:

FirstEnergy CEO decries mandates driven by 'social agenda'

Rod Kuckro, E&E reporter

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059997576

European utilities How to lose half a trillion euros

European utilities

How to lose half a trillion euros

Europe’s electricity providers face an existential threat

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21587782-europes-electricity-providers-face-existential-threat-how-lose-half-trillion-euros

MIT Geniuses Made A Drone That Can Charge Itself Without Coming Back Down To Earth

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/drone-power-line-perching-system-2014-4#ixzz2yV44nNHE

http://www.businessinsider.com/drone-power-line-perching-system-2014-4?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

North American utilities leading microgrid capacity

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/north-american-utilities-leading-microgrid-capacity/2014-04-10?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Investigators enter WIPP

03 April 2014

Workers have re-entered the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico for the first time since a radiological event occurred there in mid-February. Future teams will travel deeper into the facility towards the suspected source of the release.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Investigators-enter-WIPP-0304144.html

US energy chief: 'Green' includes nuclear and more

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101568437#_gus

RUSSIA INVESTS US$1.39 BLN FOR TURKEY’S NUCLEAR PLANT

http://www.dailysabah.com/energy/2014/04/10/russia-invests-us139-bln-for-turkeys-nuclear-plant

Russia’s Rosatom Urges Ukraine Not to Politicize Nuclear Fuel Supplies

http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140410/189140846/Russias-Rosatom-Urges-Ukraine-Not-to-Politicize-Nuclear-Fuel.html

Abe Government Moves Towards Upgrading Japan’s Nuclear Facilities

http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Abe-Government-Moves-Towards-Upgrading-Japans-Nuclear-Facilities.html

Japan Pushes Plan to Stockpile Plutonium, Despite Proliferation Risks

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/world/asia/japan-pushes-plan-to-stockpile-plutonium-despite-proliferation-risks.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1

Amid Ukraine Discord, U.S. Resumes Nuclear-Security Work in Russia

http://www.nationaljournal.com/global-security-newswire/amid-ukraine-discord-u-s-resumes-nuclear-security-work-in-russia-20140409

Nuclear industry to hire 130,000 for new reactors

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/apr/10/nuclear-industry-to-hire-130000-for-reactors/

NRC: Nuclear plant emergency zones stay at 10 miles

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/indian-point/2014/04/09/nuke-zone-expansion-nrc-says/7517813/

ANS Update A Pyrrhic Victory in Vermont for Nuclear Power?

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A Pyrrhic Victory in Vermont for Nuclear Power? By ansnuclearcafe on Apr 10, 2014 09:57 am “Another victory like this will ruin us” —Greek King Pyrrhus after defeating Roman armies in 279 and 280 BCE By Howard Shaffer Friday, March 28, 2014—Hanover, New Hampshire.  While Rod Adams, Meredith Angwin, Bob Hargraves and I attended Dartmouth College’s … Continue reading → Read in browser » More to read: Small Modular Reactors—US Capabilities and the Global Market Kenya’s Studied Approach to a Nuclear Future Nuclear Energy Blogger Carnival 203 Nuclear Matinee: Vogtle Nuclear Construction Update Teacher Workshop at ANS Annual Meeting in Reno—Saturday, June 14

Exelon calls for energy reform

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/exelon-calls-energy-reform/2014-04-10?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Research: Microgrids better than one massive grid

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/research-microgrids-better-than-one-massive-grid/249724/

TV commercial blasts Duke Energy's 'suppression of clean energy'

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/tv-commercial-blasts-duke-energys-suppression-of-clean-energy/249688/

US NR Blog Update: April Showers Also Bring Seasonal Power Plant Refueling Outages

April Showers Also Bring Seasonal Power Plant Refueling Outages

Leave a comment Posted by Moderator on April 10, 2014

Neil Sheehan

Public Affairs Officer

Region I

The robins are chirping, the daffodils are pushing out of the cold ground and the sun is shining for an additional minute or two every day. It’s finally spring in the U.S., which for many nuclear power plants heralds the start of refueling and maintenance outages.
Every 18 to 24 months, nuclear power plants shut down to allow for the replacement of about a third of the fuel in the reactor with fresh rods. The outages also make it possible for plant personnel and contractors to perform a number of projects, such as the refurbishment or replacement of pumps and valves, and inspections of components not accessible when the reactor is operating.
Hundreds of contractors assist with this work, making these outages periods of intense, round-the-clock activity for at least several weeks. No doubt nearby coffee shops do a booming business, not to mention area hotels and restaurants.
The NRC also beefs up its inspection footprint during these shutdowns, which are usually scheduled for spring and fall because those are the times when the demand for electricity is generally lower. Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant on a full-time basis and specialist inspectors observe select work activities to ensure adherence to safety regulations. They are also able to glean information about what employees and contractors are learning as they put eyes on key pieces of equipment.
There are procedures that help guide NRC inspectors during outages, including one that helps target and prioritize areas for review. A key, though, is remaining flexible while maintaining a holistic view of what almost overnight becomes a particularly bustling workplace.
Nuclear power plants are baseload electricity generators designed to run at 100 percent, but they need to occasionally take a strategic timeout to refuel and kick the tires, so to speak. With careful planning, a focus on safety and an attention to detail, the tasks can be effectively completed and the unit restored to service in time to help meet the additional cooling demands of the ensuing summer or the warming needs of the following winter.

US natural gas output up record amount in March

US natural gas output up record amount in March
“Production in the Northeast basins like Marcellus and Utica are up 44% this March versus last March alone. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Northeast is the new center of the gas universe for North America," noted said Jack Weixel, Bentek Energy director of energy analysis. http://www.ogfj.com/articles/2014/04/us-natural-gas-output-up-record-amount-in-march.html?cmpid=EnlOGFJApril102014.html

Marcellus is game-changer for US energy industry

Marcellus is game-changer for US energy industry The emergence of the Marcellus shale formation in the northeastern US is a game-changer for the US energy industry, says a recent report by independent investment research provider Morningstar Inc. http://www.ogfj.com/articles/2014/03/morningstar-marcellus-shale-is-game-changer-for-us-energy-industry.html?cmpid=EnlOGFJApril102014.html

Shale Gas Blooms in China? Not So Fast

Shale Gas Blooms in China? Not So Fast

By Kate Rosow Chrisman

When China released its 2015 targets of 6.5 billion cubic meters of shale gas a few years back (source, in Chinese), it looked like the goal was out of reach. At the time, the country had zero commercial shale gas production and domestic natural gas extraction was mainly in the hands of state-owned companies. But

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2014/04/09/shale-gas-blooms-in-china-not-so-fast/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=5f26fa959f-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-5f26fa959f-407304281