Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Used Nuclear Fuel Cask Loading Campaign - 2014


Used Nuclear Fuel Cask Loading Campaign - 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMd764LXCWk&feature=youtu.be

PRIME-ing Energy Innovation

PRIME-ing Energy Innovation

C3E Women in Clean Energy winner uses funding and inspiration to support the next generation of game-changing energy technologies.

http://mitei.mit.edu/news/prime-ing-energy-innovation

A Preview Of Innovations That Could Upend The Energy Sector

A Preview Of Innovations That Could Upend The Energy Sector

MIT shines light on coming attractions in global energy.

http://mitei.mit.edu/news/in-the-news/preview-innovations-could-upend-energy-sector

Inaction on Energy, Climate Change Risks Global Chaos

Inaction on Energy, Climate Change Risks Global Chaos


http://www.forbes.com/sites/pikeresearch/2014/05/16/inaction-on-energy-climate-change-risks-global-chaos/

Complex fusion reactor takes shape as start date slips


Complex fusion reactor takes shape as start date slips

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25581-complex-fusion-reactor-takes-shape-as-start-date-slips.html?cmpid=RSS|NSNS|2012-GLOBAL|physics-math#.U3gJBxlXBDQ

The Climate and Environmental Impacts of Renewables


The Climate and Environmental Impacts of Renewables


The Current Data and Historical Perspectives on Energy in 29 Charts


http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/energy-and-climate/the-climate-and-environmental-impacts-of-renewables

Fukushima cancer risk not as serious as thought, UN says


Audio

Fukushima cancer risk not as serious as thought, UN says

Radiation fish caught off Japan lower than acceptable levels, UN scientific report says


http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/fukushima-cancer-risk-not-as-serious-as-thought-un-says-1.2645238?cmp=rss

Americans Spent Three Decades Paying For Federal Project That Doesn't Exist


Americans Spent Three Decades Paying For Federal Project That Doesn't Exist

More than $43 billion was collected for nuclear waste dump that never came to be.

http://natick.patch.com/groups/trending-in-america/p/federal-government-collected-fee-for-dead-project-for-decades13707452

Nuclear Exercises Amidst Ukrainian Crisis: Time For Cooler Heads

Nuclear Exercises Amidst Ukrainian Crisis: Time For Cooler Heads


http://blogs.fas.org/security/2014/05/nuke-exercises/

Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare


Heart of Empire, Six Questions — May 6, 2014, 2:37 pm

Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare

Gareth Porter on the true history of Iran’s nuclear program
By
http://harpers.org/blog/2014/05/manufactured-crisis-the-untold-story-of-the-iran-nuclear-scare/

Silicon Valley startup announces breakthrough nuclear detection technology to address President Obama's nuclear threat concerns


Silicon Valley startup announces breakthrough nuclear detection technology to address President Obama's nuclear threat concerns

Rhombus Power's product independently verified by NIST to meet ANSI standards

PR Newswire
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1922297

Atomic Obsession: Nuclear Alarmism from Hiroshima to Al-Qaeda

Atomic Obsession:  Nuclear Alarmism from Hiroshima to Al-Qaeda


http://www.fusionenergyleague.org/index.php/blog/article/atomic_obsession_nuclear_alarmism_from_hiroshima_to_al_qaeda

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Thoughts On Nuclear


Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Thoughts On Nuclear

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/05/17/federal-energy-regulatory-commissions-thoughts-on-nuclear/?ss=business

Per Peterson has a modular molten salt nuclear reactor design in the US and is also working with China's molten salt nuclear reactor program


http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/05/per-peterson-has-modular-molten-salt.html

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Radiation - The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

UNSCEAR's assessment of levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the nuclear accident after the 2011 great east-Japan earthquake and tsunami 

On 11 March 2011 the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered major damage from the failure of equipment after the magnitude 9.0 great east-Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami. It was the largest civilian nuclear accident since the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Radioactive material was released from the damaged plant and tens of thousands of people were evacuated.
UNSCEAR has finalized a major study to assess the radiation doses and associated effects on health and environment. At the high-level meeting on nuclear safety and security convened in New York on 22 September 2011, the Secretary-General of the United Nations called on Member States to ensure that UNSCEAR has the necessary capacity and resources to accomplish its task. The work was also endorsed by the UN General Assembly resolution 66/70 on 9 December 2011. Eighteen UN Member States offered more than 80 experts to conduct the analytical work cost-free.
The summary report that was adopted by the Committee was presented to the General Assembly in October 2013 ( A/68/46), and the detailed report with the scientific data and evaluation underpinning the summary was published on 2 April 2014. This major study assesses the radiation doses and associated effects on health and the environment.
Among others, the assessment is addressing the following questions:
  • How much radioactive material was released and what was its composition?
  • How was it dispersed over land and sea, and where are the hotspots?
  • How does the accident compare with those at Chernobyl (1986), Three Mile Island (1979) and the Windscale Fire (1957)?
  • What are the radiation effects on the environment and on foodstuffs?
  • What is the likely radiation impact on human health and the environment?
The secretariat of UNSCEAR, as part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is closely coordinating with and involving other leading international organizations in this area:
  • Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Organization ( CTBTO)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO)
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) and
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/fukushima.html

Environmentalists vs. Nuclear Energy

Environmentalists vs. Nuclear Energy


https://www.triumf.info/wiki/pwalden/index.php/Environmentalists_vs._Nuclear_Energy

Adam Curry Exposes Robert Alvarez’s Fukushima Spent Fuel Pool Fable on No Agenda Rod Adams

Adam Curry Exposes Robert Alvarez’s Fukushima Spent Fuel Pool Fable on No Agenda


http://atomicinsights.com/adam-curry-exposes-robert-alvarezs-fukushima-spent-fuel-pool-fable-on-no-agenda/

Tsunami-proof nuclear power

Tsunami-proof nuclear power

Nuclear Energy Insider talks with MIT’s Jacopo Buongiorno about the benefits of his tsunami-proof nuclear technology

http://mitei.mit.edu/news/tsunami-proof-nuclear-power

Friday, May 16, 2014

NRC Sets First Deadlines For Earthquake Risk Analysis

NRC Sets First Deadlines For Earthquake Risk Analysis


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/nucnet-communications/archive/2014/05/16/nrc-sets-first-deadlines-for-earthquake-risk-analysis.aspx

Industry Group Proposes Four Nuclear Reactors For Chile

Industry Group Proposes Four Nuclear Reactors For Chile


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/nucnet-communications/archive/2014/05/16/industry-group-proposes-four-nuclear-reactors-for-chile.aspx

New Mexico Demands More Details on Threats From Nuclear Leak Site

New Mexico Demands More Details on Threats From Nuclear Leak Site


http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/new-mexico-demands-more-details-nuclear-dump/

We can’t wait

We can’t wait

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140508/OPINION04/705089948

Investing in the Future of Thorium

Investing in the Future of Thorium


http://www.energyandcapital.com/report/investing-in-the-future-of-thorium/982

Move aside NSA, the Kremlin too is finding a way into America’s social networks


Move aside NSA, the Kremlin too is finding a way into America’s social networks

http://www.nucleardiner.com/archive/item/kremlin-and-american-social-networks

Iran nuclear deal hinges on enrichment limits, sanction relief

Iran nuclear deal hinges on enrichment limits, sanction relief


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-nuclear-deal-hinges-on-enrichment-limits-sanction-relief/
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Exelon’s Crane: Market Reforms Should Value All Electricity Generators Fairly

Exelon’s Crane: Market Reforms Should Value All Electricity Generators Fairly


http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/Exelon-s-Crane-Market-Reforms-Should-Value-All-Ele

Why New Nuclear Technology Hurts the Case for Renewables

Why New Nuclear Technology Hurts the Case for Renewables

"We need to act fast with efficiency and renewables, while nuclear continues to be plagued by the same drawbacks and problems that have afflicted it for 50 years."

James Montgomery, Contributing Editor
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/05/why-new-nuclear-technology-hurts-the-case-for-renewables

How 'Godzilla' Dances Around That Whole Nuclear Issue

How 'Godzilla' Dances Around That Whole Nuclear Issue

Attitudes have changed a lot since the 1954 original, so 'Godzilla' needs a new metaphor.


http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/05/16/how-godzilla-dances-around-that-whole-nuclear-issue

Nigeria: Power Supply - Nigeria to Get $6 Billion Nuclear Plant in 2022 - Naec

Nigeria: Power Supply - Nigeria to Get $6 Billion Nuclear Plant in 2022 - Naec


http://allafrica.com/stories/201405160086.html

Turkey's countdown to nuclear energy

Turkey's countdown to nuclear energy


http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/turkey-nuclear-energy-countdown.html

Florida Governor, Cabinet vote for nuclear power plant


Florida Governor, Cabinet vote for nuclear power plant

http://www.utilityproducts.com/articles/elp-archives/2014/05/florida-governor-cabinet-vote-for-nuclear-power-plant.html

The White House's Climate Assessment Heats Up The Discussion About Nuclear Power

The White House's Climate Assessment Heats Up The Discussion About Nuclear Power


http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkrancer/2014/05/16/the-white-houses-climate-assessment-heats-up-the-discussion-about-nuclear-power/

San Onofre Remains Safe after Partial Evacuation for Wildfire


San Onofre Remains Safe after Partial Evacuation for Wildfire

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/05/16/san-onofre-remains-safe-after-partial-evacuation-for-wildfire-051601.aspx#.U3aCihlXBDQ

NRC Too Lenient on Spent Nuclear Fuel, Safety Exemptions, Senators Say

NRC Too Lenient on Spent Nuclear Fuel, Safety Exemptions, Senators Say


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-15/nrc-too-lenient-on-spent-nuclear-fuel-safety-exemptions-senators-say.html

New Studies Suggest Many Coastal Cities Eventually To Be Abandoned With Antarctic Ice Collapse

New Studies Suggest Many Coastal Cities Eventually To Be Abandoned With Antarctic Ice Collapse


http://theenergycollective.com/josephromm/382221/new-studies-suggest-many-coastal-cities-eventually-be-abandoned-antarctic-ice-coll?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Friday Energy Facts: China Produces and Consumes Almost as much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined

Friday Energy Facts: China Produces and Consumes Almost as much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined


http://theenergycollective.com/todayinenergy/382766/china-produces-and-consumes-almost-much-coal-rest-world-combined?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

The Age of Intelligent Storage: Distributed Systems, Smart Software and Control Systems

The Age of Intelligent Storage: Distributed Systems, Smart Software and Control Systems


http://theenergycollective.com/katherinetweed/379841/age-intelligent-storage-distributed-systems-smart-software-and-control-systems?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Duke Energy to build 750 MW gas-fired plant in South Carolina

Duke Energy to build 750 MW gas-fired plant in South Carolina • 4:47 PM
  • Duke Energy (DUK) says it plans to build a 750 MW natural gas power plant in South Carolina at the site of an existing coal-fired facility.
  • South Carolina regulators approved the plant last month.
  • The news is the latest in a series of moves by DUK away from coal-fired plants; earlier this week, the utility revealed plans for three new gas-fired Florida plants totaling nearly 2,000 MW of generation capacity.
Read commentshttp://seekingalpha.com/news/1757583-duke-energy-to-build-750-mw-gas-fired-plant-in-south-carolina?uprof=46

The Oversold Smart Grid: Dismissing the Work of Women Comes the Smart Grid

The Oversold Smart Grid: Dismissing the Work of Women

Comes the Smart Grid
http://yesvy.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-oversold-smart-grid-dismissing-work.html#.U3Z8ARlXAil

"The Economic Failure of Nuclear Power and the Development of a Low Carbon Electricity Future: Why Small Modular Reactors are Part of the Problem, Not the Solution." by Mark Cooper


 "The Economic Failure of Nuclear Power and the Development of a Low Carbon Electricity Future: Why Small Modular Reactors are Part of the Problem, Not the Solution."
http://216.30.191.148/Cooper%20SMRs%20are%20Part%20of%20the%20Problem,%20Not%20the%20Solution%20FINAL2.pdf

3D innovation for Sellafield

3D innovation for Sellafield


http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-3D-innovation-for-Sellafield-1505147.html

Tepco to Begin Piping Groundwater Into Sea to Avoid Irradiation

Tepco to Begin Piping Groundwater Into Sea to Avoid Irradiation


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-16/tepco-to-begin-piping-groundwater-into-sea-to-avoid-irradiation.html

Dominion Cove Point LNG could reduce U.S. deficit by $7B a year

Dominion Cove Point LNG could reduce U.S. deficit by $7B a year


http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/dominion-cove-point-lng-could-reduce-us-deficit-7b-year/2014-05-16?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Georgia Power building largest solar facilities ever to operate on U.S. military bases


Georgia Power building largest solar facilities ever to operate on U.S. military bases


http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/georgia-power-building-largest-solar-facilities-ever-operate-us-military-ba/2014-05-16?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

"Dead" nuclear program can't collect fees

"Dead" nuclear program can't collect fees


http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/dead-nuclear-program-cant-collect-fees/2014-05-16?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

40 solutions for meeting EPA carbon rules

40 solutions for meeting EPA carbon rules


http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/40-solutions-meeting-epa-carbon-rules/2014-05-16?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

New UK waste facilities completed

New UK waste facilities completed
Two new radioactive waste facilities have opened in the UK. The first two vaults for the disposal of low-level waste have been completed at Dounreay, while the first intermediate-level waste has been put into a new interim storage facility at Berkeley.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-New-UK-waste-facilities-completed-1605144.html

France Plans Introduction Of Commercial Fast Neutron Reactors In 2040

France Plans Introduction Of Commercial Fast Neutron Reactors In 2040


http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2014/05/16/france-plans-introduction-of-commercial-fast-neutron-reactors-in-2040

Germany Is Running Out of Energy Options

Germany Is Running Out of Energy Options


http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/03/24/no_nukes_no_russian_gas_no_fossils_no_solar_no_fracking_how_exactly_does.html

Merkel says state won't take over nuclear decommissioning risks

Merkel says state won't take over nuclear decommissioning risks


http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/16/germany-energy-nuclear-idINL6N0O218U20140516

Entergy begins process for increased storage of spent fuel at VY


Entergy begins process for increased storage of spent fuel at VY



http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_25772638/entergy-begins-process-increased-storage-spent-fuel-at

Water extraction boosts California quake risk: study

Water extraction boosts California quake risk: study
Paris (AFP) May 14, 2014 - Relentless pumping of water to irrigate farms in part of California's Central Valley is boosting the risk of earthquakes on the San Andreas fault, geologists said on Wednesday. A century and a half of water extraction has bit by bit released a massive weight on a local part of the Earth's crust, causing it to spring up and ease a brake on the notorious fault, they said. "This process bri ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Water_extraction_boosts_California_quake_risk_study_999.html

Cisco's NSA problem is going to whack all of US tech's growth plans

Will emerging markets really buy routers, servers and storage systems from US enterprise tech giants now that it's obvious the NSA intercepts them en route to install spying gear?http://www.zdnet.com/ciscos-nsa-problem-is-going-to-whack-all-of-us-techs-growth-plans-7000029495/?s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61

How New York is reinventing the electric utility

How New York is reinventing the electric utility

State PSC: 'Distributed System Platform Providers' are the future


http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-new-york-is-reinventing-the-electric-utility/262727/

Bubba McDonald: Perspective from State Regulator on Nuclear Pow

Bubba McDonald: Perspective from State Regulator on Nuclear Pow


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV6Fce-XsQQ&feature=em-uploademail

PennEnergy's Top Power News 5/16

Top Power Headlines
San Onofre nuclear plant evacuated due to brush fires
Plant operators at the San Onofre nuclear power plant have evacuated non-essential employees from the area in response to brush fires that have spread to nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California
Full Article

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Getting more electricity out of solar cells
MIT researches put forth a new model for the design of solar cells that includes the application of their technology as an inexpensive coating on silicon solar cells that could increase efficiency by as much as 25 percent
Full Article

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The biological impacts of ingested radioactive materials on the pale grass blue butterfly

The biological impacts of ingested
radioactive materials on the pale grass
blue butterfly

http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/140515/srep04946/pdf/srep04946.pdf

Even Tiny Amounts of Radioactive Food Made Caterpillars Become Abnormal Butterflies Even a tiny amount of radioactive food can turn caterpillars into mutated butterflies

Even Tiny Amounts of Radioactive Food Made Caterpillars Become Abnormal Butterflies

Even a tiny amount of radioactive food can turn caterpillars into mutated butterflies




Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/caterpillars-eat-even-small-amount-radioactive-plant-material-might-develop-abnormal-butterflies-die-young-180951466/#cQ45JvyAD4mv5LR2.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter
 Even Tiny Amounts of Radioactive Food Made Caterpillars Become Abnormal Butterflies Even a tiny amount of radioactive food can turn caterpillars into mutated butterflies
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/caterpillars-eat-even-small-amount-radioactive-plant-material-might-develop-abnormal-butterflies-die-young-180951466/?no-ist

Source of water leakage spotted at Fukushima plant

Source of water leakage spotted at Fukushima plant
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140516_14.html

For Tepco's pictures and a video of the discovery, go to http://photo.tepco.co.jp/en/date/2014/201405-e/140515-01e.html

WIPP radioactivity release at 1.3 mCi put in some perspective

WIPP radioactivity release at 1.3 mCi put in some perspective


http://newsok.com/the-wipp-radioactivity-release-at-1.3-mci-put-in-some-perspective/article/4824275

DOE WIPP Recovery Plan

Extensive Environmental Monitoring Under Way

In the aftermath of the February 14 event, the WIPP environmental sampling program was supplemented with additional sampling. Sampling is being done on air, soil, surface water and sediment, and vegetation.

Air Sampling

Sampling for airborne radioactive particles helps determine if there has been an increase over background levels of alpha-emitting radioactive material.  There is a background level of plutonium and other transuranic materials from the past atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons.
Air sampling is performed weekly at seven monitoring stations.  A total of 47 air particulate filter samples have been obtained since the February 14 event. Slight amounts of americium and plutonium were briefly detected at four sampling locations. All air filters since February 18 have shown no detectable americium or plutonium. Click the following to view air sampling data.

Soil Sampling

Routine soil sampling occurs at the WIPP site in areas around the air sample stations.  Thirty-three soil samples have been obtained since February 14.  An additional 29 samples are planned in the near future. All soil samples (except one) analyzed to date have shown no detectable americium or plutonium. The one exception was a detection of plutonium that is not considered to originate from the February 14 release because the location is not in the downwind direction, the sample shows no americium and the same location has shown similar concentrations of plutonium in past years. Click the following to view soil sampling data.

Surface Water and Sediment Sampling

WIPP has 14 locations for routine regional and local surface water and sediment sampling that extend as far north as Artesia, New Mexico, on the upper Pecos River, to as far south as Pierce Canyon on the lower Pecos River. 
Since February 14, six samples have been taken from catchment basins at WIPP.  An additional 17 samples will be taken by the end of the month. All of these samples showed no detectable americium or plutonium.
In addition, a rainwater sample was collected in duplicate from puddles on site rooftops, a downspout, and a puddle on a paved surface. Both duplicates showed detectable americium. One showed detectable plutonium. The americium and plutonium maximum concentrations combined represented about three percent of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standard for alpha-emitters. Click the following to view water and sediment sampling data.

Vegetation Sampling

Vegetation samples are routinely taken at WIPP.  Since February 14, seven additional vegetation samples have been taken from six locations near the air sampling stations.  An additional 29 vegetation samples are being taken this month. All samples analyzed to date show no detectable americium or plutonium. Click the following to view vegetation sampling data.

Additional Sampling

Salt mined from the underground is kept in a large pile on the northern side of the WIPP exclusive use area. As part of the monitoring activities, WIPP is analyzing samples taken from various areas around the salt pile. Sample results show no detectible levels of radioactive contamination. Click the following to view salt pile sampling data.
Other routine sampling continues at the WIPP site, which includes trapping and analyzing quail and taking samples from road-killed wildlife. No analytical data from this sampling is available at present.

Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center

The Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC) is a division of the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University. The CEMRC facility and staff provide support to WIPP primarily through site and environmental monitoring, in vivo bioassay, and scientific and laboratory support.

Media Contact for Recovery
Brad Bugger
U.S. Department of Energy
WIPP Recovery Communications
P.O. Box 3090
Carlsbad, NM 88221-2078
Phone: (575) 234-7545
E-mail: Bradley.Bugger@cbfo.doe.gov
Donavan Mager
Manager Communications
Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC
P.O. Box 2078 GSA-104
Carlsbad, NM 88221-2078
Phone: (575) 234-7586
E-mail: Donavan.Mager@wipp.ws

Public Inquiries
WIPP Information Center
Phone: 1-800-336-WIPP (9477)
E-mail: Infocntr@wipp.ws

Notice To Users:  Use of this system constitutes consent to security monitoring and testing. All activity is logged with your host name and IP address.  For more information, please refer to theDOE Privacy Policy

"Senators Markey, Boxer and Sanders Introduce Legislation to Increase Safety at Nuclear Plants"

"Senators Markey, Boxer and Sanders Introduce Legislation to Increase Safety at Nuclear Plants"


http://www.beyondnuclear.org/home/2014/5/13/senators-markey-boxer-and-sanders-introduce-legislation-to-i.html/

NEI Welcomes Suspension of $750 Million Annual Nuclear Waste Fee

NEI Welcomes Suspension of $750 Million Annual Nuclear Waste Fee


http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/NEI-Welcomes-Suspension-of-750-Million-Annual-Nucl

How Much Will It Cost to Solve Climate Change?

How Much Will It Cost to Solve Climate Change?

Although major reports conclude that avoiding climate change is affordable, costs could skyrocket without smart, immediate action.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/527196/how-much-will-it-cost-to-solve-climate-change/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_source=newsletter-daily-all&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20140516

Energy News Roundup: Pentagon Energy Needs Could Benefit US Firms & Perfect Power Price Storm in CA

Energy News Roundup: Pentagon Energy Needs Could Benefit US Firms & Perfect Power Price Storm in CA

By Jared Anderson
Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel Speaks On Sexual Assault Prevention In The Military
The US military consumed 90 million barrels of oil last year which cost $15 billion, and military fuel consumption is expected to increase with the adoption of the F-35 combat aircraft, the Littoral Combat Ship, and the KC-46A tanker aircraft, that “will all consume more fuel than the platforms they will replace.” As a result,

Europe’s Short-term Russian Gas Replacement Options; Estimated Costs for Russia and EU

Europe’s Short-term Russian Gas Replacement Options; Estimated Costs for Russia and EU

By Roman Kilisek
Cold Weather Brings On Rising Heating Costs
 A Russian natural gas supply cutoff to Ukraine due to unpaid bills in the amount of $3.51 billion - which could occur next month - would also indirectly impact the European Union. Over half of Russia’s gas exports to Europe transit the Ukraine. A recent Bloomberg article draws the conclusion that it will be extremely difficult for Europe

Three Grid Facilities You Should Know About

Three Grid Facilities You Should Know About

By US Department of Energy
26199
From improving the resiliency of the electric grid to devising new ways to integrate low-carbon sources of energy, the Energy Department’s National Labs are at the forefront of modernizing and securing our nation’s electricity infrastructure. To help drive this innovation, the scientists at the National Labs use some of the most cutting-edge facilities in the world — many of

White House mulls massive reduction in power emission

White House mulls massive reduction in power emissions • 5:03 AM
  • The White House is considering forcing power plans to cut carbon emissions by 25% over a 15-year period, Bloomberg reports.
  • The problem is that owners can only cut so much of a facility's emissions by increasing efficiency, so a lot of the reduction could have to come by "going outside the fence," such as by deepening the use of renewable energy, improving grid efficiency and encouraging customers to use less electricity.
  • Trying to compel operators to rely on such external measures could run afoul of what the government is allowed to do under the Clean Air Act.
  • ETFs: KOL, XLU, IDU, VPU, RYU, PUI, UPW, FXU, SDP, PSCU, FUTY, UTLT
  • Coal Tickers: PCXCQ, BTU, WLT, CNX, ACI, ANR, JRCC, YZC, ARLP, AHGP, NRP, PVR, PVG, PVA, OXF, CLD, WLB, RNO
  • Utilities: ED, POM, PEG, FE, NST, UTL, ETR, EXC, D, NU, PCG, DUK
Read commentshttp://seekingalpha.com/news/1755963-white-house-mulls-massive-reduction-in-power-emissions?uprof=46

Marubeni Corporation Sentenced for Foreign Bribery Violations

Marubeni Corporation Sentenced for Foreign Bribery Violations

U.S. Department of Justice May 15, 2014
  • Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007/ (202) 514-1888
WASHINGTON—Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese trading company involved in the handling of products and provision of services in a broad range of sectors around the world, including power generation, was sentenced today for its participation in a scheme to pay bribes to high-ranking government officials in Indonesia to secure a lucrative power project.
Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. O’Neil of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson of the District of Connecticut and Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
Marubeni was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet B. Arterton in the District of Connecticut. Marubeni pleaded guilty on March 19, 2014, to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and seven counts of violating the FCPA. The company signed a plea agreement in which it admitted its criminal conduct, agreed to maintain and implement an enhanced global anti-corruption compliance program and to cooperate with the department’s ongoing investigation, and agreed to pay an $88 million fine, which the court accepted in imposing the sentence. The plea agreement cites Marubeni’s refusal to cooperate with the department’s investigation when given the opportunity to do so, its lack of an effective compliance and ethics program at the time of the offense, and its failure to timely remediate as several of the factors considered by the department in determining the resolution.
According to the court filings, Marubeni and its employees, together with others, paid bribes to officials in Indonesia—including a high-ranking member of the Indonesian Parliament and high-ranking members of Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the state-owned and state-controlled electricity company in Indonesia—in exchange for assistance in securing a $118 million contract, known as the Tarahan project, for the company and its consortium partner to provide power-related services for the citizens of Indonesia. To conceal the bribes, Marubeni and its consortium partner retained two consultants purportedly to provide legitimate consulting services on behalf of the power company and its subsidiaries in connection with the Tarahan project. The primary purpose for hiring the consultants, however, was to use the consultants to pay bribes to Indonesian officials.
Also according to court filings, the first consultant retained by Marubeni and its co-conspirators received hundreds of thousands of dollars in his U.S. bank account to be used to bribe the member of Parliament. The consultant then allegedly transferred the bribe money to a bank account in Indonesia for the benefit of the official. E-mails between the co-conspirators discuss in detail the use of the first consultant to funnel bribes to the member of Parliament and the influence that the member of Parliament could exert over the Tarahan project.
As admitted in court documents, in the fall of 2003, Marubeni and its co-conspirators determined that the first consultant was not effectively bribing key officials at PLN. As a result, Marubeni and its consortium partner decided to reduce the first consultant’s commission from three percent of the total contract value to one percent and pay the remaining two percent to a second consultant who could more effectively bribe officials at PLN. In an e-mail between two employees of Marubeni’s consortium partner, they discussed a meeting between Marubeni, an executive from the consortium partner, and the first consultant, stating that the consultant “committed to convince [the member of Parliament] that ‘one’ [percent] is enough.” Marubeni and its co-conspirators were successful in securing the Tarahan project and subsequently made payments to the consultants for the purpose of bribing the Indonesian officials.
Frederic Pierucci, a current executive at Marubeni’s consortium partner, pleaded guilty on July 29, 2013, to one count of conspiring to violate the FCPA and one count of violating the FCPA. David Rothschild, a former vice president of regional sales at the consortium partner, pleaded guilty on November 2, 2012 to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA. Lawrence Hoskins, a former senior vice president for the Asia region for the consortium partner, and William Pomponi, a former vice president of regional sales at the consortium partner, were charged in a second superseding indictment on July 30, 2013.
This case is being investigated by FBI agents who are part of the Washington Field Office’s dedicated FCPA squad, with assistance from the Meriden, Connecticut Resident Agency of the FBI. Significant assistance was provided by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. In addition, the department greatly appreciates the significant cooperation provided by its law enforcement counterparts in Indonesia at the Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission), the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland, and the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Daniel S. Kahn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick of the District of Connecticut.
Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.http://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2014/marubeni-corporation-sentenced-for-foreign-bribery-violations