Saturday, July 5, 2014

Friday, July 4, 2014

DOE: Obama admin offers $4B in loan guarantees for renewables, efficiency

DOE:

Obama admin offers $4B in loan guarantees for renewables, efficiency

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060002358

Startup nuclear energy companies augur safer, cheaper atomic power

New Jersey’s LPP Fusion is one of many maverick nuclear energy startups offering safer, cheaper atomic power to cut the CO2 cord.

http://fortune.com/2014/07/03/startup-nuclear-energy-companies/

Check out The U.S. risks falling behind China, Russia in nuclear energy innovation

Check out The U.S. risks falling behind China, Russia in nuclear energy innovation on Fortune.com: fortune.com

The U.S. Department of Energy risks missing a deadline for a prototype "advanced reactor" while China, Russia make progress, the Government Accountability Office says.http://fortune.com/2014/06/27/government-watchdog-u-s-slipping-in-nuclear-energy-innovation/

Life after nuclear: Decommissioning power reactors

http://thebulletin.org/2014/july/life-after-nuclear-decommissioning-power-reactors7282

Startup nuclear energy companies augur safer, cheaper atomic power

http://fortune.com/2014/07/03/startup-nuclear-energy-companies/

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Study: Surge In Okla. Quakes Can Be Traced To Drilling Operations

http://www.npr.org/2014/07/03/328209623/study-surge-in-okla-quakes-can-be-traced-to-drilling-operations

For Germany, It's Coal, Coal, Coal

http://www.realclearenergy.org/charticles/2014/01/16/germanys_plans_for_new_coal_plants_107463.html#.Utlp27WUXJ8.twitter

VIDEO: AREVA Forging the Nuclear Energy Future

Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, AREVA’s Creusot Forge is one of only a few forges in the world capable of creating the immense, precise parts necessary for a nuclear reactor’s heavy components.
Continuing the region’s 230-year smelting heritage, AREVA’s modern facility in Le Creusot specializes in large carbon or stainless steel forgings and castings, and recently added a 9,000-ton hydraulic press to its workshop. This latest addition joins a massive 11,000 ton hydraulic press, some of the world’s most powerful furnaces, and a range of tooling equipment for high-precision finish machining.
Thanks to these powerful industrial assets, AREVA is one of the few global suppliers capable of producing forgings for a range of vital nuclear reactor components:

Steam generator (upper, conical, and lower heads, elliptical dome, tube sheet)
Reactor pressure vessels
Pressurizer heads
Primary pump castings
Primary piping (hot and cold legs) connecting reactor and steam generators

Watch the video demonstrating and describing AREVA’s new 9,000-ton press.

http://us.arevablog.com/2014/07/03/video-areva-forging-the-nuclear-energy-future/

Nuclear Power Plant Teams Up with Colleges to Train Future Employees

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/nuclear-power-plant-teams-up-with-colleges-to-train-future-employees/

Video: Nuclear power plants brace for Hurricane Arthur Video: Nuclear power plants brace for Hurricane Arthur

Video: Nuclear power plants brace for Hurricane Arthur

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/07/nuclear-power-plants-brace-for-hurricane-arthur.html

Antarctic sea ice hits second all-time record in a week | Real Science

Florida Power & Light Going to the Source to Feed its Gas Demand

Florida Power & Light Going to the Source to Feed its Gas Demand
Florida Power & Light (FPL), Florida’s largest utility, announced on June 25 that it was looking to invest directly in natural gas exploration and production as a means of securing future gas supplies and guarding against price volatility. Read Morehttp://www.powermag.com/florida-power-and-light-going-to-the-source-to-feed-its-growing-gas-demand/?hq_e=el&hq_m=2909226&hq_l=17&hq_v=30108e0773

Trigaux: Failed Florida nuclear plant's costs keep rising | Tampa Bay Times

Russian Hackers Targeting Energy Sector, Says Report

Russian Hackers Targeting Energy Sector, Says Report
A group of hackers apparently based in Moscow has been conducting an "ongoing cyberespionage campaign" against energy sector companies in the U.S. and Western Europe, according to a report released June 30 by computer security firm Symantec. Read Morehttp://www.powermag.com/russian-hackers-targeting-energy-sector-says-report/?hq_e=el&hq_m=2909226&hq_l=9&hq_v=30108e0773

UK government increases control of civil plutonium

UK government increases control of civil plutonium
The UK is taking control of more of the foreign-owned separated plutonium it is storing, avoiding the cost and security measures associated with transporting the fuel back to other countries.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-UK-government-increases-control-of-civil-plutonium-03071401.html

Westinghouse buys Italian component maker

Westinghouse buys Italian component maker
Westinghouse is to buy Italian heavy equipment manufacturer Mangiarotti SpA, which it said will strengthen its supply chain and broaden its reach into the oil and gas industries.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Westinghouse-buys-Italian-component-maker-0307147.html

National Policies and National Industries | The Energy Collective

Japan government sees delay in restart of world's biggest nuclear plant - sources - World | The Star Online

Questions about nuclear safety | The Japan Times

Nuclear Power and Overall Clean Energy Development Plans | The Energy Collective

Toshiba nearing deal on Bulgarian nuclear reactor deal: report

Thursday, 03 July 2014 09:52

Posted by Parvez Jabri

TOKYO: Toshiba's US unit is nearing a deal estimated at almost $5 billion to build a nuclear reactor in Bulgaria, a report said Thursday, as Japanese firms eye atomic contracts overseas after the Fukushima crisis erased demand at home.

http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/108-pakistan-top-news/182143-toshiba-nearing-deal-on-bulgarian-nuclear-reactor-deal-report.html

New Argentine Nuclear Reactor Begins Operation

http://www.powermag.com/new-argentine-nuclear-reactor-begins-operation/

TCN, NAEC to meet on nuclear power grid, as Nigeria needs $900b for adequate power generation in 30 years

TCN, NAEC to meet on nuclear power grid, as Nigeria needs $900b for adequate power generation in 30 years
http://worldstagegroup.com/index.php?active=news&newscid=16531&catid=26

Cost of power holding up deal on Jaitapur nuclear plant

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cost-of-power-holding-up-deal-on-jaitapur-nuclear-plant/article6171563.ece?ref=sliderNews

Nuclear waste and decommissioning developments

July 03, 2014

Dear Colleague,

Earlier this month the House Appropriations Committee reconfirmed its support for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility by pledging another $205m to the long-delayed program.

However, with $billions already spent on Yucca Mountain, alternative sites coming to the fore and a rise in early NPP shutdowns increasing the need for ISFSIs to hold spent fuel indefinitely, the back-end of the nuclear lifecycle is facing more scrutiny than ever before.

To bring you up to speed on all critical nuclear waste and decommissioning developments, take a look at this complimentary industry analysis report here.

Let me know if you have any feedback!

Siobhan O'Meara
Senior Industry Analyst
Nuclear Energy Insider
someara@nuclearenergyinsider.com +44(0)207 375 7512

NRC releases report to Congress on nuclear security inspections

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2014/07/nrc-releases-report-to-congress-on-nuclear-power-security-inspections.html

ANS Update Caught in the Leadership Paradox: Insight from Admiral Rickover

Caught in the Leadership Paradox: Insight from Admiral Rickover

By ansnuclearcafe on Jul 03, 2014 11:56 am

By Paul E. Cantonwine Recent scandals at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and General Motors (GM) have hit a cord with the media and the American people because they represent the worst in bureaucracies—where the lives of individuals … Continue reading →
Read in browser »

Ukraine revises nuclear deal with Holtec International

Ukraine revises nuclear deal with Holtec International
Ukraine's Energoatom signed a revised deal with U.S. energy technology firm Holtec International that includes the expedited construction of a storage facility for used nuclear fuel and creation of local jobs in the country. Energoatom President Yuri Nedaskovsky has said he wants the facility built by 2017. World Nuclear News (7/2)http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Ukraine-expects-own-used-fuel-facility-in-2017-02071401.html

NEI objects to NRC's increase in 2014 fees for operating reactors

NEI objects to NRC's increase in 2014 fees for operating reactors
NEI called the increase of annual fees for operating reactors "unjustified," given the decline in the number of operating reactors and materials facilities that require agency oversight. "In today's fiscally constrained environment for government and private industry, continued growth in NRC's budget and staff levels -- and the concordant increase in fees -- is not a sustainable approach," wrote Tony Pietrangelo, NEI's senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. Read more.http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/NRC-to-Increase-2014-Fees-for-Operating-Reactors

Fukushima Updates 7/3/14 -

Fukushima Updates 7/3/14 -

Rebuttals to science-based reports on radiation in the Pacific... Tepco has recovered 80% of last year’s major tank leak... The head of Japan’s nuke watchdog questions nuclear utility attitudes... A fear-mongering editorial says health studies expose the myth of nuclear safety.

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

The Hegemony of Christianity in America Is in Long-Term Deep Trouble

This map of religious traditions across the United States will surprise you.

http://www.alternet.org/belief/america-becoming-less-christian

Is SCOTUS's Harris v. Quinn Ruling on a New Version of the Infamous Dred Scott Decision? | Alternet

Renewables Projected To Add Triple The Capacity Of New Fossil Fuel Plants By 2030

http://theenergycollective.com/josephromm/415416/renewables-projected-add-triple-capacity-new-fossil-fuel-plants-2030

California agencies warn of energy crisis from drought

California agencies warn of energy crisis from drought http://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-agencies-warn-of-energy-crisis-from-drought/282234/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-03+092133958890&utm_content=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-03+092133958890+CID_9bbd3a07ba0ce52eb97d0d94995bd2a4&utm_source=campaignmonitor&utm_term=California%20agencies%20warn%20of%20energy%20crisis%20from%20drought

US NRC Blog Update: 7/3 Throwback Thursday — Kennedy’s Nuclear Visit

Throwback Thursday — Kennedy’s Nuclear Visit

Leave a comment Posted by Moderator on July 3, 2014

Before John F. Kennedy became president, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. During his time on Capitol Hill, he visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Here, he’s photographed with ORNL Director Alvin Weinberg. Can you guess the year this photo was taken and who accompanied the then-Senator Kennedy? Extra points if you know what nuclear technology Weinberg is credited with spearheading. (Photo taken by Ed Westcott/DOE)

What Can We Do About Junk Science?

As skewed or phony studies about vaccines, GMOs, radiation, and other hot-button topics show up in journals that masquerade as legitimate science publications, junk science becomes harder to distinguish from real research.http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/what-can-we-do-about-junk-science-16674140


		Understanding the Ocean's Role in Greenland Glacier Melt New research provides important data for future estimates of how fast the Greenland Ice Sheet will melt and how much ice http://www.whoi.edu/news-release/greenland-ocean-temp

North Dakota and Texas now provide nearly half of U.S. crude oil production

U.S. crude production in April 2014 was 8.4 million barrels per day, with two states, Texas and North Dakota, accounting for nearly half of this total. …more>>http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2014/07/north-dakota-and-texas-now-provide-nearly-half-of-u-s-crude-oil-production.html?cmpid=EnlResearchJuly32014

Renewables Provide 14 Percent of Electrical Generation During First Third of 2014

Renewables Provide 14 Percent of Electrical Generation During First Third of 2014 *by Kenneth Bossong, SUN DAY Campaign* \| June 26, 2014 \| 1 Comment
	Two new back-to-back reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provide a snapshot of U.S. energy trends for the first months of 2014. Full Articlehttp://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/06/renewables-provide-14-percent-of-electrical-generation-during-first-third-of-2014?cmpid=GeoNL-Thursday-July3-2014

UK Parliament Small Nuclear Power Evidence Session

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/e
nergy-and-climate-change-committee/news/small-nuclear-power-ev-session/

PennEnergy's Energy Insights 7/3

Energy Insights
Toshiba, GDF SUEZ seal deal on Europe's largest new nuclear energy project Toshiba and GDF SUEZ complete NuGen deal - confirming plans for construction of three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors on land to the north and west of the Sellafield site in West Cumbria, with a combined output of 3.4 GW …more>>

USTDA promotes gas-fired power and renewable energy in Kazakhstan The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to determine the feasibility of a gas-fired power plant and options for renewable energy in Kazakhstan …more>>

Oil-producing Iran looks to solar power to light future President Hassan Rouhani's government has quintupled its spending on solar power projects in the last year, taking advantage of Iran's 300-odd days of sunshine annually …more>>

UK adds 1.47 GW of solar capacity in first half of 2014 A new report says the U.K. added 1.47 gigawatts of solar capacity in the first six months of 2014 - exceeding the total of new solar capacity added in the U.K. in 2013 …more>>

GE to acquire UK-Based Monsal GE's water wusiness to acquire UK-based Monsal; expands wastewater offering and provides capabilities to generate renewable energy from biosolids and biowaste …more>>

EDF announces commercial operation of Lancaster Solar Project EDF Renewable Energy announced that the 5.86 MWp Lancaster Solar Project, located on privately owned land at the former Shirley Airport, has reached commercial operation …more>>