Saturday, June 6, 2015

Trinity 70 Years On... the Nuclear Horror Still Haunts

By Finian Cunningham

The Pentagon has received a budget of over $350 billion to upgrade the US arsenal of nuclear weapons - this nuclear resurgence under Obama is emblematic of a new Cold War with Russia and other perceived global rivals.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article42053.htm

Senior Israeli Official Asks Washington to Extend Iran Nuclear Talks

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz says April parameters for talks provide loopholes for Tehran to exploit

http://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-official-asks-washington-to-extend-iran-nuclear-talks-1433535257

Military Madness: US Officials Consider Nuclear Strikes against Russia

http://www.globalresearch.ca/us-officials-consider-nuclear-strikes-against-russia/5453655

U.S. Considers Nuclear Strikes As An Option Against Russia [REPORT]

http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/06/us-nuclear-strikes-against-russia-report/

Expert: Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously

http://sputniknews.com/military/20150605/1023004284.html

Global nuclear power sector rebounds as Fukushima horrors fade

While some countries have rolled back their nuclear plans, others like the UAE are steaming ahead.

http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/06/global-nuclear-power-sector-rebounds-fukushima-horrors-fade/#.VXNimkblxbI

US deploys B-52 nuclear bombers to Baltic Sea exercises

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/06/06/414637/US-deploys-B52-bombers-to-Baltic-Sea-

Putin and the Doctrinal Definition of Threat

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey looks at today’s Russia

http://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-and-the-doctrinal-definition-of-threat-1433596833

US considers sending missiles to Europe

The Australian (blog)

THE United States is considering the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe for the first time since the Cold War to counter a newly threatening Russia.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/us-considers-sending-missiles-to-europe/story-fnb64oi6-1227385900771

US Says Russia Failed to Correct Violation of Landmark 1987 Arms Control Deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/world/europe/us-says-russia-fails-to-correct-violation-of-landmark-1987-arms-control-deal.html?_r=0

China backs Pakistan’s NSG bid, but says must also acquire ‘crucial’ NPT status

As the ninth Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference concluded, China has gone on record to say that while it backed Pakistan's bid to gain access to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG), its inking of the NPT was "crucial."

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/china-backs-pakistans-nsg-bid-but-says-must-also-acquire-crucial-npt-status/80656/

Less-stringent plan for San Onofre's nuclear waste approv

Less-stringent plan for San Onofre's nuclear waste approved

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/emergency-664886-edison-nuclear.html

EPA Study Of Fracking's Impact On Drinking Water: Two Charts On The Power Of The Fracking Boom [Infographic]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danbigman/2015/06/04/epa-study-of-frackings-impact-on-drinking-water-two-charts-on-the-power-of-the-fracking-boom-infographic/

EPA Report Shows (Yet Again) Fracking's Negligible Impact On Drinking Water Is Well Worth The Risks

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkrancer/2015/06/04/epa-report-shows-yet-again-frackings-negligable-impact-on-drinking-water-is-well-worth-the-risks-given-economic-benefits/

EPA Says Fracking Hasn't Hurt America's Water Supply, But Don't Expect The Debate To End There

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danbigman/2015/06/04/epa-says-fracking-hasnt-hurt-americas-water-supply-but-dont-expect-the-debate-to-end-there/

Study: Ocean source of a greenhouse gas has been underestimated

Cycling of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, is more intense than thought, and emissions are increasing.

http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2015/ocean-nitrous-oxide-emissions-greenhouse-gas-0604

Scientists finally have an explanation for why huge lakes atop Greenland are vanishing

MIT researchers probe the mysteries of supraglacial lakes

http://mitei.mit.edu/news/scientists-finally-have-explanation-why-huge-lakes-atop-greenland-are-vanishing

Russian Oil Billionaire Invests $450 Million in Solar Projects to Aid the Country’s Grid

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/russian-oil-billionaire-invests-450-million-in-solar-projects-to-aid-the-gr

EPA And Fracking Opponents: It Was Never About The Science!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellynch/2015/06/05/epa-and-fracking-opponents-it-was-never-about-the-science/

Presidential Race: Sen. Graham Appealing To Climate-Conscious Republicans And Pro-Nuclear Democrats

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2015/06/05/presidential-race-sen-graham-appealing-to-climate-conscious-republicans-and-pro-nuclear-democrats/

How to Ensure New Natural Gas Infrastructure Doesn't Lock Out Renewables

http://www.forbes.com/sites/edfenergyexchange/2015/06/05/how-to-ensure-new-natural-gas-infrastructure-doesnt-lock-out-renewables/

Renewables Will Boom Under EPA’s Clean Power Plan, EIA Finds

Nearly 400 GW of renewables are possible by 2040 under the right conditions.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/renewables-boom-under-epas-clean-power-plan-eia-finds

EPA study: No evidence fracking has caused “widespread” impacts on drinking water

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/06/04/epa-study-no-evidence-fracking-has-caused-widespread-impacts-on-drinking-water/#33412101=0

The EPA Says We Can Stop Worrying About Fracking Now

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2015/06/04/the-epa-says-we-can-stop-worrying-about-fracking-now/

NRG, ITC partner in proposed $3.5B bailout Puerto Rico's troubled utility

The two companies have reportedly partnered with a private investment firm in a $3.5 billion deal to assist the island's ailing utility. http://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrg-itc-partner-in-proposed-35b-bailout-puerto-ricos-troubled-utility/399990/

Massachusetts launches $10 million energy storage initiative

Gov. Charlie Baker wants Massachusetts to support storage demonstration projects as well as study how the resource can benefit the state' http://www.utilitydive.com/news/massachusetts-launches-10-million-energy-storage-initiative/400007/

OPEC Agrees to Maintain Production Limit: Saudi Oil Minister

By Stephen Sedgwick | Jenny Cosgrave

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has decided to maintain its production levels for at least another six months, Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi told reporters Friday. The cartel maintained its collective output production level at 30 million barrels per day, which could continue to weigh on oil prices this year, as oversupply

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2015/06/05/opec-agrees-to-maintain-production-limit-saudi-oil-minister/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=3a348188af-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-3a348188af-407304281

Clean Air and Health to Co-benefit from More Stringent US Power Plant Carbon Standards, Study Suggests

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/06/05/clean-air-and-health-to-co-benefit-from-more-stringent-us-power-plant-carbon-standards-study-suggests/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=3a348188af-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-3a348188af-407304281

Energy Department Invests $60 Million To Advance Nuclear Technology

By U.S. Department of Energy on June 05, 2015 at 5:00 PM

Anniversary Of Nuclear Disaster At Three Mile Island Marked Near The Site

WASHINGTON – Today, the Energy Department announced more than $60 million in nuclear energy research and infrastructure enhancement awards. Sixty-eight projects from across the country were selected based on their potential to create scientific breakthroughs that both help strengthen the nation’s energy security and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“I remain convinced that nuclear energy will continue to be an important part of the nation’s energy portfolio, accounting for more than 60 percent of carbon-free electricity in the United States today,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “These awards provide essential funding for nuclear energy-related research and thereby support the long term health of our domestic nuclear energy industry.”

As part of the announcement, the Energy Department is awarding over $31 million to 43 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects across 23 states to develop innovative technologies and solutions through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). Approximately $3.5 million will also be awarded to nine universities for research reactor and infrastructure improvements – providing important safety, performance, and student education related upgrades to many of the nation’s 25 university research reactors to enhance university research and training infrastructure.
With these awards, the Department continues its successful nuclear energy research collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK). Four of the NEUP projects include UK research collaborators who will receive an additional £1.7 million ($2.6 million) from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the UK’s main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences.
The Energy Department is also awarding $13 million for four Integrated Research Projects that will deliver solutions to high priority nuclear energy research challenges, the development of accident tolerant fuel options for near term applications, benchmarking for transient fuel testing, and approaches to dry cask inspection and nondestructive evaluation.
Additionally, $8.5 million will be awarded for 10 research and development projects in support of the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Crosscutting Technoprojectslogy Development Program to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges. Two additional infrastructure enhancement totaling over $1 million will be awarded to Department of Energy national laboratories to further reactor materials and instrumentation research.
For the first time, the Department has also fully integrated its competitive nuclear energy research award process with its competitive process for providing no-cost access to state-of-the-art experimental neutron and ion irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination facilities, synchrotron beamline capabilities, and technical assistance for design and analysis of experiments via its Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF). As a result, the Department has competitively selected and will fully fund the cost of access to NSUF capabilities to support three university-led and one national laboratory-led projects that will investigate important nuclear fuel and material applications. The value of the unique facilities access announced today exceeds $3 million.
Additional information about each of these projects can be found at neup.gov.
http://breakingenergy.com/2015/06/05/energy-department-invests-60-million-to-advance-nuclear-technology/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=3a348188af-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-3a348188af-407304281

Fukushima and the Crisis of Democracy: Interview with Murakami Tatsuya

The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 13, Issue. 20, No. 1, May 25, 2015

Katsuya Hirano

Murakami Tatsuya is the former mayor of Tōkaimura or Tōkai village located approximately 75 miles north of Tokyo and 111 miles south of the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

http://www.japanfocus.org/-Katsuya-HIRANO/4320/article.html

Regular Press Conference by Matsumoto Mayor Dr. Sugenoya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wureVYUDBaw&feature=youtu.be&t=17

Friday, June 5, 2015

Between Spymasters and People, Says Snowden, 'Power Beginning to Shift'

'We are witnessing the emergence of a post-terror generation,' writes the NSA whistleblower, "one that rejects a worldview defined by a singular tragedy.'

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/06/05/between-spymasters-and-people-says-snowden-power-beginning-shift

All The Spin About EPA Fracking Study's Confusing Results In One Confusing Picture

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danbigman/2015/06/05/all-the-spin-about-epa-fracking-studys-confusing-results-in-just-one-hilarious-picture/

Systemic Problems Require Systemic Solutions: Time to Talk About the Next System

James Gustave Speth

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/06/05/systemic-problems-require-systemic-solutions-time-talk-about-next-system

Fracking Study Undercuts Environmentalists’ Calls for Regulation

http://about.bnef.com/bnef-news/fracking-study-undercuts-environmentalists-calls-for-regulation/

Holy Crop: How Federal Dollars Are Financing the Water Crisis in the West

Monday, 01 June 2015 00:00 By Abrahm Lustgarten and Naveena Sadasivam, ProPublica | Report

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31086-holy-crop-how-federal-dollars-are-financing-the-water-crisis-in-the-west

Energy Department awards $60M for nuclear research

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/244142-energy-dept-awards-60m-for-nuclear-research

Science Briefs Coal and Gas are Far More Harmful than Nuclear Power

Science Briefs

Coal and Gas are Far More Harmful than Nuclear Power

By Pushker Kharecha and James Hansen — April 2013

Human-caused climate change and air pollution remain major global-scale problems and are both due mostly to fossil fuel burning. Mitigation efforts for both of these problems should be undertaken concurrently in order to maximize effectiveness. Such efforts can be accomplished largely with currently available low-carbon and carbon-free alternative energy sources like nuclear power and renewables, as well as energy efficiency improvements.

Bar charts of cumulative net deaths prevented by nuclear power replacing fossil fuels

Figure 1. Cumulative net deaths prevented assuming nuclear power replaces fossil fuels. The top panel (a) shows results for the historical period in our study (1971-2009), with mean values (labeled) and ranges for the baseline historical scenario. The middle (b) and bottom (c) panels show results for the high-end and low-end projections, respectively, of nuclear power supply estimated by the IAEA (ref. 4) for the period 2010-2050. Error bars reflect the ranges for the fossil fuel mortality factors listed in Table 1 of our paper. The larger columns in panels (b) and (c) reflect the all-coal case and are labeled with their mean values, while the smaller columns reflect the all-gas case; values for the latter are not shown because they are all simply a factor of about 10 lower (reflecting the order-of-magnitude difference between the mortality factors for coal and gas). Countries/regions are arranged in descending order of CO₂ emissions in recent years. FSU15=15 countries of the Former Soviet Union and OECD=Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

In a recently published paper (ref. 1), we provide an objective, long-term, quantitative analysis of the effects of nuclear power on human health (mortality) and the environment (climate). Several previous scientific papers have quantified global-scale greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided by nuclear power, but to our knowledge, ours is the first to quantify avoided human deaths as well as avoided GHG emissions on global, regional, and national scales.
The paper demonstrates that without nuclear power, it will be even harder to mitigate human-caused climate change and air pollution. This is fundamentally because historical energy production data reveal that if nuclear power never existed, the energy it supplied almost certainly would have been supplied by fossil fuels instead (overwhelmingly coal), which cause much higher air pollution-related mortality and GHG emissions per unit energy produced (ref. 2).
Using historical electricity production data and mortality and emission factors from the peer-reviewed scientific literature, we found that despite the three major nuclear accidents the world has experienced, nuclear power prevented an average of over 1.8 million net deaths worldwide between 1971-2009 (see Fig. 1). This amounts to at least hundreds and more likely thousands of times more deaths than it caused. An average of 76,000 deaths per year were avoided annually between 2000-2009 (see Fig. 2), with a range of 19,000-300,000 per year.

Line plot of mean net deaths prevented annually by nuclear power 1971-2009

Figure 2. Mean net deaths prevented annually by nuclear power between 1971-2009 for various countries/regions. Ranges not shown but are a factor of ~4 higher and lower than the mean values.

Likewise, we calculated that nuclear power prevented an average of 64 gigatonnes of CO₂-equivalent (GtCO₂-eq) net GHG emissions globally between 1971-2009 (see Fig. 3). This is about 15 times more emissions than it caused. It is equivalent to the past 35 years of CO₂ emissions from coal burning in the U.S. or 17 years in China (ref. 3) — i.e., historical nuclear energy production has prevented the building of hundreds of large coal-fired power plants.
To compute potential future effects, we started with the projected nuclear energy supply for 2010-2050 from an assessment made by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency that takes into account the effects of the Fukushima accident (ref. 4). We assume that the projected nuclear energy is canceled and replaced entirely by energy from either coal or natural gas. We calculate that this nuclear phaseout scenario leads to an average of 420,000-7 million deaths and 80-240 GtCO₂-eq emissions globally (the high-end values reflect the all coal case; see Figs. 1 and 3). This emissions range corresponds to 16-48% of the "allowable" cumulative CO₂ emissions between 2012-2050 if the world chooses to aim for a target atmospheric CO₂ concentration of 350 ppm by around the end of this century (ref. 5). In other words, projected nuclear power could reduce the CO₂ mitigation burden for meeting this target by as much as 16-48%.
The largest uncertainties and limitations of our analysis stem from the assumed values for impacts per unit electric energy produced. However, we emphasize that our results for both prevented mortality and prevented GHG emissions could be substantial underestimates. This is because (among other reasons) our mortality and emission factors are based on analysis of Europe and the US (respectively), and thus neglect the fact that fatal air pollution and GHG emissions from power plants in developing countries are on average substantially higher per unit energy produced than in developed countries.

Bar charts of cumulative net greenhouse gas emissions prevented by nuclear power replacing fossil fuels

Figure 3. Cumulative net GHG emissions prevented assuming nuclear power replaces fossil fuels. The three panels are ordered the same as in Fig. 1, except that mean values for both the all coal and all gas cases are labeled. Error bars reflect the ranges for the fossil fuel emission factors listed in Table 1 of our paper.

Our findings also have important implications for large-scale "fuel switching" to natural gas from coal or from nuclear. Although natural gas burning emits less fatal pollutants and GHGs than coal burning, it is far deadlier than nuclear power, causing about 40 times more deaths per unit electric energy produced (ref. 2).
Also, such fuel switching is practically guaranteed to worsen the climate problem for several reasons. First, carbon capture and storage is an immature technology and is therefore unlikely to constrain the resulting GHG emissions in the necessary time frame. Second, electricity infrastructure generally has a long lifetime (e.g., fossil fuel power plants typically operate for up to ~50 years). Third, potentially usable natural gas resources (especially unconventional ones like shale gas) are enormous, containing many hundreds to thousands of gigatonnes of carbon (based on ref. 6). For perspective, the atmosphere currently contains ~830 GtC, of which ~200 GtC are from industrial-era fossil fuel burning.
We conclude that nuclear energy — despite posing several challenges, as do all energy sources (ref. 7) — needs to be retained and significantly expanded in order to avoid or minimize the devastating impacts of unabated climate change and air pollution caused by fossil fuel burning.

References

1. Kharecha, P.A., and J.E. Hansen, 2013: Prevented mortality and greenhouse gas emissions from historical and projected nuclear power. Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 4889-4895, doi:10.1021/es3051197.
2. Markandya, A., and P. Wilkinson, 2007: Electricity generation and health. Lancet, 370, 979-990, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61253-7.
3. Boden, T. A., G. Marland, R.J. Andres, 2012: Global, Regional, and National Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emissions. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tenn., U.S.A., doi:10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2012.
4. International Atomic Energy Agency, 2011: Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050: 2011 Edition. IAEA Reference Data Series 1/31. Available at http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/RDS1_31.pdf
5. Hansen, J., P. Kharecha, Mki. Sato, V. Masson-Delmotte, et al., 2013: Scientific prescription to avoid dangerous climate change to protect young people, future generations, and nature. PLOS One, submitted.
6. GEA, 2012: Global Energy Assessment — Toward a Sustainable Future. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria. Available at http://www.globalenergyassessment.org.
7. Kharecha, P.A., C.F. Kutscher, J.E. Hansen, and E. Mazria, 2010: Options for near-term phaseout of CO₂ emissions from coal use in the United States. Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 4050-4062, doi:10.1021/es903884a.

Contact

Please address all inquiries about this research to Dr. Pushker Kharecha.
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/kharecha_02/

Iran, North Korea Cooperation Includes Nuclear Warhead Tech

http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/06/iran-north-korea-cooperation-includes-nuclear-warhead-tech/

Iran’s cooperation with North Korea includes nuclear warhead technology

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/243787-irans-cooperation-with-north-korea-includes-nuclear

U.S. lawmakers concerned about Iran nuclear talks concessions

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/nuclear/18436-u-s-lawmakers-concerned-about-iran-nuclear-talks-concessions

Pentagon: Iran Continuing Work on Nuclear, missile Systems

http://www.mojahedin.org/newsen/34947/Pentagon-Iran-Continuing-Work-on-Nuclear-missile-Systems

China Calls for No Additional Demands in Iran Nuclear Talks

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20150605/1022973809.html

US Nuclear Corp. Ships Over $493,000 in Advanced Tritium Monitor Equipment Orders for Next Generation Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) in the Second Quarter to a Customer in Shanghai, China

http://www.power-eng.com/marketwired/2015/06/5/us-nuclear-corp-ships-over-493-000-in-advanced-tritium-monitor-equipment-orders-for-next-generatio.html

Westinghouse Contracts In Sweden Cover Control Rods And Spent Fuel Project

https://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2015/06/05/westinghouse-contracts-in-sweden-cover-control-rods-and-spent-fuel-project-060502.aspx#.VXIRL6aKI-8

US scientists: Global warming pause 'no longer valid'

US scientists: Global warming pause ‘no longer valid’ BBC

Chinese tech companies are falling out of love with America

http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-tech-companies-are-falling-out-of-love-with-america-2015-6?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

NRC Information Collection Focuses on Monitoring of Neutron-Absorbing Materials in Spent Fuel Pools

NRC Information Collection Focuses on Monitoring of Neutron-Absorbing Materials in Spent Fuel Pools
http://targetednews.com/display_story.php?s_id=1209270

South Korea Grants Lightbridge Key Patent for Metallic Nuclear Fuel Design

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/10137418.htm

Nuclear power generation rising in leading Asian countries

With rising power demand, countries in Asia are increasing output and diversifying their energy mix, including nuclear power generation. Facing rapid industrialization, Asian superpowers like China and India are expected to continue to grow their nuclear power sectors to keep up with energy consumption. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2015/06/nuclear-power-generation-rising-in-leading-asian-countries.html?cmpid=EnlWeeklyPowerJune52015&eid=288118515&bid=1089249

SRS reaches milestone as filling starts for Tank 16

http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-06-02/savannah-river-site-begins-filling-waste-tank-specialized-grout

Global warming slowdown never happened, federal study says

http://mashable.com/2015/06/04/global-warming-hiatus-study/

NRC, FEMA Seek Public Comment on Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Preparedness

Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff

are seeking public comment on a draft revision to the joint NRC/FEMA document on emergency

planning for nuclear power pl
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2015/15-036.pdf

Xcel settles with nuclear contractor over Prairie Island upgrade

The settlement ends litigation filed by a nuclear contractor that worked on the project.

http://www.startribune.com/xcel-settles-with-nuclear-contractor-over-prairie-island-upgrade/306151201/

New nuclear project is a powerful investment in Tennessee

http://thehill.com/sponsored/content/243796-new-nuclear-project-is-a-powerful-investment-in-tennessee

Energy Quote of the Day: EPA Sees Water Risk, but Little Impact so far, From Fracking

By Pete Danko

$Schematic cross-section of general types of oil and gas resources and the orientations of production wells used in hydraulic fracturing. From U.S. EPA fracking and drinker water study.$

It holds the potential to cause problems, but so far hasn’t – that seems to be the thrust of a long-awaited government study on fracking and its impact on drinking water that was released on Thursday. Going back several years, this has been one of the hot-button issues involving hydraulic fracturing, a key technique that has helped unlock extensive

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2015/06/04/energy-quote-of-the-day-epa-sees-water-risk-but-little-impact-so-far-from-fracking/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=28447aae8c-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-28447aae8c-407304281

Alaska adds oil to U.S. total

Alaska adds oil to U.S. total
Washington (UPI) Jun 4, 2015 - Alaska accounted for all of the growth in U.S. oil production from the week ending May 29, data released from the Energy Department show. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in its weekly petroleum status report total U.S. crude oil production for the week ending May 29 was 9.6 million barrels per day. Output from the Lower 48 states was unchanged from the previous week and ... morehttp://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/Alaska_adds_oil_to_US_total_999.html

No widespread danger to water from fracking: US agency

No widespread danger to water from fracking: US agency
Washington (AFP) June 4, 2015 - The controversial oil and gas extraction technique known as fracking poses no widespread danger to US drinking water, the US environmental agency said Thursday in a long-awaited assessment. Some water resources have been harmed by the practice formally called hydraulic fracturing, it said, but concluded that the risk is small compared to the number of fracking wells in use. The evaluatio ... morehttp://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/No_widespread_danger_to_water_from_fracking_US_agency_999.html

France moves to salvage key nuclear reactor sector

France moves to salvage key nuclear reactor sector
Paris (AFP) June 4, 2015 - France faces a unique challenge as it moves to save nuclear reactor manufacturer Areva and salvage one of its world-class industries and jobs, while at same time reducing its own reliance on atomic power. The French presidency on Wednesday endorsed merging Areva's reactor-building unit with state-owned electricity company EDF, adding that the government would spend "as much as necessary" to ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/France_moves_to_salvage_key_nuclear_reactor_sector_999.html

German nuclear fuel duty is legal, says European court

German nuclear fuel duty is legal, says European court
Germany's tax on nuclear fuel conforms to European Union laws, the European Court of Justice ruled yesterday.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-German-nuclear-fuel-duty-is-legal-says-European-court-0506155.html

Research delivers insight into the nuclear power market shares, strategy and forecasts to 2025

http://www.whatech.com/market-research-reports/press-release/green-technology/65223-research-delivers-insight-into-the-nuclear-power-market-shares-strategy-and-forecasts-to-2025

ATOMEXPO 2015 shows nuclear industry's global collaboration

http://www.power-eng.com/blogs/nuclear-matters/2015/06/atomexpo_2015_shows.html

Russia’s Rosatom and Ghana’s Power Ministry Sign Nuclear Agreement

http://www.spyghana.com/russias-rosatom-and-ghanas-power-ministry-sign-nuclear-agreement/

Head of Silicon Valley's most important startup farm says we're in a 'mega bubble' that won't last

http://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-y-combinator-talks-mega-bubble-nuclear-power-and-more-2015-6

YOUR VIEW: Cape Cod Bay Watch wrong about Vermont Yankee

As a longtime observer of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, I question Cape Cod Bay Watch’s version of what’s happening at Vermont Yankee (“New, old problems at Pilgrim,” May 14).

http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20150604/NEWS/150609053

Westinghouse to Manage Swedish Nuclear Fuel Operation

The company is taking steps to coordinate an effort to manage and dispose of all radioactive waste from Swedish nuclear power plants.

http://www.globaltrademag.com/global-trade-daily/news/westinghouse-to-manage-swedish-nuclear-fuel-operation?gtd=3850&scn=news

Another Nuclear Reactor Near Berwick Uncertain

http://wnep.com/2015/06/04/another-nuclear-reactor-near-berwick-uncertain/

Can Diablo Canyon's desal plant help ease SLO County's water crisis?

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/06/03/3663220_diablo-canyon-desalination-plant.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/06/03/3663220_diablo-canyon-desalination-plant.html?rh=1

Power Engineering's Most Read Articles this week

The Week's Most Read Articles

Top 5 U.S. Coal Plant Heat Rates
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a power plant's heat rate measures the amount of electricity used by an electrical generator or power plant to generate one kilowatthour (kWh) of electricity, measured as btu/kWh.
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EIA report: Clean Power Plan will lower CO2 emissions
The proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) will reduce projected power sector carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by between 484 and 625 million metric tons in 2030, this according to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
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Siemens to provide the first H-class power plant technology in Mexico
Siemens has been awarded a contract to supply two SGT6-8000H gas turbines and two generators to Mexico. The components will be installed at the Empalme I combined-cycle power plant in Sonora, Mexico.
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Only five of 99 nuclear units remain offline
As of early May 26, only five of the nation's 99 nuclear power units were not generating power, another sign that the annual spring refueling and maintenance season is winding down.
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More Headlines
• Appeals court rejects windmill plan off Atlantic City
• Senator requests radar update to clear way for wind energy
• Colstrip gets new operator as PPL spins off Montana assets
• Southern Nevada solar projects approved in Dry Lake zone
• Kudankulam 2 nuclear unit to begin commissioning “soon”
• SCE&G seeking rate hike due to nuclear plant costs
• California ISO utilizes Siemens energy management software
• Arizona Public Service to participate in California ISO energy market
• Facing deadline, Puerto Rico seeks to overhaul power company

• NYSERDA proposes long-term renewable energy commitment
• Czech government approves plan to build new nuclear reactors
• AREVA, Kurion to form nuclear waste management alliance to serve DOE
• Community Energy delivers 100 MW solar power project
• Delaware PSC approves Exelon, Pepco merger

Less than the sum of its parts: Rethinking “all of the above” clean energy

http://bravenewclimate.com/2015/06/05/less-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-rethinking-all-of-the-above-clean-energy/

The Two Words that Explain China’s Assertive Naval Strategy

"Active defense" was a favorite tactic of Mao Zedong. How will China use it to harry U.S. ships in the Pacific?

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/03/the-two-words-that-explain-chinas-naval-strategy-active-defense/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Flashpoints&utm_campaign=New%20Campai\

Saudi Arabia Takes Out Its Energy Weapon

Riyadh is pushing to keep the oil taps open at Friday’s OPEC meeting. That’s a direct challenge to enemies in Tehran and Moscow, not U.S. wildcatters.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/03/saudi-arabia-takes-out-its-energy-weapon-opec-russia-putin-iran-oil/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Flashpoints&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Israel military says Iran nuclear threat may wane with deal

http://news.yahoo.com/israel-military-cautiously-upbeat-iran-nuclear-deal-083330296.html

New nuclear project is a powerful investment in Tennessee

http://thehill.com/sponsored/content/243796-new-nuclear-project-is-a-powerful-investment-in-tennessee

It’s time to put nuclear on the offensive – and make it the low carbon energy generation option of choice

http://mzconsultinginc.com/?p=741

China’s IPO Frenzy Lures $273 Billion to One Stock Offering

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-03/china-s-hot-ipo-market-lures-273-billion-to-2-billion-offering

Pentagon: Iran Continuing Work on Nuclear Systems

Covert support for terrorism ‘unabated’

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/pentagon-iran-continuing-work-on-nuclear-systems/

x-Im Bank Supports Nuclear Energy Exports & National Security

Ex-Im Bank Supports Nuclear Energy Exports & National Security

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/p/ex-im-bank-supports-nuclear-energy.html

Why This Matters

We have to be sure our facts about nuclear power are right, as the latest exchange with Helen Caldicott shows.

By George Monbiot.

http://www.monbiot.com/2011/04/13/why-this-matters/

Evidence Meltdown

The green movement has misled the world about the dangers of radiation.

By George Monbiot. Published in the Guardian 5th April 2011

http://www.monbiot.com/2011/04/04/evidence-meltdown/

White House Scrambles to Respond to NYT Report on Growth of Iranian Nuclear Stockpile

http://www.thetower.org/2128-white-house-scrambles-to-respond-to-nyt-report-on-growth-of-iranian-nuclear-stockpile/

Interrogation of Helen Caldicott’s Responses

http://www.monbiot.com/2011/04/04/interrogation-of-helen-caldicotts-responses/

Iran’s cooperation with North Korea includes nuclear warhead technology

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/243787-irans-cooperation-with-north-korea-includes-nuclear

Why Russian S-300 sale to Iran is a big deal - Business Insider

NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE LETTER ON SECOND LICENSE RENEWAL FOR U.S. NUCLEAR PLANTS

NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE LETTER ON SECOND LICENSE RENEWAL

FOR U.S. NUCLEAR PLANTS

http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USNRC/2015/06/04/file_attachments/396257/ML15126A188.pdf

Soon oil will be traded in China's renminbi

http://www.businessinsider.com/soon-oil-will-be-traded-in-chinas-renminbi-2015-6?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

Russia achieves serial nuclear power plant construction

03 June 2015

Russia has increased its competitive edge in the nuclear plant construction market through the serial production of new reactors, the head of NIAEP-JSC ASE said yesterday. The company was formed in 2012 from the merger of Rosatom subsidiaries Nizhny Novgorod design institute and Atomstroyexport in order to consolidate Russia's nuclear power engineering expertise into a single division. Last year, it absorbed Atomenergoproekt.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Russia-achieves-serial-nuclear-power-plant-construction-03061502.html

Merger to fast-track Turkish uranium project
A US uranium processing plant could be shipped to Turkey to fast-track uranium production under a newly announced merger of Uranium Resources Inc with Australian uranium and exploration company Anatolia Energy, owner of the Temrezli uranium project.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/UF-Merger-to-fast-track-Turkish-uranium-project-0406157.html

Cabinet approval for Czech strategy

04 June 2015

The Czech cabinet has approved an action plan on nuclear energy, providing for future construction at both the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear sites.

Cabinet approval for Czech strategy The Czech cabinet has approved an action plan on nuclear energy, providing for future construction at both the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear sites.

Japan to start Fukushima fuel debris retrieval in 2021

Japan to start Fukushima fuel debris retrieval in 2021
Japan expects to start the retrieval of fuel debris from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2021, the executive director of the Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation said yesterday. Three of the plant's six reactors suffered core meltdowns in the March 2011 accident, leaving melted nuclear fuel debris on the floor of their containment vessels.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Japan-to-start-Fukushima-fuel-debris-removal-in-2021-04061501.html

Samsung-led consortium awarded Korean construction contract

Samsung-led consortium awarded Korean construction contract
A consortium comprising South Korean construction companies Samsung C&T, Doosan and Hanhwa Construction has been awarded a contract to build units 5 and 6 of the Shin Kori nuclear power plant. Both APR1400 units should be in operation by 2022.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Samsung-led-consortium-awarded-Korean-construction-contract-0406155.html

Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Nuclear power – how can public opinion be won over?

Why the environmental movement is important for nuclear power

Is the industry guilty of spreading nuclear myths?

Changes in power systems – are they bad for nuclear?

What's the true cost of nuclear power? Ask The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Cost Calculator.

Illinois Nuclear Power Could Help Build Cleanest Energy Market In America

Senior Israeli Official Asks Washington to Extend Iran Nuclear Talks

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz says April parameters for talks provide loopholes for Tehran to exploit

Military Madness: US Officials Consider Nuclear Strikes against Russia

U.S. Considers Nuclear Strikes As An Option Against Russia [REPORT]

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Global nuclear power sector rebounds as Fukushima horrors fade

While some countries have rolled back their nuclear plans, others like the UAE are steaming ahead.

US deploys B-52 nuclear bombers to Baltic Sea exercises

Putin and the Doctrinal Definition of Threat

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey looks at today’s Russia

China backs Pakistan’s NSG bid, but says must also acquire ‘crucial’ NPT status

As the ninth Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference concluded, China has gone on record to say that while it backed Pakistan's bid to gain access to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG), its inking of the NPT was "crucial."

Less-stringent plan for San Onofre's nuclear waste approved

Nuclear plants gear up with FLEX to prevent disaster

Oil Glut Part 4: The (Next) Shale Technology Revolution That Worries OPEC

Iran and Iraq declare their plans to expand oil production

EPA Study Of Fracking's Impact On Drinking Water: Two Charts On The Power Of The Fracking Boom [Infographic]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danbigman/2015/06/04/epa-study-of-frackings-impact-on-drinking-water-two-charts-on-the-power-of-the-fracking-boom-infographic/

EPA Report Shows (Yet Again) Fracking's Negligible Impact On Drinking Water Is Well Worth The Risks

EPA Says Fracking Hasn't Hurt America's Water Supply, But Don't Expect The Debate To End There

Scientists finally have an explanation for why huge lakes atop Greenland are vanishing

Russian Oil Billionaire Invests $450 Million in Solar Projects to Aid the Country’s Grid

EPA And Fracking Opponents: It Was Never About The Science!

Presidential Race: Sen. Graham Appealing To Climate-Conscious Republicans And Pro-Nuclear Democrats

How to Ensure New Natural Gas Infrastructure Doesn't Lock Out Renewables

Renewables Will Boom Under EPA’s Clean Power Plan, EIA Finds

Nearly 400 GW of renewables are possible by 2040 under the right conditions.

EPA study: No evidence fracking has caused “widespread” impacts on drinking water

The EPA Says We Can Stop Worrying About Fracking Now

Fukushima and the Crisis of Democracy: Interview with Murakami Tatsuya

The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 13, Issue. 20, No. 1, May 25, 2015

Katsuya Hirano

Regular Press Conference by Matsumoto Mayor Dr. Sugenoya

Friday, June 5, 2015

Between Spymasters and People, Says Snowden, 'Power Beginning to Shift'

All The Spin About EPA Fracking Study's Confusing Results In One Confusing Picture

Systemic Problems Require Systemic Solutions: Time to Talk About the Next System

Fracking Study Undercuts Environmentalists’ Calls for Regulation

Holy Crop: How Federal Dollars Are Financing the Water Crisis in the West

Energy Department awards $60M for nuclear research

Science Briefs

Coal and Gas are Far More Harmful than Nuclear Power

References

Contact

Iran, North Korea Cooperation Includes Nuclear Warhead Tech

Iran’s cooperation with North Korea includes nuclear warhead technology

U.S. lawmakers concerned about Iran nuclear talks concessions

Pentagon: Iran Continuing Work on Nuclear, missile Systems

China Calls for No Additional Demands in Iran Nuclear Talks

US Nuclear Corp. Ships Over $493,000 in Advanced Tritium Monitor Equipment Orders for Next Generation Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) in the Second Quarter to a Customer in Shanghai, China

US scientists: Global warming pause 'no longer valid'

Chinese tech companies are falling out of love with America

SRS reaches milestone as filling starts for Tank 16

Global warming slowdown never happened, federal study says

Xcel settles with nuclear contractor over Prairie Island upgrade

New nuclear project is a powerful investment in Tennessee

ATOMEXPO 2015 shows nuclear industry's global collaboration