Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire
Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Bangladesh signs $12.65 billion deal with Russia for nuclear power plants
Bangladesh signs $12.65 billion deal with Russia for nuclear power plants
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/Bangladesh-signs-12-65-billion-deal-with-Russia-for-nuclear-power-plants/articleshow/50327473.cms
Russia offers new reactors for Kudankulam units
Russia offers new reactors for Kudankulam units
Rosatom open to shortlisting Indian vendors to move towards a serial construction model in India
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/russia-offers-new-reactors-for-kudankulam-units/#sthash.fcrLphY3.dpufRussia offers new reactors for Kudankulam units
Rosatom open to shortlisting Indian vendors to move towards a serial construction model in India
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/russia-offers-new-reactors-for-kudankulam-units/#sthash.fcrLphY3.dpuf
Russia offers new reactors for Kudankulam units
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/russia-offers-new-reactors-for-kudankulam-units/
Westinghouse expects to sell India nuclear reactors by end of 2016
Westinghouse expects to sell India nuclear reactors by end of 2016
http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/12/25/Westinghouse-expects-to-sell-India-nuclear-reactors-by-end-of-2016/stories/201512250051Russia plans to build six nuclear power units in India
Russia plans to build six nuclear power units in India
http://azertag.az/en/xeber/Russia_plans_to_build_six_nuclear_power_units_in_India-914725
Russian, US Space Companies Seal Satellite Deal for First Time
Russian, US Space Companies Seal Satellite Deal for First Time
Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 24, 2015 -
For the first time ever a private Russian space company, Dauria
Aerospace, has struck a deal on the sale of two of its satellites to a
US company, Aquila Space, the Russian company's general director said Tuesday.
"The full price of the deal is between $4.35 million and $6 million
depending on the amount of the licensing fees," Sergei Ivanov told RIA
Novosti.
"We are happy to have co ...
morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russian_US_Space_Companies_Seal_Satellite_Deal_for_First_Time_999.html
Scientists produce 50 grams of plutonium-238
Scientists produce 50 grams of plutonium-238
Oak Ridge, Tenn. (UPI) Dec 22, 2015 -
For the first time 30 years, federal scientists have produced
plutonium-238.
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory
were able to make 50 grams of the radioactive isotope.
Unlike other isotopes, plutonium-238 is rather stable and doesn't emit
significant amounts of dangerous radiation, making it suitable for a
variety of scientific applications, in ...
morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Scientists_produce_50_grams_of_plutonium-238_999.html
China tests rail-based long-range missile capable of hitting US
China tests rail-based long-range missile capable of hitting US
Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 25, 2015 -
China this month tested a new rail-car-mounted long-range missile
capable of hitting targets in the United States, according to American
intelligence agencies monitoring the test.
A canister ejection test for a DF-41 missile mounted on a rail launch
platform was detected December 5 in western China, defense officials
familiar with reports of the test told the Washington Free Beacon.
...
morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/War_Train_China_Tests_Rail_Based_Long_Range_Missile_Capable_of_Hitting_US_999.html
Russia delivers S-300 missile system to Kazakhstan free of charge
Russia delivers S-300 missile system to Kazakhstan free of charge
Washington (UPI) Dec 23, 2015 -
The Russian government has completed the free delivery of its S-300 air
defense system to the government of Kazakhstan, according to Russian
media reports.
The delivery supports the initiative between Moscow and Astana to
construct and operate a common aerospace defense system. Russian defense
officials say they delivered the missile system free of charge because
it is the country's mai ...
morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_delivers_S-300_missile_system_to_Kazakhstan_free_of_charge_999.html
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas
My best wishes to the Nuclear Industry for a Merry Christmas and an innovative 2016 New Year.
Michele Kearney
Michele Kearney
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Japan court paves way for more nuclear restarts
Japan court paves way for more nuclear restarts
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 24, 2015 -
A Japanese court on Thursday
lifted an injunction blocking two regional nuclear reactors from
restarting, effectively paving the way for them to come back online.
The central government and powerful utility companies have been pushing
to get reactors across the country back in operation, nearly five years
after a huge earthquake and tsunami caused disastrous meltdowns at the
Fukushima nuclea ...
morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_court_paves_way_for_more_nuclear_restarts_999.html
Safety at INL is paramount, personal
Safety at INL is paramount, personal
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article51450590.html
US NRC Blog Update: Extending the Deadline on Decommissioning Comments
Dave McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer
The NRC is extending the public comment period on our decommissioning rulemaking from the original date of January 4 to March 18 to allow more time for members of the public to develop and submit their comments on this important issue. The extension more than doubles the comment period from 45 to 120 days.
We published an “advance notice of proposed rulemaking,” or ANPR in regulatory lingo, in the Federal Register on November 19. This was the first step toward developing a regulatory basis for a new rule on decommissioning commercial nuclear power plants.
The new rule would establish clear requirements for decommissioning reactors in emergency preparedness, physical security and fitness-for-duty, among other areas, thereby reducing the need for exemptions from current requirements designed for operating reactors. It would also address the timeliness of decommissioning and the role of state and local governments and other organizations. The result would be a more efficient, open and reliable decommissioning process.
Five reactors have permanently shut down since the beginning of 2013, and three more are expected to cease operations by 2019.
Comments may be submitted over the federal government’s rulemaking website, www.regulations.gov, using Docket ID NRC-2015-0070.
Obama’s foreign policy goals get a boost from plunging oil prices
Obama’s foreign policy goals get a boost from plunging oil prices
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-crude-oil-prices-plunge-so-do-oil-exporters-revenue-hopes/2015/12/23/ed552372-a900-11e5-8058-480b572b4aae_story.html?wpisrc=nl_draw2
Scores of eastern U.S. cities to shatter Christmas Eve warm weather records
Scores of eastern U.S. cities to shatter Christmas Eve warm weather records
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/12/23/scores-of-eastern-u-s-cities-to-shatter-christmas-eve-warm-weather-records/?wpisrc=nl_draw2
Bangladesh approves construction of 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant
Bangladesh approves construction of 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant
http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2015/12/24/393239/bangladesh-approves-construction-of-1265-bln-usd-nuclear-power-plant.html
7 Vermont towns set to lose emergency planning funds from shuttered nuclear plant
7 Vermont towns set to lose emergency planning funds from shuttered nuclear plant
http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/dfacea1cc53942879b0050f7c4e19f45/VT--Emergency-Planning-Nuclear-Plant
Documents reveal U.S. Cold War nuclear target list
Documents reveal U.S. Cold War nuclear target list
Plans targeted Beijing, Moscow, Leningrad, East Berlin, Warsaw
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/documents-reveal-us-cold-war-nuclear-target-list
China Inks Nuclear Power Partnership Deal with Thailand
China Inks Nuclear Power Partnership Deal with Thailand
http://www.newsgd.com/news/2015-12/24/content_139537786.htm
U.S. Demonstrates Production Of Fuel For Missions To The Solar System And Beyond
U.S. Demonstrates Production Of Fuel For Missions To The Solar System And Beyond |
By U.S. Department of Energy, Wednesday, December 23, 2015 5:00 PM
|
The
first U.S. production in nearly 30 years of a specialized fuel to power
future deep space missions has been completed by researchers at the
Department of Energy‘s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in
Tennessee. The production of 50 grams of plutonium-238 –roughly the mass
of a golf ball – marks the first demonstration in… Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2015/12/23/u-s-demonstrates-production-of-fuel-for-missions-to-the-solar-system-and-beyond/?utm_campaign=Breaking+Energy+Daily+Digest&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=24859741&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8AQqa6htapEvqWniqPK461yK6EhFanKKMoABsAh9TjpLBuhN10gr217jcuQGgTRSWofhdJU8dJyNdTFFCoqNFNtrbNEg&_hsmi=24859741
|
Russia to Supply Two More Indian Nukes, Reports Say
Russia to Supply Two More Indian Nukes, Reports Say
http://www.powermag.com/russia-to-supply-two-more-indian-nukes-reports-say/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3194885&hq_l=14&hq_v=30108e0773
Iranian Cyberattack Infiltrated Control System of New York Dam
Iranian Cyberattack Infiltrated Control System of New York Dam
http://www.powermag.com/iranian-cyberattack-infiltrated-control-system-of-new-york-dam/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3194885&hq_l=3&hq_v=30108e0773
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Climate and Energy: The Outliers
NSE's
Professor Richard Lester proposes a roadmap for U.S. nuclear energy
innovation over the next few decades in the Winter 2016 edition of
Issues in Science and Technology.
http://bit.ly/RKLroadmap
http://bit.ly/RKLroadmap
How Much Does a Nuclear Bunker Cost?
How Much Does a Nuclear Bunker Cost?
http://beforeitsnews.com/self-sufficiency/2015/11/how-much-does-a-nuclear-bunker-cost-2497096.html
Heart of America Northwest, PSR Petition Rejected by NRC
Heart of America Northwest, PSR Petition Rejected by NRC
http://northwestcleanenergy.com/2015/12/23/heart-of-america-northwest-psr-petition-rejected-by-nrc/China to accelerate developing nuclear power: Official
China to accelerate developing nuclear power: Official
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/23/c_134945910.htm
India looking to buy 6 Westinghouse nuclear reactors: report
India looking to buy 6 Westinghouse nuclear reactors: report
http://www.domain-b.com/industry/power/20151223_nuclear.html
Bangladesh approves construction of 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant
Bangladesh approves construction of 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/24/c_134946005.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/24/c_134946005.htm
Two oldest Doel units cleared for restart
Two oldest Doel units cleared for restart
The Belgian nuclear regulator has approved the restart of units 1 and 2 of the Doel plant. The units - which were both taken offline earlier this year in accordance with the country's nuclear phase-out legislation - were required to meet new safety requirements in order to continue operating until 2025.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Two-oldest-Doel-units-cleared-for-restart-2312155.html
The Belgian nuclear regulator has approved the restart of units 1 and 2 of the Doel plant. The units - which were both taken offline earlier this year in accordance with the country's nuclear phase-out legislation - were required to meet new safety requirements in order to continue operating until 2025.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Two-oldest-Doel-units-cleared-for-restart-2312155.html
First Haiyang AP1000 unit passes containment tests
First Haiyang AP1000 unit passes containment tests
Tests of the containment vessel of the first AP1000 unit under construction at the Haiyang nuclear power plant in China have been completed, Westinghouse announced yesterday. The tests were completed two days ahead of schedule.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-Haiyang-AP1000-unit-passes-containment-tests-2312154.html
Tests of the containment vessel of the first AP1000 unit under construction at the Haiyang nuclear power plant in China have been completed, Westinghouse announced yesterday. The tests were completed two days ahead of schedule.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-Haiyang-AP1000-unit-passes-containment-tests-2312154.html
Georgia ships Breeder-1 HEU to Russia
Georgia ships Breeder-1 HEU to Russia
The International Atomic Energy Agency has announced "another achievement in global nuclear non-proliferation efforts", with the shipment of high enriched uranium from Georgia yesterday. The 1.83 kg of HEU was removed from the Breeder-1 Neutron Source at Tbilisi State University in Georgia to a secure storage facility in Russia.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Georgia-ships-Breeder-1-HEU-to-Russia-23121501.html
The International Atomic Energy Agency has announced "another achievement in global nuclear non-proliferation efforts", with the shipment of high enriched uranium from Georgia yesterday. The 1.83 kg of HEU was removed from the Breeder-1 Neutron Source at Tbilisi State University in Georgia to a secure storage facility in Russia.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Georgia-ships-Breeder-1-HEU-to-Russia-23121501.html
Laser-derived X-ray method finds hidden nuclear materials
Laser-derived X-ray method finds hidden nuclear materials
Lincoln NE (SPX) Dec 22, 2015 -
Physicists at the Diocles Extreme Light Laboratory at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln have demonstrated that their unconventional laser-based
X-ray machine could provide a new defense against nuclear terrorism. In
proof-of-principle experiments, the UNL scientists used the
laser-driven X-ray source to produce an image of a uranium disk no
bigger than a stack of three nickels and hidden betwee ...
more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Laser_derived_X_ray_method_finds_hidden_nuclear_materials_999.html
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Laser_derived_X_ray_method_finds_hidden_nuclear_materials_999.html
Radioactive matter migrates faster through fractured carbonate rock
Radioactive matter migrates faster through fractured carbonate rock
Sede Boqer, Israel (SPX) Dec 22, 2015 -
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have found that
radioactive matter migrates more quickly in carbonate bedrock formations
once it has leaked from a tank from near surface waste sites and
geological repositories.
Corroded stored waste containers can lead to radionuclide (radioactive)
leakage, which may reach groundwater.
The study, published in the online journa ...
more http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Radioactive_matter_migrates_faster_through_fractured_carbonate_rock_999.html
Japan governor supports more nuclear restarts
Japan governor supports more nuclear restarts
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 22, 2015 -
A Japanese regional governor said Tuesday
he supports the restarting of two nuclear reactors, as a local court
prepared to rule on an injunction that has suspended their operation.
The central government and powerful utility companies have been pushing
to get reactors nationwide back online, nearly five years after a huge
earthquake and tsunami caused disastrous meltdowns at the Fukushima nu
...
more http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_governor_supports_more_nuclear_restarts_999.html
Russia to start building two nuclear reactors in Iran
Russia to start building two nuclear reactors in Iran
Tehran (AFP) Dec 22, 2015 -
Russia will start constructing two nuclear
reactors in Iran next week, as Tehran seeks to reduce its reliance on
oil and gas with 20 facilities over the coming years, an official said Tuesday.
The start of construction follows a historic deal between Iran and world
powers in July that ends a decade-long standoff over Tehran's nuclear
programme.
And it comes a year after Tehran signed a ...
more http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Russia_to_start_building_two_nuclear_reactors_in_Iran_999.html
New flow battery offers lower-cost energy storage
New flow battery offers lower-cost energy storage
Richland WA (SPX) Dec 22, 2015 -
Energy storage system owners could see significant savings from a new
flow battery technology that is projected to cost 60 percent less than
today's standard flow batteries.
The organic aqueous flow battery, described in a paper published in the
journal Advanced Energy Materials, is expected to cost $180 per
kilowatt-hour once the technology is fully developed. The lower cost is
due to the ...
more http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_flow_battery_offers_lower_cost_energy_storage_999.html
A state-by-state look at renewable energy requirements
A state-by-state look at renewable energy requirements
Twenty-nine states and the
District of Columbia have requirements that utilities get a certain
amount of their electricity from renewable sources.
…
Continue Reading
http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2015/12/a-state-by-state-look-at-renewable-energy-requirements.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerDecember232015&eid=288118515&bid=1263018
Renewable energy efforts stymied by transmission roadblocks
Renewable energy efforts stymied by transmission roadblocks
Converting the wind and sun
into electricity is increasingly affordable, but it can be difficult to
get that electricity from distant plains and deserts to the places
where it's needed. The reasons range from technical to regulatory.
…
Continue Reading
http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2015/12/renewable-energy-efforts-stymied-by-transmission-roadblocks.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerDecember232015&eid=288118515&bid=1263018
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
The New Atomic Age We Need
The New Atomic Age We Need
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/28/opinion/the-new-atomic-age-we-need.htmlPotential for Worldwide Displacement of Fossil-Fuel Electricity by Nuclear Energy in Three Decades Based on Extrapolation of Regional Deployment Data
Potential for Worldwide Displacement of Fossil-Fuel Electricity by Nuclear Energy in Three Decades Based on Extrapolation of Regional Deployment Data
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0124074
Tokyo Approves Large-Scale Takahama Nuclear Plant Evacuation Plan
Tokyo Approves Large-Scale Takahama Nuclear Plant Evacuation Plan
Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 22, 2015 -
The Japanese government on Friday
approved an evacuation plan for 180,000 citizens across three
prefectures in case of an accident at the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant
in Fukui Prefecture, scheduled to re-launch operation in January.
The plan includes evacuation routes and facilities to be used as
shelters as well as measures for people who may be left without an
overland escape route. In c ...
morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Tokyo_Approves_Large_Scale_Takahama_Nuclear_Plant_Evacuation_Plan_999.html
Thank you Congress, U.S. wind sector says
Thank you Congress, U.S. wind sector says
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2015 -
Congressional moves to keep the U.S.
government funding through the middle of 2016 translate to a vote of
confidence for wind energy, an industry group said.
U.S. lawmakers last week passed a series of spending measures including
an extension to subsidies for renewable energy programs. The American
Wind Energy Association said the wind energy sector boomed in 2012 as
developers raced to ...
morehttp://www.winddaily.com/reports/Thank_you_Congress_US_wind_sector_says_999.html
Radioactive matter migrates faster through fractured carbonate rock
Radioactive matter migrates faster through fractured carbonate rock
Sede Boqer, Israel (SPX) Dec 22, 2015 -
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have found that
radioactive matter migrates more quickly in carbonate bedrock formations
once it has leaked from a tank from near surface waste sites and
geological repositories.
Corroded stored waste containers can lead to radionuclide (radioactive)
leakage, which may reach groundwater.
The study, published in the online journa ...
morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Radioactive_matter_migrates_faster_through_fractured_carbonate_rock_999.html
Russia hails progress with americium in fast reactor research
Russia hails progress with americium in fast reactor research
Four Russian institutes have successfully conducted an experiment on the isolation and separation of americium and curium from used nuclear fuel. In a statement today, Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL said this was a crucial development in work aimed at closing the fuel cycle of fast reactors.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Russia-hails-progress-with-americium-in-fast-reactor-research-22121501.html
Four Russian institutes have successfully conducted an experiment on the isolation and separation of americium and curium from used nuclear fuel. In a statement today, Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL said this was a crucial development in work aimed at closing the fuel cycle of fast reactors.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Russia-hails-progress-with-americium-in-fast-reactor-research-22121501.html
Forget LRSO; JASSM-ER Can Do The Job
Forget LRSO; JASSM-ER Can Do The Job: Early
next year, the Obama administration, with eager backing from hardliners
in Congress, is expected to commit the U.S. taxpayers to a bill of $20
billion to $30 billion for a new nuclear weapon the United States
doesn’t need: the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) air-launched cruise
missile. Kristensen analyzes the claims and makes the case for reducing
the role of and reliance on nuclear weapons by canceling the LRSO and
instead focusing bomber standoff strike capabilities on conventional
cruise missiles.http://fas.org/blogs/security/2015/12/lrso-jassm/
Letter to Congress: "Withholding Funding from the IAEA is Ill-Advised and Dangerous"
Letter to Congress: "Withholding Funding from the IAEA is Ill-Advised and Dangerous"
A number of professionals and experts (including FAS President Charles D. Ferguson, former FAS Board member Richard L. Garwin, and current Board member Robert Gard) from the national security and nuclear nonproliferation fields signed a letter to Congress on December 17, 2015 that strongly urged full funding be given to the IAEA in order to effectively monitor Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Read the official letter here.https://fas.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/funding-for-iaea-letter.pdf
Power Engineering's E Newsletter 12/22
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