Saturday, February 20, 2016

'Finally,' FDA Will Start Testing Food for Presence of Monsanto's Controversial Glysophate | Alternet

Daniel Yergin: Energy industry at its “day of reckoning”

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2016/02/19/daniel-yergin-energy-industry-at-its-day-of-reckoning/

The Breakthrough Institute - Nuclear Has Scaled Far More Rapidly Than Renewables

A Plan to Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran | Foreign Policy

How Japan's ice barrier will seal off Fukushima's nuclear ruins - NBC News

5 Years Later, the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Site Continues to Spill Waste - Scientific American

Saudis Claim to Have Nuclear Bomb

Pakistan has agreed to deliver nuclear weapons to Riyadh

http://www.infowars.com/saudis-claim-to-have-nuclear-bomb/

Atomic Show #251 - SA Royal Commission, Diablo Canyon, Trivial Tritium, DOE budget priorities

http://atomicinsights.com/atomic-show-251-sa-royal-commission-diablo-canyon-trivial-tritium-doe-budget-priorities/

All-nuclear power grids are not only feasible, but proven and operating today

All-nuclear grids are not only feasible, but proven and operating today

http://atomicinsights.com/all-nuclear-power-grids-are-not-only-feasible-but-proven-and-operating-today/

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: Front and Center

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Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Front and Center

An update on arms control, national security, and more from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

What's News:
North Korea Launches Another Rocket
On February 6, North Korea launched a satellite into space. Like previous rocket tests, many experts believe the North is using the satellite launch as a pretense to further develop its missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons launch capabilities. Following the launch, Congress sent President Obama a new package of North Korean sanctions; the president signed the legislation on February 18. Read what our experts had to say about the latest launch and the need for diplomacy with North Korea.
President Obama Releases 2017 Defense Budget Proposal
On February 9, President Obama released his fiscal year 2017 defense budget proposal, which includes $523.9 billion for the “base” budget and an additional $58.8 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) slush fund account. Combined with other defense-related funding, this budget is higher than during any year of the Cold War. But hawks in Congress are already requesting an additional $15-23 billion. Read the Center’s full and easily digestible budget analysis to learn more.
Ted Cruz Calls for Drastic Military Spending Increases
On February 16, Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz unveiled his defense strategy – and it’s a disaster. Even though gross domestic product (GDP) and defense spending have absolutely no connection, Cruz proposes spending at least 4 percent of GDP on defense every year of his presidency. This would increase defense spending by $2.6 trillion (with a T!) over eight years, according to one analysis. Stay tuned to see what our experts have to say about the Cruz proposal.
In the meantime, check out this graphic showcasing why General Selva, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says our military has not been gutted – a common complaint of many hawks in Congress and beyond.
Gen. Selva

General Hoar Leads Delegation to Jordan
Retired General Joseph Hoar, a member of the Center’s National Advisory Board, recently led a delegation of senior officers from the National Defense University to Jordan, where they met His Majesty King Abdullah II to discuss developments in Syria and Iraq, as well as international terrorism. Learn more about the high-level meeting.

Support Our Mission:

Read:
Defense Budget Briefing Book
We analyze the President’s defense budget request for you. See how current military spending stacks up to other years, and learn about the Administration’s specific proposals.
Nuclear Weapons Funding Up
President Obama’s plan to spend up to $1 trillion on nuclear weapons modernization is going full steam ahead, while other critical programs are cut.Read what our experts had to say about the budget.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Funding Down
President Obama’s budget request for the 2017 Fiscal year, the last of his presidency, is a further disappointment to advocates of nuclear non-proliferation programs. Policy Analyst Greg Terryn runs through the numbers.
European Reassurance Initiative lacks Reassurance
The Obama Administration has requested more funding for conventional support to our European allies. While this funding increase is welcome, the way it’s been budgeted is not. Policy Analyst James McKeon explains why this commitment does not necessarily reassure our allies.
Nuclear Modernization is too expensive
Spending up to $1 trillion on nuclear weapons modernization is an enormous sum. Two recent reports by experts at the Center for American Progress and the Center for Strategic and International Studies examine the upcoming costs and assess whether cuts can – and should – be made. Policy Intern Cassie Peterson breaks down the reports and offers her analysis.

Be Social:
Nuclear Weapons Spending Up, Non-Proliferation Spending Down
The President’s budget requests an increase in new nuclear cruise missile funding by 494 percent. At the same time, the Global Material Security program, a key non-proliferation initiative, is cut by 21 percent. Check out our graphic explaining the disparity and please share widely on social media.

Friday, February 19, 2016

West Lake story: An underground fire, radioactive waste, and governmental failure | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Taking stock: The US-India nuclear deal 10 years later | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

DOE: Communities, sovereign tribes need support of state to store nuclear waste

https://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-35403952-12336

Entergy Statement on Comprehensive Groundwater Monitoring Program and Elevated Tritium at Indian Point

http://www.safesecurevital.com/groundwater-monitoring.html

Permit marks step toward siting NuScale reactor

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/permit-marks-step-toward-siting-nuscale-reactor/article_e8743c6a-c097-5110-b3ac-4e10f582e2f9.html

Department of Energy Continues Commitment to the Development of Innovative Small Modular Reactors

February 18, 2016 - 10:58am

News Media Contact

Danielle Miller, 208-569-7806
millerdc@id.doe.gov

WASHINGTON – Building on President Obama’s plan to advance America’s leadership in clean energy innovation, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that an agreement has been reached to support possible siting of an innovative small modular reactor (SMR) project within DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site.
This Site Use Permit has been granted to Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) to support possible siting of an innovative small modular reactor (SMR) project within the boundary of DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site.
“Small modular reactors are an important new step toward safe, reliable, carbon-free technology. Today’s announcement is a part of the Department of Energy’s ongoing commitment to strengthening nuclear energy’s role in America’s low carbon future,” said Lynn Orr, Under Secretary for Science and Energy at DOE.
The INL Site Use Permit signed by the U.S. Department of Energy and UAMPS allows the latter to access the INL site to analyze environmental, safety, and siting conditions. UAMPS is currently working to identify potential locations that may be suitable for building the UAMPS Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) for further characterization and analysis. As potential locations are identified on the INL site, those locations will be provided to the Energy Department to ensure that the use of such site would not conflict with INL mission work.
Site characterization activities will be conducted in accordance with all established INL site stewardship protocols to include environmental protection, and historic and cultural resource preservation.
The CFPP is a commercial venture on a federal compound, and the successful deployment of a small modular reactor design would provide U.S. utilities with a greater range of nuclear energy options to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. Small modular reactors feature compact, scalable designs that are expected to offer a host of safety, construction and economic benefits, and could potentially supply low-carbon baseload energy to small electric grids and locations that cannot support larger reactors.
If UAMPS identifies a suitable area within the INL site boundary for development of the CFPP, and if the Energy Department determines that the use of such site would not conflict with INL mission work, the design, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of an SMR at the selected site would be licensed and inspected by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), following extensive safety and environmental reviews.
The Site Use Permit signed by DOE and UAMPS can be found here.
The SMR design for the CFPP is being provided by NuScale Power TM of Portland, Oregon. For more information on this design, go to www.nuscalepower.com.
Find more information on the important steps the Energy Department is taking to jumpstart America’s nuclear industry and support clean energy innovation at energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy.
Learn more about UAMPS and the CFPP at www.uamps.com.

Video Found in Belgium of Nuclear Official May Point to Bigger Plot

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/world/europe/belgium-nuclear-official-video-paris-attacks.html?_r=0

View: Indian Point protects air quality

Cuomo's upstate-downstate disconnect on nuclear power threatens local environment, economy

http://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/02/18/view-indian-point-protects-air-quality/80302324/

In legal showdown, FBI vs. Apple could make or break Silicon Valley | ZDNet

How Can Turkey Overcome its Foreign policy Mess? | Graham E. Fuller

Do Methane Leaks Wipe Out The Climate Benefits Of Fracked Gas? | CleanTechnica

How Clean Energy Became A Code Word In Washington | ThinkProgress

Decision on storing Ontario nuclear waste delayed again for more study - SooToday.com

Radioactve Waste 165 - Complex Technical Problems with Permanent Geological Repositories - Part One of Two Parts | Nucleotidings

Radioactve Waste 166 - Complex Technical Problems with Permanent Geological Repositories - Part Two of Two Parts | Nucleotidings

Regional Oil Production and Consumption | The Energy Collective

Mapping the world for climate sensitivity

Mapping the world for climate sensitivity

Bergen, Norway (SPX) Feb 19, 2016 - By developing this method, the international team of researchers has been able to map which areas are most sensitive to climate variability across the world. "Based on the satellite data gathered, we can identify areas that, over the past 14 years, have shown high sensitivity to climate variability," says researcher Alistair Seddon at the Department of Biology at the University of Bergen ( ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Mapping_the_world_for_climate_sensitivity_999.html

How climate change will affect western groundwater

How climate change will affect western groundwater

Tucson AZ (SPX) Feb 18, 2016 - By 2050 climate change will increase the groundwater deficit even more for four economically important aquifers in the western U.S., reports a University of Arizona-led team of scientists. The new report is the first to integrate scientists' knowledge about groundwater in the U.S. West with scientific models that show how climate change will affect the region. "We wanted to know, 'What are ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/How_climate_change_will_affect_western_groundwater_999.html

Moscow (Sputnik) Feb 19, 2016 - Russia is ready to provide a loan 10-billion-euro loan for building new facilities at the Hungarian Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Putin held a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "The total amount of [Paks NPP] project financing is 12 billion euros [$13.4 billion], 80 percent of which should be ... more http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Moscow_Ready_to_Fulfill_Loan_Obligations_on_Hungarian_Paks_NPP__Putin_999.html

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Save Diablo Canyon! Thursday, Befruary 18, 2016

February 16, 2016

Save Diablo Canyon Meeting, 7 pm, Thursday Feb 18, San Luis Obispo

Courtyard Marriott, 1605 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo

Come hear Michael Shellenberger, Founder of Save Diablo Canyon discuss why Diablo Canyon:

Is crucial to California’s clean energy and climate change goals;
Is not at risk of having to build cooling towers;
Is not at risk of losing its permits from the Lands Commission;
Is at risk of being closed for political reasons;
Can be saved and run until 2045 or even 2065 —if the unions, workers & community get organized!

January 29, 2016

Scientists & Conservationists Urge Governor Jerry Brown and PG&E to Save Diablo Canyon

Whole Earth Catalogue Founder Stewart Brand, Climate Scientist James Hansen, and Conservation Biologist Peter Raven Among Prominent Signers

Read the article in the San Francisco Chronicle

A group of more than 50 prominent scientists and conservationists from within California and around the world today urged Governor Jerry Brown, Pacific Gas and Electric CEO Tony Early to come to an agreement on future operating of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.

Doing so, they said, is crucial to meeting the state's climate goals, and expanding the amount of protected coastline.
"Declining electricity from clean energy sources, including hydro-electric dams, underscores the importance of nuclear, the only source of zero carbon power that is reliable no matter the weather or climate," the group wrote. "In 2014, Diablo Canyon — a single power plant — produced 24 percent more electricity than all of California’s wind, and 33 percent more electricity than all of California’s solar."
The group includes Nobel laureates Burton Richter and former NASA climate scientist James Hansen, as well as conservationists Peter Raven, President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Whole Earth Catalogue founder Stewart Brand.
"If Diablo goes away, so too will the possibility of land conservation purchased by PG&E for mitigation," the group warned.

Are the economy and climate on a collision course?

http://centerfortheblueeconomy.org/2016-noep-report

China to build 40 nuclear power plants over the next five years

The Chinese state is playing a key role in the UK's nuclear power ambitions, too

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-to-build-40-nuclear-power-plants-over-the-next-five-years-a6795401.html

28 Signs That The West Coast Is Being Absolutely Fried With Nuclear Radiation From Fukushima

http://www.globalresearch.ca/28-signs-that-the-west-coast-is-being-absolutely-fried-with-nuclear-radiation-from-fukushima/5355280

Lightening Scrammed Nuclear Reactor Loss of Cooling; Off For Weeks; On Again, Now OFF; USNRC Inspection

https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2016/02/18/lightening-scrammed-nuclear-reactor-lost-cooling-off-for-weeks-on-again-now-off-usnrc-inspection/

NRC Creates Web Page on Increased Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2016/16-003.i.pdf

Experts: North Korea's nuclear test may trigger volcanic eruption

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160218000172

Westinghouse Prepares for Global Growth | Business Wire

Iran proposes nuclear power cooperation with Hungary | Reuters

‘SA has to build nuclear power stations due to lack of water’

This could explain all those strange happenings in Alaska’s waters

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/16/this-could-explain-all-those-strange-happenings-in-alaskas-waters/?ostshare=3921455641671031&tid=ss_tw&utm_content=bufferf027f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Commissioner Ostendorff will be hard to replace - Atomic Insights

Germany's RWE suspends dividends

Germany's RWE suspends dividends

Essen, Germany (UPI) Feb 17, 2016 - German energy company RWE said it was moving on a proposal to suspend dividends for common shares in order to move through "difficult times." The company said it recorded a net loss of around $225 million for the year, saying its operating earnings collapsed despite earnings from its renewables division that more than doubled. RWE said that, along with crude oil prices, the conventional ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Germanys_RWE_suspends_dividends_999.html

New IAEA learng tool on Low Level Radiation

E-learning Modules on Radiation

The important things you need to know about radiation are covered in these two e-learning modules on Radiation. The first module provides a basic understanding about radiation - what it is, where it comes from and the different types of radiation amd how people can protect themselves from its adverse effects. The second part talks about understanding radiological emergencies and steps to take to remain safe.

Module 1: What is Radiation?

Radiation is a fact of life and this self-paced, e-Learning module presents the basic facts about radiation: what it is; where and how it occurs; how people can be exposed to it; the potential risks; and how it is managed.

Module 2: Radiation Emergencies

Learn about radiation emergencies, from what they are to how they are handled. This self-paced, interactive course covers topics such as types of radiation emergencies; potential health effects; national responses to radiation emergencies; the IAEA’s work with national authorities; and communication strategies. https://www.iaea.org/publications/training/iaea-training-resources/elearning

Innovative ways of funding nuclear power projects

Innovative ways of funding nuclear power projects
As governments worldwide face up to the climate change commitments under the COP21 agreement and the need for large - and growing - baseload power, nuclear generation is again being hailed as a real answer to the world's energy problems. However as with all energy solutions, set-up costs can be prohibitively high. Given the tight constraints on national balance sheets, governments and developers are creating new and often innovative funding methods for nuclear plants, writes Fiona Reilly.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/V-Innovative-ways-of-funding-nuclear-power-projects-18021601.html

Medical Isotopes: Another Asset of Nuclear Engineering | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Nuclear Plant Costs – A Look Back and Ahead | ANS Nuclear Cafe

UPDATE 1-EU short of 118 billion euros in nuclear decommissioning funds - draft | Agricultural Commodities | Reuters

TVA considering sale of unfinished nuclear plant in Alabama - seattlepi.com

Nuclear Energy: Greens' Support Is Growing

Oil Price Collapse and Lack of Consumer Benefits | The Energy Collective

Gulf of Mexico Oil Production Jump This Year | The Energy Collective

Supreme Court Decisions and Electricity Regulation and Law | The Energy Collective

Consent-based Siting Public Meeting Locations

Today, the Department of Energy announced the locations of the consent-based siting initiative’s eight public meetings around the country. The purpose of these meetings is to hear from the public, communities, states, Tribal Nations, and all interested stakeholders on what matters to you as we move forward in developing a consent-based siting process.

Our first public meeting will be held in Chicago, Illinois on March 29th at the University of Chicago Conference Center. Our second public meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 11th at the Georgia Institute of Technology Conference Center. We will also be hosting six more public meetings through the month of July. The remaining six meeting will be held in Boise, Idaho; Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sacramento, California; and Tempe, Arizona.

Please visit energy.gov/consentbasedsiting to register to attend the Chicago or Atlanta meetings in person or to join the meeting via webcast. As registration opens for the other six meetings, we will post links on our website as well.

You can also view the Department’s press release here.

We look forward to your continued participation!

2016 MIT Energy Conference | March 4-5, 2016

Study: Will We Ever Stop Using Fossil Fuels?

History predicts that fossil fuel consumption will continue to grow without aggressive efforts to price carbon and improve clean energy technologies.

http://mitei.mit.edu/news/study-will-we-ever-stop-using-fossil-fuels

Vogtle 13th VCM costs unanimously approved by Georgia PSC

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vogtle-13th-vcm-costs-unanimously-approved-by-georgia-psc-300222344.html

The Battle Continues To Stop Yucca Mountain From Becoming A Nuclear Waste Dump

Not far from the site of 40 years of nuclear weapons testing, a proposed long-term nuclear waste dump draws opposition from the Shoshone and Paiute Nations, environmental activists and even Nevada state officials.

http://www.mintpressnews.com/the-battle-continues-to-stop-yucca-mountain-from-becoming-a-nuclear-waste-dump/213976/

U.S. Sen. Schumer rejects calls for immediate closure of Indian Point nuclear power plant

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20160218/us-sen-schumer-rejects-calls-for-immediate-closure-of-indian-point-nuclear-power-plant

Nuclear Regulatory Commission CIO heads to Agriculture agency

Darren Ash, who has worked at the NRC for nine years, will serve as CIO of the Farm Service Agency.

http://fedscoop.com/nuclear-regulatory-commission-cio-heads-to-usda

Fukushima Update 2/18/16

Fukushima Update 2/18/16 –

The amount of rural radioactive wastes in Miyagi has dropped 68%... Fukushima, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki Universities to jointly study the effects of low level radiation exposure… The antinuclear fanatic who landed a drone on the Prime Minister’s mansion gets a two year sentence… The estimated total debris at F. Daiichi could reach 750,000 cubic meters… A Kyoto court orders Tepco to compensate some voluntary evacuees… and much more.

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

Nuclear power – from Alabama to China

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/02/18/nuclear-power-alabama-china/80551940/

Silk Road yellowcake trade and its impact on Chinese stockpiles

http://www.crugroup.com/about-cru/cruinsight/Silk_Road_yellowcake_trade_and_its_impact_on_Chinese_stockpiles

Opinion | L. Rafael Reif The dividends of investing in science

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2016/02/12/the-dividends-investing-science/oprwLAWwW51kkTmbhMORgO/story.html

Exploring 30 Years of Safety Culture: IAEA Hosts International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety « ForeignAffairs.co.nz

China Nuclear Power | Chinese Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association

Paris attackers had planned to target Belgian nuclear plants | Daily Mail Online

Does ISIS Have Radioactive Material? Iraqi Officials Fear Missing Iridium Could End Up With Terrorist Group

A nuclear policy of head in the sand

Publicizing Iran’s existing bombs could trigger their use

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/17/george-h-wittman-a-nuclear-policy-of-head-in-the-s/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Officials worried ISIS could procure radioactive material

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/02/officials-worried-isis-could-procure-radioactive-material/

Suit in Oklahoma ties fracking to earthquakes

Suit in Oklahoma ties fracking to earthquakes

Oklahoma City (UPI) Feb 17, 2016 - Environmental advocacy group Sierra Club said it filed a lawsuit against energy companies involved in Oklahoma shale in part because of the rise of earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey reported five tremors of magnitude-3.1 or less early Wednesday. That follows the steady string of minor quakes that followed a magnitude-5.1 earthquake recorded Saturday near Fairview, about 100 miles ... morehttp://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/Suit_in_Oklahoma_ties_fracking_to_earthquakes_999.html

Video of Belgian nuclear official seized in Paris attacks probe

Video of Belgian nuclear official seized in Paris attacks probe

Brussels (AFP) Feb 17, 2016 - Investigators probing last year's deadly jihadist attacks in Paris have found video footage of a senior Belgian nuclear official, the federal prosecutor said Wednesday. The Belgian prosecutor confirmed the existence of "images mentioned by the press this morning regarding a person linked to the nuclear industry," in reference to a report in the daily La Derniere Heure. The footage was di ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Video_of_Belgian_nuclear_official_seized_in_Paris_attacks_probe_999.html

Trump warns of Boeing plant going to China

Trump warns of Boeing plant going to China

North Augusta, United States (AFP) Feb 16, 2016 - Donald Trump told South Carolina voters Tuesday to be wary of aircraft giant Boeing opening a plane finishing plant in China, saying he would not let it happen if he were president. "Be careful" because Beijing is "making Boeing build this massive plant in China" in order to secure orders, Trump warned. Should Boeing, which has a major plant in South Carolina, launch operations in the As ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Trump_warns_of_Boeing_plant_going_to_China_999.html

Boeing wins $1.3 bn buy commitment from China's Okay Airways

Singapore (AFP) Feb 17, 2016 - Boeing said Wednesday it had won a commitment from China's Okay Airways to buy 12 aircraft for $1.3 billion, a deal the carrier said showed the nation's travel sector is robust despite an economic slump. "The Chinese people are very good at saving... It doesn't matter if the economy has worsened, they will still travel," Okay Airways chairman Wang Shusheng told reporters. "Right now, we ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_wins_13_bn_buy_commitment_from_Chinas_Okay_Airways_999.html

Renewable fuels from algae boosted by NREL refinery process

Renewable fuels from algae boosted by NREL refinery process

Golden CO (SPX) Feb 18, 2016 - A new biorefinery process developed by scientists at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has proven to be significantly more effective at producing ethanol from algae than previous research. The process, dubbed Combined Algal Processing (CAP), is detailed in a new paper by NREL's Tao Dong, Eric Knoshaug, Ryan Davis, Lieve Laurens, Stefanie Van Wychen, Philip ... morehttp://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Renewable_fuels_from_algae_boosted_by_NREL_refinery_process_999.html

Assessing carbon capture technology

Assessing carbon capture technology

Washington DC (SPX) Feb 18, 2016 - Carbon capture and storage could be used to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and thus ameliorate their impact on climate change. The focus of this technology is on the large-scale reduction of carbon emissions from fossil-fuelled power plants. Research published in the International Journal of Decision Support Systems investigates the pros and cons, assesses the risks associated with carb ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Assessing_carbon_capture_technology_999.html

NYISO Warns of Power Capacity Gap When Ginna, FitzPatrick Nuclear Plants Are Closed

NYISO Warns of Power Capacity Gap When Ginna, FitzPatrick Nuclear Plants Are Closed
Closure of Exelon's 614-MW R.E. Ginna and Entergy's 882-MW James A. FitzPatrick nuclear plants will leave New York with a statewide power deficiency starting in 2019, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has concluded. Read More http://www.powermag.com/nyiso-warns-of-power-capacity-gap-when-ginna-fitzpatrick-nuclear-plants-are-closed/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3214018&hq_l=17&hq_v=30108e0773

Morgan Stanley Investment Banker “Bearish” on New U.S. Nuclear

Morgan Stanley Investment Banker “Bearish” on New U.S. Nuclear
Despite the positive attributes of nuclear power—zero carbon emissions, reliable generation, low fuel costs, and a small footprint—the outlook for new nuclear in the U.S. is “bearish,” said Anthony Ianno, a Morgan Stanley managing director who follows the electricity business as an investment banker and dealmaker. Read More http://www.powermag.com/morgan-stanley-investment-banker-bearish-on-new-u-s-nuclear/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3214018&hq_l=5&hq_v=30108e0773

NRC Blog Update: REFRESH — Putting the Axe to the ‘Scram’ Myth

REFRESH — Putting the Axe to the ‘Scram’ Myth

1 Comment Posted by Moderator on February 18, 2016

Tom Wellock
NRC Historian
refresh leaf

The NRC glossary defines a “scram” as “the sudden shutting down of a nuclear reactor usually by rapid insertion of control rods.” But where did the word come from?
One deeply engrained legend about the origin of the word dates to the first sustained chain reaction on December 2, 1942, at the Chicago Pile (CP-1), the first atomic reactor developed for the Manhattan Project. According to the legend, Enrico Fermi created the acronym, Safety Control Rod Axe Man, for Norman Hilberry. It was Hilberry’s assignment that day to kill a possible runaway reaction by using an axe to cut a rope to allow the backup safety control rod to drop into the pile.
The axe-man story now has a life of its own. A search on Google for “scram” and “axe” yields 124,000 hits. Even the NRC’s glossary attributed scram’s etymology to the axe man story. Oak Ridge National Laboratories reported a fanciful variation of this story where Fermi, presumably unimpressed with the physical prowess of his fellow physicists, recruited a lumberjack from the Pacific Northwest to do the job. That version has now spread on the internet, and the acronym itself has mutated into Super-Critical Reactor Axe Man and Start Cutting Right Away, Man.
Hilberry, as it turns out, only learned the story second-hand years later, which lends some doubt to the axe-man version. Other members of the CP-1 team recalled a different origin for the term. Leona Marshall Libby, the only female physicist present that day, wrote in her memoir that it was Volney “Bill” Wilson who called the safety rods “scram rods.” She didn’t explain why he used the term, but her credit to Wilson was supported by others involved in CP-1, including Warren Nyer.
MB900371234

I contacted Nyer recently, and he was eager to tell the “scram” story, one that squares well with Wilson’s reported version of events. Nyer’s job that day was to be Hilberry’s backup. If all safety systems failed, he and the other members of the “suicide squad” were to dump a liquid cadmium solution on CP-1 to poison the reaction. The axe-man story is, he recalls, “a bunch of baloney.”
But he did offer another explanation for the word. His recollection was that Wilson was assembling an electrical panel that included a big red button. According to Nyer, someone asked Wilson the reason for the red knob. Wilson replied you’d push it if there was a problem. “Well, then what do you do?” he was asked. Wilson reportedly replied “You scram … out of here.” The word appears to have stuck.
Further indication that “scram” was associated with Wilson’s shutdown circuitry and not Hilberry’s axe wielding comes from Enrico Fermi. The AEC declassified information on the Chicago Pile in late 1950, and Fermi authored a 1951 technical report on the reactor detailing the circuitry of the “SCRAM line” designed by Wilson’s team. (See http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/4414200 ).
And so it seems likely that scram switches all over the world owe their names not to the nuclear industry’s later penchant for acronyms, but to the slang of 20^th century America.
REFRESH is an occasional series where we revisit some of our previous posts. This post is slightly revised from the original, one of the blog’s most viewed posts, which first ran in May 2011.http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov/2016/02/18/refresh-putting-the-axe-to-the-scram-myth/?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Xcel Energy pushes for study of early closure for Prairie Island nuclear plant

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-energy-pushes-for-study-of-early-closure-for-prairie-island-nuclear-pl/414087/

17 governors sign pledge to modernize US power grid

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/17-governors-sign-pledge-to-modernize-us-power-grid/414100/

NARUC 2016: What the SCOTUS stay and Scalia's death mean for the Clean Power Plan

The plan is likely to be delayed about two years, if it is upheld, injecting new uncertainty into utility planning processes

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/naruc-2016-what-the-scotus-stay-and-scalias-death-mean-for-the-clean-powe/414109/

The atmospheric transport of iodine-129 from Fukushima to British Columbia, Canada and its deposition and transport into groundwater

Scientists from Univ. of Ottawa’s Dept. of Earth Science and Environment Canada (Government of Canada), Dec 2015: The atmospheric transport of iodine-129 from Fukushima to British Columbia, Canada and its deposition and transport into groundwater

The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident (FDNA) released iodine-129 (15.7 million year half-life)… The mean pre-accident 129I concentration in rain was [31,000,000 atoms/L]… following the FDNA, 129I values increased to [211,000,000 atoms/L]… [P]ulses of elevated 129I continued for several months…
The 129I in shallow… groundwater showed measurable variability through March 2013 with an average of [3,200,000 atoms/L]… coincident with modeled travel times…
Radionuclides released from the FDNA have been detected across the globe… [R]eleases of 129I and 131I… travel great distances…
The Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer… spans the Canada–U.S. border between [B.C., Canada and Washington, US] and supplies ∼120,000 people with drinking water…
A pulse of 129I in precipitation with maximum concentrations of [211,000,000 atoms/L] in Vancouver and [221,000,000 atoms/L] at Saturna Island was observed 6 days following the FDNA. A value of [311,000,000 atoms/L] was also measured during the first week of July…
The high 129I concentrations while the FDNA was ongoing are attributed to the rapid trans-Pacific transport of 129I from Fukushima… This response in 129I concentrations shows that radionuclides from Fukushima were transported rapidly from Japan to the west coast of Canada and the US… [Sampling from Washington State], which is a composite of rainfall events spanning 15 March 2011 to 16 April 2011 shows a significantly elevated 129I concentration of [95,000,000 atoms/L]…
There was a spike in 129I concentration observed in the precipitation sample from the period of 1 July 2011 to 8 July 2011 [which] rose to [311,000,000 atoms/L]… a substantially higher concentration than any other sample… As monitoring at Fukushima detected no pulse of 129I in precipitation in July… this spike is likely due to a… nuclear fuel reprocessing facility. Modeling of the air parcel back trajectories… for the sampling period shows air mass trajectories from Hawaii, north Japan, and Russia…
The initial increase in 129I concentration at the water table appeared within ∼95 days, with a maximum concentration of [10,500,000 atoms/L]…
In the model cases, 129I reached the water table very rapidly…
Groundwater 129I concentrations in two nearby wells showed minor anomalies over the sampling period which could be due to rapid infiltration of the FDNA atmospheric 129I signal… [M]odeling shows that it was possible for a component of the 129I deposited by the FDNA to be conducted rapidly from the ground surface to the water table… We conclude that it is possible that a fraction of 129I from the FDNA is transported conservatively in this aquifer via preferential flow paths to the water table…

See also: Official in Canada advises public not to drink rainwater coming from Fukushima
And: Rain with 20,000,000 particles of Iodine-131 per liter fell on US (VIDEO)http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2015WR017325/full

Hedge Fund Billionaires Fund Super PAC Ad Against Bernie Sanders and Minimum Wage Hike

The Decline Of The Coal Industry Is “Long-Term” And “Irreversible”

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Coal/The-Decline-Of-The-Coal-Industry-Is-Long-Term-And-Irreversible.html

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

VIDEO: Noam Chomsky: Bernie Sanders Is Not a Socialist, He’s a ‘Decent, Honest New-Dealer’ - Truthdig

The Greens’ Nuclear Identity Crisis

The Greens’ Nuclear Identity Crisis

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/431460/nuclear-energy-greens-support

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/431460/nuclear-energy-greens-support

Timeline: Oil Dependence and U.S. Foreign Policy

The United States' dependence on oil has long influenced its foreign policy. This three-part timeline traces the story of U.S. oil development, and the resulting geopolitical competition and environmental concerns, in more than forty milestones. The three major periods include the rise of oil as a commodity, beginning in 1850; the post-WWII age of geopolitical competition; and the current era of deregulation and diversification.

http://www.cfr.org/oil/timeline-oil-dependence-us-foreign-policy/p24322?cid=nlc-dailybrief-daily_news_brief--link19-20160217&sp_mid=50717112&sp_rid=bWljaGVsZXRrZWFybmV5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQS2

Behind the Scenes / China ramps up nuclear plant ‘superpower’ plans

http://www.the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002737673

On the Brink of a U.S.-China Nuclear Arms Race

http://www.nationalinterest.org/feature/the-brink-us-china-nuclear-arms-race-15227

UAE Close to Produce 25% of its Electricity Using Nuclear Power

http://english.aawsat.com/2016/02/article55347672/uae-close-to-produce-25-of-its-electricity-using-nuclear-power

'Too big to fail' banks are as big a threat as nuclear power plants, says Fed - Telegraph

Minneapolis Fed Chief Compares Big Banks to Nuclear Power Plants

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/02/16/minneapolis-fed-chief-compares-big-banks-to-nuclear-power-plants.html

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission member Ostendorff to leave agency

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-nuclear-regulatory-commission-member-ostendorff-21943946

How utility executives see the future of the electricity business

Feature Story

How utility executives see the future of the electricity business

Here are some of the key findings from Utility Dive's third annual State of the Electric Utility report. http://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-utility-executives-see-the-future-of-the-electricity-business/413916/

New Data Debunks Clean Energy Claims by Apple, Amazon, Google

Posted: 17 Feb 2016 01:26 AM PST

Recent claims by the owners of large data centers that a large part of their operations are powered by renewable energy have skeptics coming out of from under their solar panels. Now, there is hard data proving that such skepticism is valid.read more
http://www.theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/2322299/new-data-debunks-clean-energy-claims-apple-amazon-google

Potential Sale of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Site

https://www.tva.com/Newsroom/Bellefonte

Ice sheet modeling of Greenland, Antarctica helps predict sea-level rise

Ice sheet modeling of Greenland, Antarctica helps predict sea-level rise

Livermore CA (SPX) Feb 17, 2016 - The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will make a dominant contribution to 21st century sea-level rise if current climate trends continue. However, predicting the expected loss of ice sheet mass is difficult due to the complexity of modeling ice sheet behavior. To better understand this loss, a team of Sandia National Laboratories researchers has been improving the reliability and efficie ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Ice_sheet_modeling_of_Greenland_Antarctica_helps_predict_sea_level_rise_999.html

Protests stomp on proposed borehole drilling

Oskarshamn 1 to shut next year

Oskarshamn 1 to shut next year
OKG AB has confirmed that unit 1 of the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant in Sweden will close in 2017. Last year it announced the reactor would be shut down between 2017 and 2019.http://world-nuclear-news.org/C-Oskarshamn-1-to-shut-next-year-1702164.html

S. Korea's Park says time to play hardball with North

S. Korea's Park says time to play hardball with North

Seoul (AFP) Feb 16, 2016 - South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Tuesday signalled a tough new approach to derailing North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, promising an uncompromising and more assertive response to Pyongyang's provocations. In a strongly-worded televised speech to the National Assembly, Park warned that South Koreans had over the years become "numb" to the threat from their northern neighbour, and ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/S_Koreas_Park_says_time_to_play_hardball_with_North_999.html

Russia, Iran ready to 'reinforce' military cooperation

Russia, Iran ready to 'reinforce' military cooperation

Moscow (AFP) Feb 16, 2016 - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow and Tehran were ready to step up their military cooperation after meeting with his Iranian counterpart on Tuesday. "I am convinced that our meeting is going to contribute toward reinforcing friendly relations between Russian and Iranian armed forces," said Shoigu in a statement. Iran's Hossein Dehghan and Shoigu spoke about "the necessar ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_Iran_ready_to_reinforce_military_cooperation_999.html

EDF to pour first Hinkley Point concrete in 2019, Brexit or not

http://www.reuters.com/article/edf-results-britain-hinkley-idUSL8N15V3KF

17 governors announce clean energy, transportation agreement

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article60644896.html

The state Senate has passed a bill that would lift Wisconsin's ban on new nuclear plants

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/c9f80e650d524f869272520f277ef528/WI--Nuclear-Plants

Nuclear fuel disposal plans face political obstacles, not scientific

http://www.energybiz.com/article/16/02/nuclear-fuel-disposal-plans-face-political-obstacles-not-scientific

TVA puts Bellefonte nuclear power units on hold, while other utilities move forward

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/birmingham-alabama/tva-puts-bellefonte-nuclear-power-units-on-hold-21942467

More safety issues identified at Hanford’s Plutonium Finishing Plant

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article60583096.html

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Confirmed: China is Upgrading ICBMs With Multiple Warheads | The Diplomat

Push for high-level nuclear waste storage at Maralinga, former British atom bomb test site

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/push-for-highlevel-nuclear-waste-storage-at-maralinga-former-british-atom-bomb-test-site/news-story/65d14a0d7c2f0daf90d7a5ef89da5e9f

Nuclear News: Feds seek borehole test for potential hot nuke waste burial

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/02/nuclear-news-feds-seek-borehole-test-for-potential-hot-nuke-waste-burial.html?eid=288118515&bid=1310970

NRG Proved How Tough It Is To Change. So Who’s Poised To Become The Utility Of The Future?

By Greentech Media, Monday, February 15, 2016 12:00 PM

Massive Solar Electricity Plant Provides Power To California Homes

After major changes at NRG, a reflection on who’s poised to radically change the electricity business Less than a year ago, NRG laid the groundwork to be the Apple or Google of energy services. But CEO David Crane left the company last December amidst investor pressure — and Steve McBee, CEO of NRG Home, wasn’t… Keep reading →

Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire