Terrestrial Energy Awarded $5.7 Million Grant From Canadian Federal Government - See more at: http://terrestrialenergy.com/terrestrial-energy-awarded-5-7-million-grant-from-canadian-federal-government/#sthash.CpQwjX5K.dpuf

http://terrestrialenergy.com/terrestrial-energy-awarded-5-7-million-grant-from-canadian-federal-government/

U.S. Department of Energy awards $3 million for research

University of Mississippi physicists have been awarded $3 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct Nuclear fuel storage research over the next three years on ways to assess the internal components of a dry cask storage.

According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, by the end of 2009 there were more than 62,000 tons of spent fuel accumulated in the United States. That amount of accumulated fuel increases by 2,000 to 2,400 tons annually.
Spent nuclear fuel is stored in spent fuel pools under water for a little more than a year, after which time the fuel can be moved to dry cask storage.

https://thedmonline.com/u-s-department-of-energy-awards-3-million-for-research/

Union of Concerned Scientists calls NRC progress on Fukushima lessons 'insufficient'

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/union-of-concerned-scientists-calls-nrc-progress-21038614

Duke Gets OK for $1 Billion Gas Project as Company Prepares for Asheville Coal Retirement

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2016/03/duke-gets-ok-for-1-billion-gas-project-as-company-prepares-for-asheville-coal-retirement.html?cmpid=enl-poe-weekly-march-4-2016&cmpid=Enl_PE_$track_0342016

Officials discuss funding forecast for Savannah River Site

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2016-03-03/officials-discuss-funding-forecast-savannah-river-site

At Indian Point, a Small Leak Turns Into a Big Political Battle Over Nuclear Energy

http://fortune.com/2016/02/28/indian-point-nuclear/

Advanced nuclear reactor developers praise passage of bipartisan R&D bill in House

Advanced nuclear reactor developers praise passage of bipartisan R&D bill in House
https://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-35604885-10798

How robots are becoming critical players in nuclear disaster cleanup

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/how-robots-are-becoming-critical-players-nuclear-disaster-cleanup

Report Criticises US Response To Fukushima, Calls For ‘Rigorous’ Inspections

http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2016/03/04/report-criticises-us-response-to-fukushima-calls-for-rigorous-inspections

Drought stricken California county looks to nuclear plant desalination plant

http://www.desalination.biz/news/news_story.asp?id=8354&title=Drought+stricken+California+county+looks+to+nuclear+plant+desalination+plant+

Paul Krugman Needs an Energy Reality Check

Paul Krugman Needs an Energy Reality Check

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/432262/paul-krugman-renewable-energy-folly-coal-and-fossil-fuels-still-necessary

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/432262/paul-krugman-renewable-energy-folly-coal-and-fossil-fuels-still-necessary

AREVA awarded contract for reactor vessel inspections at Arkansas Nuclear One

AREVA NP signed a contract with Entergy Nuclear to conduct scheduled inspections of the reactor pressure vessel internals at Unit 1 of the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant in Russellville. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/03/areva-awarded-contract-for-reactor-vessel-inspections-at-arkansas-nuclear-one.html?cmpid=EnlWeeklyPowerMarch42016

Emptying to start on Hanford tank with interior leak

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article63739637.html

Government asked to think of Plan B if Hinkely Point nuclear power station never happens

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Government-asked-think-Plan-B-Hinkely-Point/story-28855593-detail/story.html

Incidents and accidents in nuclear power plants - when are they really dangerous?

All incidents and accidents in civilian nuclear facilities must be reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency. There are eight defined levels - from harmless to catastrophe. DW takes a look.

http://www.dw.com/en/incidents-and-accidents-in-nuclear-power-plants-when-are-they-really-dangerous/a-19094877

France nuclear incident worse than reported: German media

http://www.brecorder.com/world/europe/282649-france-nuclear-incident-worse-than-reported-german-media.html

Multiple redundant safeguards in Belarusian nuclear power plant

http://atom.belta.by/en/news_en/view/multiple-redundant-safeguards-in-belarusian-nuclear-power-plant-7676/

Germany tells France to shutter nuclear power plant near border

The move comes after German officials learned that an incident at the Fessenheim plant, which lies just across the Rhine, was worse than reported

http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/technology/germany-tells-france-shutter-nuclear-power-plant-near-border-163704/

TVA Nuclear Power Plant is on the Block

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/tva-bellefontenuclear-power-plant-is-on-the-block/89990

Former EPA head talks clean power, nuclear, and Bush’s climate reversal

Christine Todd Whitman is a Republican who wants to see climate change tackled.

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/former-epa-head-talks-clean-power-nuclear-and-bushs-climate-reversal/

Can nuclear power deliver?

http://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy201625

Bird poop causes nuclear power plant shutdown

Guano causes electrical arc between wires at tower

http://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/bird-poop-causes-nuclear-power-plant-shutdown

Coalition of Great Lakes groups asking for tests to determine if there is radiation in the environment

http://929wlmi.com/news/articles/2016/mar/04/coalition-of-great-lakes-groups-asking-for-tests-to-determine-if-there-is-radiation-in-the-environment/

Kim tells military to put nuclear warheads on standby

http://www.argentinastar.com/index.php/sid/241875547

Research Reveals The Ability Of Turmeric To Fight The Negative Effects Of Radiation Treatment

http://business.wesrch.com/paper-details/press-paper-BU187Q000GYXJ-research-reveals-the-ability-of-turmeric-to-fight-the-negative-effects-of-radiation-treatment

North Korean Army to Assume 'Pre-Emptive Attack' Mode With Nuclear Weapons

North Korean Army to Assume 'Pre-Emptive Attack' Mode With Nuclear Weapons - See more at: http://intrendio.com/north-korean-army-to-assume-pre-emptive-attack-mode-with-nuclear-weapons#sthash.aFkFduW1.dpuf

North Korean Army to Assume 'Pre-Emptive Attack' Mode With Nuclear Weapons

http://intrendio.com/north-korean-army-to-assume-pre-emptive-attack-mode-with-nuclear-weapons

Kremlin: Russia concerned by N.Korea's readiness to use nuclear arms

http://in.reuters.com/article/northkorea-nuclear-russia-idINKCN0W60XV?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

Thursday, March 3, 2016

SA’s nuclear pebble bed reactor could get second chance | Fin24

Can You Be an Environmentalist Without Embracing Nuclear Energy? A Future Tense Event Recap

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/02/26/can_you_be_an_environmentalist_without_embracing_nuclear_energy_a_future.html

Shika reactor sits atop geological fault that may be active: NRA panel

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/03/national/nra-team-set-announce-whether-fault-ishikawa-reactor-active/#.VtiiAimGhRk

Japan’s nuclear power plans don’t add up

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/03/03/japans-nuclear-power-plans-dont-add-up/

French Mastery of Nuclear Power at Stake in U.K. Reactor Project

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-03/french-mastery-of-nuclear-power-at-stake-in-u-k-reactor-project

Another Chance for Nuclear Power?

Building projects' high costs and construction delays raise questions about the industry's sustainability.

http://www.usnews.com/news/special-reports/the-manhattan-project/articles/2016-03-03/another-chance-for-nuclear-power

AREVA, GE, Westinghouse, Mitsubishi meeting in Atlanta

With attendance to the International SMR and Advanced Reactor Summit (14-15 April, Atlanta) up 175% on last year and our most influential speaker line-up secured, the industry’s leading SMR and advanced reactor meeting is bigger than ever before.
AREVA, GE Hitachi, X-Energy and Mitsubishi are just some of the names making up the 200 delegates already confirmed to attend the summit
Access the program here to see why the leading names in the nuclear industry are all in attendance
Here is just a snapshot of the senior attendees who have joined in the last few weeks:

VP - Products & Technology, AREVA Inc
Nuclear Development Project Manager, Southern Company
VP - NPP Sales, Americas, GE Hitachi
President, X-energy
VP - Project Advancement, New Plants & Major Projects, Westinghouse
VP – US Nuclear, Amec Foster Wheeler
Director - Strategic Planning, Orlando Utilities Commission
VP – Engineering, BWX Technologies
Chief Designer – CNNC
VP – New Operations, SCANA

If you have any questions then please do let me know.
Thanks,
John
John Furness
Senior Industry Analyst
Nuclear Energy Insider
+44 (0)207 375 7528
JFurness@nuclearenergyinsider.com

NRC Investigates Two Hiccups At Perry NPP

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2016/03/01/nrc-investigates-two-hiccups-at-perry-npp-030102#.VticiymGhRl

ASLB Schedules March 15 Hearing On Plant Vogtle License Amendments

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2016/03/03/nrc-schedules-march-15-hearing-on-plant-vogtle-license-amendments-030302#.VticXimGhRl

Westinghouse To Study SMR Pressure Vessel Manufacturing In Britain

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2016/03/03/westinghouse-to-study-smr-pressure-vessel-manufacturing-in-britain-030301#.VticECmGhRl

Fukushima Update 3/2/16

Fukushima Update 3/2/16 –

Washington Post says we can rest easy about Pacific seafood… F. Daiichi “fencepost” exposure will drop below the target level by April 1st… Tepco’s “ice wall” is approved for operation… Lawson’s has opened its convenience store at F. Daiichi… The Takahama #4 SCRAM was probably caused by an electrical current fluctuation… The head of the NRA blasts Tepco and Kansai Electric… and much more.

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

State of Washington Report Looks at Potential for SMRs

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pe/2016/03/state-of-washington-report-looks-at-potential-for-smrs.html

Safety Expert: Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Could Have Been Worse -- And Nearly Was

http://www.independentnews.com/news/safety-expert-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-could-have-been-worse-/article_37f8b03c-e0de-11e5-8d7a-8be55cb4d0e2.html

ANS Nuclear Cafe Update: Bill Gates makes a prediction about clean energy

Updates from ANS Nuclear Cafe Blog

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Bill Gates makes a prediction about clean energy

By ansnuclearcafe on Feb 26, 2016 12:43 pm

Today’s Friday Matinee: Bill Gates explains why “we need to pursue many different paths” to carbon-free energy, including the “very promising path” of nuclear. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the video.
Read in browser »

2.206 "Put Up or Shut Down" Petition

http://www.fairewinds.org/nuclear-energy-education//2206-put-up-or-shut-down-petition

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54aac5e4e4b0b6dc3e1f6866/t/56d74f0104426214f2d2a2de/1456951044331/20160200-2-206-petition-open-phase-conditions-ML16050A223.pdf

Why controversy over Hillary Clinton's emails is far from over - Business Insider

Westinghouse looks to UK for vessel manufacture

Oil and gas industry has pumped millions into Republican campaigns | US news | The Guardian

Critical decision due on fate of new nuclear reactor in N.J. | NJ.com

House Passes Texas-led Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Bill

http://www.texasinsider.org/house-unanimously-passes-texas-led-bipartisan-nuclear-energy-bill/

NEW REPORT: Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report

ADVANCED ENERGY MARKETS ARE BIGGER THAN EVER

Advanced energy is a $1.4 trillion global industry, as big as fashion, twice the size of airlines, and close to worldwide spending on media and entertainment.

The U.S. advanced energy market is now $200 billion, nearly double the revenue of beer, more than pharmaceutical manufacturing, and approaching wholesale consumer electronics. Solar PV revenue grew 21% over last year, wind was up 75%, building efficiency grew 11%, and energy storage multiplied over 10 times year-to-year.

This is the fourth annual report of market size, by revenue, of the advanced energy industry, worldwide and in the United States.

Prepared for AEE by Navigant Research, Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report is the most comprehensive assessment of advanced energy markets ever compiled.

Download the free report >http://info.aee.net/aen-2016-market-report-ud

About Advanced Energy Economy

Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of business leaders who are making the global energy system more secure, clean, and affordable. AEE engages in policy advocacy at the federal, state, and regulatory levels; CEO-to-CEO convenings to identify and address cross-industry issues; and targeted outreach to key stakeholder groups and policymakers.

Learn more >https://www.aee.net/

Nuclear News Roundup for 3/2/16 | Neutron Bytes

COLUMN-Unemployment is rising in former U.S. oil boom states: Kemp | Reuters

Research demonstrates that air data can be used to reconstruct radiological releases

Fukushima Disaster Shows Need to Continue Improving NPP Safety Measures

India to allocate $440M annually for nuclear power investments

Japan's nuclear refugees face bleak return five years after Fukushima | Reuters

Why Nuclear Remains At The Heart Of Finland’s Energy Independence Policy

The success of France, Canada, Japan and South Korea in controlling nuclear energy costs

France, Canada, Japan and South Korea did a better job than the USA at keeping nuclear energy costs down.France started making a big push for nuclear power in the 1960s, starting with gas-cooled reactors and pressurized water reactor designs from the US and later, in the 1970s, developing its own PWR designs.As Lovering, Yip, and Nordhaus show, costs stayed relatively stable throughout this period, hovering around €1,400/kW ($1,500/kW). Nuclear kept expanding until it provided more than 75 percent of France's electricity.France only had one utility (EDF) and one builder (Areva) working closely

3 Next Big Future /http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/03/the-success-of-france-canada-japan-and.html

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

DNC Reverses Restrictions On Lobbying, Corporate Influence

No Shame for Bill and Hillary: Entitlement Has No Boundaries | Observer

Mark Z. Jacobson is proud that his models disagree with IPCC (and almost everyone else)

http://atomicinsights.com/jacobson-quotes-low-end-of-unreliables-price-estimates/

Islamic State and WMD: A Future Nightmare? | POV | OZY

Borehole project for exploring nuclear waste disposal shut down

http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/region/3959967-borehole-project-exploring-nuclear-waste-disposal-shut-down

My comment:
The wrong parties were pursuing this. This task should have been given to the U.S. Geological Survey who has the technical expertise to deal with bore holes in suitable environments. They are the guts of the federal government's earth science capability. USGS has a relationship with the states that is materially different than DOE or its contractors, labs, etc. USGS also had the final say on whether an underground nuclear test was to proceed during the period that of weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site.

Water and Health and Energy and How They Interact | The Energy Collective

Inhofe, Capito, Barrasso Request GAO to Examine NRC's Use of RAIs

http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases-republican?ID=CFA42382-6D1E-4213-8A74-CBE2B1554A04

Norway's Radioactive Reindeer

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/03/norways-radioactive-reindeer/471705/

CORRECTED-U.S. NRC engineers urge fix for nuclear power stations

The petition, filed under a standard NRC process, urges the agency to respond by March 21.
The engineers are concerned that a design flaw in nearly all U.S. nuclear facilities leaves them vulnerable to so-called open phase events in which an unbalanced voltage, such as an electrical short, could cause motors to burn out and reduce the ability of a reactor's emergency cooling system to function. If the motors are burned out, backup electricity systems would be of little help, the petition said.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL2N1692BF

Energy Dept. seeks $83M increase to harden grid against cyberattack

https://fcw.com/articles/2016/03/01/energy-cyber-grid.aspx?admgarea=TC_Policy

Fukushima Future Studies: five years later, what have we learned?

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00963402.2016.1145907

TASS: Business & Economy - Russian nuclear corporation to sign agreement on building nuclear center in Bolivia

China to Build Floating Nuclear Power Station

Tomorrow’s Nuclear Reactors are Closer Than You Think

March 1, 2016 - 1:00pm

Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh is among the new generation of scientists seeking to revolutionize nuclear energy. She is an assistant professor of nuclear engineering at the University of California-Berkeley. | Photo courtesy of UC Berkeley.

Laura Scheele

Idaho National Laboratory

A new generation of innovators is pioneering the future of nuclear energy in partnership with our National Labs. Citizens and policymakers leading the global transition to a low-carbon economy are focusing efforts on developing -- and building -- advanced nuclear reactors. To support these efforts, the Department of Energy is working to forge key partnerships and support a culture of nuclear innovation driven by this new generation of scientists, university researchers, entrepreneurs and investors.

“Nobody told today’s students that nuclear innovation is supposed to be slow. They chose nuclear because they want to save the world.” - Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh

The current nuclear reactor fleet is the low-carbon workhorse of the electricity world. In 2014, nuclear power generated about 60 percent of the carbon-free electricity in the United States. Today’s light-water reactor designs provide a safe, effective and affordable bridge to new nuclear reactor technologies -- promising increased flexibility and the ability to match electricity generation with demand.
First across that bridge may be small modular reactors (SMRs), which vary in size from 50 to 300 megawatts (about one-fourth the size of current reactors). With lower initial capital investments and shorter construction timelines than traditional-sized reactors, SMRs are progressing toward commercialization. They could replace aging, carbon-emitting coal power plants, and their smaller size provides more flexibility in where they can be located.
Tomorrow's fission reactors will broaden our energy options by using innovative fuels and, potentially, alternative coolants such as high-temperature gas and liquid metal or molten salt instead of water. Since many advanced reactor designs operate at a higher temperature than light-water reactors, they are ideally suited to replace fossil fuels for industrial applications that require high temperature process heat (such as oil refining and biofuel production) with nuclear-generated heat at an enormous savings in carbon emissions.
Nuclear innovation doesn't stop at fission. Companies large and small, along with labs such as Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are studying nuclear fusion -- the energy source of the sun and stars -- in the hopes of someday harnessing fusion for power on Earth.
Nuclear innovators are also reshaping the federal government’s role in nuclear energy. The Department of Energy recently established the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) to provide the new nuclear energy community with access to the technical, regulatory and financial support necessary to move new nuclear reactor designs toward commercialization. GAIN is based on feedback from the nuclear community and provides a single point of access to the broad range of capabilities -- people, facilities, infrastructure, materials and data -- across the Energy Department and its national laboratories.
Led by Idaho National Laboratory in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, GAIN integrates and facilitates efforts by private industry, universities and national laboratories to test, develop and demonstrate innovative nuclear technologies to accelerate the licensing and commercialization of these systems. Focused research opportunities and dedicated industry engagement ensures that Energy Department-sponsored activities make a difference for companies working to bring new reactor designs to market.
University of California-Berkeley professor Rachel Slaybaugh summed up the buzz around nuclear technology innovation during a recent roundtable on advanced nuclear power: “Now is an exciting time to be in nuclear energy,” she said. “Nobody told today’s students that nuclear innovation is supposed to be slow. They chose nuclear because they want to save the world. Defining how the universities facilitate collaboration between students and industry will be key to our success.”
Editor's Note: This post was authored by writer at Idaho National Laboratory, one of the Department of Energy's 17 National Laboratories.

CORRECTED-U.S. NRC engineers urge fix for nuclear power stations | Reuters

Barack Obama's Broken Nuclear Promise

The president made non-proliferation a centerpiece of his administration. What happened?

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/broken-nuclear-promise-of-barack-obama

Indian Point should remain up and running

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/opinion/indian-point-should-remain-up-and-running-20160229

Bill Gates says China is the best place to pursue next-generation nuclear power

http://qz.com/627113/bill-gates-says-china-is-the-best-place-to-pursue-next-generation-nuclear-power/

Nuclear power paves the only viable path forward on climate change

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/nuclear-power-paves-the-only-viable-path-forward-on-climate-change

What started as a discussion about tritium only has taken a different twist.

Now it has become also a repudiation of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research - IEER. Focusing on its Director, Dr. Arjun Makhijani.

http://www.timothymaloney.net/www.timothymaloney.net/Blog/Entries/2015/4/12_IEER_and_Dr._Arjun_Makhijani_are_wrong_about_two_things__Tritium_as_biohazard2%29_Weaponization_of_commercial_power_reactor_plutonium_from_spent_fuel-rods..html

Growing interest in molten salt reactors

http://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsgrowing-interest-in-molten-salt-reactors-4824860

15 FEBRUARY 2016 - NFCRC RELEASES TENTATIVE FINDINGS

15 FEBRUARY 2016 - NFCRC RELEASES TENTATIVE FINDINGS
http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/media-centre/nuclear-fuel-cycle-royal-commission-releases-tentative-findings/

Trial in Japan will delve into 'the hidden truths' of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown

http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-japan-tepco-fukushima-20160229-story.html

Red Teaming Nuclear Intelligence: The Suspected Syrian Reactor

http://blogs.cfr.org/zenko/2016/03/01/red-teaming-nuclear-intelligence-suspected-syrian-reactor/

Rethinking the Apocalypse: Time for Bold Thinking About the Second Nuclear Age

http://warontherocks.com/2016/03/rethinking-the-apocalypse-time-for-bold-thinking-about-the-second-nuclear-age/

House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Bill

Feb 29, 2016

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (H.R. 4084), a bipartisan bill to support federal research and development (R&D) and stimulate private investment in advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the United States. The bill was introduced by Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber (R-Texas) along with Full Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). The bill passed the House today with unanimous support.

Subcommittee Chairman Weber: “America must maintain our nuclear capabilities, and continue to develop cutting edge technology here at home. Without the direction provided in this bill, we’ll lose the ability to develop innovative nuclear technology and be left importing reactor designs from overseas. Today, we have the best nuclear engineers and manufacturing capacity in the world at home. We can’t put that expertise at risk. Even more importantly, this bill will maintain America’s capability to influence security and proliferation standards around the world as more developing nations look to nuclear energy to grow their economies. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am constantly reminded of the need for American leadership in a dangerous world.”
This bipartisan legislation directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to prioritize federal R&D infrastructure that will enable the private sector to invest in advanced reactor technologies and provide a clear path forward to attract private investment for prototype development at DOE labs.

Chairman Smith: “Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best opportunity to make reliable, emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and developing world. Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free electricity for over half a century. Now, America’s strategic investments in advanced nuclear reactor technology can play a more meaningful role to reduce global emissions. Unfortunately, the ability to move innovative technology to the market has been stalled by government red tape.”

H.R. 4084 enables the private sector to partner with national labs for the purpose of developing novel reactor concepts, leverages DOE’s supercomputing infrastructure to accelerate nuclear energy R&D, and provides statutory direction for a DOE reactor-based fast neutron source that will operate as an open-access user facility. In addition, this bill requires DOE to put forth a transparent, strategic, ten year plan for prioritizing nuclear R&D programs.

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act has received letters of support from several Universities and organizations, including: the American Nuclear Society, American Security Project, U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council, Bipartisan Policy Center, American Council for Capital Formation, Clear Path Action Fund, University of Texas System, Texas A&M, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, MIT, General Atomics, TerraPower, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy, UPower, TriAlpha, Transatomic Power, Advanced Reactor Concepts, and Dr. Burton Richter, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1976.
Additional statements endorsing the bill can be found HERE.
For additional information on the legislation, please visit the Committee website.

114th Congress

EDF’s €100 billion price tag for plant modifications

“It is simply not economical to operate nuclear power without efficient O&M strategies.” According to Vattenfall’s Alexander Lindqvist who was discussing their fleet maintenance strategies in tough market conditions.
With such an important role to play, find out what both Vattenfall and Fortum made of the most pressing challenge to the European nuclear industry.
Their thoughts are only available this week so make sure you access your complimentary interviews right here
With exclusive input from the following can you afford to miss out on their exclusive insights?

Fortum’s Jyrki Holappa (Head of Nuclear Solutions), Jukka Paivarinta (Development Manager) and Marko Leino (Development Manager – Loviisa) discuss the importance of effective O&M strategies and what Fortum are doing to develop a fleet-wide efficient maintenance strategy

Vattenfall’s Alexander Lindqvist covers the major challenges to O&M efficiency and importance of sharing of best practices across the European nuclear industry

If you have any questions, then please do let me know.
Thanks,
John
John Furness
Senior Industry Analyst
Nuclear Energy Insider
+44 (0)207 375 7528
JFurness@nuclearenergyinsider.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

BREAKING: DC mayor opposes revised Exelon-Pepco settlement, putting deal at risk

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/breaking-dc-mayor-opposes-revised-exelon-pepco-settlement-putting-deal-at/414811/

NRC needs an independent budget process to match its independent mandate

http://atomicinsights.com/nrc-needs-an-independent-budget-process-to-match-its-independent-mandate/

Proposal: Fund NRC by a fee on each kw-hr generated by nuclear energy

http://atomicinsights.com/proposal-independent-source-of-funding-for-nrc/

Hinkley Point C construction 'should be delayed until 2019'

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-35689784

House Energy Committee Hits DOE On Yucca Licensing Readiness

House Energy Committee Hits DOE On Yucca Licensing Readiness
http://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/114/letters/20160229GAO.pdf

Nation's Capital Is Ground Zero For R&D Funding Fight

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2016/03/01/nations-capital-is-ground-zero-for-rd-funding-fight/#799a1d9210dd

Dynegy to Buy French Utility's US Power Portfolio for $3.3 Billion

Dynegy has partnered with Energy Capital Partners, a private equity firm, to purchase the U.S. power portfolio owned by French utility ENGIE. http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2016/02/dynegy-to-buy-french-utility-s-us-power-portfolio-for-3-3-billion.html?cmpid=enl-poe-weekly-march-1-2016&cmpid=Enl_PE_$track_0312016

EU billions short on nuclear decommissioning bill

Among the 16 EU member states still operating nuclear plants, only Britain has sufficient dedicated assets to cover the expected costs of nuclear decommissioning. With France (€54billion) and Germany (€7.7billion) both short of the needed funds, nuclear utilities across Europe are looking for cost saving decommissioning techniques.
That’s why record attendance is expected at NDC2016 (31^st May – 1^st June, Manchester), Europe’s largest pan-European event devoted to nuclear decommissioning and waste management.
Check out why 300+ will attend NDC2016 here: http://1.nuclearenergyinsider.com/LP=7677
Take a look at some of the top speakers already confirmed:

Mina Golshan, Director Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste, Office for Nuclear Regulation
Amanda French, Head of Portfolio Assurance, NDA
Dr Juliet Long, RSR Legacy and Waste Issues Manager, Environment Agency
Tony Free, Head of Decommissioning and Environmental Planning, EDF Energy
Huw Widgery, DWMP Planning Manager, Horizon Nuclear Power
John Millington, Head of Estimating, Sellafield
John Day, Head of Knowledge Management and Intellectual Property, Sellafield
Bob Radford, Knowledge and Information Lead, Magnox
Kat Ferguson, Head of Cost, Magnox
Dr Sami Hautakangas, Senior Project Manager Decommissioning, Fortum
Jorg Klasen, Director Nuclear Decommissioning Services, EnBW
Gérard Jacquemin, Sr. Procurement Advisor Nuclear Decommissioning, Vattenfall AB
Andreas Scheifele, Director Strategy and Administration, Rusatom Overseas Germany
Francesco Troiani, Decommissioning and Waste Management Division Director, SOGIN

If you have any questions let me know
Kind regards
Mike
Michael Vickery
Senior Project Manager
Nuclear Energy Insider
mvickery@nuclearenergyinsider.com
+44 (0) 207 375 7177

The NRC Prepares for Advanced Reactor Designers to Come Knocking

Leave a comment Posted by Moderator on March 1, 2016

Jennifer Uhle
Director, Office of New Reactors
Today’s conversations about powering civilization in the future often propose carbon-free energy sources. In addition to solar and wind, these conversations sometimes touch on advanced nuclear reactor designs. Designers have yet to submit any of these designs for NRC review, but we expect applications in the future and we’re preparing for them.
These technology approaches range from evolutions on proven technology (such as high-temperature gas reactors) to innovative concepts that would re-use the “waste” nuclear fuel from today’s reactors.

Jennifer Uhle, second from left, participates in the panel.

I recently took part in one of these discussions at the Third Way group’s first Advanced Nuclear Summit and Showcase at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The NRC contributed to the summit due to its focus – what can agencies and legislators in Washington do to support development of advanced nuclear designs? The NRC’s only role is ensuring these designs meet stringent safety standards.
My portion of the discussion involved the NRC’s review of reactor designs to meet our mission of protecting public health and safety. As I told the audience, we carry out that work as efficiently as possible so that the NRC avoids becoming a roadblock to deployment of appropriate technologies.
The NRC’s looking ahead to potential applications for reactors cooled by something besides water. Our limited advanced reactor budget includes work to stay up to date on this “non-light water reactor (LWR)” technology development. Vendors are considering many non-LWR technologies for future licensing work. We’re taking a technology-neutral approach to stay properly positioned to efficiently review whatever vendors submit.
The summit also attracted non-LWR designers, venture capitalists, the Department of Energy, national laboratories, industry groups, universities, media, and think tanks, such as the Clean Air Task Force. Members of Congress attended the summit to discuss proposed legislation related to nuclear power.
Advanced reactor designers told the audience they’re targeting deployment in the 2020s to the 2030s, depending on where their designs are in development. The NRC’s preparation for potential advanced reactor applications includes our ongoing partnership with the Department of Energy. DOE’s support for research and design activities will help vendors gather the information they need for their design applications.
The next milestone in that partnership will be our second advanced non-light water reactor workshop, currently scheduled for June. This workshop will present DOE’s strategies to support the development, and NRC’s plans for efficient licensing of advanced reactors.http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov/2016/03/01/the-nrc-prepares-for-advanced-reactor-designers-to-come-knocking/?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

China's Electricity Mix: Changing so Fast that CO2 Emissions May Have Peaked

Posted: 29 Feb 2016 09:51 PM PST

China installed 32.5 GW of wind power last year, and 18.3 GW of solar. Coal consumption fell 3.7%, nuclear grew 30% and natural gas 3.3%. These trends mark a rapid diversification of China’s electricity generation capacity. Some even believe China’s CO2-emissions have peaked – 15 years before the 2030 target.read more
http://theenergycollective.com/energy-post/2323198/chinas-electricity-mix-changing-so-fast-co2-emissions-may-have-peaked

Protecting Our Drinking Water

Posted: 01 Mar 2016 01:32 AM PST

As America's population grows, people and businesses continue to settle in places that used to be left alone, damaging some of the natural systems that provide and clean our water. In addition, as our infrastructure corrodes, our water supply becomes more susceptible to leaks and contamination.read more
http://theenergycollective.com/stevenacohen/2323174/protecting-our-drinking-water

Rash of problems prompts fears that Japan’s reactor restarts have been too hasty

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/01/national/science-health/japan-hit-hasty-bid-restart-reactors-problems-safety-fears-surge/#.VtXcjeblxbI

Takahama 4 Nuclear Power Plant Automatically Shuts Down - PennEnergy

NRC Begins Special Inspections at Perry Nuclear Power Plant - PennEnergy

South Korean Grid Connects World's First APR1400 Nuclear Reactor

Morocco Seeks to Have Nuclear Power Capacity by 2030

China plans 30 overseas nuclear power units by 2030 | Shanghai Daily

Is nuclear power our energy future — or a dinosaur in a death spiral? | Ensia

There’s a proposed natural gas pipeline next to a nuclear power plant. What could go wrong? | Grist

Desalinizaton Expands But Challenges Remains

http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vpow16/i3/p24

Will Tomorrow's Power Plants Have Enough Water?

http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vpow16/i3/p8

Regulators face deadline to OK $1B Duke Energy gas plant

North Carolina electricity regulators face a deadline as they consider the pros and cons of allowing Duke Energy to replace an Asheville coal-burning power plant with units fueled by natural gas. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/02/regulators-face-deadline-to-ok-1b-duke-energy-gas-plant.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerMarch12016

Lockheed Martin agrees to $5M settlement over Paducah plant

Lockheed Martin Corp. and its subsidiaries have agreed to pay $5 million to the federal government over contamination from hazardous waste at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in western Kentucky. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/02/lockheed-martin-agrees-to-5m-settlement-over-paducah-plant.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerMarch12016

Talks on Algerian nuclear power aspirations begin soon

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Talks-on-Algerian-nuclear-power-aspirations-begin-soon-29021602.html

Kingdom needs sustainable and diverse energy matrix

http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/kingdom-needs-sustainable-and-diverse-energy-matrix/

Flexible systems and approaches boost safety after Fukushima

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Flexible-systems-and-approaches-boost-safety-after-Fukushima-2902161.html

The 10-Year Road to Repealing Wisconsin's Ban on Nuclear Energy

http://www.neinuclearnotes.blogspot.no/2016/02/the-10-year-road-to-repealing.html

Speaking with one voice for nuclear energy

The nuclear industry today stands at a critical juncture and it is time to reassess our approach to each other and the wider world if we are to make the most of our opportunities, writes Preston Swafford.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/V-Speaking-with-one-voice-for-nuclear-energy-29021601.html

House GOP wants probe into funding for Yucca nuclear storage

A pair of House Republicans have asked the Government Accountability Office to look into whether the Energy Department could resume work on the stalled Yucca Mountain used nuclear fuel repository in Nevada. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., made the request of the office, in which they also asked whether Congress should set aside further funding for the project's license application. The Examiner (Washington, D.C.)http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-gop-wants-probe-into-funding-for-yucca-nuclear-storage/article/2584547

With Fukushima’s fifth anniversary approaching, we can probably start to relax about radioactive seafood

Nearly five years after the Fukushima Daiichi incident, the fish in Japan aren't likely to be contaminated, according to a report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Radioactive material has been leaking from the site, but contamination levels have declined faster than once believed, said lead researcher Hiroshi Okamura with the National Research Institute of Fisheries Science in Japan. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)

Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Dangerous Flaw Threatens to Close Nation's Nuclear Fleet

The NRC Seven: Petitioning the NRC over Safety

Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns Bring More NRC Inspections at Indian Point

Entergy: Pipeline Poses No Higher Safety Risks to Indian Point

Why Nuclear Energy Can Help Fight Climate Change

7 engineers at U.S. agency go public with nuclear safety concern

NRC engineers urge shutdown of nuclear plants if design flaw not fixed

Fukushima: Tokyo was on the brink of nuclear catastrophe, admits former prime minister

Five years on from the tsunami, the former Japanese prime minister says the country came within a “paper-thin margin” of a nuclear disaster

Friday, March 4, 2016

Bechtel, BWXT to Pursue Acceleration of Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Project

This is why Nuclear Matters

Fukushima Fear-mongering: The Party’s Over

A Proposal to Change Advanced Reactor Licensing

Seabrook nuclear plant reactor shuts down