Entergy
plans to sell Vermont Yankee to a decomm company. This should speed
the decommissioning: running a plant and decommissioning a plant are
different specialities. It is sad, however, because people who work at
the plant now are not likely to be retained.
The United Arab Emirates has undertaken "strong and
sustainable" nuclear security activities, an International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded. The Vienna-based agency
carried out a two-week International Physical Protection Advisory
Service (IPPAS) mission at the UAE government's request.
LEXINGTON
—The Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to sell depleted uranium to
GE-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment, LLC (GLE) over a 40-year period
which would be enriched at a proposed GLE state-of-the-art facility. The
proposed new facility would use depleted uranium to produce natural
uranium which is used for production of fuel for civil nuclear reactors.
The facility would be built near DOE’s Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
in western Kentucky. The construction and operation of the
billion-dollar facility at Paducah could to bring approximately 800 to
1,200 jobs to the local community.
“This agreement furthers the Energy Department’s environmental
cleanup mission while reducing cleanup costs, creating good local jobs,
and supporting an economical enrichment enterprise for our energy
needs,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “The sale contributes to two
key Energy Department mission areas – to fulfill the federal
government’s responsibility to manage the safe storage and disposal of
nuclear materials and to enable nuclear power, America’s largest source
of zero-carbon energy and an important enabler for reduced greenhouse
gas emissions.”
GLE will finance, construct, own and operate the Paducah Laser
Enrichment Facility (PLEF) adjacent to the Energy Department site. The
facility will be a commercial uranium enrichment production facility
under a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license. DOE’s inventory of
depleted uranium is safely stored in approximately 65,000 specialized
storage cylinders at the Department’s Paducah and Portsmouth (Ohio)
sites.
The Paducah plant was constructed in the 1950s to enrich uranium for
national security applications, and later enriched uranium for
commercial nuclear power generation. The Energy Department resumed
control of the plant enrichment facilities in 2014 after the operator
ceased gaseous-diffusion enrichment operations in 2013.
The Department’s Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) is
currently deactivating the plant in preparation for decontamination and
decommissioning, while it continues to complete environmental cleanup
that began in the late 1980s. Cleanup includes groundwater remediation,
inactive-facility demolition, conversion of depleted uranium to more
stable forms for reuse or disposal, and other projects.
The mission of the Office of Environmental Management (EM) is to
complete the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from
five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored
nuclear energy research.
An update on arms control, national security, and more from The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
What's News: UN committee
calls for outlawing nuclear weapons In a landmark resolution, 123 nations
approved a United Nations resolution to begin negotiations on a treaty that
could ultimately ban nuclear weapons. The resolution was proposed by Austria,
Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa. The United States, Russia,
Israel, France and the United Kingdom were among the countries that voted
against the measure.
The resolution follows three international
conferences beginning in 2013 to consider the humanitarian impact of nuclear
weapons use and discussions by a working group on nuclear disarmament in 2016.
To know more, click here.
Support Our Mission:
Read: Why Are U.S.
Nuclear Missiles Still On High-Alert? There are approximately 450 silo-based
nuclear weapons across the U.S. that remain on high-alert status, a Cold-War
relic that allows the President to fire nuclear weapons within minutes of a
warning. Executive Director John Tierney explains why it’s safe to take ICBMs
off high-alert without harming U.S. nuclear deterrence. Read the full piece here. The End of
the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement: A Dark Cloud with a Silver
Lining Russia's withdrawal from the US-Russia
Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement has major implications for
global non-proliferation efforts. Yet, there may be one positive outcome for
the United States. Policy intern Katherine Owens explains
what’s at stake. Remembering
Jack Woodall The Center was proud to be associated with
Jack Woodall, a member of our Scientists Working Group and an esteemed
scientist and honorable human being. We send our sincerest condolences to his
family, friends, and colleagues now sharing in this loss. Click
here to learn more about Dr. Woodall and his contributions to scientific
advancement. Infographic:
Cost of U.S. Nuclear Triad Modernization: $1 Trillion The U.S. plans to spend approximately $1
trillion on the modernization and maintenance of its nuclear triad over the
next 30 years. Should it be done all at once? Our infographic takes a look at
the costs of the plan. Take a look below and click here for a printable version.
Watch:
Could we
survive a nuclear winter? What would be
the effects of a nuclear war? According to researchers, even a
"limited" nuclear exchange – about 100 bombs – could cause
devastating, long-term climate change, known as nuclear winter. Watch
this video to see the horrifying results of the study.
Dear Silicon Valley: Forget Flying Cars, Give Us Economic Growth
Companies taking advantage of
amazing new digital technologies dominate our list of 50 Smartest
Companies. But despite impressive advances in artificial intelligence
and automation, the economy
remains in a troubling slowdown.
Trump insider: New administration won't attack renewable energy
The president-elect
will not move to revoke wind and solar subsidies, according to a major
Trump financial contributor who said he is a member of the transition
team.
What We’re Reading is a new blog at the Bulletin featuring short posts about articles you’ll want to see. This week we look at the likelihood of follow-through on Donald Trump's campaign rhetoric, and how those concerned with existential threats can best respond during a Trump administration.
In this insightful book review of Shawn Otto's The War on Science: Who’s Waging It, Why It Matters, What We Can Do About It, contributing editor Elisabeth Eaves examines historical examples of science denial followed by societal collapse. Free access from the November/December subscription journal.
Our excellent debate
on reducing South Asia’s nuclear dangers is closing. Find out what
measures are available to India, Pakistan, and outside nations that
might reduce the risk of a South Asian nuclear exchange.
This
month's Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference is a chance to
reinvigorate the aging treaty. Despite rapid scientific advances, the
BWC convention has been unable to provide a forum where crucial
contemporary debates about new developments—including gain-of-function
experiments, potential pandemic pathogens, and Crispr—can take place
internationally.
New BWC website The 8th Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Review Conference is taking place in Geneva from November 7-25, 2016, and theMiddle East Next Generation of Arms Control Specialists Network (MENACS)
has launched the BWC1972 website, the goal of which is to raise public
awareness of biological weapons threats and the importance of the BWC.
Visits to the Bulletin's
website were 350 percent higher on Nov 9, the day after the US
presidential election, than the normal daily average. Interview requests
and inquiries about the impact on our Doomsday Clock have spiked as
well.
Members
of our Science and Security board will have more to say about the
effect of the president-elect's public statements on climate change and
nuclear issues--but this much is clear. We need your increased support to meet the escalating demands of the coming weeks.
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IAEA Conducts First Seismic Review of a New Reactor Design
Shin Morita, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
An IAEA team of experts meeting with counterparts from ATMEA
during a seismic safety review mission in Kobe, Japan. (Photo: S.
Morita/IAEA)
Kobe, Japan – An IAEA team of experts conducted the
Agency's first seismic safety review assessing a new nuclear power
reactor design last month. Previous seismic safety reviews had focused
on the early stages of nuclear power projects.
The team of five experts of the Site External Events and Design
(SEED) review mission in Kobe assessed the technical methodologies that
underpin the seismic design of the mid-size pressurized water reactor
ATMEA1 against IAEA Safety Standards, which represent an international
consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety.
The team reviewed relevant documentation and met counterparts from
ATMEA and its partners. It concluded that the ATMEA1 seismic design
methodologies are aligned with relevant IAEA Safety Standards.
The team also identified good practices, including the use of
comprehensive experimental databases and the development of strong test
capabilities in support of advanced seismic design and qualification
methods.
"The ATMEA1 reactor incorporates many proven technical approaches and
methodologies to establish a seismically robust reactor design," said
Greg Rzentkowski, Director of the IAEA's Nuclear Installations Safety
Division.
"This is the first peer review focusing specifically on seismic
safety for a new reactor design. This type of review may be beneficial
for the IAEA Member States, including countries embarking on nuclear
power programmes, in achieving high-level of seismic safety," he said.
ATMEA Chief Executive Officer Andreas Goebel said: "ATMEA considers
this type of mission an efficient service to Member States seeking an
independent assessment of seismic safety."
IAEA SEED reviews provide Member States with comments on site evaluation, reactor design features and safety considerations.
ATMEA S.A.S is a nuclear power plant vendor company jointly
established in France in November 2007 by AREVA (France) and Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries Limited (Japan). This mission was requested by ATMEA
and was held on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries premises in Kobe.
Experts from 17 countries laid the foundations last week for
enhanced international cooperation on a technology that promises to
deliver nuclear power with a lower risk of severe accidents, helping to
decrease the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate
change.
Molten salt reactors – nuclear power reactors that use liquid salt as
primary coolant or a molten salt mixture as fuel – have many favourable
characteristics for nuclear safety and sustainability. The concept was
developed in the 1960s, but put aside in favour of what has become
mainstream nuclear technology since. In recent years, however,
technological advances have led to growing interest in molten salt
technology and to the launch of new initiatives. The technology needs at
least a decade of further intensive research, validation and
qualification before commercialization.
For a developing country like Indonesia, a molten salt
reactor's higher efficiency in electricity generation makes it more
economical and affordable than fossil-fuel power plants.
“It is the first time a comprehensive IAEA international meeting on
molten salt reactors has ever taken place,” said Stefano Monti, Head of
the Nuclear Power Development Section at the IAEA. “Given the interest
of Member States, the IAEA could provide a platform for international
cooperation and information exchange on the development of these
advanced nuclear systems.”
Molten salt reactors operate at higher temperatures, making them more
efficient in generating electricity. In addition, their low operating
pressure can reduce the risk of coolant loss, which could otherwise
result in an accident. Molten salt reactors can run on various types of
nuclear fuel and use different fuel cycles. This conserves fuel
resources and reduces the volume, radiotoxicity and lifetime of
high-level radioactive waste.
Molten salt reactor technology has attracted private funding over the
last few years, and several reactor concepts are under development. One
area under research is the compatibility between the salt coolant and
the structural materials and, for some designs, the chemical processes
related to the associated fuel cycle, Monti said. Safety first
The challenges are not only technical. Nuclear regulators will need
to review existing safety regulations to see how these can be modified,
if necessary, to fit molten salt reactors, since they differ
significantly from reactors in use today, said Stewart Magruder, senior
nuclear safety officer at the IAEA.
Participants, including researchers, designers and industry
representatives, emphasized the need for an international platform for
information exchange.
“While the United States is actively developing both technology and
safety regulations for molten salt reactors, the meeting is an important
platform to exchange knowledge and information with Member States not
engaged in the existing forums,” said David Holcomb from the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory one of the 35 participants at the meeting last week.
The development of molten salt reactors began with an experiment
conducted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1960s. From bilateral to multilateral cooperation
To help speed up research, it is essential to move from bilateral to
multilateral cooperation, said Chen Kun from the Shanghai Institute of
Applied Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “It is the first
time China has the opportunity to share knowledge with India, Indonesia
and Turkey on this technology.”
Indonesia is considering building its first nuclear power plant with
molten salt reactor design, said Bob Soelaiman Effendi from Indonesia
Thorium Energy Community. “For a developing country like Indonesia, a
molten salt reactor’s higher efficiency in electricity generation makes
it more economical and affordable than fossil-fuel power plants.”
Molten salt reactors and other advanced nuclear reactors have
received increased attention over the last few years as the world is
looking for alternative technologies for energy production. Advanced
reactors, which could increase the sustainability of nuclear power, are
at various stages of development. Some advanced reactors, such as the
sodium-cooled fast reactor BN-800 in Russia and the High Temperature
Reactor Prototype Module in China are already connected to the grid or
are in an advanced stage of construction. Others, such as molten salt
reactors, are in the design phase.
The United Nations agency
monitoring the nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers said Wednesday
that Iran is in violation of the deal meant to curb its ability to make
atomic arms by storing marginally more heavy water than the agreement
allows. …
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Oil And Gas: Huge Victors Of The Presidential Election 
