Enrico Fermi, the Architect of the Nuclear Age

https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/enrico-fermi-the-architect-of-the-nuclear-age/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=techreview&utm_campaign=MITcompany&utm_content=EnricoFermi

Census Bureau: 4 Richest Counties in U.S. Are Suburbs of D.C.

Census Bureau: 4 Richest Counties in U.S. Are Suburbs of D.C.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup December 16, 2016

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view an online version.

Nuclear Roundup December 16, 2016

A compilation of quality nuclear policy news published on the Web, around the world. Iran Nuclear Deal U.N. nuclear watchdog chief to visit Iran on Sunday http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-visit-idUSKBN14527E Iran sanctions extended, but without Obama’s signature https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iran-sanctions-extended-but-without-obamas-signature/2016/12/15/33eaa664-c2db-11e6-9a51-cd56ea1c2bb7_story.html?utm_term=.dffdfde262b4 United States The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy Donald Trump’s energy program needs a middle ground — nuclear power http://www.salon.com/2016/12/16/donald-trump-should-embrace-nuclear-power-before-we-start-to-try-to-sell-off-all-the-public-lands-for-drilling/ Trump, nuclear weapon realist, can correct Obama's idealistic blunders http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/310535-trump-nuclear-weapon-realist-can-correct-obamas Trump Should Change U.S. Policy On Nuclear Weapons http://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/trump-should-change-u-s-policy-on-nuclear-weapons/ The Air Force Is Hopeful on Trump's Nuclear-Weapons Plan http://www.defensenews.com/articles/the-air-force-is-unworried-by-trumps-fickle-nuclear-weapons-talk Feds: No ‘show-stoppers’ found in nuke readiness review http://www.salon.com/2016/12/16/feds-no-show-stoppers-found-in-nuke-readiness-review/ $2.6B Contract Awarded for Sandia National Labs Management http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/26b-contract-awarded-sandia-national-labs-management-44242644 Spent nuclear fuel dropped in Savannah River Site's L Basin http://www.aikenstandard.com/news/spent-nuclear-fuel-dropped-in-savannah-river-site-s-l/article_665203ca-c30a-11e6-b626-abdc57e459b5.html International Russia to 'expand mobile nuclear missile patrols' near European borders to respond to Nato 'threats' in 2017 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-nuclear-missile-patrols-europe-nato-tensions-exercises-ukraine-sanctions-crimea-a7478966.html Assessing the ban treaty from Ukraine http://thebulletin.org/can-treaty-banning-nuclear-weapons-speed-their-abolition/assessing-ban-treaty-ukraine Commentary: The future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-the-future-of-nuclear-security-in-southeast-asia/3353314.html China should seek nuclear stability, not disarmament utopia http://thebulletin.org/nuclear-order-what-role-china/china-should-seek-nuclear-stability-not-disarmament-utopia First to use or not to use first: A curious case of Indian nuclear doctrine http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/310633-first-to-use-or-not-to-use-first-a-curious-case-of-indian The Indo-Japanese nuclear deal http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/16-Dec-16/the-indo-japanese-nuclear-deal UN: Threat of a hacking attack on nuclear plants is growing https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/un-threat-of-a-hacking-attack-on-nuclear-plants-is-growing/2016/12/15/745d6f3a-c329-11e6-92e8-c07f4f671da4_story.html?utm_term=.504e85113389 Security Council underlines need to halt proliferation of weapons of mass destruction http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55812#.WFPwYFUrIdU General Interest Reflections on the IAEA Nuclear Security Conference: More Participants, Less Focus http://allthingsnuclear.org/elyman/reflections-on-the-iaea-nuclear-security-conference-more-participants-less-focus If nuclear war broke out where's the safest place on Earth? https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2016/dec/16/if-nuclear-war-broke-out-wheres-the-safest-place-on-earth Economist Found a Higher Calling: Saving the World From Nuclear War http://www.wsj.com/articles/economist-found-a-higher-calling-saving-the-world-from-nuclear-war-1481900404 Toward safer, long-life nuclear reactors—metal design could raise radiation resistance by 100 times http://phys.org/news/2016-12-safer-long-life-nuclear-reactorsmetal-resistance.html

The Energy Collective Daily: A Rush to Subsidies as Power Plants in Europe Face Existential Threat

A Rush to Subsidies as Power Plants in Europe Face Existential Threat | The Energy Collective Daily

---

• A Rush to Subsidies as Power Plants in Europe Face Existential Threat
• Could Rick Perry Forego his Special-Interest Past for a Clean Energy Future?
• e21 Initiative Issues Report on Implementing a Framework for a 21st Century Electric System in Minnesota
• Sabal Trail Opponents Say Pipeline Is Part of Florida’s ‘Overbuilt’ Gas Infrastructure
• EIA Adds Population Density Layers to U.S. Energy Mapping System
• The Sol Source: December 2016

DOE Approves Modified Contract and Baseline for Hanford Waste Treatment Plant

EM News Flash | Dec. 16, 2016

DOE Approves Modified Contract and Baseline for Hanford Waste Treatment Plant  WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Bechtel National Inc. (BNI) have modified the contract and baseline for the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) project to support the Department’s approach to begin treating Hanford’s tank waste as soon as practicable.     The contract modification implements DOE’s Direct Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) approach for the Hanford tank waste treatment mission. The DFLAW approach involves the WTP Low Activity Waste (LAW) Facility, Analytical Laboratory (LAB) and a set of 23 support facilities, collectively known as Balance of Facilities (BOF). Together, these three areas are commonly referred to as “LBL.” The contract modification aligns both the contractor responsibility and the project risks through the restructuring of incentives in order to deliver the best value for the Federal government and the taxpayer.    “DOE is committed to addressing the environmental legacy of decades of nuclear weapons production activities at the Hanford Site in a safe and cost-effective manner. We are confident that the modified contract and baseline represents the most effective and expeditious path towards beginning tank waste treatment at Hanford as soon as practicable,” said Kevin Smith, Manager of the DOE Office of River Protection, which oversees the WTP Project.      The contract modification includes incentives for BNI to complete the LBL sections of the WTP by specific dates and for the contractor to share in cost savings for completing work early. It also includes sections to benefit the American taxpayer by reducing the fee for work that fails to meet the agreed upon schedule.     To date, BNI has made significant progress on the LBL sections of the WTP, with the LAB and BOF near completion and some support systems commencing activities for startup. In addition, nearly all major pieces of equipment have been installed in the LAW Facility.    Along with the contract modification, DOE has revised the baseline for the LBL sections of the WTP project. The cost increase for the approved baseline change of the project is approximately $4.5 billion and results from multiple factors, including changes in quality standards, performance and construction challenges, and updated commissioning costs based on improved understanding of current industry best practices. As a result, the incremental total project cost for the entire WTP has increased to $16.8 billion. This revised baseline has been thoroughly reviewed by the Project Management Risk Committee and the revitalized Energy Systems Acquisition Advisory Board, reflecting the Department's recent project management improvements.    To learn more about the WTP project, please visit the DOE Office of River Protection website.

An Open Letter to Rick Perry, U.S. Energy Secretary Nominee

https://whchronicle.com/an-open-letter-to-rick-perry-u-s-energy-secretary-nominee/

Draft Plan for a Defense Waste Repository - Released for Public Comment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a Draft Plan for a repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) resulting from DOE's atomic energy defense activities.  This defense waste repository (DWR) could be used to dispose of some or all of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and HLW resulting from DOE's atomic energy defense activities and/or research and development activities.  The DOE intends to use a consent-based process for siting the DWR and is preparing for that process by sharing the Draft Plan for public comment.

The Draft Plan is available at the following website - energy.gov/DWR.  You are invited to submit your comments by e-mail to DWR@hq.doe.gov.

Thank you!

Andrew R. Griffith
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition
Office of Nuclear Energy
Department of Energy

TRC’s Top 12 Predictions for the Energy Industry in 2017

Top 12 predictions for the energy, utility, and oil and gas sectors for 2017, including robust funding for utility mergers and acquisitions and infrastructure upgrades as well as big shifts in power plant and pipeline construction focus. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/12/trc-s-top-12-predictions-for-the-energy-industry-in-2017.html?cmpid=enl_PennEnergy_PennEnergyWeeklyPowerUpdates_2016-12-16&email_address=micheletkearney@gmail.com&eid=288118515&bid=1616884

New Plan Needed For San Onofre Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

Utility commission orders redo for $10.4 billion closure and cleanup plan

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california/New-Plan-Needed-For-San-Onofre-Nuclear-Plant-Decommissioning--406643735.html

Uranium Resources signs binding amendment for sale of New Mexico assets

http://www.mining-technology.com/news/newsuranium-resources-signs-binding-amendment-for-sale-of-new-mexico-assets-5698059

UN: Threat of a hacking attack on nuclear plants is growing

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/un-threat-of-a-hacking-attack-on-nuclear-plants-is-growing-1.444679

ESKOM PROMISES TRANSPARENCY IN NUCLEAR PROJECT

http://www.yesafrica.biz/business/eskom-promises-transparency-nuclear-project-90816

Experts urge more studies on the opening of Bataan nuclear plant

http://www.manilatimes.net/experts-urge-studies-opening-bataan-nuclear-plant/302080/

The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy

The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy

Commentary: The future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia

In her winning entry for the International Atomic Energy Agency's essay competition, Singapore student Noor Azura Zuhairah binte Abdul Aziz discusses regional nuclear security problems stemming from terrorism, maritime piracy and insufficient border controls.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/commentary-the-future-of-nuclear-security-in-southeast-asia/3353314.html

Russia, Japan to Cooperate in Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies - Rosatom

Russia, Japan to Cooperate in Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies - Rosatom

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/world/201612161048633440-nuclea-fuel-cycle-russia/

https://sputniknews.com/world/201612161048633440-nuclea-fuel-cycle-russia/

Wylfa Newydd: UK government holds talks in Japan

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-38336893

Global Steam Generators for Nuclear Power Market: New Research Report 2021!!!

http://www.mynewsdesk.com/in/pressreleases/global-steam-generators-for-nuclear-power-market-new-research-report-2021-1696884?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Alert&utm_content=pressrelease

New Mexico finds no 'red flags' in nuclear dump inspection

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-mexico-red-flags-nuclear-dump.html

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Friday, December 16, 2016

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view an online version.

Friday, December 16, 2016

US-Russia rift threatens the science ties that keep us safe   Siegfried S. Hecker For two decades, Russian and American nuclear scientists cooperated to successfully avoid catastrophe. Can they do it again?   What Trump means for global catastrophic risk   Seth Baum   Will the president-elect increase dangers to human civilization?     Biodefense and the next presidency   Laura Kahn President-elect Trump has the opportunity to make his country safer against biological threats—if he focuses on these five things. Can a treaty banning nuclear weapons speed their abolition? Joelien Pretorius, Polina Sinovets, Mustafa Kibaroglu Over the objections of most nuclear-armed nations, a UN committee on disarmament and security resoundingly approved a resolution in October that would mandate negotiations toward a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons. Will the pace of disarmament quicken if a new treaty is negotiated that bans nuclear weapons outright? A new debate opens. It's more important than ever to stay up on the Nuclear Roundup Sign up to receive Jodi Lieberman's Nuclear Roundup. It's a must-read collection that no one can afford to miss.   An Energy Department tale: Captain Perry and the great white whale   Robert Alvarez It appears that the Trump transition team has no clue about how all the elements of the Energy Department fit together.   Iran and the US elections: Observations from a trip to Iran   Payam Mohseni The election of Donald Trump only reinforces the hardline rhetoric and stance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, who were critical of the nuclear agreement.     Donald Trump's War on Science   Lawrence Krauss, Chair of the Bulletin's Board of Sponsors, has been on fire the last few weeks, even more than usual. Krauss has been published in The New Yorker as well as the New York Times, writing about signs from the Trump transition team and various nominations that bode ill for US science and energy policy.     What We're Reading   Dan Drollette Jr., Elisabeth Eaves   Must-read posts this week examine what ExxonMobil knew about climate change and fossil fuels (and when they knew it), the big banks behind deforestation, why scientists fear the Trump presidency, and the idea that Donald Trump isn't fully aware of what he is doing.   How the economic changes caused by the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will affect world security The November/December subscription journal features an indispensible mix of free-access and subscription-only articles.   Your support matters, big time   In a time of fake news and false equivalencies, the Bulletin serves as a trusted source of expertise and analysis, providing a refuge to those who continue to insist that facts and reasoned policy prescriptions matter. But we can’t do what is needed without your support.     2016 Rieser Award winner announced The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has named Nikita Perumal the 2016 Leonard M. Rieser Award recipient for her Voices of Tomorrow essay entitled “The value in activism: Lessons from the Columbia University climate sit-in.” Perumal is a Fulbright Scholar currently in Vanuatu conducting research on the intersections of human rights and climate change.  Apply for a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Work at NGOs in Washington, DC to solve some of the world's toughest problems of war, weapons, diplomacy and security. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2017.   Climate adaptation funding: Getting the money to those who need it   Saleemul Huq, Meraz Mostafa, M. Feisal Rahman   There are two major issues related to the future of adaptation funding: where the funds will flow from, and how to ensure the appropriate distribution and allocation of the available funds. From the November/December subscription issue About the Bulletin For more than 70 years the Bulletin has engaged science leaders, policy makers, and the interested public on topics of nuclear weapons and disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies.

Some images provided by Shutterstock. Receive this message as a forward? Click here to sign up for future mailings. To unsubscribe from ALL future emails from the Bulletin, please click the 'unsubscribe' button below. Share this message on Social Media: