Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Radioactive sludge moved away from Columbia River | KEPR

Radioactive sludge moved away from Columbia River | KEPR: RICHLAND, Wash. -- The first of many steel containers filled with radioactive sludge was moved about 11 miles further away from the Columbia River.The U.S. Department of Energy has been working on the sludge removal project for 20 years.It's been an incred

South Carolina bill would cut Scana cost recovery

South Carolina bill would cut Scana cost recovery: Scana Corporation and South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G) are "evaluating their legal options" after the South Carolina General Assembly passed a bill that would reduce the amount SCE&G can recover from its customers in relation to the abandoned VC Summer nuclear power plant construction project. The companies say the proposed legislation is unconstitutional.

Bruce Power and ITM to supply cancer therapy isotope

Bruce Power and ITM to supply cancer therapy isotope: Bruce Power and ITG, a subsidiary of radiopharmaceutical technology company ITM Isotopen Technologien München (ITM), have launched a joint effort to explore the production of the medical radioisotope lutetium-177 (Lu-177) at Bruce Power's Candu reactors.

China's Taishan 1 reactor connected to grid

China's Taishan 1 reactor connected to grid: China General Nuclear Power Group and EDF Group have today announced that unit 1 of the Taishan nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid, becoming the world's first EPR to achieve grid connection and power generation. It is expected to enter commercial operation later this year.

American expert: USA loses much because of Russia-China nuclear deal » Construction.RU - Russia-wide construction online journal

American expert: USA loses much because of Russia-China nuclear deal » Construction.RU - Russia-wide construction online journal: The nuclear deal concluded between China and Russia earlier this month was another blow to America's declining global influence in the field of commercial nuclear energy, according to an article

IEA holds high-level meeting on the future of nuclear power - Modern Diplomacy

IEA holds high-level meeting on the future of nuclear power - Modern Diplomacy: For more than 40 years, nuclear energy has been an important contributor in several countries to energy security and a key source of zero-emissions generation. But the future of nuclear energy is facing growing challenges, increased competition with renewables and gas and, in some cases, public opposition. With the aim of identifying the key issues […]

China’s Nuclear Energy Gambit | The Diplomat

China’s Nuclear Energy Gambit | The Diplomat: Nuclear power has emerged as an option for Beijing as it continues its struggle to transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future.

Wyoming Seeks to Be NRC Agreement State -- Environmental Protection

Wyoming Seeks to Be NRC Agreement State -- Environmental Protection

Chinese nuclear forces, 2018: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol 74, No 4

Chinese nuclear forces, 2018: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol 74, No 4: (2018). Chinese nuclear forces, 2018. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 74, Special issue: Missile Defense, around the world and, perhaps, in space, pp. 289-295.

Joint report highlights need and opportunities for U.S. and Russian cooperation in nuclear sphere | NTI News Joint report highlights need and opportunities for U.S. and Russian cooperation in nuclear sphere | NTI

Joint report highlights need and opportunities for U.S. and Russian cooperation in nuclear sphere | NTI News Joint report highlights need and opportunities for U.S. and Russian cooperation in nuclear sphere | NTI: A new report highlights nuclear projects that the United States and Russia can undertake to innovate and rebuild trust.

Meet The First Black Woman To Earn A PH.D. In Nuclear Engineering From – BECAUSE OF THEM, WE CAN

Meet The First Black Woman To Earn A PH.D. In Nuclear Engineering From – BECAUSE OF THEM, WE CAN: Photo via: mareenarobinsonsnowden.com In 2017, Mareena Robinson Snowden broke the glass ceiling as the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Nuclear Engineering.  As stated on her personal website, the Miami native graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelors

Flynn Business Associate Hoped to Get Sessions to Support Russia-Related Nuclear Project – Mother Jones

Flynn Business Associate Hoped to Get Sessions to Support Russia-Related Nuclear Project – Mother Jones: The goal was to build nuclear plants throughout the Middle East.

North Korea Improving A Key Nuclear Research Facility At ‘Rapid Pace’ | The Daily Caller

North Korea Improving A Key Nuclear Research Facility At ‘Rapid Pace’ | The Daily Caller: Raising questions about Pyongyang's commitments

Tepco willing to resume nuclear plant construction suspended after 2011 crisis

Tepco willing to resume nuclear plant construction suspended after 2011 crisis: Tokyo Electric Power Holdings Inc. will launch a new site survey for its nuclear plant construction in northeastern Japan, suspended after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Cost estimate for Trump's coal bailout coming soon, Perry says

Cost estimate for Trump's coal bailout coming soon, Perry says: Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Thursday that the Energy Department is working on releasing a cost estimate for its proposed bailout of struggling coal and nuclear plants, but he does not know the price of the plan.

Nuclear Fusion Power Could Be Here By 2030, One Company Says

Nuclear Fusion Power Could Be Here By 2030, One Company Says: A private nuclear fusion company has heated a plasma of hydrogen gas to 15 million degrees Kelvin (15 million degrees Celsius or 27 million degrees Fahrenheit) in a new reactor for the first time — hotter than the core of the sun, and a landmark on the co

Opinion: A New Climate of Realism Emerges in Energy Debate

Opinion: A New Climate of Realism Emerges in Energy Debate: For the new climate movement to hold, progressives and conservatives must embrace ideas and partners they’ve doubted or shunned in the past, Grumet writes.

American natural gas is fueling the world's future

American natural gas is fueling the world's future: What fuels our future? That's the question we're asking this week at the World Gas Conference (WGC), which is being held here in the United States for the first time in 30 years. And the clear answer is American ingenuity and innovation, coupled with freedom and a commitment to developing all of our energy resources.

Opinion: Perils of shutting down coal, nuclear power plants | Belleville News-Democrat

Opinion: Perils of shutting down coal, nuclear power plants | Belleville News-Democrat: A retired professor from the University of Missouri who ran Mizzou's research reactor explains why moving away from coal and nuclear power too soon will hurt the reliability of electricity, even during this hot summer. News opinion

Realizing a "Pipe Dream"

Realizing a "Pipe Dream": Transmitting signals through the concrete and steel of a nuclear power plant presents challenges even under normal conditions. But the loss of electric power at a nuclear plant following an accident would leave no way to send vital information into or out of the harsh environment of a containment building. Now, however, research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory reveals that communicating through a containment building's metal conduits is no pipe dream.

gulftoday.ae | First EPR nuclear reactor goes on stream in China

gulftoday.ae | First EPR nuclear reactor goes on stream in China

Trump Is Right On Keeping Coal, Nuclear Plants Open - Brian McNicoll

Trump Is Right On Keeping Coal, Nuclear Plants Open - Brian McNicoll: As long as nothing goes wrong as long as the weather doesnt get too hot or cold or populations in various vulnerable areas don't grow too much or disasters, manmade or natural, dont hit too close to home, Americas grid operators say they can meet demand..06/30/2018 14:21:02PM EST.

Inside Fukushima ghost town that has laid abandoned since nuclear disaster forced everyone to leave - Mirror Online

Inside Fukushima ghost town that has laid abandoned since nuclear disaster forced everyone to leave - Mirror Online: Thousands of people were forced to flee seven years ago after an earthquake and tsunami caused a nuclear meltdown in Japan

First Westinghouse AP1000 Plant Sanmen 1 Begins Synchronization to Electrical Grid - Odessa American: Business

First Westinghouse AP1000 Plant Sanmen 1 Begins Synchronization to Electrical Grid - Odessa American: Business

Tepco to check for faults under site of new atomic plant eyed in Aomori | The Japan Times

Tepco to check for faults under site of new atomic plant eyed in Aomori | The Japan Times

Nuclear, coal bailout worth any cost 'to keep America free': US Energy Secretary Rick Perry

Nuclear, coal bailout worth any cost 'to keep America free': US Energy Secretary Rick Perry

The Trump Administration Is Reshaping the Country Under the Guise of National Security. The Energy Sector Is Next.

The Trump Administration Is Reshaping the Country Under the Guise of National Security. The Energy Sector Is Next.: Rick Perry's plan to bail out coal plants has produced an odd-bedfellows coalition of opposition that includes the gas industry and environmentalists.

Nuclear, coal bailout worth any cost 'to keep America free' - Egypt Today

Nuclear, coal bailout worth any cost 'to keep America free' - Egypt Today: egypttoday,Politics,Business,Economy,Art,culture,Local news,Special interest,Press Review,News,Resources

First EPR nuclear reactor goes on stream in China | Business Standard News

First EPR nuclear reactor goes on stream in China | Business Standard News

TEPCO willing to resume Higashidori nuclear plant construction - The Mainichi

TEPCO willing to resume Higashidori nuclear plant construction - The Mainichi: TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo Electric Power Holdings Inc. will launch a new site survey for its nuclear plant construction in northeastern Japan, suspended

Satellite images show North Korea upgrading nuclear facility

Satellite images show North Korea upgrading nuclear facility



https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/27/politics/north-korea-infrastructure-improvements-nuclear-facility/index.html?utm_source=FAS+General&utm_campaign=d88c1694e0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_02_21_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56a7496199-d88c1694e0-199338577

Thursday, June 28, 2018

£40m nuclear facility project for Wales announced - BBC News

£40m nuclear facility project for Wales announced - BBC News

CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)-Norway considering closure of research nuclear reactor | Reuters

CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)-Norway considering closure of research nuclear reactor | Reuters: (Corrects to show closure being considered (not closure agreed), ministry says details of possible closure released prematurely)

Robotics and VR combine to tackle one of the world's most hazardous nuclear sites

Robotics and VR combine to tackle one of the world's most hazardous nuclear sites

Enercon Services Inc. partnering with SNC-Lavalin to finish building Bellefonte Unit 1 Nuclear Generating Station in Hollywood - Birmingham Business Journal

Enercon Services Inc. partnering with SNC-Lavalin to finish building Bellefonte Unit 1 Nuclear Generating Station in Hollywood - Birmingham Business Journal: This engineering firm with an office in Birmingham is working on building a nuclear power plant in Alabama.

Cracking Nuclear Fusion With Supercomputers And Smart Code

Cracking Nuclear Fusion With Supercomputers And Smart Code: Nuclear fusion, the opportunity to harness the power of the stars, has been a dream of humanity from around the time of the Manhattan Project. But while making bombs has been readily achieved, controlling the process for thermonuclear fusion for civilian use has been frustratingly elusive. Nuclear fusion could be a

Westinghouse eyes Saudi, India deals as end to bankruptcy nears | Reuters

Westinghouse eyes Saudi, India deals as end to bankruptcy nears | Reuters: * Westinghouse sees no regulatory roadblocks to takeover

Deal struck to temporarily cut SCE&G nuclear rates nearly 15 percent | Business | postandcourier.com

Deal struck to temporarily cut SCE&G nuclear rates nearly 15 percent | Business | postandcourier.com: After months of delays, South Carolina lawmakers agreed on a plan Wednesday that would temporarily slash S.C. Electric & Gas customers' power bills, ending a drawn-out debate over charges for

Fukushima Update 6/28/18

Fukushima Update 6/28/18

The F. Daiichi unit #2 refueling deck’s outer wall has been opened… Naraha opens a shopping center for its more than 3,400 returnees… The Environment Minister says decontamination outside Fukushima Prefecture is “all done”… The town of Date is running a full-scale wild boar-skin leather business… Tokai unit #2 passes a key earthquake safety test; NRA safety screening approval is imminent.

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

EM News Flash June 28, 2018

DOE Office of Environmental Management

EM News Flash | June 28, 2018


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First Speakers Announced for 2018 National Cleanup Workshop

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management Anne White leads a group of senior U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), industry, and local representatives participating in the 2018 National Cleanup Workshop, set to be held Sept. 11-13 in Alexandria, Va.
   Other confirmed DOE speakers include:
  • Angela Watmore, Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, DOE-EM
  • Norbert Doyle, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Project Management, DOE-EM
  • Mike Budney, Manager, DOE Savannah River Operations Office
  • Robert Edwards, Manager, DOE Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office
  • Doug Hintze, Manager, DOE-EM Los Alamos Field Office
  • Jay Mullis, Manager, DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management
  • Doug Shoop, Manager, DOE Richland Operations Office
  • Todd Shrader, Manager, DOE Carlsbad Field Office
  • Brian Vance, Manager, DOE Office of River Protection 
  • Jack Zimmerman, Deputy Manager for the Idaho Cleanup Project, DOE Idaho Operations Office
  • Jim McConnell, Associate Administrator for Safety, Infrastructure, and Operations, National Nuclear Security Administration
  • Candice Robertson, Chief Human Capital Officer, DOE
   Industry speakers:
  • Ty Blackford, President, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. (CHPRC)
  • Bruce Covert, President and Project Manager, Nuclear Waste Partnership
  • Cathy Hickey, President, Westinghouse Government Services 
  • Tom Jouvanis, President, Atkins Nuclear Solutions
  • Michael Lempke, President, Nuclear and Environmental Group, Huntington Ingalls Industries
  • Stuart MacVean, President, SRNS, LLC
  • Greg Meyer, Senior Vice President, Operations, FLUOR
  • Billy Morrison, President and CEO, VNS Federal Services 
  • Liz Porter, Senior Vice President, Federal Energy and Environment, Leidos
  • Brian Reilly, Project Manager, Bechtel, WTP
  • Ken Reuter, President, UCOR
  • James Taylor, PVP and General Manager of NS&E, Bechtel
  • Karen Wiemelt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, North American Nuclear, Jacobs
   Local representatives: 
  • County Executive Ron Woody, Roane County, TN
  • Councilmember Steve Young, City of Kennewick, WA
  • Rick McLeod, President/CEO, Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization
   The National Cleanup Workshop is hosted by the Energy Communities Alliance, and cooperating organizations include the DOE’s Office of Environmental Management and the Energy Facility Contractors Group
   The annual event brings together DOE executives and site officials, industry leaders, national and local elected officials, and other stakeholders to discuss DOE's progress on the cleanup of the environmental legacy of the nation's Manhattan Project and Cold War nuclear weapons program.
   For more information on the workshop, including a preliminary agenda and registration information, click here

EDF and Veolia partner on robotics and vitrification

EDF and Veolia partner on robotics and vitrification: EDF and Veolia are to co-develop robotic solutions for dismantling gas-cooled reactors and for vitrifying radioactive waste in France and worldwide, under a partnership agreement announced on 26 June. The deal is one of a set of official cooperation agreements EDF has signed with European partners in the decommissioning and radioactive waste management sector.

UK presents Sector Deal for nuclear

UK presents Sector Deal for nuclear: The UK's nuclear industry has unanimously welcomed the Sector Deal, which Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark outlined at the nuclear-licensed Trawsfynydd site in North Wales. The document, which includes GBP200 million (USD262 million) in funding for the sector, was developed by the Nuclear Industry Council (NIC) - whose membership is drawn from across energy, manufacturing, engineering, science and research - in partnership with the government.

Halden Reactor to be decommissioned

Halden Reactor to be decommissioned: The board of directors of Norway's Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) has decided to close the Halden Reactor permanently and to start its decommissioning. The board will not apply to extend its operating licence, which expires in 2020, and the reactor, which is currently shut down due to a safety valve failure, will not be restarted.

Hans Blix: 90 years of excellence

Hans Blix: 90 years of excellence: Celebrating his birthday today, Hans Blix can look back on a professional life spanning the entire history of nuclear energy as a source of electricity. Few have done, or continue to do, as much for its peaceful development as this dedicated statesman and his humble commitment to truth.

DOE Awards Contract for the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office Technical Support Services Acquisition | Department of Energy

DOE Awards Contract for the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office Technical Support Services Acquisition | Department of Energy: DOE Awards Contract for the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office Technical Support Services Acquisition

DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Information Technology Support Services | Department of Energy

DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Information Technology Support Services | Department of Energy: DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Information Technology Support Services

DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Cyber Security Services | Department of Energy

DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Cyber Security Services | Department of Energy: DOE Awards Contract for the Environmental Management Cyber Security Services

Regulators shed light on Davis-Besse's decommissioning process

Regulators shed light on Davis-Besse's decommissioning process: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is held a meeting on Davis-Besse Tuesday and talked at length about the decommissioning process.

Lightbridge Reports Initial Testing and Demonstration of its Advanced Metallic Nuclear Fuel to be Conducted in the United States | Markets Insider

Lightbridge Reports Initial Testing and Demonstration of its Advanced Metallic Nuclear Fuel to be Conducted in the United States | Markets Insider: Shifts Plans from Halden Reactor in Norway to U.S. SitesReaffirms Plans to Commence Testing of Fuel in a U.S. Research Reactor By 2020 and Deploy Lead Test ...

IAEA concludes operational safety review at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant | Global Edition | Devdiscourse

IAEA concludes operational safety review at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant | Global Edition | Devdiscourse: Global Edition | An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today completed a review of the long-term operational safety of Unit 6 at the K

In Historic Russia - China Nuclear Power Cooperation, U.S. Loses Big

In Historic Russia - China Nuclear Power Cooperation, U.S. Loses Big: The United States, once the world leader in global nuclear power exports, is losing market share to Chinese and Russian state-backed companies. With nuclear energy growing increasingly popular in the developing world, this shift brings significant geopolitical implications.

North Korea Is Rapidly Upgrading Nuclear Site Despite Summit Vow - WSJ

North Korea Is Rapidly Upgrading Nuclear Site Despite Summit Vow - WSJ

Nuclear sector deal signals support for 'baby' atomic power plants

Nuclear sector deal signals support for 'baby' atomic power plants

£40m nuclear facility project for Wales announced - BBC News

£40m nuclear facility project for Wales announced - BBC News: The partnership between the Welsh and UK governments is on top of a £200m UK-wide sector deal.

U.K. Earmarks $262 Million to Bolster Its Nuclear Power Industry - Bloomberg

U.K. Earmarks $262 Million to Bolster Its Nuclear Power Industry - Bloomberg: The U.K. government earmarked 200 million pounds ($262 million) to smooth the way for the next nuclear power plants just two days after rejected the case for an experimental project that would generate power from the tides.

Report finds U.S. falling behind on energy efficiency | Energy News Network

Report finds U.S. falling behind on energy efficiency | Energy News Network

Obama official who inspired Scott Pruitt's climate debate idea now backs Trump's coal bailout plan

Obama official who inspired Scott Pruitt's climate debate idea now backs Trump's coal bailout plan: The former Obama administration official who inspired Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to create "red" and "blue" teams to debate the science of climate change is now putting his support behind President Trump's bid to save ailing coal and nuclear power plants.

Wyoming requests semi-authority in regulating internal radioactive materials - Daily Energy Insider

Wyoming requests semi-authority in regulating internal radioactive materials - Daily Energy Insider: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is currently evaluating a request from Wyoming Gov. Matthew Mead that would make it the 38th state to adopt some of the NRC’s regulatory authority over radioactive materials.© Shutterstock Licensing, ... Read More »

Make US-Japanese nuclear cooperation stable again: End reprocessing | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Make US-Japanese nuclear cooperation stable again: End reprocessing | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: In a little-noticed but remarkable statement last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono described a key pillar of the Japanese-American alliance—US-Japanese peaceful nuclear cooperation—as “unstable.” His pronouncement comes on the eve of the automatic renewal of the 1988 US-Japan peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement in July and days after US officials privately

NYS Report: Significant Risks to AIM Pipeline | NRDC

NYS Report: Significant Risks to AIM Pipeline | NRDC: The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say | The Bennington Banner | Bennington Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say | The Bennington Banner | Bennington Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

Security Experts Implore Sec. Perry to Support Nuclear as DOE Avoids Decision Timeline | Greentech Media

Security Experts Implore Sec. Perry to Support Nuclear as DOE Avoids Decision Timeline | Greentech Media: The administration is still working on a plan to support nuclear and coal, but is “not ready to make a statement” on what it may look like.

NRC Names New Resident Inspector At Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant - Chattanoogan.com

NRC Names New Resident Inspector At Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant - Chattanoogan.com

NRC sheds light on Davis-Besse decommissioning process

NRC sheds light on Davis-Besse decommissioning process



https://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/local/2018/06/27/nrc-davis-besse-nuclear-plant-decommissioning/734845002/

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Westinghouse eyes Saudi, India deals as end to bankruptcy nears | Reuters

Westinghouse eyes Saudi, India deals as end to bankruptcy nears | Reuters: * Westinghouse sees no regulatory roadblocks to takeover

The Quest to Find a Trillion-Dollar Nuclear Fuel on the Moon - Bloomberg

The Quest to Find a Trillion-Dollar Nuclear Fuel on the Moon - Bloomberg: India’s space program wants to go where no nation has gone before -– to the south side of the moon. And once it gets there, it will study the potential for mining a source of waste-free nuclear energy that could be worth trillions of dollars.

Opinion: A New Climate of Realism Emerges in Energy Debate

Opinion: A New Climate of Realism Emerges in Energy Debate: For the new climate movement to hold, progressives and conservatives must embrace ideas and partners they’ve doubted or shunned in the past, Grumet writes.

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire June 27, 2018

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire
June 27, 2018

Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Seventy-five U.S. statesmen, flag officers, generals, national security officials and leaders from top think tanks, NGOs and multinational corporations signed a letter endorsing the national security benefits of a strong domestic nuclear energy industry 
 
The signees call on Secretary Perry to take immediate action to prevent the further premature closure of the nation's nuclear plants. Perry is currently considering actions that would allow him to order nuclear plants to stay open under his Federal Power Act Emergency Authority. 

GE, EDF Sign Six EPR Reactor Agreement - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

GE, EDF Sign Six EPR Reactor Agreement - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers: The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.

Robots reduce radioactive risks for workers in nuclear decommissioning - Dealing with our nuclear past, protecting the future

Robots reduce radioactive risks for workers in nuclear decommissioning - Dealing with our nuclear past, protecting the future: Real-life views of those decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost-effectively in a way that protects people and the environment.

Bringing peace to the Middle East with nuclear reactors - Globes

Bringing peace to the Middle East with nuclear reactors - Globes: ACU Strategic Partners wants to build nuclear reactors in Arab countries and make Israel responsible for guarding them.

The Quest to Find a Trillion-Dollar Nuclear Fuel on the Moon - Bloomberg

The Quest to Find a Trillion-Dollar Nuclear Fuel on the Moon - Bloomberg: India’s space program wants to go where no nation has gone before -– to the south side of the moon. And once it gets there, it will study the potential for mining a source of waste-free nuclear energy that could be worth trillions of dollars.

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say - VTDigger

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say - VTDigger

US must acquire latest nuclear technology for atomic power cooperation with India, says Rick Perry - The Financial Express

US must acquire latest nuclear technology for atomic power cooperation with India, says Rick Perry - The Financial Express: The US must acquire the latest technology and efficient methods to produce nuclear power to be a major player in the sector and assure countries like India that America is committed to bilateral atomic energy cooperation, Energy Secretary Rick Perry has said.

IAEA emphasises vital role of uranium

IAEA emphasises vital role of uranium: For the foreseeable future, most new nuclear power technologies will still run, wholly or partially, on uranium, so it is important that this vital resource is mined, produced and managed sustainably, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said this week. It is also essential to take full account of environmental concerns, "both to ensure public acceptance today and to avoid troubling legacy issues in the future", he added.

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance: A group of 75 senior US figures, including former statesmen, military, industrial and academic leaders, have written to Energy Secretary Rick Perry imploring him to take immediate action to prevent the closure of reactors, citing the contribution of nuclear power to national security. Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a 2019 appropriations bill providing USD1.2 billion for nuclear energy programmes and supporting nuclear innovation.

WANO reports on post-Fukushima improvements

WANO reports on post-Fukushima improvements: The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has announced completion of 12 projects it identified in 2011 following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan. The projects involved more than 460 commercial power plants worldwide.

Rolls-Royce and CTEC to integrate I&C expertise

Rolls-Royce and CTEC to integrate I&C expertise: Rolls-Royce and CTEC have signed an agreement to provide instrumentation and control (I&C) integrated solutions to the global nuclear market, the British engineering group announced yesterday. CTEC is a subsidiary of China General Power Corporation Limited that provides full-life-cycle and end-to-end digital I&C systems to nuclear power plants.

EM Update June 27,2018

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EM Update | Vol. 10, Issue 25 | June 27, 2018
GreenBar

Protesters rally in Pickering to decommission nuclear power plant - Durham | Globalnews.ca

Protesters rally in Pickering to decommission nuclear power plant - Durham | Globalnews.ca

Nuclear Power is Seen as a Solution to Insufficiencies in Energy Infrastructures

Nuclear Power is Seen as a Solution to Insufficiencies in Energy Infrastructures: NEW YORK, June 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --



The demand for cleaner energy sources is accelerating and developing...

New Brunswick invests in research on small modular nuclear reactors - CityNews Toronto

New Brunswick invests in research on small modular nuclear reactors - CityNews Toronto: SAINT JOHN, N.B. – The New Brunswick government is committing $10 million to establish the province as a leader in the field of small, modular nuclear reactor technology. Energy Minister Rick Doucet made the announcement in Saint John, saying energy is a way to grow the economy. He says the government is interested in the …

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance: A group of 75 senior US figures, including former statesmen, military, industrial and academic leaders, have written to Energy Secretary Rick Perry imploring him to take immediate action to prevent the closure of reactors, citing the contribution of nuclear power to national security. Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a 2019 appropriations bill providing USD1.2 billion for nuclear energy programmes and supporting nuclear innovation.

North Korea Carrying out Activity near Nuclear Facility, Says Monitor | Asharq AL-awsat

North Korea Carrying out Activity near Nuclear Facility, Says Monitor | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

North Korea continues to enhance its nuclear reactor

North Korea continues to enhance its nuclear reactor: The works have nothing to do with the disarmament talks according to experts who analyzed satellite images

North Korea making 'rapid' upgrades to nuclear reactor despite summit pledges | World news | The Guardian

North Korea making 'rapid' upgrades to nuclear reactor despite summit pledges | World news | The Guardian: Monitoring group says work shows why a denuclearisation deal rather than a ‘statement of lofty goals’ is needed

Israel opposes easing US nuclear non-proliferation standards for Riyadh | Middle East Eye

Israel opposes easing US nuclear non-proliferation standards for Riyadh | Middle East Eye: Israel's energy minister says Saudi Arabia should not be allowed to enrich uranium domestically

Israel confident U.S. to keep protections in any Saudi nuclear power deal - Business Insider

Israel confident U.S. to keep protections in any Saudi nuclear power deal - Business Insider

IAEA Concludes Long-Term Operational Safety Review at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

IAEA Concludes Long-Term Operational Safety Review at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

30/2018
Kozloduy, Bulgaria
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today completed a review of long-term operational safety of Unit 6 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria.
The Pre-SALTO (Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation) review mission was requested by the Kozloduy NPP. The 11-member team, whose review began on 19 June, focused on aspects essential to the safe Long-Term Operation (LTO) of Unit 6, which went into commercial operation in 1991. The plant operator is preparing a license renewal application to the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Authority to extend the operating lifetime of Unit 6.
The SALTO team reviewed preparedness, organization and programmes related to LTO against IAEA safety standards.
The team observed progress in the field of ageing management and preparedness for safe LTO. It said the plant’s management demonstrated commitment to making further progress towards LTO, and that the LTO project addresses many topics recommended by IAEA safety standards. The team found plant staff to be professional, open and receptive to suggestions for improvement.
The team - comprising experts from Armenia, Canada, Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Sweden and Ukraine as well as two IAEA staff members - identified several good performances that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:
  • The PLEX Navigator software developed by the plant for LTO flowcharts links to relevant documentation in a single application.
  • The plant has an extensive ageing management programme for buried water pipelines.
  • Two independent teams inspect civil structures in the plant.
The team also provided several recommendations for further enhancing LTO safety, including:
  • The plant should ensure that the methodology for determining the scope of LTO includes all relevant systems, structures and components.
  • The plant should fully implement the ageing management review and programmes.
  • The plant should complete the identification of ageing effects and degradation mechanisms.
The plant management said it was committed to implementing the recommendations and requested that the IAEA schedule a SALTO mission in 2020.
The team provided a draft report to the plant management at the end of the mission. The plant management and the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Authority will have an opportunity to make factual comments on the draft. A final report will be submitted to the plant management, the regulatory authority and the Bulgarian Government within three months.
Background
General information about SALTO missions can be found on the IAEA Website. A SALTO peer review is a comprehensive safety review addressing strategy and key elements for the safe long-term operation of nuclear power plants. They complement OSART missions, which are designed as a review of programmes and activities essential to operational safety. Neither SALTO nor OSART reviews are regulatory inspections, nor are they design reviews or substitutes for an exhaustive assessment of a plant's overall safety status.

EDF, GE to co-build EPRs at India’s $17bn Jaitapur nuclear power plant - Compelo

EDF, GE to co-build EPRs at India’s $17bn Jaitapur nuclear power plant - Compelo: The nuclear power plant will be built with an investment of Rs1.12tn ($17bn) in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. EDF and GE said that the agreement sets

French firm joins GE to build nuclear reactors for India

French firm joins GE to build nuclear reactors for India

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant | Reuters

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant | Reuters: GE and French utility EDF have agreed to team to build six reactors for a nuclear power project in western India, which is due to be the world's biggest when finished.

OPG seeks license extension for Pickering plant | DurhamRegion.com

OPG seeks license extension for Pickering plant | DurhamRegion.com: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission staff are recommending Ontario Power Generation receive a license extension to operate its Pickering power plant for another 10 years.

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance

US dignitaries endorse nuclear's importance: A group of 75 senior US figures, including former statesmen, military, industrial and academic leaders, have written to Energy Secretary Rick Perry imploring him to take immediate action to prevent the closure of reactors, citing the contribution of nuclear power to national security. Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a 2019 appropriations bill providing USD1.2 billion for nuclear energy programmes and supporting nuclear innovation.

New York Urges FERC to Act on Safety Risks of Colocated Algonquin Pipes, Nuclear Plant | 2018-06-26 | Natural Gas Intelligence

New York Urges FERC to Act on Safety Risks of Colocated Algonquin Pipes, Nuclear Plant | 2018-06-26 | Natural Gas Intelligence

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say - VTDigger

Delays won't scuttle Vermont Yankee sale, companies say - VTDigger

NRC Offers Webinar on Oyster Creek Decommissioning - Surf City, NJ - The SandPaper

NRC Offers Webinar on Oyster Creek Decommissioning - Surf City, NJ - The SandPaper

Davis-Besse files intent to stop operations in 2020 - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

Davis-Besse files intent to stop operations in 2020 - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

Closing Davis-Besse will be "devastating" to community, says NRC manager | cleveland.com

Closing Davis-Besse will be "devastating" to community, says NRC manager | cleveland.com

Planning for the future of Davis-Besse - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

Planning for the future of Davis-Besse - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

PG&E Expects $2.5B Charge on Wildfires, More to Come


PG&E Expects $2.5B Charge on Wildfires, More to Come


https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2018/06/pg-e-taking-2-5b-charge-on-wildfires-more-to-come.html?cmpid=enl_pe_power_engineering_e-newsletter_2018-06-27&pwhid=1e90004a8e081f3272fb5f8e0e9a20316c85258cc50faf993491663afd10a38f41b62c13180d825ec81f1c72848099c33ec83965e1b8e8ff4a01aa5c32296aec&eid=288118515&bid=2154861

EIA: Gas-fired Combined-Cycle 40 percent of new Power Capacity

EIA: Gas-fired Combined-Cycle 40 percent of new Power Capacity


https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2018/06/eia-gas-fired-combined-cycle-40-percent-of-new-power-capacity.html?cmpid=enl_pe_power_engineering_e-newsletter_2018-06-27&pwhid=1e90004a8e081f3272fb5f8e0e9a20316c85258cc50faf993491663afd10a38f41b62c13180d825ec81f1c72848099c33ec83965e1b8e8ff4a01aa5c32296aec&eid=288118515&bid=2154861

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Batteries boom enables world to get half of electricity from wind and solar by 2050 | Bloomberg NEF

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Trump Or Not, Pollution From US Power Plants Is Going Down | CleanTechnica

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Rising seas: 'Florida is about to be wiped off the map' | Environment | The Guardian

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The Breakthrough Institute - Breakthrough Dialogue 2018

The Breakthrough Institute - Breakthrough Dialogue 2018

Nuclear Weapons 343 - U.S. Deciding Where To Produce New Plutonium Cores For Nuclear Warheads - Part 2 of 2 Parts | Nucleotidings

Nuclear Weapons 343 - U.S. Deciding Where To Produce New Plutonium Cores For Nuclear Warheads - Part 2 of 2 Parts | Nucleotidings

China led Global Nuclear Growth of 1.1% In 2017, Says BP Report

China led Global Nuclear Growth of 1.1% In 2017, Says BP Report

WANO Calls On Nuclear Industry To Build On Post-Fukushima Safety Progress

WANO Calls On Nuclear Industry To Build On Post-Fukushima Safety Progress

NERC Report: Grid Resiliency Rising Higher - Power Engineering

NERC Report: Grid Resiliency Rising Higher - Power Engineering

EDF, VEOLIA, Sign Decommissioning, Vitrifying Contract - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

EDF, VEOLIA, Sign Decommissioning, Vitrifying Contract - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers: The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.

GE, EDF Sign Six EPR Reactor Agreement - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

GE, EDF Sign Six EPR Reactor Agreement - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers: The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.

Webinar: The Transition from Operations to Decommissioning


From: Charlotte Howlett <chowlett@nuclearenergyinsider.com>

Subject: Webinar: The transition from operations to decommissioning

2018 is set to be an interesting year for the nuclear industry, with the shifting political, economic and regulatory landscapes causing operators to examine whether to keep operational plants open in difficult market conditions.
The transition from operations to decommissioning remains critical for utilities looking to minimize delays and undue costs, and ultimately achieve decommissioning excellence.
Rod McCullum of the Nuclear Energy Institute is sharing insight at our webinar: “Key Components for Success: The Transition from Operations to Decommissioning” 28 June (9am CT / 10am ET)
Sign up now to join this free 1 hour webinar
3 key focuses:
  • Components for Success in Decommissioning: Hear about the key operations which are critical to success in decommissioning, and how best to overcome some of the challenges faced during the transition from operations to decommissioning
  • Strategic Planning for Decommissioning: Identify key lessons learned on when to start planning for decommissioning and how to strategize for the eventual decommissioning of reactors
  • Integrated Decommissioning & Used Fuel Strategy: Understand the major issues faced when finishing decommissioning, including getting fuel off site and into a CISF or repository, and approaching the challenges surrounding the long term management of spent nuclear fuel  
Can’t make it? Not to worry, sign up and I’ll send you the recordings the week after.
Kind regards,
Charlotte
Charlotte HowlettSenior Project Director
Nuclear Energy Insider
+1 800 814 3459 x7182 (US toll free)
+44 (0) 20 7375 7182 (Global)
chowlett@nuclearenergyinsider.com

France's Orano, China's CNNC prepare nuclear fuel plant deal | Reuters

France's Orano, China's CNNC prepare nuclear fuel plant deal | Reuters: French state-owned nuclear fuel group Orano has agreed with China's CNNC to do preparatory work for the sale of a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant to the Chinese company, in the latest attempt to seal a deal that has been 10 years in the making.

Has This Startup Cracked the Secret to Fusion Energy?

Has This Startup Cracked the Secret to Fusion Energy?: A new startup hopes that orienting the spins of hydrogen atoms could finally crack the puzzle of commercially viable fusion energy, but some experts are skeptical.

Perry says economics are "secondary" when it comes to power grid - Houston Chronicle

Perry says economics are "secondary" when it comes to power grid - Houston Chronicle: Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Monday the threat against the power grid by hackers and others looking to hurt the United States outweighed potential increases in electricity prices brought on by government intervention in the power markets.

Rediscovering the promise of nuclear power | Jordan Times

Rediscovering the promise of nuclear power | Jordan Times: OXFORD — At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, world leaders at last seemed to recognise the reality of climate change. But the response they are pursuing is fundamentally flawed, given its dependence on “renewable energy sources”, such as solar, hydro and wind power, as well as biofuels, that actually damage nature. Ironically, the world’s best bet to achieve the Paris agreement’s goals is to rely on an energy source that is often demonised: Nuclear power.

10 High-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs 2018

10 High-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs 2018: There is a talent shortage in America’s blue-collar sectors. A negative perception of such work has contributed to a lack of interest from job seekers, who are more often attracted to the paychecks associated with white-collar roles. But there are a number of blue-collar jobs that bank big bucks.

State-owned utility asks SC Supreme Court about payments - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

State-owned utility asks SC Supreme Court about payments - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC: State-owned utility Santee Cooper is asking the South Carolina Supreme Court to resolve a dispute with electric cooperatives.

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant | Reuters

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant | Reuters: GE and French utility EDF have agreed to team to build six reactors for a nuclear power project in western India, which is due to be the world's biggest when finished.

Costly Tidal Lagoon Power plan in Swansea Bay rejected | Business | The Times

Costly Tidal Lagoon Power plan in Swansea Bay rejected | Business | The Times: The government has rejected plans for a £1.3 billion tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay, saying the project would cost three times as much per unit of electricity as offshore wind and new nuclear power.Tidal Lagoon Power had hoped the project, involving a six-mile breakwater with turbines to generate renew

Japan offering nuke expertise to N. Korea to help denuclearize:The Asahi Shimbun

Japan offering nuke expertise to N. Korea to help denuclearize:The Asahi Shimbun: Japan is offering to assist in the denuclearization of North Korea by providing the technical expert

A Safe Nuclear Reactor?

A Safe Nuclear Reactor?: Continued geopolitical distress may eventually push leaders to seek safe nuclear alternatives. Even though the technology is still years away from perfection, thorium-fueled molten salt reactors may be a big part of those alternatives. And that could lead to profits for the well-positioned investor.

New Brunswick invests in research on small modular nuclear reactors | The Province

New Brunswick invests in research on small modular nuclear reactors | The Province: SAINT JOHN, N.B. — The New Brunswick government is committing $10 million to establish the province as a leader in the field of small, modular nuclear reactor technology.Energy Minister Rick Doucet made the announcement in Saint John, saying energy is a way to grow the economy.

Nuclear energy to remain key for France -finance minister Le Maire | Reuters

Nuclear energy to remain key for France -finance minister Le Maire | Reuters: * Le Maire's position contradicts that of Hulot

China Is Planning a Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker

China Is Planning a Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker: The move could be a precursor to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Director General's Statement at World Nuclear Exhibition

Director General's Statement at World Nuclear Exhibition

Paris, France
Yukiya Amano
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano delivering his statement at the 2018 World Nuclear Exhibition, which is taking place 26-28 June in Paris, France. (Photo: S. Gas/IAEA)
(As prepared for delivery)
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am very pleased to speak at the opening of the 2018 World Nuclear Exhibition. This is a very important event in the nuclear calendar. I look forward to having a tour of the exhibition later this morning.
I visit 20 or more countries every year, many of them in the developing world. I have been struck by the growing level of interest I find at the highest levels of government in using nuclear science and technology ­– including nuclear power – for development.
In fact, the IAEA helps countries to use nuclear science and technology to meet at least nine of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals directly, including those aimed at ending hunger, improving human health, increasing the availability of clean water, and, of course, energy.
Energy is indispensable for development. Huge increases in energy supply will be required in the coming decades to support economic growth and lift more than two billion people in developing countries out of energy poverty.
Nuclear power can help to address the twin challenges of ensuring reliable energy supplies and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Today, nuclear power produces 11 percent of the world’s electricity. But when it comes to low-carbon electricity, nuclear generates almost one third of the global total.
As this audience knows very well, nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during their operation, and very low emissions over their entire life cycle.
The use of nuclear power reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about two gigatonnes per year. That is the equivalent of taking more than 400 million cars off the road – every year.
In my opinion, it will be difficult for the world to meet the challenges of securing sufficient energy, and of limiting the average global temperature increase to 2 degrees centigrade, without making more use of nuclear power.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Some 70% of the world’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, according to our friends at the International Energy Agency, based here in Paris. By 2050, if climate change goals are to be met, around 80% of electricity will need to be low-carbon.
It is clear that renewables such as wind and solar power will play an increasingly important role in the future. However, these are intermittent energy sources which cannot meet countries’ needs on their own. That means more use of nuclear power will be needed.
There are now 451 nuclear power reactors in operation in 30 countries. Another 58 reactors are under construction, mostly in Asia.
The United Arab Emirates is at an advanced stage with construction of the first of four power reactors. Belarus expects to commission its first two reactors in 2019 and 2020. Construction work began recently at sites in Turkey and Bangladesh.
Global installed nuclear capacity is now the highest that it has ever been at 394 gigawatts electrical. Twenty-seven new reactors have been connected to the grid since 2015.
The lifetimes of some existing plants are being extended beyond their current licensing period by introducing measures such as safety upgrades to meet today’s regulatory requirements. The IAEA helps countries to share experience in this area.
 However, 14 power reactors have been shut down in the last three years and some countries have decided to phase out nuclear power completely. Global nuclear electricity production remains below 2010 levels.
Clearly, the pace of construction of new nuclear power plants will need to be stepped up if the world’s future energy needs, as well as climate change goals, are to be met. It is difficult to see other low-carbon energy sources growing sufficiently to take up the slack if nuclear power use fails to grow.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am hopeful that continuous improvement in reactor designs in the coming years will improve the economic attractiveness and cost effectiveness of nuclear power, and help to alleviate public concerns about issues such as safety and waste disposal.
In recent years, advanced water-cooled reactors with innovative safety features, from several technology providers, have been commissioned, or have reached the final stages of construction. This new generation of reactors could play a key role in the accelerated replacement and expansion of the global nuclear fleet.
Several small modular reactors are also ready for near-term deployment. These could make nuclear power feasible for the first time on smaller grids and in remote settings, as well as for non-electrical applications.
We are seeing other interesting developments. First, the centre of expansion in nuclear power has shifted from Europe and North America to Asia. Second, as I indicated briefly, developing countries are embarking on nuclear power.
This should not really come as a surprise. Populous countries such as China and India need huge amounts of electricity and also want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developing countries, especially in Africa, desperately need electricity if they are to achieve sustainable development.
Another very important development is the increased emphasis on the safety of nuclear power plants.
After the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011, the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety made a valuable contribution to improving safety globally. Countries with nuclear power plants reassessed all aspects of safety and made improvements, where necessary. IAEA safety standards were revised.
The construction costs of nuclear power plants increased after the accident as more attention was paid to incorporating the most up-to-date safety features.
The high cost of nuclear power plants has long been cited as an obstacle to future development. Nuclear power plants are indeed expensive to build, but once they are up and running, they are relatively inexpensive to operate throughout a life cycle of many decades.
It is essential that the most robust levels of nuclear safety, consistent with IAEA safety standards, are in place at every nuclear power plant in the world.
In many countries, public acceptance remains the most important issue to be addressed when it comes to nuclear power. Enhanced safety helps to increase public confidence in nuclear power, which was deeply shaken by the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
It is also vitally important that nuclear and other radioactive material is properly secured so that it does not fall into the hands of terrorists and other criminals.
Nuclear safety and security are national responsibilities that cannot be outsourced. However, effective international cooperation is also essential. The IAEA plays a key role in enabling nuclear professionals, as well as government officials and regulators, from all countries to share experiences and best practices.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
One of the reasons for public concern about nuclear power is the problem of nuclear waste.
Despite some perceptions to the contrary, the nuclear industry has been managing waste disposal successfully for more than half a century. Dozens of facilities for low-level and intermediate-level nuclear waste are in operation throughout the world.
As far as the long-term management of high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel is concerned, good progress has been made in recent years, here in France, as well as in Finland and Sweden. The first deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel is likely to become operational in Finland early in the next decade.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me say a few words about the role of the IAEA in relation to nuclear power.
It is up to each individual country to decide whether or not to include nuclear power in its energy mix. The IAEA does not attempt to influence those decisions. Our job is to help countries that wish to use nuclear power to do so safely, securely and sustainably.
We establish global nuclear safety standards and security guidance. We provide detailed practical assistance in many areas, from energy planning to site selection, legal and regulatory matters and technical training, all the way through to plant decommissioning.
We support research and innovation. We provide technical training and expert review missions on issues such as the safety of operating reactors and the robustness of a country’s regulatory system.
We also work to ensure that the expansion of nuclear power does not lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons by implementing safeguards in 181 countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by stating that the IAEA is committed to helping our 170 Member States across the globe to make safe and effective use of peaceful nuclear technology – including nuclear power – to improve the well-being and prosperity of their people.
Thank you.

India signs MoU with companies to construct six nuclear reactors in Maharashtra- Technology News, Firstpost

India signs MoU with companies to construct six nuclear reactors in Maharashtra- Technology News, Firstpost: The EPR is a third generation PWR design whose earlier versions are in use in some nuclear plants in India.

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant - The Economic Times

France's EDF, GE to co-build reactors for huge Indian nuclear plant - The Economic Times: India is building nuclear power stations to meet the growing energy demands of its increasingly urban population and to shift away from environmentally-damaging coal-fired electricity.

With Pollution On The Rise, Will Europe Resist Germany's Dirty War On Nuclear Power?

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Nuclear Power Can Help Meet Development Goals, IAEA Director General Says in Paris

Nuclear Power Can Help Meet Development Goals, IAEA Director General Says in Paris

,
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano gave a keynote address at the 2018 World Nuclear Exhibition event in Paris, France. (Photo: S.Gas/IAEA)
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano highlighted the importance of nuclear science and technology —including nuclear power — in meeting development goals in his keynote address at the 2018 World Nuclear Exhibition event in Paris, France, today.
“The IAEA helps countries to use nuclear science and technology to meet at least nine of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals directly, including those aimed at ending hunger, improving human health, increasing the availability of clean water, and, of course, energy,” Mr Amano said.
Nuclear power helps to address the twin challenges of ensuring reliable energy supplies and curbing greenhouse gas emissions, he added. “Today, nuclear power produces 11 percent of the world’s electricity. But when it comes to low-carbon electricity, nuclear generates almost one third of the global total.”
Nuclear power reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about two gigatonnes per year, he said. “That is the equivalent of taking more than 400 million cars off the road – every year.”
"In my opinion, it will be difficult for the world to meet the challenges of securing sufficient energy, and of limiting the average global temperature increase to 2 degrees centigrade, without making more use of nuclear power."
Renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power would play an increasingly important role in the future. “However, these are intermittent energy sources which cannot meet countries’ needs on their own. That means more use of nuclear power will be needed,” Mr Amano added.
He said continuous improvement in reactor designs in the coming years could make nuclear power more cost-effective and help to alleviate public concerns on issues such as safety and waste disposal. Advanced water-cooled reactors with innovative safety measures as well as  small modular reactors could  play a key role in the replacement and expansion of the global nuclear fleet. Mr Amano said it was essential that robust levels of nuclear safety consistent with IAEA safety standards should be in place at every nuclear power plant in the world.  “In many countries, public acceptance remains the most important issue to be addressed when it comes to nuclear power. Enhanced safety helps to increase public confidence in nuclear power,” he said.
Digital technology at nuclear facilities
Mr Amano also gave the keynote speech at the 2018 INDEX Conference on Nuclear Digital Experience in Paris, addressing technological innovation in the nuclear sector. He noted the steady increase in the use of digital systems in nuclear power plants throughout the world. “Digital systems promise higher reliability, more functionality, better plant performance, additional diagnostic capabilities and many other advantages,” he said.  “But, of course, new digital systems also bring new challenges, including those related to nuclear safety and security. The nuclear industry and national regulators need to build up the methods, data and experience to ensure that new systems meet all reliability and performance requirements.”
The IAEA assists its Member States in areas such as the digitization of instrumentation and control systems.
Mr Amano said increasing use of digital technology increased the risk that instrumentation and control systems in nuclear power plants could be subjected to cyber-attacks, with potentially serious consequences. The IAEA works closely with countries to increase nuclear security and had recently published a technical guidance report entitled Computer Security of Instrumentation and Control Systems at Nuclear Facilities, he added.
During his two-day visit to France, Mr Amano has meetings with Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance, François Jacq, Chairman of the Commission of Nuclear Energy, Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Counsellor of the President, senior officials of the French nuclear industry and industry representatives from other countries.