Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Monday, December 30, 2019

The energy agency that could thwart Democrats’ climate plans - POLITICO

The energy agency that could thwart Democrats’ climate plans - POLITICO: Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have endorsed a call to reshape FERC as a climate regulator, but is it necessary for a Green New Deal?

The Top Energy Stories Of 2019

The Top Energy Stories Of 2019: Many of this year's top energy stories have a common theme weaved through them. The U.S. shale boom continues to have major repercussions on the global energy markets.

State rep wants to boost nuclear power by charging customers up front

State rep wants to boost nuclear power by charging customers up front: Missouri voters banned the practice via initiative petition in 1976.

German nuclear exit continues as planned with next reactor to close Dec 31 | S&P Global Platts

German nuclear exit continues as planned with next reactor to close Dec 31 | S&P Global Platts: Germany's planned phasing out of nuclear power will continue with the closure next Tuesday of the 1.5 GW Philippsburg 2, leaving six reactors with a combined 8 GW online for the next 2 3 years.

Editorial: Georgia Power must deliver on investment - News - Savannah Morning News - Savannah, GA

Editorial: Georgia Power must deliver on investment - News - Savannah Morning News - Savannah, GA: Georgia Power’s regulator-in-chief summarized the rate hike package approved last week glibly."They ought to be happy," said Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, the chair of the state’s Public Service Commission.Now, Georgia Power will be working to make ratepayers happy by delivering on the increased investment.This editorial board has long supported the electricity utility, which serves most of the Coastal Empire. Georgia Power provides reliable energy at reasonable rates and is a good

The Biggest Threat To The Energy Sector

The Biggest Threat To The Energy Sector: The world’s most critical infrastructure is increasingly coming under fire from hackers across the globe, and the potential consequences are growing even more dire

NRC confirms Vogtle manager wrongly removed employee from plant who raised safety concerns - News - The Augusta Chronicle - Augusta, GA

NRC confirms Vogtle manager wrongly removed employee from plant who raised safety concerns - News - The Augusta Chronicle - Augusta, GA: A manager at the construction site for Plant Vogtle's new nuclear reactors has been issued a confirmatory order for discrimination by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 
The commission concluded that Thomas Saunders violated the agency's employee protection regulations by having an employee removed from the Vogtle site in July 2017, knowing the employee had raised concerns about safety-related welding and other issues, according to a commission release. The employee was fired by Saunders

Old Florida law says Disney can build a nuclear power plant. Legislators could change that. - Orlando Sentinel

Old Florida law says Disney can build a nuclear power plant. Legislators could change that. - Orlando Sentinel: A Disney historian says there’s no evidence the theme park has ever seriously moved forward on building a nuclear power plant but it shows how much political leverage Disney had before it built the Magic Kingdom in 1971.

Bill introduced this week doesn't change plans for Diablo Canyon closure, PG&E says

Bill introduced this week doesn't change plans for Diablo Canyon closure, PG&E says: Pacific Gas & Electric says a bill introduced this week by Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham to allow nuclear power to qualify as a renewable energy source won't keep Diablo Canyon from shutting down.

Exelon threatens closure of three more Illinois nukes

Exelon threatens closure of three more Illinois nukes: Byron, Dresden and Braidwood are at risk of early retirement, Exelon discloses explicitly for the first time. It's looking for "state policy solutions"—a bailout, in simpler terms—to keep the plants open.

The Nuclear Kid: Memphis youth builds home nuclear fusion reactor

The Nuclear Kid: Memphis youth builds home nuclear fusion reactor: A Memphis teen became the youngest "fusioneer" after building a nuclear fusion reactor at home.

Illinois GOP congressman John Shimkus will not run in 2020 | KMOX-AM

Illinois GOP congressman John Shimkus will not run in 2020 | KMOX-AM: Shimkus was reelected in 2018 with more than 70% of the vote.

Five U.S. Nuclear Power Plants to Close by End of 2025, EIA Says - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

Five U.S. Nuclear Power Plants to Close by End of 2025, EIA Says - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Factbox: Hurricane Dorian causes power outages as it advances on US Southeast | S&P Global Platts

Factbox: Hurricane Dorian causes power outages as it advances on US Southeast | S&P Global Platts: Hurricane Dorian was nearing Florida's East Coast Monday afternoon, causing power outages and port closures in the state.

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR to Get Joint Review by CNSC and NRC | Energy Central

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR to Get Joint Review by CNSC and NRC | Energy Central

NuScale’s SMR Design Clears Phase 4 of NRC Design Review Process | Energy Central

NuScale’s SMR Design Clears Phase 4 of NRC Design Review Process | Energy Central

NRC Approves Early Site Permit for SMRs at TVA’s Clinch River Site | Energy Central

NRC Approves Early Site Permit for SMRs at TVA’s Clinch River Site | Energy Central

OKLO Announces 1.5 MWe Mini-Reactor | The Energy Collective Daily

OKLO Announces 1.5 MWe Mini-Reactor | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Financial sector must 'move faster' on climate crisis, says Bank of England governor - World Nuclear News

Financial sector must 'move faster' on climate crisis, says Bank of England governor - World Nuclear News: The outgoing governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has said financial companies are failing to act quickly enough to curb their investment in fossil fuels. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said some financial assets could end up worthless if investment firms don't adjust to a zero-carbon economy. Carney is due to start a new role next year as the United Nation's special envoy for climate action and finance.

Russia's Bilibino 2, Novovoronezh 4 get licence extensions - World Nuclear News

Russia's Bilibino 2, Novovoronezh 4 get licence extensions - World Nuclear News: Russian regulator Rostechnadzor has issued operating licence extensions to two more nuclear power units, bringing the total number to 27 since 2001. Unit 2 of Bilibino NPP and unit 4 of Novovoronezh NPP are now licensed to operate until the end of 2025 and 2032, respectively, which is six and 13 years longer than their previous licences.

South Ukraine 3 clear for operation with Westinghouse fuel - World Nuclear News

South Ukraine 3 clear for operation with Westinghouse fuel - World Nuclear News: The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has approved commercial operation using Westinghouse fuel at unit 3 of the South Ukraine nuclear power plant. The regulatory authority signed the relevant document after pilot operation of the unit had shown the fuel was "safe, reliable and efficient", Energoatom said on 28 December.

Effectiveness of Fukushima decontamination studied - World Nuclear News

Effectiveness of Fukushima decontamination studied - World Nuclear News: Following the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the Japanese government launched decontamination work in the surrounding area. With most of this work now completed, the European Geosciences Union has today published an assessment of the effectiveness of the strategies used, with a focus on radiocaesium.

Revisions to Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning roadmap - World Nuclear News

Revisions to Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning roadmap - World Nuclear News: The trial removal of fuel debris from the damaged reactors at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will begin at unit 2 in 2021, according to the latest revision to the mid and long-term roadmap towards decommissioning the plant. Meanwhile, the removal of fuel from the storage pools at units 1 and 2 has been delayed by up to five years.

China drills deep in search for uranium - World Nuclear News

China drills deep in search for uranium - World Nuclear News: A ceremony was held on 15 December at the Xiangshan uranium deposit near Fuzhou city in China's Jiangxi province to mark the start of the country's deepest drilling project related to the exploration of uranium resources. China National Nuclear Corporation said a 3000-metre-deep bore hole will be drilled.

The Next-Gen Nuclear Reactors Will Change the Way Nuclear Plants Produce Energy - The Market Associates

The Next-Gen Nuclear Reactors Will Change the Way Nuclear Plants Produce Energy - The Market Associates: the prototype reactor, maintained by an Oregon-based energy startup NuScale Power, represents the next line of reactors in the history of nuclear plants.

More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant — RT Business News

More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant — RT Business News: More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant

UAE affirms commitment to safe nuclear power production - Arabianbusiness

UAE affirms commitment to safe nuclear power production - Arabianbusiness: Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has been subject to more than 40 inspections in last decade

World’s most remote nuclear-power plant gets extended operational license | The Independent Barents Observer

World’s most remote nuclear-power plant gets extended operational license | The Independent Barents Observer: One of the reactors at Bilibino NPP has got permission for another five years despite the nearby new floating nuclear power plant now is in operation.

2020: The Year Of The Oil Bankruptcies | OilPrice.com

2020: The Year Of The Oil Bankruptcies | OilPrice.com: Low crude prices have left the U.S. oil industry has been teetering on the edge, and even more bankruptcies are on the horizon in 2020

NY TIMES: Saudis can't depend on U.S. to protect their oil anymore . . . . - Oil (General) - Oil Price Community

NY TIMES: Saudis can't depend on U.S. to protect their oil anymore . . . . - Oil (General) - Oil Price Community: . . . So they are talking to their enemies. Thats good. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/26/world/middleeast/saudi-iran-qatar-talks.html Its about time. Why should U.S. spend over $30 Billion a year to protect Mideast shipping lanes so Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain , ...

Is This The Beginning Of The End For Fossil Fuels? | OilPrice.com

Is This The Beginning Of The End For Fossil Fuels? | OilPrice.com: Goldman Sachs just became the first U.S. bank to rule out financing on new article oil exploration and drilling, and others may be set to follow

Germany Aims To Close All Nuclear Plants By 2022


Germany Aims To Close All Nuclear Plants By 2022


https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Germany-Aims-To-Close-All-Nuclear-Plants-By-2022.html

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Is Fusion About to Deliver? A UK Article Points to Success by the Mid-2020s and Commercial Deployment by 2030 | Energy Central

Is Fusion About to Deliver? A UK Article Points to Success by the Mid-2020s and Commercial Deployment by 2030 | Energy Central

Offshore Wind: what does the future hold? | Energy Central

Offshore Wind: what does the future hold? | Energy Central

Poland Plans 300 MW SMR with GE-Hitachi  | Neutron Bytes

Poland Plans 300 MW SMR with GE-Hitachi  | Neutron Bytes: MichaÅ‚ SoÅ‚owow, billionaire owner of chemical company Synthos SA, is planning to build a 300 MW small modular reactor (SMR) in Poland in the next decade in cooperation with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energ…

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR to Get Joint Review by CNSC and NRC | Neutron Bytes

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR to Get Joint Review by CNSC and NRC | Neutron Bytes: The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have selected Terrestrial Energy’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR®) for the first joint t…

NuScale’s SMR Design Clears Phase 4 of NRC Design Review Process | Neutron Bytes

NuScale’s SMR Design Clears Phase 4 of NRC Design Review Process | Neutron Bytes: NuScale Power announced in December that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed the fourth phase of review of the design certification application (DCA) for the company’s revolu…

NRC Approves Early Site Permit for SMRs at TVA’s Clinch River Site | Neutron Bytes

NRC Approves Early Site Permit for SMRs at TVA’s Clinch River Site | Neutron Bytes: TVA became the first utility in the nation to successfully obtain approval for an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to potentially construct and operate small modular reactor…

OKLO Announces 1.5 MWe Mini-Reactor

OKLO Announces 1.5 MWe Mini-Reactor


https://neutronbytes.com/2019/12/29/oklo-announces-1-5-mwe-mini-reactor/

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Five Ways to Fix PG&E - WSJ

Five Ways to Fix PG&E - WSJ: The giant utility is struggling to provide power in fire-prone California. Here are suggestions from industry executive, regulators and experts for ways it can safely keep the lights on.

Inspectors constantly monitor Monticello nuclear plant – The Journal Record

Inspectors constantly monitor Monticello nuclear plant – The Journal Record: Paul Zurawski and Don Krause, resident inspector with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, serve as another safety mechanism at the nearly 50-year-old Monticello

Five Ways to Fix PG&E


Five Ways to Fix PG&E

Suggestions from industry executive, regulators and experts for ways the giant utility can safely keep the lights on


https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-ways-to-fix-pg-e-11577509260

Friday, December 27, 2019

“Dark Waters” should disturb us into action | Sister Rose

“Dark Waters” should disturb us into action | Sister Rose: Mark Ruffalo as attorney Rob Billot in "Dark Waters" Courtesy of (c) Focus Features The first thing you think of when you begin watching director Todd Haynes’ legal crime drama “Dark Waters” is “Erin Brockovich” – the person and the 2000 movie that won Julia Roberts an Oscar for best Actress. The next thing you think

Fukushima update December 27, 2019

Fukushima update December 27, 2019 –
Theoretical models of Fukushima contamination grossly overestimated the effective half-life for Cesium… Tokyo reduces the number of ways to safely dispose of stored, treated F. Daiichi wastewater down to three… F. Daiichi unit #1’s stored nuclear fuel bundles will be removed after the cover over the damaged building is completed... Removing fuel bundles from F. Daiichi units #1 and #2 will be delayed… The NRA physically inspected the interior of F. Daiichi unit #3 on December 12Th… Used Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel bundles will be removed from Ikata unit #3 during refueling… Blanket radio-isotopic scanning of Fukushima beef will soon end.
https://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

Kerry Kennedy on the chaos and cruelty at the U.S.-Mexico border | America Magazine

Kerry Kennedy on the chaos and cruelty at the U.S.-Mexico border | America Magazine: The human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, finds both heartache and heroism during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.

These are the monks who still preserve ancient texts around the world | America Magazine

These are the monks who still preserve ancient texts around the world | America Magazine: Even though manuscripts—handwritten books— are at least several technological stages behind the ways we access information today, we still rely on them for access to the past.

How economic uncertainty is taking a spiritual toll on today’s young adults | America Magazine

How economic uncertainty is taking a spiritual toll on today’s young adults | America Magazine: Times of financial stress or uncertainty seem like a natural time to turn to one’s faith, but it can also be one of the most difficult times to do so.

Russia Rejects Extending Iran Arms Embargo, Defying U.S. - Bloomberg

Russia Rejects Extending Iran Arms Embargo, Defying U.S. - Bloomberg: Russia, seeing prospects for multi-billion dollar deals, ruled out extending a United Nations-approved arms embargo on Iran that expires in October next year, despite U.S. warnings that lifting the restrictions will jeopardize global security.

COSTS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS — WHAT WENT WRONG?

COSTS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS — WHAT WENT WRONG?

UAWire - Russia to build nuclear submarine base in Iran

UAWire - Russia to build nuclear submarine base in Iran: Russia is preparing to expand its military presence in the Middle East by collaborating with Iran, which the US imposed a complete oil embargo on in 2019.
Two Iranian ports – Bushehr in the south and Chabahar in the south-east – will become forward bases for the Russian Navy that will even be used by nuclear submarines, OilPrice reports, citing high-ranking sources in Tehran.
Bushehr will also …

People tend to have strong opinions about nuclear power. Meet a few who changed their minds. | Grist

People tend to have strong opinions about nuclear power. Meet a few who changed their minds. | Grist: Here’s what we can learn from people who changed their minds on the controversial power source.

Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.'s Nuclear Coffin

Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.'s Nuclear Coffin: The Runit Dome is leaking radioactive waste into the Pacific Ocean.

Christians in Iraq and Syria face new risk of genocide

Christians in Iraq and Syria face new risk of genocide: Christians in the Middle East are at direct risk of a second genocide which threatens them with complete annihilation from the lands of the Bible, according to an expert who has co-coordinated emer…

This Christmas, ACN donors bring smiles to 19,000 children in Syria

This Christmas, ACN donors bring smiles to 19,000 children in Syria: Thousands of Syrian Children were smiling this Christmas, thanks to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). In a recorded message to ACN, the organization’s project partner Sister Annie Demerjian thanked …

When the Knights sent a Christmas ship to fight Bolshevism

When the Knights sent a Christmas ship to fight Bolshevism: Following the end of World War I, Americans were fighting the Bolsheviks on two fronts: the Polish-Soviet War and the Russian Civil War. The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) journeyed to the Sibe…

Autopsy of the Minsk Agreements, by The Saker - The Unz Review

Autopsy of the Minsk Agreements, by The Saker - The Unz Review: The recent Paris summit and the few days following the summit have brought a lot of clarity about the future of the Minsk Agreements.  Short version: Kiev has officially rejected them (by rejecting both the sequence of steps and several crucial steps).  For those interested, let’s look a little further. First, what just happened First, […]

The Year of Manufactured Hysteria, by C.J. Hopkins - The Unz Review

The Year of Manufactured Hysteria, by C.J. Hopkins - The Unz Review: Well, it looks like we’ve somehow managed to survive another year of diabolical Putin-Nazi attacks on democracy. It was touch-and-go there for a while, especially coming down the home stretch, what with Jeremy Corbyn’s desperate attempt to overthrow the UK government, construct a British version of Auschwitz, and start rounding up and mass-murdering the Jews. […]

The Stupidest Op-Ed of 2019 Argues Trump Will Inspire a Religious Revival | Common Dreams Views

The Stupidest Op-Ed of 2019 Argues Trump Will Inspire a Religious Revival | Common Dreams Views: For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. —Matthew 24:24Just when you thought the soon-to-expire year had long since reached peak stupidity, Newsweek published a piece that set a record for preposterous ideas, confidently but incoherently argued. | By Mike Lofgren

Campaign against Sanders on ‘antisemitism’ for his criticism of Israel begins in earnest – Mondoweiss

Campaign against Sanders on ‘antisemitism’ for his criticism of Israel begins in earnest – Mondoweiss: Bernie Sanders is being painted as an antisemite by some pro-Israel idelogues because he has taken strong positions in support of Palestinian human rights.

The last bull: Cardinal Sodano goes out | National Catholic Reporter

The last bull: Cardinal Sodano goes out | National Catholic Reporter: A scene in "The Two Popes," the charming new Netflix movie, has Anthony Hopkins as a brooding, gentle Benedict XVI hearing the unprompted confession of Cardinal Jorge Borgoglio, played by Jonathan Pry...

Video – CatholicVote org

Video – CatholicVote org: The mission of CatholicVote.org is to educate and inspire Americans of all faiths to prioritize the issues of life, faith, and family.

Nulcear power plant development in Latin America: Argentina leads the way

Nulcear power plant development in Latin America: Argentina leads the way: Nuclear power plants in Latin America are located in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and they all have aspirations to build new reactors.

Reactor No. 2 at Kola nuclear power plant gets 15-years extended licence | The Independent Barents Observer

Reactor No. 2 at Kola nuclear power plant gets 15-years extended licence | The Independent Barents Observer: The already 45 years old reactor will continue to run until 2034.

Japan delays fuel removal from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi - Reuters

Japan delays fuel removal from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi - Reuters: The Japanese government on Friday delayed the planned removal of fuel from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station, highlighting difficulties facing a clean-up at the site of the 2011 disaster.

Uranium mining could regain momentum in Carbon County | Wyoming | gillettenewsrecord.com

Uranium mining could regain momentum in Carbon County | Wyoming | gillettenewsrecord.com: RAWLINS — A uranium mine 30 miles north of Medicine Bow could soon resume mining operations using a previously explored technique with new technology, a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson

America's Energy CEO Series: TVA’s Jeff Lyash on fuel mix changes, power price expectations | S&P Global Platts

America's Energy CEO Series: TVA’s Jeff Lyash on fuel mix changes, power price expectations | S&P Global Platts: TVA working to expand capacity, relicense seven nuclear units Low, stable natural gas prices expected for next decade The Tennessee Valley Authority is expanding its production of emissions free power

U.S. tests ways to sweep space clean of radiation after nuclear attack | Science | AAAS

U.S. tests ways to sweep space clean of radiation after nuclear attack | Science | AAAS

Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors

Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors: Boron powder could turn nuclear fusion dreams into reality. Tokamak reactors are a major frontier in fusion research, but they're also volatile—and dangerous.

Atoms in the Ice | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Atoms in the Ice | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Understanding the legacy of the “Atom for Peace” speech | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Understanding the legacy of the “Atom for Peace” speech | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Experimental Breeder Reactor I: A retrospective | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Experimental Breeder Reactor I: A retrospective | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Five Fast Historic Nuclear Surprises | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Five Fast Historic Nuclear Surprises | ANS Nuclear Cafe

A Look Ahead for Nuclear Energy in 2020 | Neutron Bytes

A Look Ahead for Nuclear Energy in 2020 | Neutron Bytes: With a growing realization that nuclear energy is necessary to achieve decarbonization in the electric generation utility industry, and for major process heat applications, 2020 looks like a year w…

Spent MOX fuel to be removed from nuke plant in Japan, plutonium stockpiles remain issue - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Spent MOX fuel to be removed from nuke plant in Japan, plutonium stockpiles remain issue - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Removal of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 delayed up to five years | The Japan Times

Removal of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 delayed up to five years | The Japan Times: Tokyo Electric’s fourth delay is needed for more safety steps, including an enclosure for reactor No. 1 to prevent radioactive dust from spreading, the government said.

No reports of damage from quake near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant: TV - Reuters

No reports of damage from quake near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant: TV - Reuters: An 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Iran's Bushehr province on Friday, where the country's nuclear power plant is located, but there were no immediate reports of damage, Iranian state television reported.

Iran earthquake hits near Bushehr nuclear power plant - CNN

Iran earthquake hits near Bushehr nuclear power plant - CNN

Rosatom Is Pressing The Limits Of Russia’s Nuclear Capabilities - Caspian News

Rosatom Is Pressing The Limits Of Russia’s Nuclear Capabilities - Caspian News: Russia sits on some of the largest oil and gas deposits in the world, but that is not stopping energy officials from moving forward with plans to expa

3 Breakthroughs That Could Shake The Energy World In The Next Decade

3 Breakthroughs That Could Shake The Energy World In The Next Decade: Just as breakthroughs in hydraulic fracturing, wind power, solar power and natural gas liquefaction drove the energy industry in the first two decades of this century, what could alter the way we produce and consume energy in the 2020’s?

Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors

Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors: Boron powder could turn nuclear fusion dreams into reality. Tokamak reactors are a major frontier in fusion research, but they're also volatile—and dangerous.

Ohio Supreme Court Takes Up $900 Million Nuclear Subsidies Suit

Ohio Supreme Court Takes Up $900 Million Nuclear Subsidies Suit: The Ohio Supreme Court will decide whether opponents of a $900 million FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. nuclear subsidy will get an extra 38 days to collect signatures for a repeal referendum.

First Nuclear Reactors Built in 30 Years Take Shape at Georgia Power Plant | Construction Equipment Guide

First Nuclear Reactors Built in 30 Years Take Shape at Georgia Power Plant | Construction Equipment Guide: Construction is ongoing for two new nuclear reactors, Units 3 and 4, at Georgia Power's Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Waynesboro, Ga. — the first new nuclear reactors to be constructed in the United Stated in 30 years — that will provide electricity to more than 500,000 homes and businesses once operational. (ID::46939)

Aging Alabama nuclear plant worries critics - al.com

Aging Alabama nuclear plant worries critics - al.com: Some say equipment at the three-reactor plant is being forced to generate power longer than originally intended and that the storage of spent nuclear fuel is a growing problem, The Decatur Daily reported.

How The U.S. Navy Remains The Masters Of Modular Nuclear Reactors

How The U.S. Navy Remains The Masters Of Modular Nuclear Reactors: America’s Nuclear Navy is one of the oldest and largest nuclear organizations in the world, and has the world’s best safety record of any industry of any kind. There are over a hundred nuclear reactors, which are actually small modular reactors, that power 86 submarines and aircraft carriers.

Dangerous, dear and dying: why the consensus on nuclear power is wrong - MoneyWeek

Dangerous, dear and dying: why the consensus on nuclear power is wrong - MoneyWeek: Nuclear power is viewed as too dangerous and too costly to form part of our energy future. That’s plain wrong – and it could spell huge opportunity, says Dylan Grice.

Feds 'smuggling' plutonium into Nevada? Balderdash! | Jim Schnieder

Feds 'smuggling' plutonium into Nevada? Balderdash! | Jim Schnieder: How would we have perfected our nuclear arsenal if Nevada had argued the feds were “smuggling” nuclear bombs and their components into the state?

A Christmas Light

A Christmas Light: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
No electrons were flowing, through even my mouse;
All devices were plugged by the chimney with care,
With the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.

Ethiopia makes progress in cancer treatment provision - World Nuclear News

Ethiopia makes progress in cancer treatment provision - World Nuclear News: The Ethiopian government is receiving support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other development partners to address its urgent need for improvement in cancer treatment. The IAEA recommends four radiotherapy machines per one million people, but Ethiopia has only one for its population of 105 million.

Rosatom plans accident-tolerant fuel loading - World Nuclear News

Rosatom plans accident-tolerant fuel loading - World Nuclear News: The first Russian-made nuclear fuel assemblies with experimental accident-tolerant fuel rods for commercial reactors have been manufactured and passed acceptance inspection at Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, a fabrication facility of Rosatom’s fuel manufacturer subsidiary TVEL. The ATF rods are to be loaded into one of the VVER-1000 units at the Rostov nuclear power plant in western Russia in the first quarter of 2020, TVEL said yesterday.

How Americans Feel About Climate Change: An 11-year Perspective | The Energy Collective Daily

How Americans Feel About Climate Change: An 11-year Perspective | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Government Seeks To End Speculation On Nuclear Extensions :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Government Seeks To End Speculation On Nuclear Extensions :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Germany will stick to its planned phase-out of nuclear power plants by the end of 2022, the spokesman for chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, Steffen Seibert, said at a regular government press conference, apparently seeking to end speculation about an extension for the remaining plants.



The energy spokesman for Merkel’s CDU, Joachim Pfeiffer, had told the magazine Der Spiegel, that he thought the nuclear exit decision in 2011 had been a mistake. But Mr Pfeiffer also said that he saw no appetite for a nuclear revival in Germany, where a majority continues to support the exit.



The country’s last commercial nuclear plants are due to be shut by the end of 2022, leaving the country struggling to plug the gap in its electricity generation and meet its climate targets as it prepares to abolish its coal industry.

Hokkaido Elec Miscalculated Radioactive Materials for 31 Yrs | Nippon.com

Hokkaido Elec Miscalculated Radioactive Materials for 31 Yrs | Nippon.com: Sapporo, Dec. 25 (Jiji Press)--Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has erroneously calculated the amounts of ra…

LANL seeks new hazardous waste permit from New Mexico | Local News | santafenewmexican.com

LANL seeks new hazardous waste permit from New Mexico | Local News | santafenewmexican.com: The permit, which covers waste cleanup, treatment, storage and disposal, is scheduled to be renewed in July 2020. The lab has until June to apply.

US And Japan Must Lead The Way, Says Commerce Secretary :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

US And Japan Must Lead The Way, Says Commerce Secretary :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: The US is working with allies like Japan to led the way in assuring the efficient licensing and construction of a new generation of inherently safe and economically viable reactors, commerce secretary Wilbur Ross told the Japan Roundtable Washington Conference.



Mr Ross said president Trump is committed to revitalising the industry and that nuclear “is and must remain an essential part of our energy mix long into the future”.



To achieve sustainable global development on a real scale, and to balance electrical demand when renewables are not available, then nuclear “must be a viable option”, he said. “If the US and Japan don’t lead this renaissance, then somebody else will.”

Aging Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant worries critics

Aging Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant worries critics: DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — Critics are raising alarms over the age of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, which opened 46 years ago on the banks of the Tennessee River and is still operating. Some say...

Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear House Bill 6 referendum case - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH

Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear House Bill 6 referendum case - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH: The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to rule on federal-court questions that could revive the failed referendum campaign seeking to repeal the ratepayer-financed House Bill 6 bailout of a pair of nuclear power plants in the state.U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus in Columbus ruled on Oct. 23 that Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts turned to the wrong court in its bid for additional days to gather more signatures for its petition drive to place a ballot issue before voters.Sargus sent the case

90% of Truck CO2 Emissions Could be Captured and Liquified into Fuel | The Energy Collective Daily

90% of Truck CO2 Emissions Could be Captured and Liquified into Fuel | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
Researchers at EPFL have patented capturing CO2 directly from a trucks’ exhaust system and liquefying it in a box on the vehicle’s roof. The liquid CO2 is then delivered to a service station, where it is turned into conventional fuel using renewable energy. This could cut trucks’ CO2 emissions by almost 90%.They plan to combine several technologies developed at EPFL to..

Click headline for full article
Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
Julien Mulliez-DFID/flickrThe International Energy Agency (IEA) is undercutting its own, essential role in confronting the climate crisis by downplaying renewable energy options and driving future investment to more expensive, higher-carbon fossil fuels, according to analysts responding to the release of its annual World Energy Outlook report earlier this week.While the agency styles the..

Click headline for full article
Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
After running 44 hours beyond its scheduled end time, this year’s United Nations climate conference dissolved in failure, frustration, and anger Sunday morning, with a large bloc of countries and an exhausted climate advocacy community blaming the world’s biggest emitters and the fossil fuel interests behind them.Brazil won the Colossal Fossil award from Climate Action..

Click headline for full article
Posted: 25 Dec 2019 11:00 PM PST
Presidential candidates, state governments, and utilities are promoting “net zero” emissions targets to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preserve a safe climate future by helping to limit global warming to well below 2°C. But few of them are exploring exactly how the U.S. could achieve the ambitious goal of remaking its energy economy.Energy..

Monday, December 23, 2019

As the US, China, and Russia build new nuclear weapons systems, how will AI be built in? - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

As the US, China, and Russia build new nuclear weapons systems, how will AI be built in? - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

The US government has approved funds for geoengineering research


The US government has approved funds for geoengineering research

NOAA will get at least $4 million for a research program, which will include efforts to assess “climate interventions.”


https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614991/the-us-government-will-begin-to-fund-geoengineering-research/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement

The Tiny, Simple Nuclear Reactor That Could Change Energy

The Tiny, Simple Nuclear Reactor That Could Change Energy: The next step in nuclear power is 1/100th the size of today's reactors.

AWED Energy & Environmental Newsletter - 12/23/19

 
 

AWED Friends:
 
This is our last Energy & Environmental Newsletter for 2019. For the full version of this issue, please click here…  To review some of the highlights, see below.

To accommodate the diversity of interesting material, the Newsletter articles are subdivided into ten (10) categories (see below).

My votes for the most outstanding articles this cycle are: 

Energy Economics —

Wind Energy Ecosystem Impacts—

Nuclear Energy —

Energy Misc —

Global Warming and Madrid (COP25) —

Global Warming and Greta —

Manmade Global Warming (other) —

Misc Education —

Misc US Politics —

Science and Misc Matters —
Best wishes to all our faithful 10,000+ Newsletter readers, to have a safe, enjoyable and profitable New Year. Thank you for your support. It’s much appreciated!

John Droz, jr.
physicist & citizen advocate

Note 1: We recommend reading the Newsletter on your computer, not your phone, as some documents (e.g. PDFs) are much easier to read on a large computer screen… We’ve tried to use common fonts, etc. to minimize display issues.

Note 2: Originally this was a monthly Newsletter. However, as pertinent material proliferated, it has been issued more frequently. As a guideline once we collect a hundred worthwhile articles, a new Newsletter will be issued on the following Monday. Recently this has resulted in a once every three weeks frequency — and occasionally once every two weeks.

Note 3: Our intention is to put some balance into what most people see from the mainstream media about energy, environmental and education issues… As always, please pass the Newsletter on to open-minded citizens, and link to it on your social media sites. If there are others who you think would benefit from being on our Energy & Environmental email list, please let me know. If at any time you'd like to be taken off this list, simply send me an email saying that.

Note 4: This Newsletter is intended to supplement the material on our website, WiseEnergy.org. For wind warriors, the most important page there is the Winning page.

Note 5: I am not an attorney, so no material appearing in any of the Newsletters (or the WiseEnergy.org website) should be construed as giving legal advice. My recommendation has always been: consult a competent licensed attorney when you are involved with legal issues.


 
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Energy & Environmental
Newsletter - 12/23/19