Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Friday, January 11, 2019
Piketon centrifuge plan draws local praise, criticism - Portsmouth Daily Times
Piketon centrifuge plan draws local praise, criticism - Portsmouth Daily Times: Monday’s announcement from U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, (R-OH), regarding the possibility of re-firing the Piketon centrifuge facility, closed in 2016, was
North County Report: The Head-Spinning Complexity of Moving Nuclear Waste Out of San Diego - Voice of San Diego
North County Report: The Head-Spinning Complexity of Moving Nuclear Waste Out of San Diego - Voice of San Diego: The clock is ticking on attempts to find a suitable destination for nuclear waste from the decommissioned San Onofre power station north of Oceanside, and Carlsbad is sending a new representative to SANDAG.
Tri-City scientist makes the case for reclassifying much of the high level nuclear waste at the Hanford Site. | Tri-City Herald
Tri-City scientist makes the case for reclassifying much of the high level nuclear waste at the Hanford Site. | Tri-City Herald: A Tri-City scientist makes the case for reclassifying much of the high level nuclear waste at the Hanford Site.
Lawmaker wants to make sure SCE&G customers receive promised $1,000 payment
Lawmaker wants to make sure SCE&G customers receive promised $1,000 payment: CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD) – One Lowcountry lawmaker wants to make sure SCE&G customers receive a cash payment once promised by SCANA buyer, Dominion Energy.
Japan's Nuclear Export Struggles Narrow the Field of Suppliers | Greentech Media
Japan's Nuclear Export Struggles Narrow the Field of Suppliers | Greentech Media: Only a handful of nations now seem capable of building new reactors, with the ability of the U.S. also in doubt.
Solar vs. Nuclear: Battle for the Best Carbon-Free Power | Earth911.com
Solar vs. Nuclear: Battle for the Best Carbon-Free Power | Earth911.com: Sponsored Article: Brought to You by EnergySage Over the last ...
Hitachi to suspend UK nuclear power ops, post $2 bln special loss - Nikkei | Agricultural Commodities | Reuters
Hitachi to suspend UK nuclear power ops, post $2 bln special loss - Nikkei | Agricultural Commodities | Reuters: Hitachi Ltd has decided to suspend its 3 trillion yen ($28 billion) nuclear project in Britain and to post a special loss of about $2 billion for the year ending March, the Nikkei business daily reported on Friday.
A fresh look at nuclear energy | Science
A fresh look at nuclear energy | Science: We are running out of time, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned last October in a special report, [ Global Warming of 1.5°C ][1]. National commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement are only the first step toward decarbonization, but most countries are already lagging behind. It is time to take a fresh look at the role that nuclear energy can play in decarbonizing the world's energy system.
Nuclear is already the largest source of low-carbon energy in the United States and Europe and the second-largest source worldwide (after hydropower). In the September report of the MIT Energy Initiative, [ The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World ][2], we show that extending the life of the existing fleet of nuclear reactors worldwide is the least costly approach to avoiding an increase of carbon emissions in the power sector. Yet, some countries have prioritized closing nuclear plants, and other countries have policies that undermine the financial viability of their plants. Fortunately, there are signs that this situation is changing. In the United States, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York have taken steps to preserve their nuclear plants as part
Nuclear is already the largest source of low-carbon energy in the United States and Europe and the second-largest source worldwide (after hydropower). In the September report of the MIT Energy Initiative, [ The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World ][2], we show that extending the life of the existing fleet of nuclear reactors worldwide is the least costly approach to avoiding an increase of carbon emissions in the power sector. Yet, some countries have prioritized closing nuclear plants, and other countries have policies that undermine the financial viability of their plants. Fortunately, there are signs that this situation is changing. In the United States, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York have taken steps to preserve their nuclear plants as part
Ottawa County officials still hopeful Davis-Besse stays open
Ottawa County officials still hopeful Davis-Besse stays open: Ottawa County officials hope to make progress on Davis-Besse, finding a buyer for nuclear plant.
Ottawa County officials still hopeful Davis-Besse stays open
Ottawa County officials still hopeful Davis-Besse stays open: Ottawa County officials hope to make progress on Davis-Besse, finding a buyer for nuclear plant.
Facing Urgency, DOE Moves to Demonstrate HALEU Fuel Production Capability for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Facing Urgency, DOE Moves to Demonstrate HALEU Fuel Production Capability for Advanced Nuclear Reactors: To propel interest and bolster development of advanced nuclear reactor designs, the Department of Energy (DOE) will demonstrate—by October 2020—the To propel interest and bolster development of advanced nuclear reactor designs, the Department of Energy (DOE) will demonstrate—by October 2020—the production of high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in a first-of-its-kind $115 million project at the agency’s uranium enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio.
Fate of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Site In Play
Fate of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Site In Play: The Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel released recommendations for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant after it ceases operations in 2025.
No credible threat of radiation leak outside San Onofre, regulators, utility officials say - The San Diego Union-Tribune
No credible threat of radiation leak outside San Onofre, regulators, utility officials say - The San Diego Union-Tribune: There is virtually no scenario in which 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste could pose a public-safety or economic threat to people who live miles away from the shuttered San Onofre nuclear plant, utility officials and federal regulators said Wednesday.
Virginia's uranium mining battle flips traditional views of federal and state power
Virginia's uranium mining battle flips traditional views of federal and state power: Distrusting large federal bureaucracies isn't reserved for conservatives anymore.
Commission Considers Penalties for Faulty Waste Canisters
Commission Considers Penalties for Faulty Waste Canisters: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission held a hearing Wednesday to discuss whether to implement penalties against Holtec International, the manufacturer of a faulty nuclear waste canister buried at the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
Fukushima Update 1/11/19
Fukushima Update 1/11/19 –
Nuke accident exposures for Date City were underestimated, but remain well-below Japan’s upper limit… Tepco considers building a 1,000 MWe offshore wind-power plant… Why hasn’t Japan’s Press reported on the 120,000 tons of F. Daiichi wastewater stripped of residual Strontium?
http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.c
Nuke accident exposures for Date City were underestimated, but remain well-below Japan’s upper limit… Tepco considers building a 1,000 MWe offshore wind-power plant… Why hasn’t Japan’s Press reported on the 120,000 tons of F. Daiichi wastewater stripped of residual Strontium?
http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.c
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Judge tells Embattled PG&E to Consider Shutting Power in Wildfires - Power Engineering
Judge tells Embattled PG&E to Consider Shutting Power in Wildfires - Power Engineering: Judge William Alsup said in a court order his goal was to prevent the utility from causing any wildfires in the 2019 fire season.
New California governor prioritizes PG&E as CPUC moves to examine wildfire cost recovery | Utility Dive
New California governor prioritizes PG&E as CPUC moves to examine wildfire cost recovery | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.
Crane supports Hanford clean-up - World Nuclear News
Crane supports Hanford clean-up - World Nuclear News: A 150-tonne rough-terrain crane will enable workers to access hard-to-reach locations across the US Department of Energy's Hanford site in Washington State.
Anfield Energy expands uranium and vanadium portfolio - World Nuclear News
Anfield Energy expands uranium and vanadium portfolio - World Nuclear News: Anfield Energy has signed an agreement to acquire the Charlie in situ leach uranium project in Wyoming from Cotter Corporation, plus the West Slope group of previously producing uranium/vanadium properties in Colorado.
TVEL to supply fuel for China's fast-neutron reactor - World Nuclear News
TVEL to supply fuel for China's fast-neutron reactor - World Nuclear News: TVEL and CNLY have signed a contract for the supply of nuclear fuel for the CFR-600 sodium-cooled pool-type fast-neutron nuclear reactor under construction in Xiapu County, in China's Fujian province.
Commission Considers Penalties for Faulty Waste Canisters
Commission Considers Penalties for Faulty Waste Canisters: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission held a hearing Wednesday to discuss whether to implement penalties against Holtec International, the manufacturer of a faulty nuclear waste canister buried at the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
Halted DOE Plant Prompts Project Management Scrutiny | 2019-01-09 | Engineering News-Record
Halted DOE Plant Prompts Project Management Scrutiny | 2019-01-09 | Engineering News-Record: Federal auditors point to project management inexperience at the U.S. Energy Dept. and its National Nuclear Security Administration as a key reason that caused the estimated final cost of the Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX) Fabrication facility in South Carolina to rise to $17.2 billion from its original $4.8-billion estimate, and its planned finish to be off by 32 years. The facility, intended as a central plutonium disposal site, was scrapped in October. DOE began the MOX project at its Savannah River former weapons site in . . .
Groups challenge court decision regarding Plant Vogtle over cost concerns | Local News | albanyherald.com
Groups challenge court decision regarding Plant Vogtle over cost concerns | Local News | albanyherald.com: The anticipated price tag to build two new nuclear units at Plant Vogtle has nearly doubled to roughly $26 billion in recent months.
Fossil generators ask Supreme Court to review state nuclear subsidies | Utility Dive
Fossil generators ask Supreme Court to review state nuclear subsidies | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.
Saudi Arabia to work closely with US on nuclear power plans, Middle East News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
Saudi Arabia to work closely with US on nuclear power plans, Middle East News & Top Stories - The Straits Times: RIYADH (REUTERS) - Saudi Arabia aims to work closely with the United States on its plans to build nuclear power generation capacity in the oil producing kingdom, the energy minister said on Wednesday (Jan 9).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Is Nuclear Power The Best Option To Slow Climate Change? | KPBS
Is Nuclear Power The Best Option To Slow Climate Change? | KPBS: California is moving away from nuclear power. But a new book is out that says nuclear power is the best tool we have to meet our energy needs and prevent climate change.
Nuclear Power Industry Outlook 2023 Global Plant and Equipment, Energy Trends, Opportunities, Regional Development Status, Market Size, Share, Types by Reactor - openPR
Nuclear Power Industry Outlook 2023 Global Plant and Equipment, Energy Trends, Opportunities, Regional Development Status, Market Size, Share, Types by Reactor - openPR: Press release - Analytical Research Cognizance - Nuclear Power Industry Outlook 2023 Global Plant and Equipment, Energy Trends, Opportunities, Regional Development Status, Market Size, Share, Types by Reactor - published on openPR.com
Russia retires Reactor No 1 at the Leningrad nuclear plant - Bellona.org
Russia retires Reactor No 1 at the Leningrad nuclear plant - Bellona.org: Russian nuclear officials say they have taken a Soviet-built nuclear reactor out of operation after 45 years of service, in what is only the …
Edison Community Engagement Panel Chair Addresses Safety Concerns At San Onofre | KPBS
Edison Community Engagement Panel Chair Addresses Safety Concerns At San Onofre | KPBS: Southern California Edison has come under scrutiny for its handling of the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
New Technique Offers Rapid Assessment of Radiation Exposure | NC State News | NC State University
New Technique Offers Rapid Assessment of Radiation Exposure | NC State News | NC State University: A new technique that allows authorities to assess radiation exposure in about an hour using an insulator material found in most modern electronics.
Crafting a national nuclear program | BusinessMirror
Crafting a national nuclear program | BusinessMirror: ON Christmas day, the Press and Public Affairs Bureau of the House of Representatives posted online a news release saying the House of Representatives, before
As advanced US reactors move closer to reality, DOE seeks fuel to power them | Utility Dive
As advanced US reactors move closer to reality, DOE seeks fuel to power them | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.
Cost of a major release at San Onofre could top $13 trillion, scientists say - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Cost of a major release at San Onofre could top $13 trillion, scientists say - The San Diego Union-Tribune: A major release of radioactive waste at the San Onofre nuclear plant could cost the Southern California economy more than $13 trillion over future decades, according to a study released Tuesday by a nonprofit foundation.
Nuclear Power Is Economically Obsolete - EcoWatch
Nuclear Power Is Economically Obsolete - EcoWatch: Despite the past failure and poor future outlook, support for more nuclear funding persists.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Hell is but an EMP away - News - Wicked Local Plymouth - Plymouth, MA
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Hell is but an EMP away - News - Wicked Local Plymouth - Plymouth, MA: I'm sure you've all heard of the EMP attack potential from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. If not, be advised that the use of an EMP has been factored into their battle plans.
NRC public meeting Jan. 15 for comments on Pilgrim decommissioning - News - Wicked Local Plymouth - Plymouth, MA
NRC public meeting Jan. 15 for comments on Pilgrim decommissioning - News - Wicked Local Plymouth - Plymouth, MA: PLYMOUTH - Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting in Plymouth on Tuesday, Jan. 15, to discuss a decommissioning road map report for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant. Attendees will be able to provide comments at the meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hotel 1620, 180 Water St.Entergy, which owns the single-reactor facility in Plymouth, submitted its Pilgrim Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report to the NRC on Nov. 16. Among other details, it describes the
Surprise redesign of nuclear waste canister at San Onofre not a big deal, company tells NRC – Orange County Register
Surprise redesign of nuclear waste canister at San Onofre not a big deal, company tells NRC – Orange County Register: Four canisters with the changed pin design were loaded with waste at San Onofre. The NRC does not believe they pose “an imminent safety threat.”
Federal Regulators Detail Pilgrim Decommissioning Process - CapeCod.com
Federal Regulators Detail Pilgrim Decommissioning Process - CapeCod.com: HYANNIS – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth will be shut down this spring and Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials provided an update to the public Tuesday on the upcoming proced…
Former NRC chairman remains clearly opposed to nuclear energy - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper
Former NRC chairman remains clearly opposed to nuclear energy - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper: With the Union of Concerned Scientists and other groups reversing their former opposition to nuclear energy, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko …
Why the United States Should Partner With Africa to Deploy Advanced Reactors
Why the United States Should Partner With Africa to Deploy Advanced Reactors
https://issues.org/why-the-united-states-should-partner-with-africa-to-deploy-advanced-reactors/
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Memo to Congress: America Already Has Low-yield Nuclear Warheads - Union of Concerned Scientists
Memo to Congress: America Already Has Low-yield Nuclear Warheads - Union of Concerned Scientists: The Trump administration plans to build new “low-yield” nuclear weapons that would be launched from Trident submarines. Its rationale? It insists they are needed to counter Russia’s low-yield weapons.
This plan has resulted in a lot of confused—or perhaps deceptive—verbiage on the part of some of
This plan has resulted in a lot of confused—or perhaps deceptive—verbiage on the part of some of
US Senator Wyden: Trump DOE Wants To Reinterpret Statutory Definition Of High-Level Nuclear Waste – Comment Deadline Tonight 11:59 PM ET | Mining Awareness +
US Senator Wyden: Trump DOE Wants To Reinterpret Statutory Definition Of High-Level Nuclear Waste – Comment Deadline Tonight 11:59 PM ET | Mining Awareness +: Comment here till Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 1159 pm Eastern Time (DC, NYC, etc): See more here: US Senator “Wyden said DOE’s push to reinterpret the definition of high-level radioactive was…
Can the US Survive a 'Catastrophic' Power Outage? | RealClearEnergy
Can the US Survive a 'Catastrophic' Power Outage? | RealClearEnergy: Can the US Survive a 'Catastrophic' Power Outage? | RealClearEnergy
Trump-Perry DOE Proposes to Abandon High-Level Nuclear Waste in Underground Tanks Next to the Columbia River – Comment Deadline Tonight at 11.59 PM ET | Mining Awareness +
Trump-Perry DOE Proposes to Abandon High-Level Nuclear Waste in Underground Tanks Next to the Columbia River – Comment Deadline Tonight at 11.59 PM ET | Mining Awareness +: Comment here till Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 1159 pm Eastern Time (DC, NYC, etc): Comment is easy and can be anonymous. It is believed that this will have repercussions on a wider scale, likely du…
Watch the 2019 Doomsday Clock Announcement - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Watch the 2019 Doomsday Clock Announcement - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will host a live international news conference at 10 a.m. EST/1500 GMT on Thursday, January 24, 2019, to announce the 2019 time of the Doomsday Clock. The news conference will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Watch the announcement live on our website, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter. … Continued
U.S. to Bill Gates: Build your scrapped China nuclear reactor in America - Axios
U.S. to Bill Gates: Build your scrapped China nuclear reactor in America - Axios: Trump's Energy Department wants Bill Gates to build nuclear reactor in U.S., not China
Murder charges unlikely, but PG&E bankruptcy or asset sales are on the table | Utility Dive
Murder charges unlikely, but PG&E bankruptcy or asset sales are on the table | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.
As advanced US reactors move closer to reality, DOE seeks fuel to power them | Utility Dive
As advanced US reactors move closer to reality, DOE seeks fuel to power them | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.
Westinghouse announces organisational changes - World Nuclear News
Westinghouse announces organisational changes - World Nuclear News: Westinghouse, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last August, has announced initial organisational changes aimed at enhancing focus on its customer base and strengthening its global services and supply chain management capabilities.
Dominion Energy Completes Scana Takeover - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers
Dominion Energy Completes Scana Takeover - 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.
Russian Regulator Approves Design Documents For Brest-OD-300 - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers
Russian Regulator Approves Design Documents For Brest-OD-300 - 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.
Fourth AP1000 In China Hits Commercial Operations Status - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers
Fourth AP1000 In China Hits Commercial Operations Status - 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.
Argentina's Embalse Nuclear Plant back in Operation after two-year Upgrade - Power Engineering
Argentina's Embalse Nuclear Plant back in Operation after two-year Upgrade - Power Engineering: Nucleoeléctrica Argentina reported that critical start was reached on the reactor January 4. It is licensed for a new 30-year cycle.
UAE energy minister says nuclear power project slightly delayed | Reuters
UAE energy minister says nuclear power project slightly delayed | Reuters: United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Wednesday that the country's nuclear power plant project was slightly delayed.
Former NRC chairman remains clearly opposed to nuclear energy - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper
Former NRC chairman remains clearly opposed to nuclear energy - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper: With the Union of Concerned Scientists and other groups reversing their former opposition to nuclear energy, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko is going on the offensive to explain why nuclear energy is …
Energy Northwest nuclear power plant breaks record | Tri-City Herald
Energy Northwest nuclear power plant breaks record | Tri-City Herald: Energy Northwest’s nuclear power plant near Richland, the Columbia Generating Station, set a record for 2018 for electricity production and has lowered costs.
X-energy Support of ACO HALEU Production
X-energy Support of ACO HALEU Production: GREENBELT, Md., Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- X-energy supports and commends the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Nuclear Energy Oak Ridge Site Office...
Centrus selected for HALEU enrichment project - World Nuclear News
Centrus selected for HALEU enrichment project - World Nuclear News: The US Department of Energy has announced plans to award a contract to a subsidiary of Centrus Energy Corp to demonstrate the production of high-assay low enriched uranium. The project will see the deployment of a cascade of 16 AC-100M centrifuges at Piketon, Ohio.
Against the odds, power trade group asks US Supreme Court to review state ZEC decisions | S&P Global Platts
Against the odds, power trade group asks US Supreme Court to review state ZEC decisions | S&P Global Platts: Main question is federal versus state power market jurisdiction EPSA and NRG filed petitions for a writ of certiorari Supreme Court unlikely to review the cases: experts Trade group Electric Power Sup
Pilgrim Nuke Plant Back at Full Power - CapeCod.com
Pilgrim Nuke Plant Back at Full Power - CapeCod.com: PLYMOUTH – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth is back at 100 percent power after it reduced capacity to 23 percent this past weekend because of valve issues at the plant. Pilgrim s…
Rosatom: Nigeria’s Nuclear Technologies Pact with Russia Comprehensive - THISDAYLIVE
Rosatom: Nigeria’s Nuclear Technologies Pact with Russia Comprehensive - THISDAYLIVE: Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria’s existing nuclear technology agreement with Russia will not just enable the former generate more electricity for her domestic economy, but also help improve her healthcare; science; industry and agriculture sectors, Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom has stated. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, …
State of Washington opposes federal nuke waste proposal
State of Washington opposes federal nuke waste proposal: SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state of Washington said Tuesday it opposes a federal proposal to reclassify as less dangerous some radioactive waste on a site in the state that contains the nation's largest supply because it fears much of the waste will be left in the ground. The state this week filed its objections to a Trump administration plan to reclassify millions of gallons of waste stored in underground tanks at Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The objections were accompanied by a letter from Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
South Carolina cannot sue over shutdown of nuclear fuel recycling plant – 4th Circ.
South Carolina cannot sue over shutdown of nuclear fuel recycling plant – 4th Circ.
https://www.reuters.com/article/south-carolina-cannot-sue-over-shutdown/south-carolina-cannot-sue-over-shutdown-of-nuclear-fuel-recycling-plant-4th-circ-idUSL1N1Z900Z
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
U.S.-Russian Relations in a New Era | The National Interest
U.S.-Russian Relations in a New Era | The National Interest: Washington and Moscow are on the verge of a confrontation that has not been seen since the early 1980s.
EM Update January 8, 2018
Generation Atomic at the UN Climate Talks
Generation Atomic at the UN Climate Talks
Generation Atomic makes it back to the UN Climate Talks
Gen
A was again able to attend the international climate talks in Katowice,
Poland. The climate talks aka “COP24” are a key battleground in the
push to re-shape the global perception of nuclear energy. Our strategy
this year? Tell a story about why the world needs nuclear by using the
following tactics:
- Friendly and persuasive conversations: we conducted on-site advocacy trainings so that our volunteers could more effectively engage with other attendees. They were amazing!
- Informative Events: we helped the NICE Future Initiative and the European Nuclear Society - Young Generation set up side events so nuclear and energy experts could present on exciting developments in nuclear energy
- Inflatable Polar Bears: our mascot Melty melted hearts and helped break the ice to initiate important conversations about the consequences of excluding nuclear power
- Singing: attention grabbing and immediately disarming, we used music to make an impact and get our message across.
Day 1 - Getting our feet under us and asking Arnold an important question.
Monday,
December 3rd was the first of 11 days of nonstop activity and after
nearly 30 hours of traveling (Long layover to save money on the flight +
a 7hr flight delay), Austin and Eric felt like they had just pulled an
all-nighter. Moreover-- we had received confirmation on our funding to
go to COP a mere three weeks before landing, so there was still much
preparatory work to be done. So-- we planned like hell all morning and
got to the venue in the early afternoon.
After
getting registered and setting up our booth along with our friends from
the European Nuclear Society - Young Generation, a few of us went to
catch Arnold Schwarzenegger give a speech on the importance of climate
action. Afterwards, we got the chance to ask him one question as he
walked out:
Eric: Governor, how do you feel about nuclear power?
Arnold: Uhhh, I don’t like it right now.
That’s
not what we wanted to hear, considering he’s been a proponent in the
past. However, at least he indicated that he could be persuaded to
support it!
Day 2 - Nuclear conversations with SustainUS (and others) and the European Nuclear Society Panel
Day
2 gave us the opportunity to explore the conference space a bit more
and mingle with the other attendees. The country pavilions were by far
the most impressive with each country sporting flashy signs and booths
meant to out-show the other countries’ and all of the marginal amounts
of climate progress that collectively have been made. The city of
Katowice probably had the most honest presentation: cages full of coal
marked the four corners of their booth, where you could also explore a
showcase of different coal-derived products. Whatever the intention, the
reaction among most attendees bordered on outrage. The shared feeling
even allowed Austin and River
to spark up some conversation with members of the SustainUs delegation
who were equally aghast and looking for answers. The discussion
inevitably turned to nuclear and we had the first of several identical
conversations that took place with a few select youth climate groups
throughout the conference. While the SustainUs members fell on the side
of skeptics when it came to the topic of nuclear energy, they were far
more open-minded about it than older members of the Big Green
organizations and willing to have honest conversations about it. These
interactions, which were few and far between, were encouraging glints of
hope that millennials in particular are capable of looking at nuclear
with clearer vision within the context of climate change.
Tuesday
was also the first Nuclear For Climate side event, hosted by the
European Nuclear Society, and called Inclusive Energy Mix - The Only
Effective Way To Reduce Carbon Emissions. Panelists included
- Tuomo Huttunen, Senior Advisor at Finnish Energy;
- Valérie Faudon, Executive Managing Director chez SFEN - Société Française d'Energie Nucléaire;
- Kirsty Gogan, Co Founder and Global Director at Energy for Humanity;
- Hal Turton, Energy Economist, IAEA
- Eric Meyer, Executive Director of Generation Atomic; and
- Daniel Liu, Assistant Manager of International Affairs, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum
The
panelists each shared refreshing perspectives from the different
sectors that they represent on the importance of diversified energy
systems.
Day 2 Video Here. (2 min)
Day 3 - Asking more hard questions at events and gathering petition signatures
Our
team used much of day 3 to attend relevant side events and ask
difficult questions related to nuclear that we knew would not come up
without our attendance. Jadzia, started off strong by speaking up in a
panel discussion about just transition in Poland (the difficult process
of moving fossil fuel workers and communities into a cleaner energy
economy). As a native to Poland’s coal country, Jadzia caught the
attention of the room by asking why the development and production of
new nuclear technologies - SMRs in particular - could not be considered
an appropriate destination for the large number of communities in Poland
that rely on the coal industry for work. The panelists who responded
agreed with her and said that this would make sense when the nuclear
industry could provide such forms of employment.
Meanwhile,
Tuomo and River went to a side event called “7 Million Unacceptable
Deaths” to ask a panel of public health experts a question about the 1.8
million lives saved by nuclear since the 1970s. They received some
kudos from fellow members of the crowd for bringing up the topic but
were also handed a predictably dodgy answer from the panel leader Dr.
Maria Neira, Director of Environment and Social Determinants of Health
Department (PHE) at the World Health Organisation. She did offer us the
opportunity follow up afterwards and Tuomo and River
spent the next several hours pursuing her in order to get clarification
on the answer. That clarification ended up being equally as diplomatic
as the first and Dr. Neira assured us that the WHO focuses on the
isolated health impacts of different energy sources, so it was not their
job to compare which ones are better and worse.
Day 3 Video (2 min)
Day 4 - The NICE Future Panel gets crashed by anti-nukes, Melty shows up, and we sing for the COP24 Cafeteria
On
Thursday the Nuclear For Climate crew assembled for an exciting side
event titled Clean, Reliable Energy: Accelerating Emissions Reductions
and Energy Security through Innovative Technology and Uses of Advanced
Nuclear Energy. Panelists included
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Deputy Director for Clean Energy at Third Way;
- Eric Meyer, Executive Director of Generation Atomic;
- Lena Andriolo, Vice President of International Youth Nuclear Congress;
- Frank Hiroshi Ling, author and professor at the University of Tokyo and author; and
- Emilia Janisz of Nuclear4Climate and the External Relations Manager at the European Nuclear Society.
The
event was kicked off by a representative of the Polish government
outlining their commitment to building the country’s first nuclear power
plant by 2030. This was followed up shortly by an encouraging video
message from Executive Director of the International Energy Agency,
Fatih Birol, who said that next May at the Clean Energy Ministerial, the
IEA will report on “nuclear power in clean energy transitions”. The aim
he said is
“to bring nuclear power back to the clean energy debate". A lively
discussion followed among the panelists afterwards but as the event came
to an end, like clockwork, the panelists were interrupted by
anti-nuclear demonstrators waving flags and calling us lobbyists for the
uranium industry. The experience was nothing new but it gave a couple
of the panelists, including Ryan, the opportunity to engage in heated
discussions outside of the conference room.
Later
in the day we were given the opportunity to execute a flashmob in the
main cafeteria where Eric’s booming vocals and Melty’s inflatable dance
moves provided the backdrop for the rest of the Nuclear4Climate crew to
hold up signs calling for the
inclusion of nuclear power in the clean energy discussion. The action
garnered photos, encouragement, and a few recorded sound bites from
viewers.
Day 5 - CAN Conspiracy Conjectures
By
day 5, we were feeling pretty good about our efforts. We were also
very tired. We’d collected over a hundred signatures on our petition to
include all sources of clean energy in climate goals, and we’d made some
big splashes with our flash mob and speaking events. We were getting
noticed, perhaps… too much?
Climate
Action Network (CAN), a network of NGOs, puts out a daily publication
at the conference called ECO. Apparently it’s unfathomable that ordinary
people who don’t work in the nuclear industry could be proponents of
the technology. But alas, there we were on page 3, the “Wolves in
Sheep’s clothing”.
It
was a nice distillation of some of the very real (though often
inflated) criticisms of nuclear energy. Truthfully, there is a history
of negative health impacts on indigenous communities, especially in the
very early days of uranium mining for nuclear weapons. Nowadays, the
majority of the world’s uranium comes from Canada, Australia, and
Kazakhstan where modern techniques and practices have made it one of the
safest forms of resource extraction.
Still,
keeping the microscope focused solely on uranium mining prevents us
from making pragmatic decisions about low carbon energy
choices for the future. CAN conveniently omitted the fact that wind and
solar generation also require mining-- more mining than nuclear-- and
these raw materials are also extracted in less-than-sustainable ways, from areas of conflict and human rights violations. How is anyone supposed to make an informed decision when the facts are so skewed?
Ironically
(in an Alanis Morissette way), our wolf in sheep's clothing Austin was
wearing a wolf hat that very day, quizzing random people about their
nuclear knowledge. Some interesting takeaways? Most people were unaware
that nuclear was such a large percentage of global clean energy (~35%),
and almost no one knew whether spent nuclear fuel was a solid, liquid,
or a gas.(!) As a nuclear community, we have a long ways to go.
Day 6 - The March
Our
Friday expose was only a taste of the coverage we’d be getting as we
began the weekend. On Saturday our team showed up to March for Climate -
COP24, an unofficial climate march organized by local Polish activists.
We were feeling good: our group was comprised of members from the
Nuclear4Climate delegation as well as some additional Polish allies, we
were rolling 3-Meltys-deep, and the weather was great. Despite the
ice-cold stares of the hundreds of riot police
surrounding the area, the 3 Meltys and Eric were the first to arrive on
the scene and lost no time in garnering tons of attention: group photos,
lots of press, and lots of hugs. Singing inevitably ensued, which only
attracted an additional wave of attention.
Unfortunately
this was too much to handle for the four or five anti-nuclear
demonstrators who had arrived earlier and strategically distributed
their flags around the group in an effort to inflate their numbers.
We’ll give it to them: that ended up being a pretty effective move. As
our singing continued, the anti’s came over to make us stop by putting
their stickers on the Meltys and trying to rip Eric’s mic out of his
hand. The march organizer was even called over and told us to leave
because he didn’t want nuclear to be represented. Not wanting any
conflict, the police politely asked us to move across the street because
we were a smaller group and they did not want a fight to begin.
We
continued our message from the other side of the street: Meltys
shuffling around while Eric sang and took the time in between songs to
point out the close-mindedness of preventing select groups from being
included in the climate discussion. As if our message wasn’t clear
enough (that all clean energy technologies are needed for action on
climate), our Polish allies propped up their flag that essentially
spelled out “Nuclear + Renewables = happy planet”. The scene was enough
to garner attention from the international press-- we landed in the
center of an article later that day written about the march and
published in some of the world’s largest news outlets like ABC, The
Daily Mail, and the Seattle
Times.
The photo seen around the world
A growing community of Polish pro-nuclear environmentalists.
While
the attention we received was encouraging, it was still overshadowed by
the fact that we were not welcome to participate in a public
demonstration targeting the very issue that we have also dedicated our
lives to.
Day 8 - The U.S. side event and some sneaky anti's
With
the majority of our big events complete, we started off week 2 with the
goal of having as many conversations as possible while continuing to
ask difficult questions at the right events. A highlight of Monday
however was the US side event titled “U.S. Innovative Technologies Spur
Economic Dynamism”. The panel was made up of representatives from think
tanks and different government agencies. Just like last year though, the
youth action group SustainUs executed an action that interrupted the
discussion to shine light on the Trump Administration’s refusal to act
on climate change or drawdown the use of coal and other fossil fuels.
The group started chants within the
presentation hall that got picked up by the crowds of people outside who
couldn’t make it in. After about 5 minutes they marched out the side
entrance in order to hold a more accessible rally down the hall.
This
provided anti-nuclear demonstrators in the crowd the opportunity to
slip into the procession unnoticed and throw up their flag as if they
were a part of the SustainUs action. Eric made sure that the SustainUs
organizers were aware of what was happening and they lost no time in
asking the anti nuclear activists to take their flag down.
That
morning the Nuclear4Climate crew got the OK from Marcos to set up our
own action
near the front of the conference center: one of the busiest areas of the
entire event. We inflated a few Meltys and what ensued was a non-stop
stream of hugs and photo ops. People from every country imaginable were
excited about the bears and equally interested in talking to the other
N4C volunteers about our work and what we were doing at COP. It was an
encouraging experience and a reminder that the nuclear discussion is not
limited to Europe and North America.
Day 12 - heading home
On
Thursday we left Katowice in our respective directions home. Eric also
received some closure in regards to the pins we ordered that never
showed up. In light of two failed deliveries, the company refunded us
and provided a credit for the next order. This means that 2000
pro-nuclear buttons are with our friends at the Polish Nuclear Society,
and they will get distributed to other European Nuclear Society chapters
in the near future!
Looking
forward, the Nuclear4Climate delegation is excited to visit Chile next
year for COP25 where we’ll have the opportunity to meet some fresh faces
outside of the European and North American bubbles and continue our
mission to change hearts and minds for one of our most important clean
energy sources.
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Generation Atomic
1120 Vincent Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411
1120 Vincent Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411