Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Nuclear waste burial fund grows to $43 billion, but DOE has not buried an ounce of spent fuel


Nuclear waste burial fund grows to $43 billion, but DOE has not buried an ounce of spent fuel

Radioactive waste still stuck at San Onofre and other reactors across the nation

https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/01/billions-pile-up-in-nuclear-waste-burial-fund-but-no-permanent-storage-solution-on-the-horizon/

Nine Things to Watch For in the PG&E Bankruptcy | King & Spalding - JDSupra

Nine Things to Watch For in the PG&E Bankruptcy | King & Spalding - JDSupra: On January 29th, PG&E Corporation and its regulated utility subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electricity Company (collectively, “PG&E”), commenced bankruptcy cases in the Bankruptcy Court...

PG&E employees are bracing for bankruptcy fallout - Axios

PG&E employees are bracing for bankruptcy fallout - Axios: The other side of PG&E's bankruptcy.

Could government provide power and gas better than PG&E?

Could government provide power and gas better than PG&E?: A few cities around the country have taken over their electrical system recently for reasons ranging from rates to undergrounding power lines.

Newsom asks PG&E bankruptcy judge to include customers, employees - SFChronicle.com

Newsom asks PG&E bankruptcy judge to include customers, employees - SFChronicle.com: SACRAMENTO — Seeking to recast the priorities of PG&E’s bankruptcy case, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday requested representation for wildfire victims, utility employees and customers in the proceedings. In a letter to the federal trustee overseeing the bankruptcy, an attorney for the Newsom administration urged that “these constituencies have a strong voice from the very outset” through the creation of one or more committees for unsecured creditors. “These individual victims should not be left to fend for themselves in a creditor class outnumbered by sophisticated and deep-pocketed financial institutions and insurance companies,” wrote Nancy A. Mitchell, a New York partner with the O’Melveny law firm.

PG&E lobbying spending tops $11 million after fires | The Sacramento Bee

PG&E lobbying spending tops $11 million after fires | The Sacramento Bee: PG&E spent $1.3 million on lobbying from October through December, bringing its total for the 2017-2018 session to $11.8 million.

Newsom's office implores court to give wildfire victims a voice in PG&E bankruptcy case - Los Angeles Times

Newsom's office implores court to give wildfire victims a voice in PG&E bankruptcy case - Los Angeles Times: The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter on Friday to a federal trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of PG&E requesting that wildfire victims, employees and customers are represented on a committee with significant sway in the proceedings.

Bishop Daly: Pro-choice pols should not receive Eucharist – Catholic World Report

Bishop Daly: Pro-choice pols should not receive Eucharist – Catholic World Report

Meeting Announcement

We will end the registration after the first 40, due to limitation with MEMA capacity to Host the meeting. 
                                                        
                                    MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
Thursday, February 21, 2019

Meeting Flysheet: A flysheet suitable for posting on company bulletin boards is attached.

Event:   Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Tour and Speaker
Tour:     Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency bunker facility Tour by John Giarrusso, MEMA Planning & Nuclear Section Chief 
Speaker: Uldis Vanags
Project Director, Northeast HL Radwaste Transportation Task Force
 
State Nuclear Safety Advisor for the State of Maine overseeing the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station
 State Nuclear Engineer for the State of Vermont overseeing the Vermont Yankee Atomic Power Station
Radiological Engineer and Final Site Survey Engineer during the decommissioning of the Maine Yankee nuclear power station
Since 2013, Project Director for the Northeast High–Level Radioactive Waste Transportation Task Force

Education:     MS in Radiological Sciences and Protection from the University of Lowell
BA in Physics from the University of Maine

Topic: Transportation of High-Level Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel in the Northeast
The Northeast High-Level Radioactive Waste Transportation Task Force represents ten northeast states from Maine to Delaware and works with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies to ensure the safe transportation of radioactive materials throughout the region. The states are responsible for the health and safety of the public and therefore require emergency preparedness training and response coordination in the transportation jurisdictions. The Task Force Project Director will discuss past and present shipments in the Northeast and address the challenges to state emergency management agencies in safely transporting high-level radioactive materials throughout the region, including the training and coordination requirements for the states involved with the future transportation of commercial spent nuclear fuel.


Please register early for discounted rates
(Select Feb. 21, 2019 Meeting)
Send questions and reservation changes to Jerry Balayan: ne@local.ans.org

Location:  MEMA Headquarters, 400 Worcester Road (Route 9 East)
 Framingham, MA 01702-5399


Schedule:
5:30 pm: Registration/Social Period
6:00 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Tour of MEMA facility
7:15 pm: Presentation
8:30 pm: Adjourn

No Show Advisory:
We are charged according to the head-count provided prior to the meeting. No-shows hurt ANS-NE financially. If you need to cancel after signing up, please give us notice before noon on the last business day before the meeting. Contact Jerry Balayan: ne@local.ans.org
Please note if you make reservations and don’t show up, we will end up paying for your dinner. If your plans change, please let us know ahead of time, otherwise, we will be asking you for the full payment.


Attachments area

Trump vs. the Spy Chiefs: Who's Right? | Patrick J. Buchanan - Official Website

Trump vs. the Spy Chiefs: Who's Right? | Patrick J. Buchanan - Official Website

Establishing an Acceptable Relationship with a Nuclear North Korea | Cato Institute

Establishing an Acceptable Relationship with a Nuclear North Korea | Cato Institute: Washington needs to abandon the utopian objective of North Korea’s complete denuclearization.

State reassures skeptics on decommissioning | The Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

State reassures skeptics on decommissioning | The Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

Wait a Minute! The Diablo Canyon Panel Is Working!

Wait a Minute! The Diablo Canyon Panel Is Working!: Members of the DCDEP desire further discussion before decisions on the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant decommisioning process are finalized.

Nuclear waste burial fund grows to $43 billion, but DOE has not buried an ounce of spent fuel

Nuclear waste burial fund grows to $43 billion, but DOE has not buried an ounce of spent fuel: Highly radioactive waste is still stuck at America's reactors, while officials squabble over a permanent storage solution.

How the stable salt reactor could solve nuclear's cost and waste problems

How the stable salt reactor could solve nuclear's cost and waste problems: Moltex Energy is developing a stable salt reactor based on tech from the 1960s, which it claims is much cleaner and cheaper than other nuclear reactors

Wildlife Is Actually Abundant at the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Site, Study Finds - Geek.com

Wildlife Is Actually Abundant at the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Site, Study Finds - Geek.com: It’s been more than 30 years since the meltdown at Chernobyl power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine spewed radioactive fallout across the globe. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), which covers the area surrounding the power …

Illinois Nuclear Plants Operate at Full Power During Record-Breaking Polar Vortex - Oil & Gas 360

Illinois Nuclear Plants Operate at Full Power During Record-Breaking Polar Vortex - Oil & Gas 360: Illinois Nuclear Plants Operate at Full Power During Record-Breaking Polar Vortex Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Google+ Reddit Email

Cory Booker — and his full-throated support of nuclear energy — enters the presidential race | Grist

Cory Booker — and his full-throated support of nuclear energy — enters the presidential race | Grist: His reason: Fossil fuel pollution boosts asthma rates

Proposed deal would delay report on Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia

Proposed deal would delay report on Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia: Report: Additional construction delays would increase the project's costs — and that could lead to higher power bills for many Georgians

Hungary seeks to postpone loan payback to Russia for Nuclear power plant: What will the final cost be? - Bellona.org

Hungary seeks to postpone loan payback to Russia for Nuclear power plant: What will the final cost be? - Bellona.org: Budapest is seeking to modify the terms of a loan it must repay to Russia for building two new VVER-1200 type reactors that will eventually …

New House speaker says saving nuclear plants benefits state

 New House speaker says saving nuclear plants benefits state

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2019/02/01/New-speaker-hopes-to-salvage-nuclear-power-plants/stories/20190201130

A Serious Green New Deal Would Take Up One-Third of the Economy—Are We Ready for That?

 

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/02/serious-green-new-deal-take-one-third-economy-ready.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

Feel The Power: A Roundup Of The Go-To Law Firms Of The Energy Industry

Feel The Power: A Roundup Of The Go-To Law Firms Of The Energy Industry

Engaging these firms can help energy industry companies avoid or contain problems down the road.


https://abovethelaw.com/2019/01/feel-the-power-a-roundup-of-the-go-to-law-firms-of-the-energy-industry/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy+Newsletters+Master+List&utm_campaign=0c08465e11-MAILCHIMP_BD_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_88392479a3-0c08465e11-411632309

Friday, February 1, 2019

Judge Postpones Strict Probation Conditions for PG&E

Judge Postpones Strict Probation Conditions for PG&E: A judge delayed his decision to impose new probation conditions on Pacific Gas and Electric in its criminal case for the 2010 San Bruno gas line explosion.

Make PG&E a Public Utility, Protesters Tell PUC | RTO Insider

Make PG&E a Public Utility, Protesters Tell PUC | RTO Insider: Protesters at the California PUC meeting urged the commissioners to turn PG&E into a publicly owned utility as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Capitol Weekly Podcast: J.D. Morris on PG&E, bankruptcy Capitol Weekly | Capitol Weekly | Capitol Weekly: The Newspaper of California State Government and Politics.

Capitol Weekly Podcast: J.D. Morris on PG&E, bankruptcy Capitol Weekly | Capitol Weekly | Capitol Weekly: The Newspaper of California State Government and Politics.: PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection on Jan. 29, and Chronicle reporter J.D. Morris has been covering the case.

Investors Said to Offer PG&E Corp. (PCG) $4 Billion Plan to Avert Bankruptcy - Bloomberg

Investors Said to Offer PG&E Corp. (PCG) $4 Billion Plan to Avert Bankruptcy - Bloomberg

PG&E bankruptcy expected to hit specialty insurers: Best | Business Insurance

PG&E bankruptcy expected to hit specialty insurers: Best | Business Insurance: Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s bankruptcy will likely cause substantial losses and claims to specialty insurers operating in the utility sector, ratings agency A.M. Best said Friday in a report.

PG&E gets approval for $1.5 billion loan in bankruptcy - SFChronicle.com

PG&E gets approval for $1.5 billion loan in bankruptcy - SFChronicle.com: PG&E Corp. won a judge’s approval Thursday for a $1.5 billion bank loan to fund the utility’s operations for the first four weeks of bankruptcy proceedings, despite questions from a federal trustee on whether the company needs the money. The first full day of hearings on the financial plight of California’s largest utility was devoted to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s short-term plans to keep afloat and pay its bills. The parent company’s bankruptcy filing Tuesday listed $71.2 billion in assets and $51.4 billion in debt, a figure that does not include tens of billions of dollars in potential liability for the Northern California wildfires of the past two years. The $1.5 billion bank loan would carry PG&E through Feb.

Chicago Loses Wind Power During a Polar Vortex - Bloomberg

Chicago Loses Wind Power During a Polar Vortex - Bloomberg: The wind farms erected across the central U.S. over the past decade were supposed to provide cheap power during the blustery winter months. But they were never designed for cold like this.

Credit nuclear for clean power | Editorials | starbeacon.com

Credit nuclear for clean power | Editorials | starbeacon.com

Can We Drill A Hole Deep Enough For Our Nuclear Waste?

Can We Drill A Hole Deep Enough For Our Nuclear Waste?: Deep Isolation takes advantage of recently developed fracking technologies to place nuclear waste in a series of two-mile-long tunnels, a mile below the Earth’s surface, where they’ll be surrounded by a very tight rock called shale. And their recent field demonstration worked just fine.

State Sen. Monning weighs in on PG&E bankruptcy. | San Luis Obispo Tribune

State Sen. Monning weighs in on PG&E bankruptcy. | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Michigan Gas Outage Could Bolster Trump’s Bid to Save Coal Plants

Michigan Gas Outage Could Bolster Trump’s Bid to Save Coal Plants

The Latest: DOE defends plutonium shipment to Nevada

The Latest: DOE defends plutonium shipment to Nevada: RENO, Nev. (AP) — The Latest on a federal court battle over the shipment of weapons-grade plutonium from South Carolina to Nevada (all times local): 2:25 p.m. The U.S. Energy Department says the weapons-grade plutonium it shipped from South Carolina to a security site near Las Vegas was the same type of material it has safely transported between its sites for decades. The department said in a statement Thursday its National Nuclear Security Administration routinely ships similar radioactive material between its sites as part of its national security missions. The agency disclosed for the first time on Wednesday that it trucked about 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms) of the plutonium to Nevada sometime between August and November when Nevada filed a lawsuit seeking to block the shipments. The department said it had to keep the shipment secret until now for national security reason.

Op-ED, DOE Plutonium shipment to Nevada.


Op-ED, DOE Plutonium shipment to Nevada.

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cid:image001.jpg@01D0F12F.AA63F9A0

Gary J. Duarte, Director

US Nuclear Energy Foundation
PO Box 2867
Sparks, NV 89432



Imagination is more important than knowledge, Albert Einstein
“Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.” Steve Jobs

Kazatomprom reductions continue in market-centric approach - World Nuclear News

Kazatomprom reductions continue in market-centric approach - World Nuclear News: Kazatomprom produced a total of 21,705 tU in 2018 and will continue to follow a "market-centric" approach to uranium production rather than its previous production-focused strategy, the Kazakh national atomic company said today.

Taiwan government maintains nuclear phase-out - World Nuclear News

Taiwan government maintains nuclear phase-out - World Nuclear News: The Taiwanese government will proceed with its plan to phase out the use of nuclear energy, despite citizens voting against the policy in a recent referendum, the country's economic minister announced yesterday.

Second Korean APR1400 unit cleared for start up - World Nuclear News

Second Korean APR1400 unit cleared for start up - World Nuclear News: South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission today gave Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power permission to begin operation of unit 4 at the Shin Kori nuclear power plant.

Kudankulam: Nuclear power utility struggles to repay Russia for supplies | India News, The Indian Express

Kudankulam: Nuclear power utility struggles to repay Russia for supplies | India News, The Indian Express: The sanctioning of lower than requisite funds comes at a time when NPCIL’s budgetary support requirement has gone up in light of the utility taking up 10 new projects that had been cleared by the government in May 2017.

DOE Awards $111 Million to U.S. Vendors to Develop Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuels

Office of Nuclear Energy

DOE Awards $111 Million to U.S. Vendors to Develop Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuels

January 31, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) has awarded $111.2 million to three industry partners to develop Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF). General Electric (GE), Westinghouse (WEC), and Framatome received the financial assistance awards in late 2018 with FY18 and FY19 funding. The period of performance for these awards goes through January 31, 2021 with DOE and NE planning additional funding of $55.6 million in FY20 and $30 million in FY21, contingent upon Congressional approval.
Accident Tolerant Fuels are intended to directly and substantially further enhance nuclear fuel reliability and safety, as well as the economics of nuclear reactor operations. The improved heat tolerance of ATF contributes to significantly improved reactor safety and security. ATF also improve economics due to improved heat tolerances and increased agility to power reactors up and down while staying within safety margins.
“Nuclear energy remains a critical component of our ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy and is imperative to our country’s energy and national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. “The successful development of Accident Tolerant Fuels will enhance the safety and efficiency of our nuclear fleet, which will, in turn, enhance the overall reliability of our energy system.”
“We are very pleased with the success of the accident tolerant fuel program to date and its contribution to nuclear reactor safety and economics,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “We have made these awards to three leading U.S. nuclear commercial fuel provider teams in order to further innovate fuel concepts to meet the needs of the U.S nuclear power industry.”
The primary objectives for the new awards are as follows:
  • GE will continue the development of Iron Chromium Aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys Cladding trademarked IronClad. GE will also continue to develop its coating program for zirconium alloys trademarked ARMOR and the study of uranium dioxide-based ceramic metal fuels. 
  • Framatome will continue the development and deployment of chromium-coated zirconium alloy cladding with chromia-doped uranium oxide (UO2) pellets (Cr-Cr2O3).  Additionally, Framatome will continue and expand development efforts on its silicon carbide cladding concepts.
  • Westinghouse will continue the development of Uranium Silicide (U3Si2) and Doped UO2 trademarked ADOPT in chromium-coated zirconium alloy cladding. Westinghouse will also continue its silicon carbide cladding concepts development.
For the first 14-month budget period, all three fuel vendors are required to:
  • Ensure an initial Lead Test Assembly has been installed in a U.S. commercial power plant;
  • Ensure prototypic pin segments have been installed in the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Advanced Test Reactor’s water loop;
  • Continue development of licensing approaches for the ATF concept that include the involvement of at least one nuclear power plant owner / operator per ATF concept, and;
  • Ensure continued interaction with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for licensing purposes for each concept.
Should Congress authorize additional funding for the ATF program, the vendors will expand operation of ATF-related concepts in DOE facilities – INL ATR, INL Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility, and out-of-pile tests – and commercial reactors with prototypic segments and rods. The companies would be expected to have agreed-upon licensing plans developed for future NRC approval for initial partial core loadings into commercial nuclear power plants during the mid-2020s.
###
News Media Contact: (202) 586-4940

Taipower rules out use of nuclear power | Economics | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Taipower rules out use of nuclear power | Economics | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS: Taipei, Feb. 1 (CNA) State-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) ruled out the possibility of activating the No.4 nuclear plant Friday, dismissing the misconception that doing so would take only three years.

Did Russia Make A Secret Nuclear Energy Deal With North Korea? | OilPrice.com

Did Russia Make A Secret Nuclear Energy Deal With North Korea? | OilPrice.com: According to a new sources, Russia allegedly proposed a nuclear energy deal with North Korea despite ongoing U.S. sanctions

Indian-Designed Nuclear Reactor Breaks Record for Continuous Operation

Indian-Designed Nuclear Reactor Breaks Record for Continuous Operation

Nuclear Power: Global Industry Outlook to 2022 Featuring 38 Major Players

Nuclear Power: Global Industry Outlook to 2022 Featuring 38 Major Players: DUBLIN, Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Nuclear Power Industry 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global nuclear...

Fort Belvoir nuclear power plant will be dismantled - The Washington Post

Fort Belvoir nuclear power plant will be dismantled - The Washington Post: The long-defunct Fort Belvoir plant, a marvel of the Atomic Age, will be broken up and hauled away.

Cold weather forces Salem nuclear unit offline as owner PSE&G presses for subsidies | Utility Dive

Cold weather forces Salem nuclear unit offline as owner PSE&G presses for subsidies | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

Exelon Seeking Russian Nuclear Fuel for Illinois Power Plant (Corrected)

Exelon Seeking Russian Nuclear Fuel for Illinois Power Plant (Corrected): Exelon Corp. is seeking permission from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to use nuclear fuel from Russia for a nuclear power plant in Illinois.

State Sen. Monning weighs in on PG&E bankruptcy. | San Luis Obispo Tribune

State Sen. Monning weighs in on PG&E bankruptcy. | San Luis Obispo Tribune

The Northwest’s Only Nuclear Plant Racks Up Two 'Green Findings' From Federal Safety Regulator | NW News Network

The Northwest’s Only Nuclear Plant Racks Up Two 'Green Findings' From Federal Safety Regulator | NW News Network: The federal government recently doled out two “green findings” to the Northwest’s only commercial nuclear reactor. The Columbia Generating Station , near

“Incidental” nuclear waste: reconceiving a problem won’t make it go away - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

“Incidental” nuclear waste: reconceiving a problem won’t make it go away - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: The Energy Department’s proposal to reclassify some high-level nuclear waste for easier, cheaper disposal is controversial—and it won’t eliminate the biggest problems with cleanup efforts, writes a former NRC chairman.

Below-freezing temps shut down Salem nuclear reactor | News | pressofatlanticcity.com

Below-freezing temps shut down Salem nuclear reactor | News | pressofatlanticcity.com: Below-freezing temperatures early Thursday caused the shutdown of a reactor at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant.

Donald Trump confirms US withdrawal from INF nuclear treaty | World news | The Guardian

Donald Trump confirms US withdrawal from INF nuclear treaty | World news | The Guardian: Announcement gives Russia 180 days to destroy violating missiles and launchers to avoid new arms race

Senators Move To Stop Trump From Starting A New Nuclear Arms Race

Senators Move To Stop Trump From Starting A New Nuclear Arms Race: A group of Senators has introduced new legislation that would block Trump for launching a new nuclear arms race with Russia.

Opinion | Welcome to the New Age of Nuclear Instability - The New York Times

Opinion | Welcome to the New Age of Nuclear Instability - The New York Times

email : Webview : JNSLP Symposium Invitation - The Continuing Threat of Nuclear Weapons

email : Webview : JNSLP Symposium Invitation - The Continuing Threat of Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. And Russia Are Stocking Up On Missiles And Nukes For A Different Kind Of War


The U.S. And Russia Are Stocking Up On Missiles And Nukes For A Different Kind Of War


https://www.npr.org/2019/02/01/690143095/the-u-s-and-russia-are-stocking-up-on-missiles-and-nukes-for-a-different-kind-of?utm_source=FAS+General&utm_campaign=27bf03ad9a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_02_21_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56a7496199-27bf03ad9a-199338577

Trump falls on sword for Putin’s treaty violation


Trump falls on sword for Putin’s treaty violation


https://thebulletin.org/2018/10/trump-falls-on-sword-for-putins-treaty-violation/?utm_source=FAS+General&utm_campaign=27bf03ad9a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_02_21_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56a7496199-27bf03ad9a-199338577

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Bankrupt PG&E Seeks To Pay $130 Million In 2018 Bonuses

Bankrupt PG&E Seeks To Pay $130 Million In 2018 Bonuses: The Best in uncensored news, information, and analysis

PG&E bankruptcy: Utility seeks to pay $130 million in bonuses

PG&E bankruptcy: Utility seeks to pay $130 million in bonuses

What PG&E’s bankruptcy could mean for its 24,000 employees | Energy Central

What PG&E’s bankruptcy could mean for its 24,000 employees | Energy Central

California power market not impacted by PG&E bankruptcy -grid operator | Energy Central

California power market not impacted by PG&E bankruptcy -grid operator | Energy Central

Dodd reacts to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bankruptcy filing | Energy Central

Dodd reacts to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bankruptcy filing | Energy Central

Action, Ambition and Advantage - Stories, Swaps and a Network for Success on Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform | The Energy Collective Daily

Action, Ambition and Advantage - Stories, Swaps and a Network for Success on Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report: Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report

America's Last Uranium Prospector Scours the Grand Canyon to Find a Hidden Radioactive Fortune - Pacific Standard

America's Last Uranium Prospector Scours the Grand Canyon to Find a Hidden Radioactive Fortune - Pacific Standard: America's mid-century uranium boom changed the face of the West. Meet the man at the center of its secret afterlife.

GE Hitachi targets new decommissioning markets after REI Nuclear buyout | Nuclear Energy Insider

GE Hitachi targets new decommissioning markets after REI Nuclear buyout | Nuclear Energy Insider: In December, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) acquired REI Nuclear (REIN), a decommissioning technology and tooling design company based in South Carolina. REIN specializes in the design, tooling and project management of decommissioning and dismantlement (D&D) projects. GEH has already partnered with REIN on projects in Europe and the acquisition strengthens GEH's decommissioning supply chain and widens its base for growth.

Georgia's Vogtle nuclear project report may be delayed

Georgia's Vogtle nuclear project report may be delayed: Georgia regulators have been asked to delay a report from Georgia Power about progress on the troubled nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle.

Beacon Journal/Ohio.com editorial board: Credit nuclear for clean power - Opinion - Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH

Beacon Journal/Ohio.com editorial board: Credit nuclear for clean power - Opinion - Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH

Polar Vortex set to test Midwest grids amid FERC resilience debate | Utility Dive

Polar Vortex set to test Midwest grids amid FERC resilience debate | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

Hundreds of positions recently filled, hundreds more open at Plant Vogtle

Hundreds of positions recently filled, hundreds more open at Plant Vogtle

US secretly shipped plutonium from South Carolina to Nevada

US secretly shipped plutonium from South Carolina to Nevada: RENO, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy revealed on Wednesday that it secretly shipped weapons-grade plutonium from South Carolina to a nuclear security site in Nevada months ago despite the state's protests. The Justice Department notified a federal judge in Reno that the government trucked in the radioactive material to store at the site 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Las Vegas before Nevada first asked a court to block the move in November.

EDF awaits ruling on Flamanville EPR welds - World Nuclear News

EDF awaits ruling on Flamanville EPR welds - World Nuclear News: French utility EDF said today it will give an update on the schedule and construction cost of the Flamanville EPR once the country's nuclear safety regulator has ruled in May whether some welds in the unit's secondary system need replacing.

Offtake agreement for Tiris uranium - World Nuclear News

Offtake agreement for Tiris uranium - World Nuclear News: Aura Uranium has signed a binding offtake agreement with London-based Curzon Uranium Trading Limited for up to 30% of production at its Tiris uranium project. The project, in Mauritania, north-west Africa, is expected to start up next year.

Choose nuclear, Korsnick tells US energy forum - World Nuclear News

Choose nuclear, Korsnick tells US energy forum - World Nuclear News: Solving the USA's energy and climate challenges is more complex than replacing carbon-emitting sources with intermittent renewables, Nuclear Energy Institute president Maria Korsnick told the US Energy Association's 15th State of the Energy Industry Forum earlier this week.

Karachi 2 reactor internals in place - World Nuclear News

Karachi 2 reactor internals in place - World Nuclear News: Installation has been completed of the reactor internals of the Hualong One reactor under construction at unit 2 of the Karachi nuclear power plant in Pakistan.

Employee faked radiation test data at Swiss nuclear plant - SWI swissinfo.ch

Employee faked radiation test data at Swiss nuclear plant - SWI swissinfo.ch: A worker at the Leibstadt nuclear power plant near Zurich was found to have fabricated data on safety tests that were not even performed.

These dumpsters of old nuclear waste are costing taxpayers a fortune - The Boston Globe

These dumpsters of old nuclear waste are costing taxpayers a fortune - The Boston Globe: They were supposed to be hauled away decades ago. They’re still here.

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis' as stockpile reaches 250,000 tons, Greenpeace warns | The Japan Times

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis' as stockpile reaches 250,000 tons, Greenpeace warns | The Japan Times: Nuclear waste is piling up around the world even as countries struggle to dispose of spent fuel that will remain highly toxic for many thousands of years,

Alarm triggered at onetime nuclear fuel facility in Ibaraki after leak of radioactive substances | The Japan Times

Alarm triggered at onetime nuclear fuel facility in Ibaraki after leak of radioactive substances | The Japan Times: An alarm was triggered at a onetime nuclear fuel manufacturing facility Wednesday after radioactive substances leaked from materials that were being transf

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report

Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report: Storage of nuclear waste a 'global crisis': report

Worldwide Nuclear Power Industry Report: 2013-2017 & 2018-2022

Worldwide Nuclear Power Industry Report: 2013-2017 & 2018-2022

Construction Progresses on Bangladesh's First Nuclear Power Plant

Construction Progresses on Bangladesh's First Nuclear Power Plant

,
Bangladesh’s nuclear power plant, being built in Rooppur, about 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, will have the capacity to generate 2400 megawatts of electricity. (Photo: L. Gil/IAEA)
Dhaka and Rooppur, Bangladesh — As 2019 starts, authorities in Bangladesh have presented in Vienna this week their progress towards nuclear power at a Technical Meeting on Topical Issues in the Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure, with more than one hundred participants from 40 IAEA Member States.
This country of 160 million plans to produce 9% of its electricity from nuclear power and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by the middle of the next decade when both reactors of the new power plant will have gone into operation.
“By 2040 we estimate that Bangladesh will need to generate about 78 000 megawatt of electricity in a high-demand scenario and about 69 000 in a low one, and nuclear power will play a significant role,” said Mohammad Shawkat Akbar, Project Director of the nuclear power plant construction project and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, an enterprise of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
This, Akbar said, is according to the revised Power System Master Plan for Bangladesh from 2016. “We are confident that the first unit will be commissioned in 2023 and the second in 2024,” he said.
The plant, being built in Rooppur, about 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, will have the capacity to generate 2400 megawatts of electricity.
The construction project is being implemented by a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM. It is high on the Bangladeshi government’s agenda, all the way up to the Prime Minister’s office.
Bangladesh is expected to be one of the countries to suffer the most from climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) anticipates that sea level rise from climate change is expected to subsume a large portion of its coastal land by 2080.
The government has designed several national policies and actions to adapt to this threat. These focus on food security and health, as well as on energy security — an area where the construction of the nuclear power plant in Rooppur, which is not in coastal land, is expected to help.
“All site-specific conditions, including protection from flooding and earthquakes, had to be addressed before getting the relevant licenses,” said Naiyyum Choudhury, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
Bangladesh, a country of 160 million, plans to produce 9% of its electricity from nuclear power and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by the middle of the next decade. (Photo: L. Gil/IAEA)

IAEA help

Since Bangladesh expressed interest in embarking on a nuclear power programme, the IAEA has been assisting the country through its technical cooperation programme and Peaceful Uses Initiative. This support includes assistance with reviewing nuclear laws, preparing for adhering to international legal instruments, developing and reviewing regulations, assessing sites and developing a radioactive waste management system.
“A big challenge in such a complex project is building capacities,” Akbar said. “And this is an area where the IAEA can immensely help.” Several IAEA review missions, workshops, training courses and scientific visits have supported in building national capacity and nuclear knowledge.
The IAEA will continue to support the country in the areas of safety, regulatory framework, management, human resource development, security, safeguards and emergency planning. This is what participants agreed during a consultancy meeting held in Vienna last month between IAEA and Bangladeshi officials to review progress made and plan further support in 2019-2021.
In November 2011, the IAEA conducted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) of the country, making recommendations on how to develop a plan to establish the nuclear infrastructure. Nearly five years later, in May 2016, a follow-up mission of experts noted the progress made: Bangladesh had established a nuclear regulatory body, chosen a site for the power plant and completed the site characterization and environmental impact assessment.
“Our assistance to embarking countries is small, but strategic,” said John Haddad, a nuclear engineer at the IAEA. “We provide capacity building through scientific visits, fellowships, and training courses; we provide guidance, documents, review missions and offer a platform for them to share experiences.”


Hot air in the economics of nuclear power | Financial Times

Hot air in the economics of nuclear power | Financial Times

Russia Not Making Nuclear Energy Plant ‘Secret Supply’ To North Korea | Infosurhoy

Russia Not Making Nuclear Energy Plant ‘Secret Supply’ To North Korea | Infosurhoy: Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora, on Wednesday, refuted media reports about a "secret"

North Korea may cut ICBMs for a deal but keep Nuclear arms, World News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

North Korea may cut ICBMs for a deal but keep Nuclear arms, World News & Top Stories - The Straits Times: With a second summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un imminent, a scenario that was once not open for discussion in Washington - that the international community will eventually have to accept North Korea as a nuclear power - seems more realistic than a denuclearised North Korea.. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Russia offered DPRK nuclear plant in secret: report

Russia offered DPRK nuclear plant in secret: report: Russia would operate plant, alleviating risk of Pyongyang developing nuclear weapons, US officials tell Washington Post - Anadolu Agency

Allies Move to Block High-Level Radioactive Waste Targeted for New Mexico | KRWG

Allies Move to Block High-Level Radioactive Waste Targeted for New Mexico | KRWG: Commentary: Ten organizations* and two industry groups** blasted Holtec International's application*** to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a

Justice Department, Ohio AG warn FirstEnergy Solutions and FirstEnergy on environmental obligations | cleveland.com

Justice Department, Ohio AG warn FirstEnergy Solutions and FirstEnergy on environmental obligations | cleveland.com: Bankrupt FirstEnergy Solutions has been signing deals with its creditors and getting them approved in federal bankruptcy court but putting off negotiations with federal and state authorities about its obligations to clean up the environmental damage created by its coal and nuclear power plants, say the U.S. Department of Justice and state attorneys general for Ohio and Pennsylvania.

SONGS Canister Incident Enforcement Decisions to Come; Levin Starts Nuclear Task Force | San Clemente Times

SONGS Canister Incident Enforcement Decisions to Come; Levin Starts Nuclear Task Force | San Clemente Times

LETTER: Seabrook plant warrants C-10's scrutiny | Letters To The Editor | newburyportnews.com

LETTER: Seabrook plant warrants C-10's scrutiny | Letters To The Editor | newburyportnews.com

Construction Progresses on Bangladesh's First Nuclear Power Plant

Construction Progresses on Bangladesh's First Nuclear Power Plant

,
Bangladesh’s nuclear power plant, being built in Rooppur, about 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, will have the capacity to generate 2400 megawatts of electricity. (Photo: L. Gil/IAEA)
Dhaka and Rooppur, Bangladesh — As 2019 starts, authorities in Bangladesh have presented in Vienna this week their progress towards nuclear power at a Technical Meeting on Topical Issues in the Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure, with more than one hundred participants from 40 IAEA Member States.
This country of 160 million plans to produce 9% of its electricity from nuclear power and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by the middle of the next decade when both reactors of the new power plant will have gone into operation.
“By 2040 we estimate that Bangladesh will need to generate about 78 000 megawatt of electricity in a high-demand scenario and about 69 000 in a low one, and nuclear power will play a significant role,” said Mohammad Shawkat Akbar, Project Director of the nuclear power plant construction project and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, an enterprise of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
This, Akbar said, is according to the revised Power System Master Plan for Bangladesh from 2016. “We are confident that the first unit will be commissioned in 2023 and the second in 2024,” he said.
The plant, being built in Rooppur, about 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, will have the capacity to generate 2400 megawatts of electricity.
The construction project is being implemented by a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM. It is high on the Bangladeshi government’s agenda, all the way up to the Prime Minister’s office.
Bangladesh is expected to be one of the countries to suffer the most from climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) anticipates that sea level rise from climate change is expected to subsume a large portion of its coastal land by 2080.
The government has designed several national policies and actions to adapt to this threat. These focus on food security and health, as well as on energy security — an area where the construction of the nuclear power plant in Rooppur, which is not in coastal land, is expected to help.
“All site-specific conditions, including protection from flooding and earthquakes, had to be addressed before getting the relevant licenses,” said Naiyyum Choudhury, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
Bangladesh, a country of 160 million, plans to produce 9% of its electricity from nuclear power and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by the middle of the next decade. (Photo: L. Gil/IAEA)

IAEA help

Since Bangladesh expressed interest in embarking on a nuclear power programme, the IAEA has been assisting the country through its technical cooperation programme and Peaceful Uses Initiative. This support includes assistance with reviewing nuclear laws, preparing for adhering to international legal instruments, developing and reviewing regulations, assessing sites and developing a radioactive waste management system.
“A big challenge in such a complex project is building capacities,” Akbar said. “And this is an area where the IAEA can immensely help.” Several IAEA review missions, workshops, training courses and scientific visits have supported in building national capacity and nuclear knowledge.
The IAEA will continue to support the country in the areas of safety, regulatory framework, management, human resource development, security, safeguards and emergency planning. This is what participants agreed during a consultancy meeting held in Vienna last month between IAEA and Bangladeshi officials to review progress made and plan further support in 2019-2021.
In November 2011, the IAEA conducted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) of the country, making recommendations on how to develop a plan to establish the nuclear infrastructure. Nearly five years later, in May 2016, a follow-up mission of experts noted the progress made: Bangladesh had established a nuclear regulatory body, chosen a site for the power plant and completed the site characterization and environmental impact assessment.
“Our assistance to embarking countries is small, but strategic,” said John Haddad, a nuclear engineer at the IAEA. “We provide capacity building through scientific visits, fellowships, and training courses; we provide guidance, documents, review missions and offer a platform for them to share experiences.”


IAEA urges Japan to take ample time in Fukushima cleanup - The Washington Post

IAEA urges Japan to take ample time in Fukushima cleanup - The Washington Post: The International Atomic Energy Agency has urged Japan to spend ample time in developing a decommissioning plan for the tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant and to be honest with the public about remaining uncertainties

Judge says PG&E put profit over wildfire safety

Judge says PG&E put profit over wildfire safety


https://www.elp.com/articles/2019/01/judge-says-pg-e-put-profit-over-wildfire-safety.html?cmpid=enl_powergridinternational_energy_news_update_2019-01-31&pwhid=1e90004a8e081f3272fb5f8e0e9a20316c85258cc50faf993491663afd10a38f41b62c13180d825ec81f1c72848099c33ec83965e1b8e8ff4a01aa5c32296aec&eid=288118515&bid=2358398

Orano Signs Strategic Agreement With Bureau Veritas - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Orano Signs Strategic Agreement With Bureau Veritas - 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.

NRC Approves New Beyond Design Rules - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

NRC Approves New Beyond Design Rules - 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.

French Agreement Outlines Nuclear "Rebalancing" - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

French Agreement Outlines Nuclear "Rebalancing" - 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.

Key Fiinancial Players in the SMR Market

With the global potential of the SMR market ever increasing, securing finance is the next key step to driving your business towards commercialisation.
That is why we’ve secured key financial players in the SMR market. Giving ground-breaking insight into their expectations, this is a great opportunity to secure investment for your organisation.
Click here to find out more
Here’s a snapshot of who you’ll learn from:
  • Walter Howes, Managing Partner, Verdigris Capital – bringing private finance to centre stage, discover what these firms are looking for so you can fulfil their requirements, and capture their investment
  • Fiona O’Reilly, Chair of the Expert Finance Working Group – Having chaired the EFWG and their report ‘Market Framework for Advancing Small Nuclear’, find out what market indicators to look out for to take your organisation to the next level
With such strong financial representation, the 9th International SMR & Advanced Reactor Summit is offering opportunities that are not available anywhere else.
Click here to find out more
Want to know more? Download your copy of the brochure to find out the full list of speakers and sponsors.
Best regards,
Kevin
Kevin Anderson
Global Project Director
Nuclear Energy Insider
+44 (0) 20 7375 7190
kevin@nuclearenergyinsider.com

Why Arms Control Won’t Work With North Korea or Iran | Asharq AL-awsat

Why Arms Control Won’t Work With North Korea or Iran | 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

Iran Faces Biggest Economic Pressure in 40 Years, President | Asharq AL-awsat

Iran Faces Biggest Economic Pressure in 40 Years, President | 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

Petition · Don’t let @senatemajldr McConnell sabotage Syria-Afghanistan drawdown · Change.org

Petition · Don’t let @senatemajldr McConnell sabotage Syria-Afghanistan drawdown · Change.org: Don’t let @senatemajldr McConnell sabotage Syria-Afghanistan drawdown

A Strategic Disaster Looms at the 2nd Trump-Kim Summit - Defense One

A Strategic Disaster Looms at the 2nd Trump-Kim Summit - Defense One: The Trump administration has declined to rule out withdrawing its troops from South Korea.

America’s Future in a Dynamic Asia


America’s Future in a Dynamic Asia

https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/01/31/america-s-future-in-dynamic-asia-pub-78222?utm_source=carnegieemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=announcement&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWVdZeU1XSmtOelJpTnpoaCIsInQiOiJTNXA0TWhBXC9JU3RQaUR1SlpLSjdSTVVrUVwvRUR0V2tPeER1YnNEXC9yQVFFYnZJK0tQUWVaM2hjK1FEQ21vaE5oY2dvSjlXSzZRQkdvdU5GaGlhQnREbXE5OTNEZm1sQkIxWWZVcGxxQ2pjaFd3Z3RsN2pVa3RNTVA2cUZ6SHoxQSJ9

NATO is a Danger, Not a Guarantor of Peace | The American Conservative

NATO is a Danger, Not a Guarantor of Peace | The American Conservative: Status quo supporters like the New York Times poke fun at Trump for even questioning the alliance. But who's the fool?

Judge says PG&E violated probation, citing 'clear pattern' of fire ignitions | Utility Dive

Judge says PG&E violated probation, citing 'clear pattern' of fire ignitions | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

5 Reasons You Don’t Want Nuclear Power Plants to Close in Ohio and Pennsylvania

5 Reasons You Don’t Want Nuclear Power Plants to Close in Ohio and Pennsylvania: Barring state or federal intervention, the Perry, Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Three Mile Island plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania will close. What will actually happen if these plants do shut down?

Iran’s Nuclear Roadmap for 2019: Pushing the JCPOA’s Boundaries - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Iran’s Nuclear Roadmap for 2019: Pushing the JCPOA’s Boundaries - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

"Project Dilithium": US Military Eyes Mini Nuclear Reactors For Remote Deployments | Zero Hedge

"Project Dilithium": US Military Eyes Mini Nuclear Reactors For Remote Deployments | Zero Hedge

[Updated] World Nuclear Industry Status as of 1 January 2019 - World Nuclear Industry Status Report

[Updated] World Nuclear Industry Status as of 1 January 2019 - World Nuclear Industry Status Report: [Updated on 30 January 2019] 2018 for global nuclear power in a nutshell 9 reactor startups (8 less than scheduled), 7 closure decisions, 5 (...)

Rick Perry braces for outages from the polar vortex

Rick Perry braces for outages from the polar vortex: Energy Secretary Rick Perry spoke with top energy security officials Tuesday as a deep freeze gripped the eastern half of the United States.

Top Democrats introduce bill to prevent U.S. from striking first with nuclear weapons - The Washington Post

Top Democrats introduce bill to prevent U.S. from striking first with nuclear weapons - The Washington Post: Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Adam Smith say most Americans already believe the United States should never initiate a nuclear war.

Why Has Emotion Replaced Reason in America?

Why Has Emotion Replaced Reason in America?


https://www.thetrumpet.com/18520-why-has-emotion-replaced-reason-in-america?utm_source=Hoover+Daily+Report&utm_campaign=a443fbf8ac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_30_07_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_21b1edff3c-a443fbf8ac-73113757

Rail regains momentum in the Gulf states | International Railway Journal

Rail regains momentum in the Gulf states | International Railway Journal: IRJ Pro looks at the many major projects that are taking shape with rail investment picking up pace across the Gulf states.

Viewpoint: Studying the cost of decarbonisation - World Nuclear News

Viewpoint: Studying the cost of decarbonisation - World Nuclear News: Since 2012, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency has produced very useful reports on the cost of electricity generation with the aim of finding the most efficient and least expensive ways of decarbonising the energy system. The Paris-based organisation recently presented the conclusions of its latest report, The Costs of Decarbonisation - System Costs with High Shares of Nuclear and Renewables, which was published on 25 January. Philippe Costes, senior adviser at World Nuclear Association, here presents his review of the document.

French 1.3 GW Flamanville 1 nuclear reactor back online at 70 MW: EDF | S&P Global Platts

French 1.3 GW Flamanville 1 nuclear reactor back online at 70 MW: EDF | S&P Global Platts: The 1.3 GW Flamanville 1 nuclear power plant in northwest France is back online after a nine month outage, but output will be kept at 70 MW until Tuesday owing to an unplanned failure, operator EDF sa