Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, May 10, 2019

It may become impossible to tell if Iran starts making a nuclear bomb | New Scientist

It may become impossible to tell if Iran starts making a nuclear bomb | New Scientist: US hostility to arms control treaties has put Iran back on a path to building nuclear weapons, and inspectors could be left blind if the deal collapses

Nuclear Power Plant and Equipment Market 2019 – Estimates CAGR Analysis, Competitive Strategies, Growth Factors And Regional Outlook – TechZiffy

Nuclear Power Plant and Equipment Market 2019 – Estimates CAGR Analysis, Competitive Strategies, Growth Factors And Regional Outlook – TechZiffy

NASA's Kilopower nuclear reactor would be a space exploration game changer | TheHill

NASA's Kilopower nuclear reactor would be a space exploration game changer | TheHill

From the A bomb to the AI bomb, nuclear weapons' problematic evolution

From the A bomb to the AI bomb, nuclear weapons' problematic evolution: From autonomous nuclear submarines to algorithms detecting a threat, to robot-guided high-speed missiles, artificial intelligence could revolutionise nuclear weapons – risking some profound ethical conundrums – a recent report reveals.

No irregularities reported at nuclear power plants - News - NHK WORLD - English

No irregularities reported at nuclear power plants - News - NHK WORLD - English: Kyushu Electric Power Company says there are no irregularities at its Sendai nuclear plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, and that the reactors are operating normally.

China Focus: Chinese scientists develop virtual nuclear power plant for safety assessment - Xinhua | English.news.cn

China Focus: Chinese scientists develop virtual nuclear power plant for safety assessment - Xinhua | English.news.cn

If Nuclear Energy Is Replaced By Natural Gas, Say Goodbye To Climate Goals

If Nuclear Energy Is Replaced By Natural Gas, Say Goodbye To Climate Goals: Nuclear energy’s financial troubles, ironically, come as the global community is seeking out low-to-no carbon fuels. If policymakers pice carbon, it will change nuclear's fate. If not, natural gas may consume it, which isn't what climate hawks want.

RIP Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, 1974-2019

RIP Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, 1974-2019

PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision | Windpower Monthly

PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision | Windpower Monthly: Read PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision and other wind energy news & analysis on Windpower Monthly

Senators critique Newsom’s wildfire response plan

Senators critique Newsom’s wildfire response plan

Growing insurance claims from wildfires making it harder for some Californians to get coverage | KSBY.com

Growing insurance claims from wildfires making it harder for some Californians to get coverage | KSBY.com: Local firefighters are getting ahead of fire season by starting training efforts just as a new report reveals insurance claims for damages from the state's deadly November wildfires have topped $12 billion.

Insurance Claims from Deadly California Wildfires Top $12B | FOX40

Insurance Claims from Deadly California Wildfires Top $12B | FOX40: SACRAMENTO (AP) — Insurance claims have topped $12 billion for the November wildfires in California, making them the most expensive in state history.

A $10 Billion Fund for California Fire Costs May Dry Up by 2030 - Bloomberg

A $10 Billion Fund for California Fire Costs May Dry Up by 2030 - Bloomberg: California has for months been weighing the idea of a fund that utilities could dip into when facing crippling costs tied to wildfires. On Wednesday, state lawmakers got a feel for how big that fund would have to be.

Diablo Canyon already produces clean energy | Letters | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo

Diablo Canyon already produces clean energy | Letters | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo: I see the Mothers for Peace is once again assuring us that PG&E will keep its word and replace Diablo Canyon Power Plant's production with...

Can PG&E Corp (PCG) Stock Bounce Back from Recent Selloff? - InvestorsObserver

Can PG&E Corp (PCG) Stock Bounce Back from Recent Selloff? - InvestorsObserver: PG&E Corporation (PCG) stock is lower by -54.85% over the last 12 months, and the average rating from Wall Street... Read More >

PG&E Judge Wary of Push for Official Voice for Ratepayers in Bankruptcy Court - WSJ

PG&E Judge Wary of Push for Official Voice for Ratepayers in Bankruptcy Court - WSJ: PG&E Corp. ratepayers Thursday faced tough questioning from a bankruptcy judge as they sought to gain an official voice in the California utility’s bankruptcy.

California regulators dig into safety qualifications of new PG&E board | Utility Dive

California regulators dig into safety qualifications of new PG&E board | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

US keeps raising Iran pressure, but to what end?

US keeps raising Iran pressure, but to what end?: Washington (AFP) May 9, 2019 - One year after President Donald Trump bolted from the Iran nuclear deal, the United States is ratcheting up pressure on Tehran nearly by the day, from expanding sanctions to deploying B-52 bombers.

US sanctions scare EU firms from Iran, imperilling nuke deal

US sanctions scare EU firms from Iran, imperilling nuke deal: London (AFP) May 9, 2019 - The Iran nuclear deal requires that its partners take action to boost the country's economy, but European companies remain fearful of exposing themselves to US sanctions, experts told AFP.

Iran nuclear deal: what happens now?

Iran nuclear deal: what happens now?: Vienna (AFP) May 8, 2019 - After Iran's announcement on Wednesday that it will stop respecting some limits on its nuclear activities imposed under a landmark 2015 deal with world powers, attention has turned to what repercussions the latest move will have.

How The Integral Fast Reactor Was killed - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

How The Integral Fast Reactor Was killed - 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.

Macron defends Saudi arms sales with new shipment in focus

Macron defends Saudi arms sales with new shipment in focus: Sibiu, Romania (AFP) May 9, 2019 - French President Emmanuel Macron defended his country's arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as campaigners focused attention on a new shipment set to leave from the northern port of Le Havre.

Europe feels powerless as US faces off against Iran

Europe feels powerless as US faces off against Iran: Brussels (AFP) May 9, 2019 - European powers find themselves powerless to head off a looming clash between the United States and Iran, with no influence over Donald Trump's Washington and fading credibility in Tehran.

N.Korea says weapons test involved 'long-range' capability

N.Korea says weapons test involved 'long-range' capability

Europe rejects Iran 'ultimatum' but stands by nuke deal

Europe rejects Iran 'ultimatum' but stands by nuke deal: Sibiu, Romania (AFP) May 9, 2019 - European powers Thursday denounced Tehran's threat to resume nuclear work, drawing a sharp response from the Iranian foreign minister who accused them of caving in to US bullying.

'Nobody's happy' about N. Korea missile launch, says Trump

'Nobody's happy' about N. Korea missile launch, says Trump: Seoul (AFP) May 10, 2019 - US President Donald Trump said that nobody's happy after North Korea raised the pressure over the future of their deadlocked nuclear negotiations by launching two short-range missiles.

Saudi Arabia Builds Nuclear Reactor. Some Worried. | RealClearEnergy

Saudi Arabia Builds Nuclear Reactor. Some Worried. | RealClearEnergy: Saudi Arabia Builds Nuclear Reactor. Some Worried. | RealClearEnergy

Time We Gave Nuclear Another Chance? | RealClearEnergy

Time We Gave Nuclear Another Chance? | RealClearEnergy: Time We Gave Nuclear Another Chance? | RealClearEnergy

Agreement Sets Up Cernavoda 3 & 4 Development - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Agreement Sets Up Cernavoda 3 & 4 Development - 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.

German Nuclear Groups Merge To Form New Industry Association

German Nuclear Groups Merge To Form New Industry Association

Rosatom expects foreign business income to double by 2024 - World Nuclear News

Rosatom expects foreign business income to double by 2024 - World Nuclear News: Rosatom expects to double revenue from its overseas business, from USD6.6 billion last year to USD15 billion by 2024, its director general, Alexey Likhachov, has told Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. In their meeting, on 6 May, Likhachov said foreign projects were the "key theme" of the state nuclear corporation’s future growth.

Nuclear Plant Construction Delay and Cost 6 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Nuclear Plant Construction Delay and Cost 6 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

What’s the Future of Nuclear Security? IAEA Launches Essay Competition for Students and Early Career Professionals

What’s the Future of Nuclear Security? IAEA Launches Essay Competition for Students and Early Career Professionals

,
The International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts is taking place at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, from 10 to 14 February 2020.
Students and professionals below the age of 35 can now submit entries to the IAEA’s 2020 International Essay Competition on Nuclear Security for Students and Early Career Professionals in cooperation with the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN). The contest is part of the IAEA's International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, taking place from 10 to 14 February, 2020 at IAEA headquarters in Vienna.
“Through this competition, the IAEA hopes to learn about innovative ideas and perspectives on the future of nuclear security,” said Senior Nuclear Security Officer Darren Chen, the scientific secretary for the 2020 conference. “The conference themes may serve as an inspiration for the essays, but we welcome entries related to any nuclear security topics. We in particular encourage qualified women and authors from developing countries to participate.”
The essays can be submitted in any of the official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish). Please refer to the Announcement for details.

The Award

Three finalists will be announced by 31 October 2019. They will each receive a cash prize of €2000 and a certificate signed by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.
The finalists will be invited to attend and present their essays at a side event of the Conference; the IAEA will cover all travel expenses. Winning essays will also be posted on the Conference website.
Through the Conference, the IAEA will raise awareness to maintain and further strengthen national nuclear security regimes, review the status of nuclear security efforts, promote IAEA nuclear security guidance and good practices and discuss further enhancements of IAEA nuclear security activities as well as the central role of the IAEA. Other topics on the agenda include: international legally and non-legally binding instruments, national nuclear security regimes, emerging technologies and the digital age, international cooperation and information exchange.

FERC Denies Rehearing in PG&E Bankruptcy Dispute, Asserting Parallel Authority to Review the Effects of Rejection - Lexology

FERC Denies Rehearing in PG&E Bankruptcy Dispute, Asserting Parallel Authority to Review the Effects of Rejection - Lexology: On May 1, 2019, FERC denied Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (“PG&E”) requests for rehearing of two prior orders in which FERC held that it and the…

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;

In PG&E Bankruptcy, FERC Reasserts Concurrent Jurisdiction over the Disposition of Wholesale Power Contracts | Blank Rome LLP - JDSupra

In PG&E Bankruptcy, FERC Reasserts Concurrent Jurisdiction over the Disposition of Wholesale Power Contracts | Blank Rome LLP - JDSupra

Judge: San Francisco can pursue fight with PG&E over charges - SFChronicle.com

Judge: San Francisco can pursue fight with PG&E over charges - SFChronicle.com: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A judge on Thursday allowed San Francisco to renew its stalled legal fight with Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. over power delivery costs. The city has been fighting with PG&E for years, arguing the utility requires it to install unnecessary and costly equipment in large projects like affordable housing development and public safety buildings. When PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January all legal actions were stopped, a routine procedure with all bankruptcy filings. On Thursday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali granted the city's request for an exemption to the litigation hold. The city argued that public safety consideration trumps the bankruptcy rules and the judge agreed. But the judge said San Francisco would have to wait with other creditors for PG&E to emerge from bankruptcy to collect any possible monetary damages. San Francisco generates its own electricity from a city-owned dam and reservoir near Yosemite National Park about 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of the city. The city pays PG&E to deliver the electricity. San Francisco is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to force PG&E to lower its fees. San Francisco is

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN: By mid-century in the United States, many existing nuclear power plants, mostly aging water-cooled reactors, will be shut down. Lou Qualls would like to see them replaced by passively safe, salt-cooled and salt-fueled reactors based on the molten salt reactor (MSR) technology developed in the 1950s and '60s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

On eve of security site visit and after giving maiden Senate speech, Rosen promises to hound DOE's Perry over promise to remove plutonium - The Nevada Independent

On eve of security site visit and after giving maiden Senate speech, Rosen promises to hound DOE's Perry over promise to remove plutonium - The Nevada Independent

Europe's Biggest Economy Is Worrying About Blackouts

Europe's Biggest Economy Is Worrying About Blackouts

Dem spending bill would block funds to support nuclear sales to Saudis | TheHill

Dem spending bill would block funds to support nuclear sales to Saudis | TheHill: A spending bill released Thursday by House Democrats would restrict the Trump administration from selling nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

California electric customers could see rising bills due to wildfires, declining sales: CPUC

 

California electric customers could see rising bills due to wildfires, declining sales: CPUC


https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-electric-customers-could-see-rising-bills-due-to-wildfires-decl/554524/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202019-05-10%20Utility%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:20838%5D&utm_term=Utility%20Dive

NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid | Utility Dive

NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

China Focus: Chinese scientists develop virtual nuclear power plant for safety assessment - Xinhua | English.news.cn

China Focus: Chinese scientists develop virtual nuclear power plant for safety assessment - Xinhua | English.news.cn

House Appropriators Envision More Energy and Water Funding for 2020 - ExchangeMonitor

House Appropriators Envision More Energy and Water Funding for 2020 - ExchangeMonitor: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Salt Waste Processing Facility should be ready before 2020, SRS manager says | News | aikenstandard.com

Salt Waste Processing Facility should be ready before 2020, SRS manager says | News | aikenstandard.com

Here's how you shut down a 47-year-old nuclear power station | Boston 25 News

Here's how you shut down a 47-year-old nuclear power station | Boston 25 News

Work at Savannah River National Laboratory suspended for two weeks | News | aikenstandard.com

Work at Savannah River National Laboratory suspended for two weeks | News | aikenstandard.com

Budget vetoes, Santee Cooper allowed in SC special session

Budget vetoes, Santee Cooper allowed in SC special session: COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers will come back in special session to deal with the future of state-owned utility Santee Cooper and budget vetoes by the governor. The House...

Budget vetoes, Santee Cooper allowed in SC special session

Budget vetoes, Santee Cooper allowed in SC special session: COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers will come back in special session to deal with the future of state-owned utility Santee Cooper and budget vetoes by the governor. The House...

Salt Waste Processing Facility should be ready before 2020, SRS manager says | News | aikenstandard.com

Salt Waste Processing Facility should be ready before 2020, SRS manager says | News | aikenstandard.com

Rosatom expects foreign business income to double by 2024 - World Nuclear News

Rosatom expects foreign business income to double by 2024 - World Nuclear News: Rosatom expects to double revenue from its overseas business, from USD6.6 billion last year to USD15 billion by 2024, its director general, Alexey Likhachov, has told Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. In their meeting, on 6 May, Likhachov said foreign projects were the "key theme" of the state nuclear corporation’s future growth.

Shine breaks ground for US medical isotope facility

Shine breaks ground for US medical isotope facility


http://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Ground-broken-for-US-medical-isotope-facility

Rising China Sells More Weapons – Federation Of American Scientists

Rising China Sells More Weapons – Federation Of American Scientists: "In 2018, China's arms sales increased, continuing a trend that enabled China to become the world's fastest-growing arms supplier during the past 15 years," according to the 2019 China Military Power report published by the Department of Defense. "From 2013 through 2017, China was the world's fourth

Defense Contracting Fraud: A Persistent Problem – Federation Of American Scientists

Defense Contracting Fraud: A Persistent Problem – Federation Of American Scientists: During the five year period from 2013-2017, there were 1,059 criminal cases of defense contracting fraud resulting in the conviction of 1,087 defendants, including 409 businesses, according to a newly released Department of Defense report to Congress. There were another 443 fraud-related civil cases

Thursday, May 9, 2019

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN: By mid-century in the United States, many existing nuclear power plants, mostly aging water-cooled reactors, will be shut down. Lou Qualls would like to see them replaced by passively safe, salt-cooled and salt-fueled reactors based on the molten salt reactor (MSR) technology developed in the 1950s and '60s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Reason They Fictionalize Nuclear Disasters Like Chernobyl Is Because They Kill So Few People

The Reason They Fictionalize Nuclear Disasters Like Chernobyl Is Because They Kill So Few People: HBO’s “Chernobyl” mini-series suggests that it is difficult to make an exciting movie about nuclear disasters without leading viewers to believe that they were much worse than they actually were.

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR: An Oregon company plans a new kind of nuclear power plant that many consider the future of the industry. It's smaller and cheaper and could work well with renewable energy.

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN

ORNL reactor technology might provide power in U.S. within 15 to 20 years - News - Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN - Oak Ridge, TN

MOX contractor: Recent congressional funding was not enough for 'meaningful progress' | News | aikenstandard.com

MOX contractor: Recent congressional funding was not enough for 'meaningful progress' | News | aikenstandard.com

Nevada senators, Rick Perry to tour site where plutonium stored | Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada senators, Rick Perry to tour site where plutonium stored | Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nevada senators and Energy Secretary Rick Perry will visit the Nevada National Security Site on Friday as part of a deal to remove weapons-grade plutonium from the state.

USS California arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

USS California arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: KITTERY, Maine (AP) — The USS California has arrived for scheduled maintenance at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The Virginia-class attack submarine traveled up the Piscataqua River to the...

Three Mile Island reactor shutdown to start soon; Exelon says Pennsylvania nuclear rescue is dead

Three Mile Island reactor shutdown to start soon; Exelon says Pennsylvania nuclear rescue is dead: Exelon says a Pennsylvania nuclear rescue is dead and plans to go forward with plans to shut down Three Mile Island, which employs 700 people. "We don’t see a path forward."

Excluding hydropower makes no sense | CALmatters

Excluding hydropower makes no sense | CALmatters: Excluding hydroelectric power from the state's renewable portfolio to reduce greenhouse gases makes no sense. A pending bill would bring some rationality to the situation.

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;: Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility that sparked the devastating 2015 Butte Fire which scorched more than 110 square miles of Calaveras County, still owes $212 million in Butte Fire-related claims and liabilities, according to a quarterly report the utility filed with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission last week.

Insurance Claims from Deadly California Wildfires Top $12B | FOX40

Insurance Claims from Deadly California Wildfires Top $12B | FOX40: SACRAMENTO (AP) — Insurance claims have topped $12 billion for the November wildfires in California, making them the most expensive in state history.

Battle lines drawn in fight over proposed PG&E ratepayers' committee - Reuters

Battle lines drawn in fight over proposed PG&E ratepayers' committee - Reuters: PG&E Corp, its unsecured creditors and the U.S. trustee will urge a judge Thursday to deny an advocacy group's request for the appointment of a committee for ratepayers in the power provider's bankruptcy, saying the group has a thin argument for standing and history working against it.

FERC Denies Rehearing in PG&E Bankruptcy Dispute, Asserting Parallel Authority to Review the Effects of Rejection - Lexology

FERC Denies Rehearing in PG&E Bankruptcy Dispute, Asserting Parallel Authority to Review the Effects of Rejection - Lexology: On May 1, 2019, FERC denied Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (“PG&E”) requests for rehearing of two prior orders in which FERC held that it and the…

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;

Unpaid victims: PG&E still owes more than $200M in Butte Fire claims and liabilities;: Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility that sparked the devastating 2015 Butte Fire which scorched more than 110 square miles of Calaveras County, still owes $212 million in Butte Fire-related claims and liabilities, according to a quarterly report the utility filed with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission last week.

PG&E Probed by Plaintiffs' Lawyers, SEC | RTO Insider

PG&E Probed by Plaintiffs' Lawyers, SEC | RTO Insider: PG&E Corp. came under criticism from a federal judge, who ordered its new CEO and board members to view the scene of the devastating Camp Fire.

Posiva plugs repository demonstration tunnel - World Nuclear News

Posiva plugs repository demonstration tunnel - World Nuclear News: The full-scale in situ system test at the Onkalo underground characterisation facility near Olkiluoto has proceeded to the concreting phase in the construction of the end plug for the deposition tunnel, Finnish waste management company Posiva has announced.

Sellafield decommissioning partnerships announced  - World Nuclear News

Sellafield decommissioning partnerships announced  - World Nuclear News: Sellafield Ltd has awarded four 20-year contracts which together form the new Programme and Project Partnership. The company said it will work collaboratively with the four partners - Doosan Babcock Ltd, Kellogg Brown & Root Ltd, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Wood plc - to deliver major projects in support of the site's 100-year decommissioning programme.

Rosatom committed to Iranian plant project - World Nuclear News

Rosatom committed to Iranian plant project - World Nuclear News: Rosatom's project to build nuclear power units at Bushehr is unaffected by current tensions surrounding US sanctions against Iran, its director general said yesterday.

Three Mile Island unit 1 closure confirmed - World Nuclear News

Three Mile Island unit 1 closure confirmed - World Nuclear News: Three Mile Island unit 1 will shut down by 30 September as no state-level policy solution can now be enacted in time to reverse the premature retirement of the Pennsylvania plant, Exelon Generation announced yesterday.

RNE 20: What is a Design Certification? Dr. Jose Reyes Guests! | ANS Nuclear Cafe

RNE 20: What is a Design Certification? Dr. Jose Reyes Guests! | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Hiding U.S. Nuclear Missiles in Arctic Ice? Not So Fast | Time

Hiding U.S. Nuclear Missiles in Arctic Ice? Not So Fast | Time: The U.S. once thought it had a genius plan. Nature got in the way. Here's what happened to Project Iceworm.

LTE: We should protect our nuclear plants - Opinion - The Intelligencer - Doylestown, PA

LTE: We should protect our nuclear plants - Opinion - The Intelligencer - Doylestown, PA

Cavendish Nuclear to build liquid waste plant at Hinkley Point A

Cavendish Nuclear to build liquid waste plant at Hinkley Point A: Babcock International Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Cavendish Nuclear has secured a contract to design and build a liquid waste treatment plant.

Rosatom committed to Iranian plant project - World Nuclear News

Rosatom committed to Iranian plant project - World Nuclear News: Rosatom's project to build nuclear power units at Bushehr is unaffected by current tensions surrounding US sanctions against Iran, its director general said yesterday.

Massachusetts Needs to Reconsider Nuclear Energy

Massachusetts Needs to Reconsider Nuclear Energy: Nuclear power plants of the near future promise to be safer, cheaper, and more efficient than anything we’ve seen before. So why don’t we build more?

Iran rolls back nuclear pledges but stops short of violating pact

Iran rolls back nuclear pledges but stops short of violating pact: Iran announced on Wednesday it was scaling back curbs to its nuclear program, announcing steps that stop short of violating its 2015 deal with world powers for now.

Iran Threatens More Enrichment If No New Nuclear Deal – 710am KURV

Iran Threatens More Enrichment If No New Nuclear Deal – 710am KURV

Iran’s Nuclear Program - The Washington Post

Iran’s Nuclear Program - The Washington Post: Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been the subject of global hand-wringing for more than two decades. While Iran’s leaders long insisted the country was not building nuclear weapons, its enrichment of uranium and history of deception created deep mistrust. After more than two years of negotiations and threats to bomb the country’s facilities, Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to settle the dispute. The deal set limits on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear work in exchange for relief from economic

Nuclear subsidy could have 'profound impact' on energy bills, consumer advocate tells lawmakers | State | thecourierexpress.com

Nuclear subsidy could have 'profound impact' on energy bills, consumer advocate tells lawmakers | State | thecourierexpress.com: Since the initial hearing nearly a month ago, the word “complex” has been used frequently to describe the provisions in a bill that could fortify Pennsylvania’s nuclear power industry.

Drones Find Unexpected Radiation 'Hotspots' in Forest Near Chernobyl

Drones Find Unexpected Radiation 'Hotspots' in Forest Near Chernobyl: Surveys conducted by aerial drones are helping scientists to map the radiation that still lingers in a forest near Chernobyl.

Here's how you shut down a 47-year-old nuclear power station | Boston 25 News

Here's how you shut down a 47-year-old nuclear power station | Boston 25 News: A big switch is about to be flipped off on the South Shore.

Funding could help expand Joint Base Charleston's Nuclear Power Training School

Funding could help expand Joint Base Charleston's Nuclear Power Training School: NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Money may soon be on the way to expand the nuclear power training school on Joint Base Charleston.

bne IntelliNews - Romania and China sign deal on nuclear power plant expansion

bne IntelliNews - Romania and China sign deal on nuclear power plant expansion

Russia’s Nuclear Power Exports are Booming

Russia’s Nuclear Power Exports are Booming: Rosatom has been using nuclear power plants as a way of cementing ties with its fellow emerging markets.

Three Mile Island nuclear plant to proceed with closure - U.S. - Stripes

Three Mile Island nuclear plant to proceed with closure - U.S. - Stripes: Three Mile Island, site of the U.S.’s worst commercial nuclear power accident, will begin a planned shutdown starting June 1 now that it is clear that it will not get a financial rescue from Pennsylvania, its owner said Wednesday.

Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Is Shutting Down - The New York Times

Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Is Shutting Down - The New York Times

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant To Close, Latest Symbol Of Struggling Industry : NPR

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant To Close, Latest Symbol Of Struggling Industry : NPR: The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, site of the nation's worst nuclear accident, will shut down by the end of September. Backers failed to secure subsidies to keep the plant operating.

Exelon says again: Three Mile Island is closing in September because Legislature has not acted | Press & Journal

Exelon says again: Three Mile Island is closing in September because Legislature has not acted | Press & Journal

Exelon's Three Mile Island-1 nuclear unit to shut by September | S&P Global Platts

Exelon's Three Mile Island-1 nuclear unit to shut by September | S&P Global Platts: Exelon Generation's 890 MW Three Mile Island 1 nuclear unit in Middletown, Pennsylvania, will permanently shut by September 30, the company said Wednesday.

No Time Left to Save Three Mile Island Reactor, Exelon Says

 

No Time Left to Save Three Mile Island Reactor, Exelon Says


https://www.exchangemonitor.com/no-time-left-save-three-mile-island-reactor-exelon-says/?printmode=1

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

The Latest: the fire safety plan of PG&E - Tech Know Bits

The Latest: the fire safety plan of PG&E - Tech Know Bits: 5:10 p.m. California regulators are currently recommending adoption of Pacific Gas & Electric’s security plan geared toward reducing wildfires in the state. Staff members on Monday with the California Public Utilities Commission urged members if they meet on May 30 to reevaluate the program. The Northern California utility suggests adding more inspectors, along with other […]

Community Choice Aggregators And Wildfires - Stressors For California Utilities


Community Choice Aggregators And Wildfires - Stressors For California Utilities


https://seekingalpha.com/article/4261633-community-choice-aggregators-wildfires-stressors-california-utilities

NRC Board Denies Hearing on Holtec Planned Storage Facility -- Occupational Health & Safety

NRC Board Denies Hearing on Holtec Planned Storage Facility -- Occupational Health & Safety: While the three judges agreed some of the six petitioners met the qualifications for standing, they concluded the nearly 50 contentions raised were not admissible for an evidentiary hearing, holding that the contentions either were not relevant to the application or did not establish a genuine dispute with aspects of the application.

Federal panel rejects all objections to proposed New Mexico nuclear dump | KRWG

Federal panel rejects all objections to proposed New Mexico nuclear dump | KRWG: Commentary: On Tuesday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced that its Atomic Safety and Licensing Board had rejected every objection made by

Three Mile Island, site of worst-ever US nuclear plant disaster, will close without financial rescue

Three Mile Island, site of worst-ever US nuclear plant disaster, will close without financial rescue

Floating Nuclear Power Plants: The Future of Energy? | American Council on Science and Health

Floating Nuclear Power Plants: The Future of Energy? | American Council on Science and Health: The ships could be floated to developing countries that often lack the capital for large construction projects, and they could simply plug a ship into their grid and buy electricity like any consumer.

Does nuclear power have a place in the world of renewable energy?

Does nuclear power have a place in the world of renewable energy?: The effects of global warming have hastened the switch to renewable energy sources, including hydro, biomass, wind, solar and geothermal generation of electricity. However, nuclear power has seemingly been put on the shelf — but is this the right move?

Closing nuclear plants will spike pollution, regulator says | Toledo Blade

Closing nuclear plants will spike pollution, regulator says | Toledo Blade

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR: An Oregon company plans a new kind of nuclear power plant that many consider the future of the industry. It's smaller and cheaper and could work well with renewable energy.

Bankrupt PG&E’s Economic Consultant Pick Has Conflict of Interest

Bankrupt PG&E’s Economic Consultant Pick Has Conflict of Interest: Bankrupt utility giant PG&E Corp. shouldn’t be able to hire Compass Lexecon LLC to evaluate damages resulting from the California wildfires because of a potential conflict of interest with the consultant’s parent company, a federal government watchdog said.

PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision | Windpower Monthly

PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision | Windpower Monthly: Read PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision and other wind energy news & analysis on Windpower Monthly

Iran’s Master Plan To Beat U.S. Sanctions | OilPrice.com

Iran’s Master Plan To Beat U.S. Sanctions | OilPrice.com

Nuclear News Roundup May 07, 2019 | Nucleotidings

Nuclear News Roundup May 07, 2019 | Nucleotidings

Nuclear Weapons 677 - PAX Published Report On Profiteering On Nuclear Weapons Production - Part 1 of 2 Parts | Nucleotidings

Nuclear Weapons 677 - PAX Published Report On Profiteering On Nuclear Weapons Production - Part 1 of 2 Parts | Nucleotidings

Now Available: IAEA Handbook for Regulatory Inspectors of Nuclear Power Plants

Now Available: IAEA Handbook for Regulatory Inspectors of Nuclear Power Plants

,
Nuclear safety regulators and inspectors require rigorous training, particularly as their workload increases with new nuclear reactors opening and older ones going through decommissioning. While nuclear safety is a national responsibility, the IAEA provides support to regulators worldwide. The recently issued Handbook for Regulatory Inspectors of Nuclear Power Plants is part of the IAEA’s continued effort to develop training materials to support regulatory inspection programmes.
“The handbook is a very practical document. It offers general guidance on how to plan, prepare and conduct regulatory inspections.  It also offers some guidance on how to evaluate inspection findings,” said Greg Rzentkowski, Director of Nuclear Installation Safety at the IAEA. “It is designed to support regulatory inspectors in developing and enhancing their competencies to inspect nuclear power plants.”
The handbook was developed to support newer inspectors, who take around two years to train, and also to help veterans of the field mentor the next generation of inspectors.

Enhancing inspection methods

The handbook covers methods to plan and perform inspection activities on safety-related systems, structures and components, evaluate the safety significance of inspection findings and document the results. Specific inspection considerations, such as radiation protection, weather-related hazards, fire protection and corrective action programmes, are also presented in the publication.
The handbook also outlines how to use a graded approach to select systems, structures and components for conducting inspections at nuclear power plants.
Though the publication focuses on the inspection of operating power plants, it also describes how inspection techniques can be applied to facilities under construction, pre-operational testing and decommissioning. Also covered are general techniques that may be applied to other types of nuclear facilities. “Technologies may change, but the fundamentals of an inspection process remain the same,” said Tim Kobetz, the IAEA Nuclear Safety Officer in charge of the publication. “Planning, interviewing, report writing, communications are key tasks for inspectors worldwide. You have to have on-the-job training and soft skills like effective communication – and this handbook helps with both.”
The handbook will be a useful component for IAEA workshops and training activities aimed at enhancing inspection procedures and safety measures at nuclear power plants, as well as a refresher for experienced inspectors, Kobetz highlighted. Twice per year, the IAEA conducts a two-week inspector training at Austria’s Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant and in other nuclear installations such as research reactors, and this handbook will now be included as a component of the training material.
The IAEA collaborated with nuclear regulators from Belarus, Canada, China, Finland, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, the United States of America and Viet Nam to develop the content of the handbook.

The end of investment-grade utilities in California? | Utility Dive

The end of investment-grade utilities in California? | Utility Dive: Utility industry news, voices and jobs for energy industry professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone.

PG&E Under Investigation by SEC Over Wildfire Losses | Energy Central

PG&E Under Investigation by SEC Over Wildfire Losses | Energy Central

Korea's Doosan to supply NuScale parts; French energy bill to delay reactor closures

 

Korea's Doosan to supply NuScale parts; French energy bill to delay reactor closures


https://analysis.nuclearenergyinsider.com/koreas-doosan-supply-nuscale-parts-french-energy-bill-delay-reactor-closures?utm_campaign=NEI%2008MAY19%20Newsletter%202&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=8ae765f8ee6a46af994d771c429d832b&elq=11f816eb00974a518d1ecbce24557302&elqaid=44696&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=25872

Orano eyes US spent fuel transfer after one year of cooling

Orano eyes US spent fuel transfer after one year of cooling



https://analysis.nuclearenergyinsider.com/orano-eyes-us-spent-fuel-transfer-after-one-year-cooling?utm_campaign=NEI%2008MAY19%20Newsletter%202&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=25a0d9ae2dc34acc974304ae71cfecc1&elq=11f816eb00974a518d1ecbce24557302&elqaid=44696&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=25872

Final call to save the world from 'climate catastrophe'


Final call to save the world from 'climate catastrophe'


https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45775309?utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=72468246&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ejpqmNAdCq6HQPoPSeCE2oXIYnqiPnvq3Kd8FF_3SQxFjTZpfYpD70SDqsPTytxnxFajzGmFtMF0-2oqKICf4N3Y6CmenbO9lCzIUqQ3tZs2VLeI&_hsmi=72468247

WHO Expert Consultation: Risk communication and intervention to reduce exposure and to minimize the health effects of air pollution


Photo of people doing Tai Chi

WHO Expert Consultation: Risk communication and intervention to reduce exposure and to minimize the health effects of air pollution

The two-day consultation took place on
12–14 February 2019 at WHO headquarters in Geneva. It included presentations on the current review of evidence, methods and applications, and will include significant time for discussion, identification of data gaps, research needs, and the next steps to derive expert suggestions in a consistent and harmonized approach, while providing elements of guidance in the form of specific and practical advice.

Air pollution and health

Air pollution kills an estimated 7 million people worldwide every year. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. WHO is working with countries to monitor air pollution and improve air quality. For more information:
A schoolboy walks through smoke and fumes emitted from a waste dump in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt

The First WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health took place from 30 October to 1 November 2018 in Geneva

Remote participation was facilitated by webcasting and live-streaming of the sessions and is available on the conference website.
The programme (linked below) provides an overview of the sessions and topics covered during the conference.
The Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 30 October–1 November 2018 was organized at WHO headquarters in Geneva, in collaboration with UN Environment, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and The World Bank.
A schoolboy walks through smoke and fumes emitted from a waste dump in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt (photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)
Urban pollution, Manila, Philippines

News release: 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air

2 May 2018, Geneva – Air pollution levels remain at dangerously high levels in many parts of the world. New data reveals that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. like black carbon which penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system.
WHO estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that lead to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
WHO/Yoshi Shimizu

Invisible killer

Air pollution is an invisible killer that lurks all around us, preying on the young and old. Learn how it slips unnoticed past our body's defenses causing deaths from heart attack, strokes, lung disease and cancer.

https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/?utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=72468246&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ejpqmNAdCq6HQPoPSeCE2oXIYnqiPnvq3Kd8FF_3SQxFjTZpfYpD70SDqsPTytxnxFajzGmFtMF0-2oqKICf4N3Y6CmenbO9lCzIUqQ3tZs2VLeI&_hsmi=72468247

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR

Making Nuclear Energy Smaller, Cheaper And Safer : NPR: An Oregon company plans a new kind of nuclear power plant that many consider the future of the industry. It's smaller and cheaper and could work well with renewable energy.

CAMPAIGN 2020: Opposing Yucca Mountain becomes Democratic litmus test -- Wednesday, May 8, 2019 -- www.eenews.net E&E News -- Start a free trial

CAMPAIGN 2020: Opposing Yucca Mountain becomes Democratic litmus test -- Wednesday, May 8, 2019 -- www.eenews.net E&E News -- Start a free trial: Democratic presidential candidates are mostly united in their opposition to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project, which faces significant resistance in Nevada, a key early caucus state next year.

Nuclear energy is crucial for a clean-energy future | The Seattle Times

Nuclear energy is crucial for a clean-energy future | The Seattle Times: Long known for its environmental stewardship, Washington has yet again taken a significant step toward a cleaner and healthier future for its residents. The state Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee...

How to End a Decade of US Energy Policy Drought and Fight Climate Change

How to End a Decade of US Energy Policy Drought and Fight Climate Change: The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges.

Founded in 1961, the Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic shifts in economic and political influence that are shaping the twenty-first century by educating and galvanizing its uniquely influential, nonpartisan network of international political, business, and intellectual leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we promote, and the communities we build, the Council's ten regional centers and functional programs shape today's policy choices and foster transatlantic strategies to advance international security and global economic prosperity.

Unease at China’s grip on Britain’s nuclear future | News | The Times

Unease at China’s grip on Britain’s nuclear future | News | The Times: China is still investing in big British infrastructure projects despite concerns over the Huawei deal and fears among the UK’s intelligence partners of exposure to foreign influence.Construction is well under way at Hinkley Point nuclear power plant in Somerset despite the controversy, and Beijing

Overview of the European electricity revolution: getting down to business | Energy Central

Overview of the European electricity revolution: getting down to business | Energy Central

Air pollution from every single power plant in the world, tracked - Vox

Air pollution from every single power plant in the world, tracked - Vox: Satellite data plus artificial intelligence equals no place to hide.

Japan research institute studying use of AI for nuclear forensics - The Mainichi

Japan research institute studying use of AI for nuclear forensics - The Mainichi: TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has launched a study to use artificial intelligence in identifying the origin and characteristics of n

Provision on halting nuclear power plants removed - Taipei Times

Provision on halting nuclear power plants removed - Taipei Times: The Legislative Yuan yesterday abolished a provision in Article 95 of the Electricity Act (電業法) stipulating that all nuclear energy generation facilities must stop operations before 2025.

Climate Change, Capitalism And Nuclear Power -- The Closing Of Duane Arnold

Climate Change, Capitalism And Nuclear Power -- The Closing Of Duane Arnold: NextEra Energy will close Iowa’s only nuclear plant in 2020. Officials say closing the nuclear plant will save as much as $42/year in savings for residential customers. What? Save $42 to lose 5 billion kWhs of carbon-free electricity by building gas plants, or to spend $2 billion on new wind farms?

Nuclear should complement wind and solar — not compete | TheHill

Nuclear should complement wind and solar — not compete | TheHill: Given the recent stumbles, any significant revival in nuclear deployments won’t occur until at least the 2030’s.

DNFSB Hearing Will Explore Accidents at WIPP, Idaho - ExchangeMonitor

DNFSB Hearing Will Explore Accidents at WIPP, Idaho - ExchangeMonitor: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Closing nuclear plants will spike pollution, regulator says | Toledo Blade

Closing nuclear plants will spike pollution, regulator says | Toledo Blade

New Frontier for computing at Oak Ridge - World Nuclear News

New Frontier for computing at Oak Ridge - World Nuclear News: The US Department of Energy has announced a USD600 million investment in a new supercomputer, to be named Frontier. It said the machine would enable "extreme scale scientific endeavours" to lead to "breakthroughs in scientific discovery, energy assurance, economic competitiveness and national security."

Vogtle 3 plant equipment energised - World Nuclear News

Vogtle 3 plant equipment energised - World Nuclear News: Individual electrical components at Vogtle 3 are now permanently powered, Georgia Power announced yesterday. The completion of initial energisation represents a significant milestone as the US nuclear project moves from construction towards system operations.

CGN agrees to invest in completion of Romanian reactors - World Nuclear News

CGN agrees to invest in completion of Romanian reactors - World Nuclear News: A preliminary investors' agreement has today been signed between Romanian national nuclear company Nuclearelectrica and China General Nuclear (CGN) regarding the completion of units 3 and 4 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant.

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire May 8, 2019

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire
May 8, 2019

Appropriators Look to Move Forward in the House

Most appropriations observers expect that the FY2020 House and Senate Energy and Water bills will be among the first to move in Congress this year.
 
The latest word is that the House will begin marking up these bills before Memorial Day recess. The Senate is expected to begin mark ups after the Memorial Day recess.

Floating NPP Completes Pre-Licensing Tests - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Floating NPP Completes Pre-Licensing Tests - 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.

EBRD Declares Chernobyl Confinement Dome Complete - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

EBRD Declares Chernobyl Confinement Dome Complete - 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.

DOE Says Tunnel 2 At Hanford Site Is Stabilized - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

DOE Says Tunnel 2 At Hanford Site Is Stabilized - 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.

NuScale Signs MOU With Doosan Heavy Industries - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

NuScale Signs MOU With Doosan Heavy Industries - 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 Says It Will Certify APR1400 Design - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

NRC Says It Will Certify APR1400 Design - 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.

Cold Testing Underway At Fuqing Unit 5 - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Cold Testing Underway At Fuqing Unit 5 - 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.

Framatome Contracted For Fuel Trial At Calvert Cliffs NPP - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Framatome Contracted For Fuel Trial At Calvert Cliffs NPP - 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.

Kern County In Depth: How will PG&E bankruptcy affect ratepayers

Kern County In Depth: How will PG&E bankruptcy affect ratepayers: PG&E filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a deadly fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, California. The utility company is facing $30 billiion in claims from damages from the Camp Fire.

Judge Orders PG&E Directors to Visit Town Destroyed by Wildfire - The New York Times

Judge Orders PG&E Directors to Visit Town Destroyed by Wildfire - The New York Times

PG&E board ordered by judge to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise - Los Angeles Times

PG&E board ordered by judge to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise - Los Angeles Times

Federal judge tells PG&E board to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise

Federal judge tells PG&E board to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise



https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-officials-ordered-to-tour-wildfire-ravaged-13825750.php

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

EM Update May 7, 2019

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EM Update | Vol. 11, Issue 18 | May 7, 2019
GreenBar

Georgia Power's Vogtle Unit 3 achieves Initial Energization

Georgia Power's Vogtle Unit 3 achieves Initial Energization: ATLANTA, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today that plant equipment for Vogtle Unit 3 is now energized, or permanently powered, which is...

Sohn: Climate clouds gather over U.S. nukes - Part 3 | Times Free Press

Sohn: Climate clouds gather over U.S. nukes - Part 3 | Times Free Press: In this time of climate change preparation — such as we have it under the Trump chaos reign — nuclear power is a two-edged sword.

Oyster Creek Licensing Decision To Be Made By July 1 | Lacey, NJ Patch

Oyster Creek Licensing Decision To Be Made By July 1 | Lacey, NJ Patch: Oyster Creek Transfer Decision To Be Made By July - Lacey, NJ - Exelon and Holtec announced in July that Holtec wants to buy the former nuclear power plant.

Public Hearing to Unravel TMI Nuclear Waste Containment Options | BCTV

Public Hearing to Unravel TMI Nuclear Waste Containment Options | BCTV: HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) convened a public hearing on April 29, to receive testimony on the Commonwealth’s nuclear waste containment options, costs and security issues in light of the impending closure of Three Mile Island (TMI). “It is fundamental economics that any business or organization that …

US Nuclear Energy Foundation

US Nuclear Energy Foundation: us nuclear energy foundation, nuclear advocacy, USNEF YouTube, grassroots nuclear advocacy,advanced nuclear reactor designs, nuclear fuel reprocessing, grassroots nuclear education.

Bad Policy and the Unplugging of California - WSJ

Bad Policy and the Unplugging of California - WSJ: PG&E is taking the only acceptable route by refusing to supply electricity at a loss mandated by regulators and the community.

PG&E Leaders Ordered to Meet Officials in Fire-Razed Paradise

PG&E Leaders Ordered to Meet Officials in Fire-Razed Paradise: A federal judge who is supervising PG&E Corp.’s criminal probation ordered the company’s board and its senior executives to meet with officials from the northern California town that was destroyed last year in the state’s deadliest wildfire ever.

PG&E: Fire investigation could show utility violated San Bruno probation - SFChronicle.com

PG&E: Fire investigation could show utility violated San Bruno probation - SFChronicle.com: Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Monday that it could have violated terms of its probation if it recklessly maintained power lines in a way that caused recent deadly wildfires, part of a detailed accounting the utility provided to a federal judge about its role in two seasons of historically devastating California conflagrations. PG&E made the admission in response to a series of wildfire-related questions from U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who is overseeing the embattled utility’s probation imposed after its criminal conviction stemming from the deadly 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. One of the terms of the five-year probation is that the utility not commit any other crimes.

Federal judge asks California attorney general if PG&E committed state crime - SFChronicle.com

Federal judge asks California attorney general if PG&E committed state crime - SFChronicle.com: California’s attorney general was asked by a federal judge Wednesday to weigh in on whether Pacific Gas and Electric Co. committed a state-level crime if it maintained its equipment poorly, sparking recent destructive wildfires. U.S. District Judge William Alsup asked the office of Attorney General Xavier Becerra to answer the extent to which any “reckless operation or maintenance of PG&E power lines would constitute a crime under California law.” Alsup is overseeing PG&E’s probation due to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. On Nov.

Federal judge tells PG&E board to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise - SFChronicle.com

Federal judge tells PG&E board to tour wildfire-ravaged Paradise - SFChronicle.com: A federal judge has told PG&E to tour Paradise, the site of last year’s deadly wildfire — and said he might go along too.

PG&E expands forced power shut-offs to help prevent wildfires | abc7news.com

PG&E expands forced power shut-offs to help prevent wildfires | abc7news.com: PG&E has expanded its plans for forced power outages when extremely dry and windy weather increases the risk for its electrical equipment sparking a devastating fire.

What is nuclear power? | Questions | Naked Scientists

What is nuclear power? | Questions | Naked Scientists: Sam wants to know about the pros and cons of nuclear power. Izzie Clarke asked physicist Ben McAllister to start by explaining what nuclear power is.

Environmental Campaigns Against Nuclear Science Limits Its Acceptance, Even In Thought Experiments On Reducing CO2 | Science 2.0

Environmental Campaigns Against Nuclear Science Limits Its Acceptance, Even In Thought Experiments On Reducing CO2 | Science 2.0: Can all nuclear energy be weaponized? It could, according to US politicians in the 1990s, when President Bill Clinton and Senator John Kerry mortally wounded nuclear energy development, to the cheers of their constituents. It was all based on claims by environmentalists that nuclear energy invariably led to nuclear weapons.

Nuclear should complement wind and solar — not compete | TheHill

Nuclear should complement wind and solar — not compete | TheHill: Given the recent stumbles, any significant revival in nuclear deployments won’t occur until at least the 2030’s.

Slovakia delays nuclear plant expansion under pressure from Austria | News | DW | 07.05.2019

Slovakia delays nuclear plant expansion under pressure from Austria | News | DW | 07.05.2019: Amid complaints from Austria, Slovakia has decided to push back the long-awaited opening of two new nuclear reactors. Activists claim to have evidence that the reactors' safety structures are damaged and could fail.

Lawmaker: Nuclear plant legislation far from done deal | News | ncnewsonline.com

Lawmaker: Nuclear plant legislation far from done deal | News | ncnewsonline.com

Nuclear power advocates say they offer 'green' climate solution

Nuclear power advocates say they offer 'green' climate solution


http://www.norwalkreflector.com/Business/2019/05/06/Nuclear-power-advocates-say-they-offer-green-climate-solution

Much Ado About Saudi Research Reactor; Justified or Not?

Much Ado About Saudi Research Reactor; Justified or Not?


https://neutronbytes.com/2019/04/07/much-ado-about-saudi-research-reactor-justified-or-not/

Visualizing Haynesville oil & gas production (through January 2019) | The Energy Collective Daily

Visualizing Haynesville oil & gas production (through January 2019) | The Energy Collective Daily Link to The Energy Collective Network Visualizing Haynesville oil & gas production (through January 2019) America’s Utilities Unite to Support Efficiency Standards Jezuba Non-Profit Helps Get Solar Lighting to Off-Grid Communities Bankrupt Alberta Fossil Abandons 4,700 Wells, $329 Million in Clean-Up Costs New whitepaper demonstrates how China can take a world class approach to underground gas storage US Department of Energy announces bioenergy R&D funding Renewable Energy Group, Broco Oil enter biodiesel partnership Accelerated Warming?

Huge move of HEU from UK to USA - World Nuclear News

Huge move of HEU from UK to USA - World Nuclear News: The USA and UK have conducted a transfer of some 700 kg of high enriched uranium (HEU) from Dounreay to the USA. The engineering firm, Wood, created specialist facilities for the air shipment.

Azarga evaluating situation after Kyrgyzstan uranium ban - World Nuclear News

Azarga evaluating situation after Kyrgyzstan uranium ban - World Nuclear News: Azarga Uranium Corp has suspended activities at the Kyzyl Ompul uranium project in Kyrgyzstan, the company confirmed on 3 May - the day after the Kyrgyz parliament voted to ban uranium mining and exploration in the country.

Final testing of Chernobyl used fuel store - World Nuclear News

Final testing of Chernobyl used fuel store - World Nuclear News: Final system-wide trials began yesterday of the new dry interim used fuel storage facility at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The facility is expected to be handed over to the state-owned enterprise Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the coming months.

As Saudi Arabia Builds A Nuclear Reactor, Some Worry About Its Motives : NPR

As Saudi Arabia Builds A Nuclear Reactor, Some Worry About Its Motives : NPR: Saudi Arabia is building a small civilian nuclear reactor, the nation's first. Nuclear power is an important part of its energy plans. Arms control experts ask if its intention is entirely peaceful.

U.S., U.K. complete history-making highly enriched uranium transfer | News | aikenstandard.com

U.S., U.K. complete history-making highly enriched uranium transfer | News | aikenstandard.com

Nevada braces for renewed fight over Yucca storing nuclear waste | Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada braces for renewed fight over Yucca storing nuclear waste | Las Vegas Review-Journal

Congressional hearing puts focus on struggling PA nuclear industry | StateImpact Pennsylvania

Congressional hearing puts focus on struggling PA nuclear industry | StateImpact Pennsylvania: Energy. Environment. Economy.

Is it time we gave nuclear power another chance?

Is it time we gave nuclear power another chance?: 350 parts per million. That's the figure scientists agree is the "safe" upper limit of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Beyond that point, it's increasingly li...

McMaster withdraws Santee Cooper chairman's nomination after Senate panel rejection | Palmetto Politics | postandcourier.com

McMaster withdraws Santee Cooper chairman's nomination after Senate panel rejection | Palmetto Politics | postandcourier.com: Gov. Henry McMaster withdrew the nomination of former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon as chairman of state-owned utility Santee Cooper after rejection last week from a Senate panel.

MOX Services Sues for $53M Over Savannah River MOX Plant Fees - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

MOX Services Sues for $53M Over Savannah River MOX Plant Fees - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Ocasio-Cortez: Green New Deal ‘Leaves the Door Open’ on Nuclear


Ocasio-Cortez: Green New Deal ‘Leaves the Door Open’ on Nuclear

Freshman lawmaker clarifies that the resolution 'leaves open both clean and renewable energy'



https://morningconsult.com/2019/05/06/ocasio-cortez-green-new-deal-leaves-door-open-nuclear/

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un need the European Union - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un need the European Union - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: US-North Korea negotiations are stuck. Trump should deploy the European Union.

Energy Was and Will Be Key to Economic, Military and Tech Dominance – NextBigFuture.com

Energy Was and Will Be Key to Economic, Military and Tech Dominance – NextBigFuture.com

Prepare For Battery Metal Shortage: Tesla | OilPrice.com

Prepare For Battery Metal Shortage: Tesla | OilPrice.com

Nuclear News Roundup May 03, 2019 | Nucleotidings

Nuclear News Roundup May 03, 2019 | Nucleotidings

Advanced Nuclear Fuels Open Doors to New Applications | Neutron Bytes

Advanced Nuclear Fuels Open Doors to New Applications | Neutron Bytes: New Fuels for Old UK Generates Electricity from Americium. Plans Use for Deep Space Missions Russia’s TVEL Announces New Nuclear Fuel Types and Customers X-energy Partners with Nuclear Fuel Industr…

F-35 Stealth Fighter Will Have 50% More Missiles – NextBigFuture.com

F-35 Stealth Fighter Will Have 50% More Missiles – NextBigFuture.com

US Air Force completes successful shoot down of air-launched missiles

US Air Force completes successful shoot down of air-launched missiles: White Sands Missile Range NM (SPX) May 05, 2019 -
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) Program successfully completed a major program milestone April 2

N. Korea tested rocket launchers and 'tactical guided weapons'

N. Korea tested rocket launchers and 'tactical guided weapons': Seoul (AFP) May 5, 2019 - North Korean state media said Sunday that leader Kim Jong Un had overseen a rocket and tactical guided weapons test, after the drill Saturday raised concerns Pyongyang was escalating provocations with US nuclear negotiations deadlocked.

Air Force tests Minuteman III missile in launch at Vandenberg

Air Force tests Minuteman III missile in launch at Vandenberg: Washington (UPI) May 3, 2019 -
The U.S. Air Force launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in a test from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Electric Fracking Could Take Over The Permian | OilPrice.com

Electric Fracking Could Take Over The Permian | OilPrice.com: Oilfield services giant Baker Hughes has launched new tech aiming to reduce natural gas flaring in Texas’ Permian Basin

EnergySolutions Signs Fort Calhoun Decommissioning Deal - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

EnergySolutions Signs Fort Calhoun Decommissioning Deal - 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.

Are We Really Facing A Battery Metal Shortage? | OilPrice.com

Are We Really Facing A Battery Metal Shortage? | OilPrice.com

Hard-won 2015 Iran nuclear deal

Hard-won 2015 Iran nuclear deal: Tehran (AFP) May 6, 2019 - In a hard-won deal struck in 2015, Iran agreed to freeze its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of punishing international sanctions.

US still sees 'path forward' in N.Korea talks: Pompeo

US still sees 'path forward' in N.Korea talks: Pompeo: Washington (AFP) May 5, 2019 - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that the US still sees a path forward in its nuclear talks with North Korea, even after Pyongyang's latest round of test launches.

Kamala Uncle India Ministry of Defense Defence | Mining Awareness +

Kamala Uncle India Ministry of Defense Defence | Mining Awareness +: Visit the post for more.

Novovoronezh 2-2 Supplies First Electricity To Grid, Says Russia

Novovoronezh 2-2 Supplies First Electricity To Grid, Says Russia

NNSA’s FY20 Budget Request: Full Speed Ahead on Weapons Development and Production - Union of Concerned Scientists

NNSA’s FY20 Budget Request: Full Speed Ahead on Weapons Development and Production - Union of Concerned Scientists: In March the Department of Energy released its FY20 budget request for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is responsible for developing, producing and maintaining US nuclear warheads and bombs.



The request outlines NNSA’s planned activities through FY24, including for

8 Ways Drones Are Lowering the Cost of Infrastructure Inspection - Power Engineering

8 Ways Drones Are Lowering the Cost of Infrastructure Inspection - Power Engineering: America’s infrastructure is past its prime. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives it a D+ grade. The ASCE notes that many bridges, roads, the energy grid, railways, ports, airports, and water systems are past their designed lifespans. But maintaining infrastructure takes investment. For the decade spanning 2016 to 2025, we’ve managed to allocate less than half of what’s needed to maintain and repair surface roads and bridges alone. That leaves a gap of $1.1 trillion. The work is expensive and slow, and it can be unsafe. Workers must drive remote roads, trim trees, climb towers, and work near high-speed traffic. And, they’re on the front lines after a natural disaster.   Using drones to inspect infrastructure is part of the solution to the backlog. More importantly, drones can help us dramatically improve our preventive maintenance going forward. Drones can help to scope work faster and deliver better quality data regarding needed repairs. Plus, they’re safer than most alternatives and usually cost less. Drones make it a lot easier to check interstate bridges for cracks, survey thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines, monitor pipelines, and so much more. He

Nuclear Power Finds Odd Bedfellow in 2020 Dems | RealClearEnergy

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Wolf Admin’s New Climate Goals Include Cap-and-Trade | RealClearEnergy

Wolf Admin’s New Climate Goals Include Cap-and-Trade | RealClearEnergy: Wolf Admin’s New Climate Goals Include Cap-and-Trade | RealClearEnergy

Pompeo slams China, Russia for 'aggressive' Arctic behaviour

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Iran dismisses US naval deployment as old news

Iran dismisses US naval deployment as old news: Tehran (AFP) May 6, 2019 - Iran on Monday dismissed as old news a US announcement it is sending a naval strike group to the Middle East in order to deliver the Islamic republic a message, Tasnim news agency reported.

US 'gravely concerned' on N.Korea human rights

US 'gravely concerned' on N.Korea human rights: Washington (AFP) May 6, 2019 - The US State Department said Monday it was gravely concerned about human rights in North Korea, including its detention of an estimated 100,000 people in political prison camps, two days after President Donald Trump again praised leader Kim Jong Un.

'Feels terrible': Iran a year after US sanctions reimposed

'Feels terrible': Iran a year after US sanctions reimposed: Tehran (AFP) May 7, 2019 - Alireza says he used to dream of a better future in Iran and even saw himself getting a new car or house, but those days are now gone after he lost his job to reimposed US sanctions.

State Department approves $2.7B Patriot system sale to UAE

State Department approves $2.7B Patriot system sale to UAE: Washington (UPI) May 6, 2019 - The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $2.78 billion contract with the United Arab Emirates for Patriot missiles.

IEA alarmed as new renewables capacity stalls - Power Engineering

IEA alarmed as new renewables capacity stalls - Power Engineering: Last year was the first time since 2001 that growth in renewable power capacity failed to increase year on year.

Huge move of HEU from UK to USA - World Nuclear News

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NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Denies Evidentiary Hearing onHoltec International’s Proposed Spent Fuel Storage Facility in New Mexico

 No: 19- 021 May 7, 2019CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8205NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Denies Evidentiary Hearing onHoltec International’s Proposed Spent Fuel Storage Facility in New Mexico



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