Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Five Ways to Fix PG&E - WSJ
Five Ways to Fix PG&E - WSJ: The giant utility is struggling to provide power in fire-prone California. Here are suggestions from industry executive, regulators and experts for ways it can safely keep the lights on.
Inspectors constantly monitor Monticello nuclear plant – The Journal Record
Inspectors constantly monitor Monticello nuclear plant – The Journal Record: Paul Zurawski and Don Krause, resident inspector with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, serve as another safety mechanism at the nearly 50-year-old Monticello
Five Ways to Fix PG&E
Five Ways to Fix PG&E
Suggestions from industry executive, regulators and experts for ways the giant utility can safely keep the lights on
https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-ways-to-fix-pg-e-11577509260
Friday, December 27, 2019
“Dark Waters” should disturb us into action | Sister Rose
“Dark Waters” should disturb us into action | Sister Rose: Mark Ruffalo as attorney Rob Billot in "Dark Waters" Courtesy of (c) Focus Features The first thing you think of when you begin watching director Todd Haynes’ legal crime drama “Dark Waters” is “Erin Brockovich” – the person and the 2000 movie that won Julia Roberts an Oscar for best Actress. The next thing you think
Fukushima update December 27, 2019
Fukushima update December 27, 2019 –
Theoretical models of Fukushima
contamination grossly overestimated the effective half-life for Cesium… Tokyo reduces
the number of ways to safely dispose of stored, treated F. Daiichi wastewater down
to three… F. Daiichi unit #1’s stored nuclear fuel bundles will be removed after
the cover over the damaged building is completed... Removing fuel bundles from F.
Daiichi units #1 and #2 will be delayed… The NRA physically inspected the
interior of F. Daiichi unit #3 on December 12Th… Used Mixed Oxide
(MOX) fuel bundles will be removed from Ikata unit #3 during refueling… Blanket
radio-isotopic scanning of Fukushima beef will soon end.
https://www.hiroshimasyndrome.Kerry Kennedy on the chaos and cruelty at the U.S.-Mexico border | America Magazine
Kerry Kennedy on the chaos and cruelty at the U.S.-Mexico border | America Magazine: The human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, finds both heartache and heroism during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.
These are the monks who still preserve ancient texts around the world | America Magazine
These are the monks who still preserve ancient texts around the world | America Magazine: Even though manuscripts—handwritten books— are at least several technological stages behind the ways we access information today, we still rely on them for access to the past.
How economic uncertainty is taking a spiritual toll on today’s young adults | America Magazine
How economic uncertainty is taking a spiritual toll on today’s young adults | America Magazine: Times of financial stress or uncertainty seem like a natural time to turn to one’s faith, but it can also be one of the most difficult times to do so.
Russia Rejects Extending Iran Arms Embargo, Defying U.S. - Bloomberg
Russia Rejects Extending Iran Arms Embargo, Defying U.S. - Bloomberg: Russia, seeing prospects for multi-billion dollar deals, ruled out extending a United Nations-approved arms embargo on Iran that expires in October next year, despite U.S. warnings that lifting the restrictions will jeopardize global security.
UAWire - Russia to build nuclear submarine base in Iran
UAWire - Russia to build nuclear submarine base in Iran: Russia is preparing to expand its military presence in the Middle East by collaborating with Iran, which the US imposed a complete oil embargo on in 2019.
Two Iranian ports – Bushehr in the south and Chabahar in the south-east – will become forward bases for the Russian Navy that will even be used by nuclear submarines, OilPrice reports, citing high-ranking sources in Tehran.
Bushehr will also …
Two Iranian ports – Bushehr in the south and Chabahar in the south-east – will become forward bases for the Russian Navy that will even be used by nuclear submarines, OilPrice reports, citing high-ranking sources in Tehran.
Bushehr will also …
People tend to have strong opinions about nuclear power. Meet a few who changed their minds. | Grist
People tend to have strong opinions about nuclear power. Meet a few who changed their minds. | Grist: Here’s what we can learn from people who changed their minds on the controversial power source.
Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.'s Nuclear Coffin
Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.'s Nuclear Coffin: The Runit Dome is leaking radioactive waste into the Pacific Ocean.
Christians in Iraq and Syria face new risk of genocide
Christians in Iraq and Syria face new risk of genocide: Christians in the Middle East are at direct risk of a second genocide which threatens them with complete annihilation from the lands of the Bible, according to an expert who has co-coordinated emer…
This Christmas, ACN donors bring smiles to 19,000 children in Syria
This Christmas, ACN donors bring smiles to 19,000 children in Syria: Thousands of Syrian Children were smiling this Christmas, thanks to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). In a recorded message to ACN, the organization’s project partner Sister Annie Demerjian thanked …
When the Knights sent a Christmas ship to fight Bolshevism
When the Knights sent a Christmas ship to fight Bolshevism: Following the end of World War I, Americans were fighting the Bolsheviks on two fronts: the Polish-Soviet War and the Russian Civil War. The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) journeyed to the Sibe…
Autopsy of the Minsk Agreements, by The Saker - The Unz Review
Autopsy of the Minsk Agreements, by The Saker - The Unz Review: The recent Paris summit and the few days following the summit have brought a lot of clarity about the future of the Minsk Agreements. Short version: Kiev has officially rejected them (by rejecting both the sequence of steps and several crucial steps). For those interested, let’s look a little further. First, what just happened First, […]
The Year of Manufactured Hysteria, by C.J. Hopkins - The Unz Review
The Year of Manufactured Hysteria, by C.J. Hopkins - The Unz Review: Well, it looks like we’ve somehow managed to survive another year of diabolical Putin-Nazi attacks on democracy. It was touch-and-go there for a while, especially coming down the home stretch, what with Jeremy Corbyn’s desperate attempt to overthrow the UK government, construct a British version of Auschwitz, and start rounding up and mass-murdering the Jews. […]
The Stupidest Op-Ed of 2019 Argues Trump Will Inspire a Religious Revival | Common Dreams Views
The Stupidest Op-Ed of 2019 Argues Trump Will Inspire a Religious Revival | Common Dreams Views: For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. —Matthew 24:24Just when you thought the soon-to-expire year had long since reached peak stupidity, Newsweek published a piece that set a record for preposterous ideas, confidently but incoherently argued. | By Mike Lofgren
Campaign against Sanders on ‘antisemitism’ for his criticism of Israel begins in earnest – Mondoweiss
Campaign against Sanders on ‘antisemitism’ for his criticism of Israel begins in earnest – Mondoweiss: Bernie Sanders is being painted as an antisemite by some pro-Israel idelogues because he has taken strong positions in support of Palestinian human rights.
The last bull: Cardinal Sodano goes out | National Catholic Reporter
The last bull: Cardinal Sodano goes out | National Catholic Reporter: A scene in "The Two Popes," the charming new Netflix movie, has Anthony Hopkins as a brooding, gentle Benedict XVI hearing the unprompted confession of Cardinal Jorge Borgoglio, played by Jonathan Pry...
Video – CatholicVote org
Video – CatholicVote org: The mission of CatholicVote.org is to educate and inspire Americans of all faiths to prioritize the issues of life, faith, and family.
Nulcear power plant development in Latin America: Argentina leads the way
Nulcear power plant development in Latin America: Argentina leads the way: Nuclear power plants in Latin America are located in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and they all have aspirations to build new reactors.
Reactor No. 2 at Kola nuclear power plant gets 15-years extended licence | The Independent Barents Observer
Reactor No. 2 at Kola nuclear power plant gets 15-years extended licence | The Independent Barents Observer: The already 45 years old reactor will continue to run until 2034.
Japan delays fuel removal from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi - Reuters
Japan delays fuel removal from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi - Reuters: The Japanese government on Friday delayed the planned removal of fuel from two reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station, highlighting difficulties facing a clean-up at the site of the 2011 disaster.
Uranium mining could regain momentum in Carbon County | Wyoming | gillettenewsrecord.com
Uranium mining could regain momentum in Carbon County | Wyoming | gillettenewsrecord.com: RAWLINS — A uranium mine 30 miles north of Medicine Bow could soon resume mining operations using a previously explored technique with new technology, a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson
America's Energy CEO Series: TVA’s Jeff Lyash on fuel mix changes, power price expectations | S&P Global Platts
America's Energy CEO Series: TVA’s Jeff Lyash on fuel mix changes, power price expectations | S&P Global Platts: TVA working to expand capacity, relicense seven nuclear units Low, stable natural gas prices expected for next decade The Tennessee Valley Authority is expanding its production of emissions free power
Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors
Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors: Boron powder could turn nuclear fusion dreams into reality. Tokamak reactors are a major frontier in fusion research, but they're also volatile—and dangerous.
A Look Ahead for Nuclear Energy in 2020 | Neutron Bytes
A Look Ahead for Nuclear Energy in 2020 | Neutron Bytes: With a growing realization that nuclear energy is necessary to achieve decarbonization in the electric generation utility industry, and for major process heat applications, 2020 looks like a year w…
Removal of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 delayed up to five years | The Japan Times
Removal of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 delayed up to five years | The Japan Times: Tokyo Electric’s fourth delay is needed for more safety steps, including an enclosure for reactor No. 1 to prevent radioactive dust from spreading, the government said.
No reports of damage from quake near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant: TV - Reuters
No reports of damage from quake near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant: TV - Reuters: An 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Iran's Bushehr province on Friday, where the country's nuclear power plant is located, but there were no immediate reports of damage, Iranian state television reported.
Rosatom Is Pressing The Limits Of Russia’s Nuclear Capabilities - Caspian News
Rosatom Is Pressing The Limits Of Russia’s Nuclear Capabilities - Caspian News: Russia sits on some of the largest oil and gas deposits in the world, but that is not stopping energy officials from moving forward with plans to expa
3 Breakthroughs That Could Shake The Energy World In The Next Decade
3 Breakthroughs That Could Shake The Energy World In The Next Decade: Just as breakthroughs in hydraulic fracturing, wind power, solar power and natural gas liquefaction drove the energy industry in the first two decades of this century, what could alter the way we produce and consume energy in the 2020’s?
Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors
Nuclear Fusion - Fusion Reactor News - Tokamak Reactors: Boron powder could turn nuclear fusion dreams into reality. Tokamak reactors are a major frontier in fusion research, but they're also volatile—and dangerous.
Ohio Supreme Court Takes Up $900 Million Nuclear Subsidies Suit
Ohio Supreme Court Takes Up $900 Million Nuclear Subsidies Suit: The Ohio Supreme Court will decide whether opponents of a $900 million FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. nuclear subsidy will get an extra 38 days to collect signatures for a repeal referendum.
First Nuclear Reactors Built in 30 Years Take Shape at Georgia Power Plant | Construction Equipment Guide
First Nuclear Reactors Built in 30 Years Take Shape at Georgia Power Plant | Construction Equipment Guide: Construction is ongoing for two new nuclear reactors, Units 3 and 4, at Georgia Power's Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Waynesboro, Ga. — the first new nuclear reactors to be constructed in the United Stated in 30 years — that will provide electricity to more than 500,000 homes and businesses once operational. (ID::46939)
Aging Alabama nuclear plant worries critics - al.com
Aging Alabama nuclear plant worries critics - al.com: Some say equipment at the three-reactor plant is being forced to generate power longer than originally intended and that the storage of spent nuclear fuel is a growing problem, The Decatur Daily reported.
How The U.S. Navy Remains The Masters Of Modular Nuclear Reactors
How The U.S. Navy Remains The Masters Of Modular Nuclear Reactors: America’s Nuclear Navy is one of the oldest and largest nuclear organizations in the world, and has the world’s best safety record of any industry of any kind. There are over a hundred nuclear reactors, which are actually small modular reactors, that power 86 submarines and aircraft carriers.
Dangerous, dear and dying: why the consensus on nuclear power is wrong - MoneyWeek
Dangerous, dear and dying: why the consensus on nuclear power is wrong - MoneyWeek: Nuclear power is viewed as too dangerous and too costly to form part of our energy future. That’s plain wrong – and it could spell huge opportunity, says Dylan Grice.
Feds 'smuggling' plutonium into Nevada? Balderdash! | Jim Schnieder
Feds 'smuggling' plutonium into Nevada? Balderdash! | Jim Schnieder: How would we have perfected our nuclear arsenal if Nevada had argued the feds were “smuggling” nuclear bombs and their components into the state?
A Christmas Light
A Christmas Light: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
No electrons were flowing, through even my mouse;
All devices were plugged by the chimney with care,
With the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
No electrons were flowing, through even my mouse;
All devices were plugged by the chimney with care,
With the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
Ethiopia makes progress in cancer treatment provision - World Nuclear News
Ethiopia makes progress in cancer treatment provision - World Nuclear News: The Ethiopian government is receiving support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other development partners to address its urgent need for improvement in cancer treatment. The IAEA recommends four radiotherapy machines per one million people, but Ethiopia has only one for its population of 105 million.
Rosatom plans accident-tolerant fuel loading - World Nuclear News
Rosatom plans accident-tolerant fuel loading - World Nuclear News: The first Russian-made nuclear fuel assemblies with experimental accident-tolerant fuel rods for commercial reactors have been manufactured and passed acceptance inspection at Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, a fabrication facility of Rosatom’s fuel manufacturer subsidiary TVEL. The ATF rods are to be loaded into one of the VVER-1000 units at the Rostov nuclear power plant in western Russia in the first quarter of 2020, TVEL said yesterday.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Government Seeks To End Speculation On Nuclear Extensions :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency
Government Seeks To End Speculation On Nuclear Extensions :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Germany will stick to its planned phase-out of nuclear power plants by the end of 2022, the spokesman for chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, Steffen Seibert, said at a regular government press conference, apparently seeking to end speculation about an extension for the remaining plants.
The energy spokesman for Merkel’s CDU, Joachim Pfeiffer, had told the magazine Der Spiegel, that he thought the nuclear exit decision in 2011 had been a mistake. But Mr Pfeiffer also said that he saw no appetite for a nuclear revival in Germany, where a majority continues to support the exit.
The country’s last commercial nuclear plants are due to be shut by the end of 2022, leaving the country struggling to plug the gap in its electricity generation and meet its climate targets as it prepares to abolish its coal industry.
The energy spokesman for Merkel’s CDU, Joachim Pfeiffer, had told the magazine Der Spiegel, that he thought the nuclear exit decision in 2011 had been a mistake. But Mr Pfeiffer also said that he saw no appetite for a nuclear revival in Germany, where a majority continues to support the exit.
The country’s last commercial nuclear plants are due to be shut by the end of 2022, leaving the country struggling to plug the gap in its electricity generation and meet its climate targets as it prepares to abolish its coal industry.
Hokkaido Elec Miscalculated Radioactive Materials for 31 Yrs | Nippon.com
Hokkaido Elec Miscalculated Radioactive Materials for 31 Yrs | Nippon.com: Sapporo, Dec. 25 (Jiji Press)--Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has erroneously calculated the amounts of ra…
LANL seeks new hazardous waste permit from New Mexico | Local News | santafenewmexican.com
LANL seeks new hazardous waste permit from New Mexico | Local News | santafenewmexican.com: The permit, which covers waste cleanup, treatment, storage and disposal, is scheduled to be renewed in July 2020. The lab has until June to apply.
US And Japan Must Lead The Way, Says Commerce Secretary :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency
US And Japan Must Lead The Way, Says Commerce Secretary :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: The US is working with allies like Japan to led the way in assuring the efficient licensing and construction of a new generation of inherently safe and economically viable reactors, commerce secretary Wilbur Ross told the Japan Roundtable Washington Conference.
Mr Ross said president Trump is committed to revitalising the industry and that nuclear “is and must remain an essential part of our energy mix long into the future”.
To achieve sustainable global development on a real scale, and to balance electrical demand when renewables are not available, then nuclear “must be a viable option”, he said. “If the US and Japan don’t lead this renaissance, then somebody else will.”
Mr Ross said president Trump is committed to revitalising the industry and that nuclear “is and must remain an essential part of our energy mix long into the future”.
To achieve sustainable global development on a real scale, and to balance electrical demand when renewables are not available, then nuclear “must be a viable option”, he said. “If the US and Japan don’t lead this renaissance, then somebody else will.”
Aging Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant worries critics
Aging Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant worries critics: DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — Critics are raising alarms over the age of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, which opened 46 years ago on the banks of the Tennessee River and is still operating. Some say...
Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear House Bill 6 referendum case - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH
Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear House Bill 6 referendum case - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH: The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to rule on federal-court questions that could revive the failed referendum campaign seeking to repeal the ratepayer-financed House Bill 6 bailout of a pair of nuclear power plants in the state.U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus in Columbus ruled on Oct. 23 that Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts turned to the wrong court in its bid for additional days to gather more signatures for its petition drive to place a ballot issue before voters.Sargus sent the case
90% of Truck CO2 Emissions Could be Captured and Liquified into Fuel | The Energy Collective Daily
90% of Truck CO2 Emissions Could be Captured and Liquified into Fuel | The Energy Collective Daily |
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- 90% of Truck CO2 Emissions Could be Captured and Liquified into Fuel
- IEA Drives Fossil Growth, Climate Breakdown with Latest World Energy Outlook
- ‘Disgraceful’ COP 25 Shows Big Emitters ‘Betraying People Across the World’
- How To Reach U.S. Net Zero Emissions By 2050: Decarbonizing Electricity
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Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
Researchers
at EPFL have patented capturing CO2 directly from a trucks’ exhaust
system and liquefying it in a box on the vehicle’s roof. The liquid CO2
is then delivered to a service station, where it is turned into
conventional fuel using renewable energy. This could cut trucks’ CO2
emissions by almost 90%.They plan to combine several technologies
developed at EPFL to..
Click headline for full article  |
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Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
Julien
Mulliez-DFID/flickrThe International Energy Agency (IEA) is
undercutting its own, essential role in confronting the climate crisis
by downplaying renewable energy options and driving future investment to
more expensive, higher-carbon fossil fuels, according to analysts
responding to the release of its annual World Energy Outlook report
earlier this week.While the agency styles the..
Click headline for full article  |
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Posted: 26 Dec 2019 07:15 AM PST
After
running 44 hours beyond its scheduled end time, this year’s United
Nations climate conference dissolved in failure, frustration, and anger
Sunday morning, with a large bloc of countries and an exhausted climate
advocacy community blaming the world’s biggest emitters and the fossil
fuel interests behind them.Brazil won the Colossal Fossil award from
Climate Action..
Click headline for full article  |
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Posted: 25 Dec 2019 11:00 PM PST
Presidential
candidates, state governments, and utilities are promoting “net zero”
emissions targets to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
preserve a safe climate future by helping to limit global warming to
well below 2°C. But few of them are exploring exactly how the U.S. could
achieve the ambitious goal of remaking its energy economy.Energy..
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Monday, December 23, 2019
The US government has approved funds for geoengineering research
The US government has approved funds for geoengineering research
NOAA will get at least $4 million for a research program, which will include efforts to assess “climate interventions.”
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614991/the-us-government-will-begin-to-fund-geoengineering-research/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement
The Tiny, Simple Nuclear Reactor That Could Change Energy
The Tiny, Simple Nuclear Reactor That Could Change Energy: The next step in nuclear power is 1/100th the size of today's reactors.
AWED Energy & Environmental Newsletter - 12/23/19
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