Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, June 19, 2020

Three more ‘Hinkley Point C scale’ nuclear projects would help UK reach net zero - New Civil Engineer

Three more ‘Hinkley Point C scale’ nuclear projects would help UK reach net zero - New Civil Engineer: In its report Nuclear for Net Zero, the Energy Systems Catapult backs nuclear projects as a means to achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero carbon emissions

Wind alone too risky – UK needs nuclear hydrogen to hit 2050 net-zero goal: study | Recharge

Wind alone too risky – UK needs nuclear hydrogen to hit 2050 net-zero goal: study | Recharge: Nation may need up to 50GW of nuclear with next-gen technologies allied to H2 output, claims government-backed Energy Systems Catapult

Global annual installed capacity of nuclear power to decline to 3GW

Global annual installed capacity of nuclear power to decline to 3GW: The reduced power consumption has led to operators curtailing their plants or optimising plant outputs to match nuclear power demand.

Department of Energy Invests $65 Million at National Laboratories and American Universities to Advance Nuclear Technology | Department of Energy

Department of Energy Invests $65 Million at National Laboratories and American Universities to Advance Nuclear Technology | Department of Energy: Department of Energy Invests $65 Million at National Laboratories and American Universities to Advance Nuclear Technology

In Other News


IN OTHER NEWS:
Rosatom has made its first shipment of equipment to India for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant since the pandemic travel restrictions began. A vessel with equipment, including for passive heat removal systems, for units 3 and 4 has departed from the port of Saint Petersburg with the 17th shipload for the project. The 4200 cubic metre cargo is scheduled to arrive at the construction site in Tamil Nadu in the second half of July.
Atomproject, an engineering subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom, has submitted its investment assessment for plans to extend the operation of unit 3 of the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant - a BN-600 fast reactor - to 2040. Work on the project must be completed before 2024, Rosatom said, before applying to regulator Rostechnadzor to extend the operating licence, which currently covers 2020-2025. The unit started operations in 1980.
The US Department of Energy has announced more than USD65 million in nuclear energy research, cross-cutting technology development, facility access and infrastructure awards for 93 advanced nuclear technology projects in 28 states. The awards fall under the DOE’s Nuclear Energy University Program, the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies and the Nuclear Science User Facilities. The DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy has now awarded more than USD800 million in clean energy innovation and to train the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists through its competitive opportunities since 2009.
Canada's Bruce Power has launched its Medical Isotope Advisory Panel consisting of experts and medical professionals. James Scongack, executive vice-president of corporate affairs and operational services, said Bruce Power is committed to building on its leadership in isotope supply "through our plan to operate our facility through 2064 providing reliable, clean and low-cost electricity, while leveraging this infrastructure to secure a supply of life-saving isotopes to tackle some the greatest challenges facing global health."

Energy Systems Catapult makes case for UK new build : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News

Energy Systems Catapult makes case for UK new build : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News: The UK's Nuclear Industry Association and project developer Horizon Nuclear Power have welcomed a technical and economic assessment that delivering a clean energy system ought to include a significant proportion of new nuclear capacity. The analysis by Energy Systems Catapult says committing to a further 10 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity beyond EDF Energy/CGN's Hinkley Point C project is a "low-regrets option", but that costs needed to fall significantly if the technology was to fulfil its long-term potential.

Judge rules in MEAG Power's favour on Vogtle PPA : Corporate - World Nuclear News

Judge rules in MEAG Power's favour on Vogtle PPA : Corporate - World Nuclear News: A US district judge has ruled that the power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in 2008 between JEA and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) for electricity from the AP1000 units under construction at the Vogtle site in Georgia is "valid and enforceable". JEA, together with the City of Jacksonville, Florida, launched a series of legal and regulatory cases in 2018 in an attempt to have the agreement invalidated.

IAEA calls on Iran to meet safeguards obligations : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News

IAEA calls on Iran to meet safeguards obligations : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: The International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors today adopted a resolution calling on Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA in implementing its NPT Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol and satisfy the IAEA's requests without further delay. The resolution, submitted by France, Germany and the UK, was adopted by a vote of 25 to 2 with 7 abstentions. The two objections were made by China and Russia.

Fukushima Update June 19, 2020

Fukushima Update June 19, 2020 –
Tepco posts a final overview of last week’s covering of the F. Daiichi Unit #2 SFP… Tokyo plans on creating an international education and research center in Fukushima… (Kepco) sues former executives to try and recover local trust.
https://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

bne IntelliNews - LONG READ: Construction work on Belarus’ Ostrovets nuclear power station almost complete, but is it safe?

bne IntelliNews - LONG READ: Construction work on Belarus’ Ostrovets nuclear power station almost complete, but is it safe?: Construction work at Belarus’ Ostrovets nuclear power plant (NPP) is coming to an end, which expected to come online in July. But the facility ...

Analysis: Nuclear power investment is still key to UK reaching net zero

Analysis: Nuclear power investment is still key to UK reaching net zero: A new report suggests the UK should commit to a further 10GW of new nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C as the government targets a net zero emissions economy.

Compact fast reactor proposed at east Idaho nuclear site | Lexington Herald Leader

Compact fast reactor proposed at east Idaho nuclear site | Lexington Herald Leader: A California company wants to build and operate a compact fast nuclear reactor in Idaho.

Dept. Of Energy Accepts Bay Area Company’s Application To Build New-Design Nuclear Reactor – CBS San Francisco

Dept. Of Energy Accepts Bay Area Company’s Application To Build New-Design Nuclear Reactor – CBS San Francisco: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted a license application submitted by Sunnyvale-based Oklo Inc., to build a 1.5-megawatt compact nuclear reactor at the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear site in eastern Idaho

Judge rules JEA is still bound to Georgia nuclear power deal

Judge rules JEA is still bound to Georgia nuclear power deal

Indian Point: Mass. nuclear plant deal could be decommissioning model

Indian Point: Mass. nuclear plant deal could be decommissioning model: Massachusetts has dropped its challenge of the sale of a nuclear power plant to Holtec in a hint at what could be in store for Indian Point.

Settlement Reached in Nuclear Plant Transfer Dispute - CapeCod.com

Settlement Reached in Nuclear Plant Transfer Dispute - CapeCod.com: PLYMOUTH – Holtec International has reached an agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over the challenge of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s decision to transfer the plant’s ownership …

Dept. Of Energy Accepts Bay Area Company’s Application To Build New-Design Nuclear Reactor – CBS San Francisco

Dept. Of Energy Accepts Bay Area Company’s Application To Build New-Design Nuclear Reactor – CBS San Francisco: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted a license application submitted by Sunnyvale-based Oklo Inc., to build a 1.5-megawatt compact nuclear reactor at the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear site in eastern Idaho

Big Oil faces battle to form offshore wind 'Seven Sisters': Atlantic Shores chief | Recharge | The Energy Collective Daily

Big Oil faces battle to form offshore wind 'Seven Sisters': Atlantic Shores chief | Recharge | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Webinar Registration - Zoom

Webinar Registration - Zoom: The workshop will provide an opportunity for designers, vendors, owners, regulators, and representatives of standards development organizations (SDOs) to discuss standards needs to support advanced reactors. The discussion will include advanced reactor developer perspectives, codes and standards organization perspectives as well as DOE and NRC perspectives. The objective is to help ensure alignment of developer needs and codes and standard organization priorities. In addition, as priorities are identified, the discussion will shift to what is needed to be able to fund these activities and the actions necessary to link DOE funding to high priority activities. The workshop will include a brief introduction allowing for the majority of time for focus sessions to achieve the goal of developing a path forward and setting priorities for the development of standards from across all SDOs.

IEA: Nuclear energy needed for pandemic recovery - micheletkearney@gmail.com - Gmail

IEA: Nuclear energy needed for pandemic recovery - micheletkearney@gmail.com - Gmail: Google's approach to email

Rosatom Signs Cooperation Agreements With Framatome And GE For Belene New Build Project :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Rosatom Signs Cooperation Agreements With Framatome And GE For Belene New Build Project :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has signed two agreements with France’s Framatome and US-based General Electric Steam Power in relation to the investor selection procedure for the Belene nuclear power station project in northern Bulgaria.



Rosatom said that the three companies will cooperate in taking part in the eventual tender for the construction of two nuclear power units at the Belene site.



According to a statement, if Rosatom becomes an investor in the project, GE would become a partner by delivering its Arabelle turbine-generator set and turbine hall equipment, while Framatome would be a “key partner” to supply instrumentation and control systems.

Cheaper nuclear at the heart of UK's deep decarbonisation says report

Cheaper nuclear at the heart of UK's deep decarbonisation says report: Innovation agency Energy Systems Catapult has released a new report stating that committing to a further 10GW of new nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C is a low regrets option for the UK as it targets a Net Zero economy.

US-based Last Energy invests in Estonian SMR project - Nuclear Engineering International

US-based Last Energy invests in Estonian SMR project - Nuclear Engineering International: US-based risk investor Last Energy has made an undisclosed investment in Fermi Energia, which is planning to build a small modular reactor (SMR) in Estonia.“The Last Energy investment, together with the contribution of Estonian investors...

Nuclear fusion update: Start-ups enter race for the sun

Nuclear fusion update: Start-ups enter race for the sun: Nuclear fusion has captured the imagination of scientists, science fiction writers and the broader public, writes members of the Renaissance Fusion

Polish and U.S. presidents to discuss nuclear energy - Reuters

Polish and U.S. presidents to discuss nuclear energy - Reuters: Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday that he would discuss cooperation with the United States on nuclear energy in talks with President Donald Trump in Washington next week.

Nuclear Power’s Role Essential For Post-Pandemic Recovery :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Nuclear Power’s Role Essential For Post-Pandemic Recovery :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: The role of nuclear power in the energy mix needs to be maintained as the world seeks to overcome the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, with many facilities facing financial challenges because of lower revenues, heightening the risk of early retirements and limiting the prospects for new investment, the International Energy Agency said.



In a report which offers a post-pandemic recovery plan for the energy sector, the Paris-based agency says hydropower and nuclear power are the two largest sources of low-carbon generation, together providing 70% of all low-carbon electricity.



However, many facilities are ageing and face financial challenges because of lower revenues as a result of the pandemic, heightening the risk of early retirements and limiting the prospects for new investment.

Bacteria Found in Nuclear Reactors Could Be the Secret to Faster, Cheaper Vaccines

Bacteria Found in Nuclear Reactors Could Be the Secret to Faster, Cheaper Vaccines: The extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans was first discovered in 1956 at Oregon State University, where it was busy ruining a gamma ray experiment designed to sterilize a tin of ground meat. The “sterilized” meat spoiled, thanks to D. radiodurans and its preternatural durability in the face of radiation: The hearty microbe can withstand somewhere up to 5,000 gray (Gy), or about 1,500 times the dose that would kill a human being.

DOE Secretary announces nuclear energy research funding - Local News 8

DOE Secretary announces nuclear energy research funding - Local News 8: The U.S. Department of Energy has announced more than $65 million in nuclear energy research funding will target 93 advanced nuclear technology projects in 28 states.

NRC Accepts Oklo Mini Reactor License Application for Review

NRC Accepts Oklo Mini Reactor License Application for Review


https://neutronbytes.com/2020/06/19/nrc-accepts-oklo-mini-reactor-license-application-for-review/

Thursday, June 18, 2020

IEA outlines three-year plan for sustainable recovery | S&P Global Platts

IEA outlines three-year plan for sustainable recovery | S&P Global Platts: Governments can spur economic growth and jobs at the same time as cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the International Energy Agency said Thursday in a $1 trillion per year pandemic recovery plan.

Rosatom, Framatome, GE team up for Bulgarian nuclear tender - Reuters

Rosatom, Framatome, GE team up for Bulgarian nuclear tender - Reuters: Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom said on Thursday it had signed a memoranda of understanding with France's Framatome and GE Steam Power to work together to participate in a tender to build the Belene Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria.

Our National Security Requires a Stronger Nuclear-Energy Industry - Defense One

Our National Security Requires a Stronger Nuclear-Energy Industry - Defense One: The Energy Department’s new strategy lays out what needs to be done.

Our National Security Requires a Stronger Nuclear-Energy Industry - Defense One

Our National Security Requires a Stronger Nuclear-Energy Industry - Defense One: The Energy Department’s new strategy lays out what needs to be done.

An affordable zero-emissions grid needs new nuclear | TheHill

An affordable zero-emissions grid needs new nuclear | TheHill: Combining cheap wind and solar power with the reliability of nuclear power generation could fight climate change faster.

Why TRISO particles could open a new age for nuclear power

Why TRISO particles could open a new age for nuclear power: The robustness and potential of this type of nuclear fuel gives new hopes of clean and safe nuclear power.

Bold American Strategy to Lead on Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy

Bold American Strategy to Lead on Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy: Our nuclear energy industry is at a crossroads. Nuclear, America’s clean energy workhorse, makes up the majority of our zero-carbon power. And it’s so reliable that some plants can operate

Restoring America's Competitive Nuclear Advantage-Blue version[1].pdf

Restoring America's Competitive Nuclear Advantage-Blue version[1].pdf

press-release-nuclear-energy-export-financing-prohibition-lifted.pdf

press-release-nuclear-energy-export-financing-prohibition-lifted.pdf

DOE Awards New Cleanup Contract at the Nevada National Security Site

Cincinnati – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc. the new Environmental Management (EM) Nevada Environmental Program Services (EPS) contract that will provide a variety of cleanup services at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).  EM competed this contract using the End State Contracting Model, which is expected to significantly reduce risk and environmental liability to provide the best overall solution to EM Nevada’s mission at NNSS to accelerate completion and closure.
The new contract is an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity contract under which firm-fixed-price and/or Cost Reimbursement task orders may be issued. The maximum contract ceiling value is $350 million with a 10-year ordering period. EM determined that Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc.’s proposal provides best value to the government, considering Key Personnel, Technical and Management Approach, Past Performance, and Cost. The contract was awarded by DOE under a small business set-aside competition.
Cleanup services to be provided under the contract will include, but not limited to: Groundwater Characterization and Monitoring; Radioactive Waste Acceptance Program (RWAP) management; Soils and Industrial Sites close-out/post-closure monitoring (PCM); Decontamination and Demolition (D&D); and Program Management Support. The services will be provided at the NNSS, as well as the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and the Tonopah Test Range (TTR).
The new contract resulting from this acquisition will replace the EM Nevada EPS contract, held by Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc. The current EM NV EPS expires on July 31, 2020. Following a notice to proceed to the new contractor, the transition to the new contract will commence.
Additional information is available via the procurement website at https://www.emcbc.doe.gov/SEB/emnevadaeps/.

Snouffer named 2021 ANS Congressional Fellow -- ANS / Newswire

Snouffer named 2021 ANS Congressional Fellow -- ANS / Newswire

Chemistry helps reconstruct the origin of 2017 ruthenium plume

Chemistry helps reconstruct the origin of 2017 ruthenium plume: Samples from Viennese air filters help piece together the details of a controversial nuclear accident

Compact Neutron Generators and Nuclear Fusion | Tiny Reactor News

Compact Neutron Generators and Nuclear Fusion | Tiny Reactor News: These tiny neutron generators could pave the way for nuclear fusion energy. Because to achieve big nuclear goals, you have to start small.

Fluor Idaho completes first spent nuclear fuel shipments - Local News 8

Fluor Idaho completes first spent nuclear fuel shipments - Local News 8: Fluor Idaho has completed two of about 40 planned shipments of spent nuclear fuel to a temporary storage area at the Idaho National Laboratory.

Energy Dept. Changes to Main Nuke Safety Management Reg in 'Draft Final' Form - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

Energy Dept. Changes to Main Nuke Safety Management Reg in 'Draft Final' Form - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Secretary of Energy making announcement Thursday as he tours INL | East Idaho News

Secretary of Energy making announcement Thursday as he tours INL | East Idaho News: IDAHO FALLS – U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette is making a stop in Idaho Falls this week to tour the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. He’ll be touring the facility Thursday. INL spokeswoman Sarah Neumann tells EastIdahoNews.com Brouillette is expected to make an announcement on advanced nuclear energy in conjunction with his visit. …

State Reaches Deal With Pilgrim Owners On Cleanup | Earthwhile

State Reaches Deal With Pilgrim Owners On Cleanup | Earthwhile: Agreement ensures financial, environmental, and public safety protections during the dismantlement and cleanup of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth

Kingdom has ‘no nuclear plans until 2040’ - Khmer Times

Kingdom has ‘no nuclear plans until 2040’ - Khmer Times: Cambodia has no ambitious plan for a civil nuclear power programme: official sources.

Nuclear Power Plant Market: Global Industry Analysis 2020-2026 by Types, Applications and Key Players – Cole Reports

Nuclear Power Plant Market: Global Industry Analysis 2020-2026 by Types, Applications and Key Players – Cole Reports

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Raises Funds to Help Local Community During Pandemic | thebaynet.com | TheBayNet.com | Articles

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Raises Funds to Help Local Community During Pandemic | thebaynet.com | TheBayNet.com | Articles: More than $115,000 donated to local organizations in less than four weeks.

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Raises Funds to Help Local Community During Pandemic | thebaynet.com | TheBayNet.com | Articles

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Raises Funds to Help Local Community During Pandemic | thebaynet.com | TheBayNet.com | Articles: More than $115,000 donated to local organizations in less than four weeks.

Nuclear industry’s pandemic response - Nuclear Engineering International

Nuclear industry’s pandemic response - Nuclear Engineering International

Deal reached in dispute over sale of Pilgrim nuclear plant - SFChronicle.com

Deal reached in dispute over sale of Pilgrim nuclear plant - SFChronicle.com: BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts has agreed to drop its legal challenges to the sale of a shuttered nuclear plant as part of a deal that requires the new owner to keep a financial reserve to cover unexpected costs as it cleans up the site. State officials on Wednesday announced a settlement with Holtec International, which bought the Pilgrim power plant last year and promised to decommission and demolish the site within eight years. The plant's sale was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last August, but Massachusetts filed two lawsuits and a federal petition raising concerns that Holtec lacked the funding to clean the site safely and store spent nuclear fuel. As part of the settlement, Holtec will be required to maintain at least $193 million through most of the cleanup in case the project faces delays or other unexpected costs. The company also must secure a $30 million pollution insurance policy. Other provisions require Holtec to meet state safety standards that are stricter than federal requirements, and the company will be required to provide funding to the state's Department of Public Health to monitor for contamination. Gov. Charlie Baker issued a statement calling t

Trump had no idea UK was a nuclear power, former aide John Bolton claims | The Independent

Trump had no idea UK was a nuclear power, former aide John Bolton claims | The Independent: President Donald Trump apparently had no idea the UK was a nuclear power, according to claims made in former National Security Advisor John Bolton's new book.

JEA loses Plant Vogtle nuclear power lawsuit - News - The Florida Times-Union - Jacksonville, FL

JEA loses Plant Vogtle nuclear power lawsuit - News - The Florida Times-Union - Jacksonville, FL

Settlement sets guardrails for nuclear plant decommissioning | WWLP

Settlement sets guardrails for nuclear plant decommissioning | WWLP: Attorney General Maura Healey and the Baker administration have struck a deal with the company that owns the inactive nuclear plant in Plymouth that will require the company to maintain a decommissioning trust fund at a minimum balance and will settle lawsuits the state filed against federal nuclear energy regulators.

Advising Nuclear Power Plants on Lifetime Extensions: the IAEA's SALTO Service | IAEA

Advising Nuclear Power Plants on Lifetime Extensions: the IAEA's SALTO Service | IAEA: An increasing number of countries are looking into the long-term operation of their nuclear power plants – extending their lifetime beyond what they had originally been designed for three or four decades ago. To support operators and regulators in the safe extension of the useful life of power plants, the IAEA offers a safety review service known as SALTO — Safety Aspects of

Revised emergency zones to be implemented at Swedish plants : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Revised emergency zones to be implemented at Swedish plants : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The Swedish government has approved a Radiation Safety Authority proposal to implement new emergency preparedness zones around nuclear power plants by July 2022. Internal and external emergency zones as well as a planning zone will be set at a radius of 5, 25 and 100 km, respectively.

Holtec now able to progress Pilgrim decommissioning : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News

Holtec now able to progress Pilgrim decommissioning : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Holtec International have signed an agreement on key issues related to the decommissioning of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, including a guarantee by Holtec to ensure funds are available to cover future cost increases and other contingencies.

Framatome, GE and Rosatom team up for Belene project : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Framatome, GE and Rosatom team up for Belene project : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced today it has signed Memoranda of Understanding with France's Framatome and GE Steam Power of the USA to participate in a tender to construct the Belene nuclear power plant in Bulgaria.

IEA recovery plan proposes investment in nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News

IEA recovery plan proposes investment in nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: Investing in existing nuclear power plants, new nuclear build and supporting innovation in small modular reactors are among measures set out to support a broad range of clean energy technologies in an energy-focused COVID-19 economic recovery plan released today by the International Energy Agency. Its emphasis for nuclear investment, however, is on existing plants rather than new power units.

The long road back will clearly affect SLO City budgets

The long road back will clearly affect SLO City budgets: By Stephen Barasch and Leslie Halls According to the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, Jerome H. Powell, the domestic labor markets and the

Government, Energy, Sustainability – What Happens Now? | The Energy Collective Daily

Government, Energy, Sustainability – What Happens Now? | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

PG&E Takeover Bill Advances in California Legislature (1)

PG&E Takeover Bill Advances in California Legislature (1): California’s Assembly passed a bill Monday that would allow the state to create a nonprofit public-benefit corporation to acquire PG&E if the utility does not meet certain bankruptcy deadlines or fails to perform required safety work.

PG&E to Exit Bankruptcy After Wildfires, Still Saddled With Debt - WSJ

PG&E to Exit Bankruptcy After Wildfires, Still Saddled With Debt - WSJ: With a federal judge’s approval granted, the California utility leaves chapter 11 more leveraged than ever after settling billions of dollars in liability claims from deadly wildfires sparked by its equipment.

PG&E Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Manslaughter in Camp Fire Case - The New York Times

PG&E Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Manslaughter in Camp Fire Case - The New York Times: The California utility’s transmission line started the 2018 fire that killed dozens and destroyed the town of Paradise.

Georgia Nuclear: Vogtle – The Atomic Empire Strikes Back - Nuclear Energy Info

Georgia Nuclear: Vogtle – The Atomic Empire Strikes Back - Nuclear Energy Info: Georgia Nuclear: Vogtle Unit 3 Is Sinking! [BREDL Petition] , What Does the Leaning Tower of Pisa Have In Common with the Vogtle Nuclear Reactor? If you are a regular reader of our Demystifying Nuclear Power Blog, you know that the Fairewinds Crew posted this article on May 14, 2020, and if you

Georgia Nuclear: Vogtle Unit 3 Is Sinking! [BREDL Petition] - Nuclear Energy Info

Georgia Nuclear: Vogtle Unit 3 Is Sinking! [BREDL Petition] - Nuclear Energy Info: The famous tower in Pisa, Italy was designed to stand straight up, and like Vogtle, it began to lean during construction. During the ensuing years after construction, the Pisa tower continued to sink into the ground due to the inability of the failing foundation to sustain the tower’s heavy weight…

Use of nuclear technology gets green light in Rwanda | The New Times | Rwanda

Use of nuclear technology gets green light in Rwanda | The New Times | Rwanda

Work Begins On Installation Of Main Equipment At Fuel Fabrication Facility :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Work Begins On Installation Of Main Equipment At Fuel Fabrication Facility :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Russia has begun work on installation of the main equipment for a nuclear fuel fabrication facility at a pilot demonstration energy complex under construction near the city of Seversk in central Russia.



The complex is at the site of the Siberian Chemical Plant, which is run by state nuclear fuel company Tvel, a subsidiary of state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.



It is part of the country’s “Proryv” or “Breakthrough” project, which is designed to demonstrate a closed nuclear fuel cycle.

Regulator Says It Supports Principle Of Deep Geological Repository :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Regulator Says It Supports Principle Of Deep Geological Repository :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Belgium’s nuclear regulator said it is in favour of the proposed principle of deep geological storage for high-level and long-lived radioactive waste, but the safety of disposal plans is still to be demonstrated.



The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control said in a statement that current proposals deal only with the principle of geological disposal. “At this stage, it is not yet a question of discussing how, where and when the storage facility would be built,” the statement said.



In April the Belgian National Agency for Radioactive Waste and enriched Fissile Material (Ondraf/Niras) submitted a draft long-term management plan for high-level and long-lived conditioned radioactive waste to Fanc.



The plan, which is also the subject of a public inquiry, calls for a deep geological storage system on Belgian territory.

Estonia doesn’t want and can’t safely store radioactive powder, so 2,000 drums of it may be coming to southeastern Utah - The Salt Lake Tribune

Estonia doesn’t want and can’t safely store radioactive powder, so 2,000 drums of it may be coming to southeastern Utah - The Salt Lake Tribune

Global annual installed capacity of nuclear power to decline to 3GW

Global annual installed capacity of nuclear power to decline to 3GW: The reduced power consumption has led to operators curtailing their plants or optimising plant outputs to match nuclear power demand.

US regulator accepts Oklo's Aurora licence application for review - Nuclear Engineering International

US regulator accepts Oklo's Aurora licence application for review - Nuclear Engineering International: The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted for review a combined licence application from Oklo Power to build and operate its 1.5MW Aurora reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory site in Idaho.The proposed Aurora design uses heat...

European power prices impacted by COVID-19 pandemic : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News

European power prices impacted by COVID-19 pandemic : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News: Weaker economic activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic means that S&P Global Ratings' base-case assumptions for power prices in some of Europe's main markets in 2020-2021 are now up to 20% lower than its previous assumptions in November 2019. This, it says, is despite a drastic cut in French nuclear power production rates over the coming three years.

Leningrad II-2 gets regulatory approval for physical start-up : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Leningrad II-2 gets regulatory approval for physical start-up : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Russia's regulator Rostechnadzor has issued a permit for the physical start-up of Leningrad II unit 2, which completed hot tests last week. The regulator's inspection of the unit "confirmed its high degree of readiness for the start of physical launch, during which nuclear fuel will be loaded into the reactor core for the first time", state nuclear corporation Rosatom said today.

Polish climate minister lists benefits of adopting nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News

Polish climate minister lists benefits of adopting nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: Nuclear power will give Poland energy security, keep its rapid industrialisation cost-competitive and help it to achieve climate neutrality, Minister of Climate Michał Kurtyka said during a Nuclear Energy Agency WebChat this week. In conversation with NEA Director General William Magwood, Kurtyka said Poland had long-coveted nuclear power and was looking forward to the many benefits it offers as the country plans a clean energy future.

State Reaches Deal With Pilgrim Owners On Cleanup | Earthwhile

State Reaches Deal With Pilgrim Owners On Cleanup | Earthwhile: Agreement ensures financial, environmental, and public safety protections during the dismantlement and cleanup of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth

European power prices impacted by COVID-19 pandemic : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News

European power prices impacted by COVID-19 pandemic : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News: Weaker economic activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic means that S&P Global Ratings' base-case assumptions for power prices in some of Europe's main markets in 2020-2021 are now up to 20% lower than its previous assumptions in November 2019. This, it says, is despite a drastic cut in French nuclear power production rates over the coming three years.

Second nuclear reactor concrete base at Hinkley Point C completed

Second nuclear reactor concrete base at Hinkley Point C completed: Construction of the 49,000-tonne concrete base for the second reactor at Hinkley Point C is now completed. The base was made from 20,000 m3 of nuclear grade concrete

China tops world in most nuclear power units being built in 2019 - CGTN

China tops world in most nuclear power units being built in 2019 - CGTN

OPG Becomes First Utility to Snag Ownership Stake in Nuclear Microreactor Project

OPG Becomes First Utility to Snag Ownership Stake in Nuclear Microreactor Project: Marking the first time a utility has taken an ownership stake in a small modular reactor (SMR) project, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) formed a joint

Ghana to generate one gigawatt nuclear power by 2030 [ARTICLE] - Pulse Nigeria

Ghana to generate one gigawatt nuclear power by 2030 [ARTICLE] - Pulse Nigeria: Ghana has started a project which will see the country develop generate one gigawatt of nuclear power to add to its energy mix.

Nuclear plant 'moves to construction phase'

Nuclear plant 'moves to construction phase': Bradwell B, a proposed nuclear power plant, appears to be moving forward to its construction phase during the Covid-19 pandemic without proper public consultation.

Kinzinger praises federal nuclear energy rule change proposal - Ripon Advance

Kinzinger praises federal nuclear energy rule change proposal - Ripon Advance: U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) commended recent action by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) that would allow the United States to support civilian nuclear power projects around the world. “I’m pleased that the DFC is taking action to Read more...

Polish climate minister lists benefits of adopting nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News

Polish climate minister lists benefits of adopting nuclear : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: Nuclear power will give Poland energy security, keep its rapid industrialisation cost-competitive and help it to achieve climate neutrality, Minister of Climate Michał Kurtyka said during a Nuclear Energy Agency WebChat this week. In conversation with NEA Director General William Magwood, Kurtyka said Poland had long-coveted nuclear power and was looking forward to the many benefits it offers as the country plans a clean energy future.

The current North American power grid is showing its age. What's next?

The current North American power grid is showing its age. What's next?: Upgrading the grid would cost trillions. But replacing it with a decentralized, distributed power model would fit a carbon-zero future.

Advanced Energy Should Lead Economic Recovery Post COVID. Here’s How It Can Happen in California. | Energy Central

Advanced Energy Should Lead Economic Recovery Post COVID. Here’s How It Can Happen in California. | Energy Central

HyWay 27 investigating use of Dutch gas network to transport hydrogen | The Energy Collective Daily

HyWay 27 investigating use of Dutch gas network to transport hydrogen | The Energy Collective Daily

Link to The Energy Collective Network


Tuesday, June 16, 2020

How PG&E missed its chance to prevent the Camp Fire: Damning report on utility’s negligence

How PG&E missed its chance to prevent the Camp Fire: Damning report on utility’s negligence


Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article243571222.html?#storylink=cpy


https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article243571222.html?

Supreme Court lifts major hurdle to $7.5B Atlantic Coast Pipeline

 

Supreme Court lifts major hurdle to $7.5B Atlantic Coast Pipeline


https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-to-plead-guilty-on-84-counts-of-involuntary-manslaughter-ahead-of-bank/579876/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202020-06-16%20Utility%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:27945%5D&utm_term=Utility%20Dive

PG&E to plead guilty on 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter ahead of bankruptcy court decision


PG&E to plead guilty on 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter ahead of bankruptcy court decision



https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-to-plead-guilty-on-84-counts-of-involuntary-manslaughter-ahead-of-bank/579876/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202020-06-16%20Utility%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:27945%5D&utm_term=Utility%20Dive

PG&E pleads guilty in 84 deaths from 2018 Camp Fire


PG&E pleads guilty in 84 deaths from 2018 Camp Fire


https://seekingalpha.com/news/3583545-pg-and-e-pleads-guilty-in-84-deaths-from-2018-camp-fire?utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&mail_subject=pcg-pg-e-pleads-guilty-in-84-deaths-from-2018-camp-fire&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-3

Saudi Arabia Plans to Unify Strategy of Saudi-Foreign Business Councils | Asharq AL-awsat

Saudi Arabia Plans to Unify Strategy of Saudi-Foreign Business Councils | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Saudi Arabia Plans to Unify Strategy of Saudi-Foreign Business Councils | Asharq AL-awsat

Saudi Arabia Plans to Unify Strategy of Saudi-Foreign Business Councils | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

NIRAB recommends the development of SMRs and AMRs - Nuclear Engineering International

NIRAB recommends the development of SMRs and AMRs - Nuclear Engineering International: The UK’s Nuclear Innovation Research and Advisory Board (NIRAB) said in its latest Annual Report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that nuclear energy should provide at least half of the low-carbon...

Uranium exploration in Bannu, Kohat approved - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

Uranium exploration in Bannu, Kohat approved - Pakistan - DAWN.COM: Government plans to invest heavily in nuclear medicines.

IEA says nuclear is not on track to meet sustainability goals - Nuclear Engineering International

IEA says nuclear is not on track to meet sustainability goals - Nuclear Engineering International: The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) latest Clean Energy Progress Track report published on 11 June, assesses the full range of energy technologies and sectors.Only six out of 46 technologies and sectors were "on...

GTI Resources’ (ASX:GTR) sample assays confirm potential of Rat Nest Project - The Market Herald

GTI Resources’ (ASX:GTR) sample assays confirm potential of Rat Nest Project - The Market Herald: GTI Resources (ASX:GTR) has received positive results from its recently completed sampling program at the Rats Nest project in the Henry Mountains region, Utah.

New Invention to Prevent Future Fukushima - Innovation Origins

New Invention to Prevent Future Fukushima - Innovation Origins: It is almost a decade since the Fukushima nuclear disaster sent shockwaves around the world, and triggered a mass shift aware from nuclear power due to safety concerns. The reactor was designed to wit

Demolition begins in July for contaminated Santa Susana Field Laboratory buildings – Daily News

Demolition begins in July for contaminated Santa Susana Field Laboratory buildings – Daily News: A group of specialists with the Department of the Toxic Substances Control, known as DTSC, presented a plan to demolish 10 buildings.

1.5M pound nuclear reactor to be largest ever object transported on Nevada roads | Las Vegas Review-Journal

1.5M pound nuclear reactor to be largest ever object transported on Nevada roads | Las Vegas Review-Journal: A retired nuclear reactor and transport rig weighing in at 2.4 million pounds — the largest load ever to travel on Nevada roads — will soon begin a seven-day trip from Apex to Utah.

Tests start on modified VVER-440 fuel for Dukovany : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News

Tests start on modified VVER-440 fuel for Dukovany : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: Russia's OKB Gidropress has begun tests of a mock-up of third-generation nuclear fuel for VVER-440 reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. The aim of the tests is to study the mechanical stability of fuel components under thermal-hydraulic and dynamic conditions, which are close as possible to full-scale operation.

IAEA works to bolster preparedness for pandemics : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News

IAEA works to bolster preparedness for pandemics : Covid-19 - World Nuclear News: An initiative to strengthen global preparedness for future pandemics like COVID-19 has been launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The project, called ZODIAC, builds on the IAEA's experience in assisting countries in the use of nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques for the rapid detection of pathogens that cause transboundary animal diseases, including ones that spread to humans.

NRC to begin first-of-a-kind licence review : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

NRC to begin first-of-a-kind licence review : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

EM Update June 16, 2020

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The DOE Office of Legacy Management is set to assume long-term stewardship responsibility for 70 sites — represented by the yellow dots in this map — on the Nevada Test and Training Range where the EM Nevada Program completed environmental corrective actions in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order.

LAS VEGAS – The EM Nevada Program and DOE Office of Legacy Management (LM) are nearing completion of a transfer of long-term stewardship responsibilities for 70 sites on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), including the Tonopah Test Range (TTR).
The transfer from EM to LM — among EM's ambitious priorities for 2020 — is expected to occur by Sept. 30.
"In partnership with the Office of Legacy Management and our lead environmental program services contractor, Navarro Research and Engineering, the EM Nevada Program is proud to be advancing the transfer of these sites,” EM Nevada Program Manager Rob Boehlecke said. “We fully expect to complete the transfer on time and on budget. This progress supports our federal cleanup mission and shows firsthand what can be accomplished when a dedicated team works together to accomplish a goal.”
The transfer process also involves the review and transmission of more than 7,200 documents and records from the EM Nevada Program to LM. Once the transfer is complete, LM will assume responsibility for long-term surveillance and maintenance of the sites in perpetuity.
In accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO), the EM Nevada Program recently completed cleanup at sites on NTTR where contaminated soil and debris resulted from historic nuclear weapons testing and support activities. FFACO is a legally-binding agreement signed in 1996 that outlines a schedule of cleanup and monitoring commitments.
In the 1960s, sites at the NTTR were used to test nuclear weapons to determine if they could be accidentally set off and produce a nuclear yield. These experiments resulted in the contamination of soil and debris. During recently completed cleanup of these sites, contaminated soil and debris were transported to the Nevada National Security Site for permanent disposal.
For more information on the EM Nevada Program’s environmental restoration activities, click here
-Contributor: Michelle French


Oak Ridge Marks Another Teardown on Path to Vision 2020

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Demolition begins on Building K-2500-H. The facility was located near the massive K-25 gaseous diffusion building and supported demolition efforts for that project.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) has conducted large-scale demolition at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) for nearly 15 years.
OREM and its contractor UCOR are nearing completion of teardowns there, and one facility they recently demolished had supported demolition work over the years.
Crews took down K-2500-H, also known as the Segmentation Shop. Contaminated equipment, piping, and other items generated by demolition projects were sent to the facility to be prepared for shipment for disposal.
Constructed in 2007 near the massive K-25 gaseous diffusion building, the Segmentation Shop was used to process items from K-25, the K-27 gaseous diffusion building, and other facilities that once supported the site’s uranium enrichment operations.
“The Segmentation Shop served a crucial purpose, allowing for efficient disposal of a variety of components pulled from various buildings,” said James Daffron, acting ETTP portfolio federal project director. “The fact that it is no longer needed highlights how close we are to completing site cleanup.”

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A view of the remains from the demolition of the Segmentation Shop as Oak Ridge crews come closer to achieving Vision 2020. Cleanup efforts at the East Tennessee Technology Park will remove more than 13 million square feet of facilities.

While crews have completed demolition of all facilities that previously supported uranium enrichment operations, the Segmentation Shop became the latest in a long list of unneeded buildings that crews have removed at ETTP.
Only a handful of unneeded structures remain at the site. Demolition and major cleanup activities are expected to be completed at ETTP this year — a goal known as Vision 2020. It will account for the elimination of more than 13 million square feet, marking the first time in the world an entire uranium enrichment complex is removed. More than 12 million square feet of the complex has been removed already.
OREM and UCOR are working together to transform ETTP into a multi-use industrial park, national park, and conservation area for the community. That vision has already started to become a reality. OREM has transferred almost 1,300 acres at ETTP for economic development, with another 600 acres slated for transfer in the years ahead. OREM has also set aside more than 100 acres for historic preservation and placed more than 3,000 acres in conservation for community recreational use.
-Contributor: Wayne McKinney


EM Names New WIPP, Los Alamos Managers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security

EM has named new managers for the Carlsbad and Los Alamos field offices, and a new Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance, among leadership updates at its sites and at headquarters.
Reinhard Knerr has been selected as manager of the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO), where he will oversee operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). He will transition from his current role as DUF6 Federal Project Director at the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office where he supervises the depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) conversion facilities at the Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky sites.
Knerr has held leadership and strategic planning roles at the Paducah site since 2004, including managing environmental remediation work, transitioning the site’s gaseous diffusion plant from the United States Enrichment Corporation back to the Department of Energy, and initiating utility and infrastructure optimization projects. He also has served as the transuranic waste certification team leader at WIPP, and has over nine years of experience as a nuclear criticality safety engineer supporting contractor operations at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Pantex Plant. Knerr holds a Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.



At Carlsbad, Knerr will replace Greg Sosson, who has served as acting manager since December 2019. Sosson will return to EM headquarters to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance. That position holds broad responsibility for overseeing the development of strategies, policy, and guidance for safety, security, and emergency preparedness to support the EM mission.
Sosson previously held the position of Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Oversight at EM headquarters. Prior to joining DOE, Sosson was in the commercial nuclear industry for 28 years in senior operations and engineering positions with a focus on safe and efficient mission accomplishment, including 10 years as a senior reactor operator. He also spent 10 years as a light and mechanized infantry officer in the Army Reserve and National Guard. Sosson holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. He is a licensed professional engineer.
Mike Mikolanis, who has been serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance, will return to his role as assistant manager for nuclear material stabilization at the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office (DOE-SR).




Kirk Lachman has been selected as manager of the EM-Los Alamos Field Office, following a tenure as deputy manager and acting manager of CBFO. Before joining CBFO, Lachman was the Deputy Chief for Field Operations at EM headquarters. He has served in a variety of line management and safety oversight positions from 2010-2017 at the Nevada Field Office. He served from 2005 until 2010 as the engineering design group supervisor for the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management in Las Vegas.
Lachman graduated from the DOE Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program as well as the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program. He has a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University.
Lachman will replace Thomas Johnson, who has served as acting manager of EM-Los Alamos since March. Johnson will return to the Savannah River Site, where he serves as deputy manager of DOE-SR. In that role, Johnson has broad leadership responsibility for approximately $1 billion in annual operating and construction activities at SRS in the areas of environmental stewardship, and nuclear materials processing and disposition.


Hanford Marks 25 Years of Successfully Treating Wastewater

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A view of the Effluent Treatment Facility’s process floor. Since 1995, the facility has processed more than 330 million gallons of contaminated wastewater to remove radioactive and chemical waste.

RICHLAND, Wash. – A significant component of EM’s complex chain of Hanford Site waste treatment facilities is marking a quarter century of safely treating contaminated wastewater while stretching the storage capacity of underground double-shell tanks.
The “Liquid Waste Processing Facilities” is a term used to collectively describe four primary facilities that work together to store, treat, and dispose of large volumes of liquid waste from around the site. The four facilities are the Liquid Effluent Retention Facility, Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), Treated Effluent Disposal Facility, and the State-Approved Land Disposal Site.
Since 1995, the four facilities have processed more than 330 million gallons of contaminated wastewater to remove radioactive and chemical waste, primarily from the 242-A Evaporator. That equipment boils liquid tank waste to evaporate water, also called effluent, to reduce the volume of waste stored in Hanford’s underground tanks. Waste volume reduction is also critical for single-shell tank waste retrievals to double-shell tanks.
“Continued operations and volume management are important to meeting the Hanford mission need,” said Richard Valle, Tank Farm program manager.

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Two new vessels were installed in the Effluent Treatment Facility in 2019. The facility is undergoing upgrades as it prepares to support Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste operations to begin by the end of 2023.

The Liquid Effluent Retention Facility is currently designed to store about 23 million gallons of liquid waste until it can be processed at the ETF. The ETF processes the liquid waste to remove chemical and radioactive contaminants. Treated hazardous and radioactive effluent from ETF is then discharged to the State-Approved Land Disposal Site. The Treated Effluent Disposal Facility collects nonhazardous and nonradioactive treated wastewaters that are pumped to two infiltration basins on the site.
“In 2019, the ETF treated 3.4 million gallons of contaminated wastewater, exceeding its goal for the year by 1.4 million gallons,” said Brandon McFerran, ETF manager for Washington River Protection Solutions, EM’s Hanford tank operations contractor.
The ETF is undergoing upgrades to improve operations and reliability as crews prepare it to support Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste operations. The ETF is part of the planned 24/7 conversion of liquid waste to a safe solidified glass form in the new Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.
-Contributor: Michael Butler


Spent Nuclear Fuel Transfers Support EM’s Commitment to State of Idaho

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EM workers use a crane to lower a canister filled with spent nuclear fuel into a liner inside the Radioactive Scrap and Waste Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory Site.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Crews recently completed the first two of nearly 40 shipments of spent nuclear fuel to a temporary storage area at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site planned for 2020, helping EM move toward meeting its commitment with the State of Idaho to transfer the material from wet to dry storage by 2023.
Spent nuclear fuel handlers and other employees with Fluor Idaho, EM’s INL Site cleanup contractor, retrieved the fuel from an underwater basin at Chemical Processing Plant (CPP)-666 at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC). They transferred the fuel to a shipping cask, which was loaded onto a tractor trailer and transported to the Radioactive Scrap and Waste Facility (RSWF) at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC). The cask was then unloaded from the trailer, placed over below-ground steel fuel storage liners, and lowered into place.
The RSWF, measuring almost 450 feet long and 390 feet wide, was originally built to receive remote-handled transuranic waste. However, modifications allowed it to serve as a temporary storage area for the fuel.
“The first shipments went off perfectly,” said Russ Cottam, Fluor Idaho spent nuclear fuel manager. “Our crews had practiced the processes using a mock-up and used a mobile crane and forklift to simulate the conditions at the RSWF. The placement of fuel at RSWF went according to plan.”

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Equipment operators move a cask filled with spent nuclear fuel to a storage liner at the Radioactive Scrap and Waste Facility.

Workers are scheduled to make as many as 38 additional shipments of the fuel from INTEC to RSWF this year, with shipments continuing into 2021.
Beginning in September last year, equipment operators, engineers, fuel handlers, fabricators, and others worked as a team to conduct mock-ups of the fuel transfers at INTEC. Using a cask assembly built by the INTEC fabrication shop and a cask designed by INTEC engineers, the team practiced the transfers.
“So many dedicated people were involved in this effort,” Cottam said. “Using a mock-up allowed the team to identify challenges, revise procedures, and perform the steps flawlessly. It was the epitome of a well thought-out and executed project.”
The fuel had originated from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) reactor, which operated at the former Argonne National Laboratory-West, now MFC, from 1964 until 1994. The reactor generated power for the INL and provided reactor research benefits. Spent nuclear fuel from EBR-II was transferred to wet storage at CPP-666 from 1986 to 1999.
The spent nuclear fuel basin at INTEC is now nearly 95 percent empty. Just two fuel types remain: EBR-II and Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). ATR fuel continues to be transferred to CPP-603 for dry storage.
-Contributor: Erik Simpson


Shift Technical Engineer Program Growing to Meet SRS Mission Needs

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EM Update | Vol. 12, Issue 13 | June 16, 2020
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EM Nevada Transfer of 70 Sites to Legacy Management Nearly Complete

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Reinhard Knerr has been selected as manager of the Carlsbad Field Office.
Greg Sosson will serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance.

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After serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance, Mike Mikolanis will return to his role as assistant manager for nuclear material stabilization at the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office.
Kirk Lachman has been selected as manager of the EM-Los Alamos Field Office.

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After serving as acting manager of the EM-Los Alamos Field Office, Thomas Johnson will return to the Savannah River Site, where he serves as deputy manager of the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office.
John Mills conducts plant gauge checks at the Defense Waste Processing Facility as part of his job as a shift technical engineer for Savannah River Remediation at the Savannah River Site.

AIKEN, S.C. – A team of technical engineers is among the many groups growing to support the increased pace of liquid waste operations at EM’s Savannah River Site (SRS).
These engineers with SRS liquid waste contractor Savannah River Remediation (SRR) play a key role in daily operations at liquid waste facilities. As the engineering point of contact on each shift, they work at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) and Tank Farm facilities, home to the underground waste tanks, helping ensure safe operations, making critical decisions in the field, and resolving emergent plant issues.
There are currently two shift technical engineers per shift covering the Tank Farm facilities and DWPF, and SRR plans to increase it to three per shift to provide staffing for the ramped-up waste processing expected to support the new Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF). SWPF is the EM facility that will process the remaining salt waste at SRS, which makes up about 90 percent of the remaining radioactive waste stored in underground tanks.
“With SWPF coming online, there will be more waste transfers, procedure changes, and emergent issues, and so there is a need to evaluate current shift technical engineer staffing,” SRR President and Project Manager Phil Breidenbach said. “The additional technical engineers will provide increased capability for solving emergent issues on shift without detracting from their primary role, which is to ensure compliance with the safety basis.”
More than 14 engineers have been promoted to shift technical engineer roles over the last four years, and there are currently 25 in the program — nine of which are training. Because of the high level of facility knowledge required, the training and qualification process to become a shift technical engineer is rigorous. It’s a four-part process: prerequisites, additional classroom training, on-the-job training, and a demanding oral examination. It usually takes about a year to become qualified.
“It is important to the overall liquid waste mission and day-to-day operations to identify key people who will perform well as a shift technical engineer and train them early and thoroughly to take on this vital role,” Breidenbach said.
For SRR shift technical engineer Annah Garrison, the best part of the job is the people.
“Working on shift you get to know the people well, and it feels like family,” said Garrison, who has worked in the position in the tank facilities for just over two years. “We look out for each other, and we work together to do the right thing. My shift always challenges me and motivates me to improve. It feels good to work as a team to accomplish something together.”
-Contributor: Colleen Hart

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