Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, August 28, 2020

Neutron Bytes | A time traveler from the age of steam

Neutron Bytes | A time traveler from the age of steam: A time traveler from the age of steam

Finnish working group calls for reform of nuclear legislation : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Finnish working group calls for reform of nuclear legislation : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: A comprehensive reform of Finnish nuclear energy legislation is needed, a working group appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has concluded. It highlighted the ambiguity of current legislation, changes in the operating environment of nuclear facilities, and expected developments.

Further delay in commissioning of Finnish EPR : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Further delay in commissioning of Finnish EPR : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Fuel loading at the Olkiluoto 3 EPR will now not take place until March next year, according to a revised schedule provided to Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj by the Areva-Siemens consortium. Grid connection is now scheduled for October 2021, with regular electricity production due to start in February 2022.

Pirmatov highlights shifting market sentiment : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News

Pirmatov highlights shifting market sentiment : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: Kazatomprom CEO Galymzhan Pirmatov highlighted changing sentiment in the uranium market when announcing the Kazakh uranium producer's half-yearly financial results yesterday. The impact of reductions in Kazatomprom's operations due to COVID-19 measures will not be seen until the second-half of this year, he said, and the company expects its inventory levels to fall below its target of six to seven months of annual attributable production in 2020 and 2021.

ANS Black Racial Justice in the Nuclear Community September 2, 2020

 

The American Nuclear Society is proud to present the first of a series of actions
organized by the Diversity and Inclusion in ANS Committee (DIA).
Taking Action: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Roundtable Series
Black Racial Justice in the Nuclear Community
Wednesday, September 2 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm EDT
How can ANS address this important issue? Panelists discuss racial justice, sharing experiences through their personal and professional roles. Attendees are welcome to submit questions and comments during the conversation. Recommendations will serve as a springboard for the work of ANS and DIA in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Register now.
 
Remarks by
  • Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, ANS President
  • Craig Piercy, ANS Executive Director/CEO
Panelists
  • Warren "Pete" Miller, retired (LANL) and former U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy
  • Michelle Scott, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Charlyne Smith, University of Florida
  • Ira Strong, Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station
  • Sola Talabi, Pittsburgh Technical
Moderators
  • Lane Carasik, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Lisa Marshall, North Carolina State University
 The webinar is free to ANS members, who are encouraged to attend and participate.
 

Exelon Makes Plans to Retire Byron and Dresden Nuclear Plants in 2021

Exelon Makes Plans to Retire Byron and Dresden Nuclear Plants in 2021: In a stunning announcement, Exelon Generation, which operates the largest U.S. fleet of nuclear plants—21 reactors at 12 facilities in Illinois, Maryland,

NuScale Power Makes History as the First Ever Small Modular Reactor to Receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Design Approval | NuScale Power

NuScale Power Makes History as the First Ever Small Modular Reactor to Receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Design Approval | NuScale Power: A significant regulatory milestone accomplished as NuScale readies to bring its SMR technology to market this decade NuScale Power announced today that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed Phase 6 review—the last and final phase—of the Design Certification Application (DCA) for the company’s groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) with the issuance of the Final Safety Evaluation Report (FSER). The FSER represents completion of the technical review and approval of the NuScale SMR design. With this final phase of NuScale’s DCA now complete, customers can proceed with plans to develop NuScale power plants with the understanding that the NRC has approved the safety aspects of the NuScale design. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200828005299/en/ An artist’s rendering of NuScale Power’s small modular nuclear reactor plant. Photo courtesy of NuScale “This is a significant milestone not only for

Fukushima Update August 28, 2020

 

Fukushima Update August 28, 2020 –

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will resign due to health issues… Evacuation orders for some Fukushima “difficult to return” areas will be relaxed… Evacuated Elementary and junior high students return to reclaim their past… Fukui Prefecture held a nuclear accident drill to prepare for circumstances caused by the COVID19 pandemic… Fukui Prefecture held Japan’s first nuclear accident drill involving pandemic considerations… Suttsu Town’s interest in hosting Japan’s high level waste facility is stimulating national interest… The Rokkasho fuel reprocessing facility experiences yet another delay.

https://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

Natural Gas Still Alternative for Back-Up Power in California, Says PG&E - Natural Gas Intelligence

Natural Gas Still Alternative for Back-Up Power in California, Says PG&E - Natural Gas Intelligence: California has basically ruled out longer-term natural gas use as an option for back-up power at utility substations during planned outages, but San

Hunterston B to close two years early after cracks found in reactor core - BBC News

Hunterston B to close two years early after cracks found in reactor core - BBC News: Regulator says one reactor can resume operations for a further six months despite the cracks.

french utility edf: Utility EDF raises French nuclear power generation outlook, Energy News, ET EnergyWorld

french utility edf: Utility EDF raises French nuclear power generation outlook, Energy News, ET EnergyWorld: EDF said construction activities were temporarily interrupted between mid-March and early May at its Flamanville 3 EPR nuclear reactor being built in ..

FirstEnergy had big stake in tainted nuclear plant bailout | News, Sports, Jobs - The Sentinel

FirstEnergy had big stake in tainted nuclear plant bailout | News, Sports, Jobs - The Sentinel: CLEVELAND (AP) — FirstEnergy Corp. was once blamed for its part in triggering North America’s largest blackout nearly 20 years ago. Now, the multistate power company is again facing intense scrutiny — this time for its role in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme that has ensnared one of Ohio’s most powerful politicians. While FirstEnergy […]

FirstEnergy had big stake in tainted nuclear plant bailout | News, Sports, Jobs - The Sentinel

FirstEnergy had big stake in tainted nuclear plant bailout | News, Sports, Jobs - The Sentinel: CLEVELAND (AP) — FirstEnergy Corp. was once blamed for its part in triggering North America’s largest blackout nearly 20 years ago. Now, the multistate power company is again facing intense scrutiny — this time for its role in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme that has ensnared one of Ohio’s most powerful politicians. While FirstEnergy […]

Army dismantling deactivated nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir | Headlines | insidenova.com

Army dismantling deactivated nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir | Headlines | insidenova.com

WTOP photo tour: Historic nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir to be dismantled | WTOP

WTOP photo tour: Historic nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir to be dismantled | WTOP: The world’s first nuclear power reactor to provide electricity to a commercial power grid is on the grounds of Fort Belvoir. WTOP takes you on a tour of the facility before it is dismantled.

Closing Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear plants will only hurt Illinois - Chicago Sun-Times

Closing Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear plants will only hurt Illinois - Chicago Sun-Times: There is no way Illinois can achieve 100% clean energy as fast as necessary if the Byron and Dresden plants are shuttered.

ANS Webinar Taking Nuclear Science Week Virtual with NAYGN

 

View mobile/web version 

ANS Video Webinar
Taking Nuclear Science Week Virtual with NAYGN
Thursday, September 3 | 1:00 - 1:30 pm EDT
Virtual outreach can still be engaging and we want to show you how! Join the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) to learn interactive engagement techniques for celebrating Nuclear Science Week (October 19-23).
Nuclear Science Week (Oct 19-20)
Presenters will share their best practices for virtual classroom visits and more. Taking place next Thursday, September 3 at 1:00 pm EDT, the webinar is free and open to all! Register now.
 
Presenters:
 
Chris Chance, NAYGN Student Outreach Lead
Christy Fletcher, NAYGN Government Outreach Lead

US sanctions 24 Chinese companies over South China Sea island building - CNN

US sanctions 24 Chinese companies over South China Sea island building - CNN: The United States government has imposed sanctions on dozens of Chinese companies for helping Beijing advance its territorial claims in the South China Sea -- the first punitive action of its kind over the disputed waters, and one that is almost certain to escalate tensions between the countries.

U.S. Buys Almost All Abbott’s $5 Rapid Tests Made This Year - Bloomberg

U.S. Buys Almost All Abbott’s $5 Rapid Tests Made This Year - Bloomberg: The U.S. government is buying almost all of the $5 Covid tests Abbott Laboratories plans to produce this year, purchasing 150 million of the tests that were cleared yesterday and can be run in just 15 minutes.

97,000 People Got Convalescent Plasma. Who Knows if It Works? | WIRED

97,000 People Got Convalescent Plasma. Who Knows if It Works? | WIRED: A treatment made from the blood of recovered Covid-19 patients seemed promising in March. Today … well, it’s still just promising.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human iPSC-derived cardiac cells predicts novel cytopathic features in hearts of COVID-19 patients | bioRxiv

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human iPSC-derived cardiac cells predicts novel cytopathic features in hearts of COVID-19 patients | bioRxiv: COVID-19 causes cardiac dysfunction in up to 50% of patients, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Infection of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes with SARS-CoV-2 revealed robust transcriptomic and morphological signatures of damage in cardiomyocytes. These morphological signatures include a distinct pattern of sarcomere fragmentation, with specific cleavage of thick filaments, and numerous iPSC-cardiomyocytes that lacked nuclear DNA. Human autopsy specimens from COVID-19 patients also displayed marked sarcomeric disruption and similar fragmentation, as well as prevalently enucleated cardiomyocytes. These striking transcriptomic and cytopathic changes provide a roadmap to understand the mechanisms of COVID-19 cardiac damage, search for potential treatments, and determine the basis for prolonged cardiac morbidity observed in this pandemic.

### Competing Interest Statement

B.R.C. is a founder of Tenaya Therapeutics (https://www.tenayatherapeutics.com/), a company focused on finding treatments for heart failure, including genetic cardiomyopathies. B.R.C. and T.C.M. hold equity in Tenaya.

'Threadbare' US System Denounced as Study Shows 12 Million Lost Employer-Tied Health Care During Pandemic | naked capitalism

'Threadbare' US System Denounced as Study Shows 12 Million Lost Employer-Tied Health Care During Pandemic | naked capitalism: New data on how many lost their health insurance, which often means health care, due to Covid. And the numbers are not getting better soon.

American Industry's Future Depends on Open Source Tech

American Industry's Future Depends on Open Source Tech

 

https://chinatalk.substack.com/p/american-industrys-future-depends?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjo5MDg4NTYsIl8iOiJSNFM2KyIsImlhdCI6MTU5ODYyNjc1MiwiZXhwIjoxNTk4NjMwMzUyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItNDIyMCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.Sxs3pcJ3mGQoB5drgnFxoHlayeyccmAWyjnHlxCvhBY

VOA Journalists Fly Home After USAGM Fails to Renew J-1 Visas | Voice of America - English

VOA Journalists Fly Home After USAGM Fails to Renew J-1 Visas | Voice of America - English: This week, Valdya Baraputri had been scheduled to broadcast live from the Republican National Convention. Instead, she and a colleague were on a flight home to Indonesia on Monday, after the U.S. Agency for Global Media did not renew the J-1 visas that allowed them to work for Voice of America.  

Baraputri is one of at least 15 VOA language service journalists due to return to their country of origin in coming weeks. Their J-1 visa renewals came up as USAGM’s new leadership initiated a review into the specialized entry permits for individuals with unique skills.

Senator Chris Murphy Is Worried We’re Seeing Democracy’s Last Stand - The New York Times

Senator Chris Murphy Is Worried We’re Seeing Democracy’s Last Stand - The New York Times: “Frankly, democracy is supposed to elevate the issues that are personally important to people.”

How a New Wave of Black Activists Changed the Conversation - The New York Times

How a New Wave of Black Activists Changed the Conversation - The New York Times: George Floyd’s killing galvanized a nation. But small groups like the queer-led collective Black Visions are channeling that energy into a movement for political change.

Is Syrian Oil Now a 'U.S. National Interest'? | The American Conservative

Is Syrian Oil Now a 'U.S. National Interest'? | The American Conservative: We want to hear how keeping our troops there in harm's way is 'America First'

Why we are where we are – Catholic World Report

Why we are where we are – Catholic World Report

New book ponders the continuity (and conservatism) of today’s conservative movement – Catholic World Report

New book ponders the continuity (and conservatism) of today’s conservative movement – Catholic World Report

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Prayer to St. Rita for an impossible cause

Prayer to St. Rita for an impossible cause: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Under the weight of my burden, I turn to you, dear Rita, holy woman and saint. I am confident that you will hear my prayers and int…

Trump's 'tough on China' is no strategy. We need allies and immigration.

Trump's 'tough on China' is no strategy. We need allies and immigration.: A misguided China approach like Trump’s could lead us to discard our aces of alliances and global institutions or to severely restrict immigration.

Mike Pompeo’s Commission on Unalienable Rights Will Endanger Everyone’s Human Rights

Mike Pompeo’s Commission on Unalienable Rights Will Endanger Everyone’s Human Rights: The U.S. secretary of state’s commission cherry picks the issues that suit its agenda while undermining international law and threatening LGBT and women’s rights.

Welcome Back to Kissinger’s World – Foreign Policy

Welcome Back to Kissinger’s World – Foreign Policy: Perhaps it’s time to return to the ideas of one of the last century’s greatest realists.

Kamala Harris: If elected, we'll bring back the Iran nuclear deal

Kamala Harris: If elected, we'll bring back the Iran nuclear deal: Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris vows to ‘strengthen’ Iran nuclear deal, keep Israel’s military edge.

Scottish nuclear power station to shut down early after reactor problems | Scotland | The Guardian

Scottish nuclear power station to shut down early after reactor problems | Scotland | The Guardian: Exclusive: EDF Energy to close Hunterston next year after spending £200m on repairs

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan that could 'almost entirely' define clean energy policy under Biden admin

 

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan that could 'almost entirely' define clean energy policy under Biden admin

 

 https://www.utilitydive.com/news/senate-democrats-reveal-climate-plan-that-could-almost-entirely-define-cl/584227/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202020-08-27%20Utility%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:29340%5D&utm_term=Utility%20Dive

Framatome Lands 10,000 Instruments Contract - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers

Framatome Lands 10,000 Instruments Contract - 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.

IAEA Says Safety Has Continued To Improve At Research Reactor :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

IAEA Says Safety Has Continued To Improve At Research Reactor :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team said the operator of the 10 MW LVR-15 research reactor in the Czech Republic has continued to improve safety since a previous review in 2003, implementing significant refurbishments to modernise the reactor’s systems and components.



The Integrated Safety Assessment for Research Reactors (INSARR) team also found areas for safety improvements, such as in organisational aspects and in operational safety programmes.



The team called for strengthening the organisational structure for operation by clarifying staff roles and responsibilities to avoid potential conflicts of duties and authorities.

Pickering nuclear plant may live to 2025 | DurhamRegion.com

Pickering nuclear plant may live to 2025 | DurhamRegion.com: Critics say shutting down the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is overdue

Lehi City Council votes to back out of nuclear power project contract | Government and Politics | heraldextra.com

Lehi City Council votes to back out of nuclear power project contract | Government and Politics | heraldextra.com: The Lehi City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to withdraw the city from a multiagency nuclear power project that would provide nuclear power to cities across Utah, citing concerns over increasing

State environmental agency requires stricter monitoring of uranium mine near Grand Canyon | Politics | azdailysun.com

State environmental agency requires stricter monitoring of uranium mine near Grand Canyon | Politics | azdailysun.com: Public outcry pushed an Arizona environmental agency to require Canyon Mine, a uranium mine near the Grand Canyon, to apply for a more strict aquifer protection permit.

U.S. to spend $625 million in five quantum information research hubs - Reuters

U.S. to spend $625 million in five quantum information research hubs - Reuters: The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday said it will provide $625 million over the next five years for five newly formed quantum information research hubs as it tries to keep ahead of competing nations like China on the emerging technology.

Single plutonium pit costs millions of dollars, budget office estimates | News | aikenstandard.com

Single plutonium pit costs millions of dollars, budget office estimates | News | aikenstandard.com: Producing a plutonium pit, the core or trigger in a modern nuclear weapon, could cost approximately $6 million, according to a nonpartisan analysis published this week.

Rosatom plans REMIX fuel fabrication at Seversk facility : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News

Rosatom plans REMIX fuel fabrication at Seversk facility : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: Rosatom has approved a project to upgrade an experimental shop-floor for nuclear fuel fabrication at the site of the Siberian Chemical Combine, which is in Seversk, in the Tomsk region of Russia. The move will enable SCC to manufacture fuel assemblies with uranium-plutonium REMIX (regenerated mixture) fuel matrix for VVER-1000 reactors.

EDF to restart Hunterston B-7 soon : Corporate - World Nuclear News

EDF to restart Hunterston B-7 soon : Corporate - World Nuclear News: EDF has received regulatory approval to start generating low carbon power again from Reactor 3 at Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire, Scotland. This follows a two-year inspection and investment programme. EDF also said the plant will move into the defuelling phase no later than 7 January 2022. This is subject to a further inspection in the spring of 2021 and then regulatory approval for a final six months of operation.

IAEA chief explains outcome of Iran talks : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

IAEA chief explains outcome of Iran talks : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The agreement reached yesterday between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran is "very, very important" for non-proliferation, peace and security and the work of the agency worldwide, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told reporters on his return to Vienna from Tehran last night.

Exelon announces early shutdown of four Illinois reactors : Corporate - World Nuclear News

Exelon announces early shutdown of four Illinois reactors : Corporate - World Nuclear News: US utility Exelon Generation announced today both the two-unit Byron and Dresden nuclear power plants will be retired in 2021 as "the result of market rules that favour polluting power plants over carbon-free nuclear energy". It warned that further plants are at risk of premature closure due to these unfavourable market rules.

ANS Virtual Career Fair September 22-23, 2929

 

ANS Virtual Career Fair
Participate in this free event for ANS members!
You’re invited to attend the American Nuclear Society’s first-ever Virtual Career Fair, September 22-23! Register today for this free event exclusively for ANS members.
 
If you’re a student or early-career professional in the nuclear science, engineering, and technology fields, take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn about co-ops, internships, and full-time employment opportunities in a convenient, one-stop-shop, online setting.
 
Representatives from national labs, government agencies, vendors, and more are scheduled to participate. You’ll hear directly from organizations about their career opportunities and will have the opportunity to network and ask questions. 
 
Join your peers for this exclusive members-only event brought to you by the ANS Young Members Group and Student Sections Committee!
 
Organization Participation
Recruit top talent from the next generation of leaders in the nuclear community by purchasing one or more one-hour time slots. This is a great opportunity to showcase your company, answer questions, and meet with recruits. ANS Organization Members and universities save 20%. Sign-up today!

ans(1).jpg

World Nuclear Association Strategic eForum 2020

 


Strategic eForum 2020

9-11 September

Dear All,

 

We are pleased to announce that the registration for World Nuclear Association Strategic eForum 2020 is now open!

Don't miss the opportunity to join this exciting free virtual event, so click the button below to register for the high-level panels:

 

Register here
Visit our website to see the list of confirmed speakers, featuring:

 


 

 

Ilya Rebrov

Chief Financial Officer, ROSATOM


 
 
Jay Wileman
President and CEO, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

 
 
Zheng Mingguang
Senior Vice President, SNPTC

 

Exciting hot-seat interviews with industry experts will be available to watch on our website next week

World Nuclear Association is the international organisation that represents the nuclear industry. Its mission is to promote a wider understanding of nuclear energy among key international influencers by producing authoritative information, developing common industry positions and contributing to the energy debate.

 

www.world-nuclear.org

Sponsors:


Media partners:









World Nuclear Association, Tower House, 10 Southampton Street, London WC2E 7HA, UK

© World Nuclear Association. Registered in England and Wales, company number 01215741.