How Israel built a nuclear program right under the Americans’ noses - Israel News - Haaretz.com

How Israel built a nuclear program right under the Americans’ noses - Israel News - Haaretz.com: Concerned that Israel might be trying to attain nuclear capability, the U.S., in the mid-1960s, insisted on regular visits to Dimona. The visiting experts came away reassured of Israel’s intentions, but not everyone in the U.S. government was convinced.

Highly contagious coronavirus variant to become dominant in U.S., CDC warns - The Washington Post

Highly contagious coronavirus variant to become dominant in U.S., CDC warns - The Washington Post: Agency data predicts U.K. variant will spread rapidly, intensifying urgency of vaccinations

Belarusian unit brought to 100% capacity : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Belarusian unit brought to 100% capacity : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Unit 1 of the nuclear power plant under construction in Belarus reached 100% of its capacity on 12 January, Russia's Rosatom said yesterday. The reactor, near Ostrovets in the Grodno region of Belarus, is of the AES-2006 design, which is the latest version of the VVER-1200 and the first of its kind built outside Russia.

NuScale Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Moves Another Step Forward

NuScale Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Moves Another Step Forward: The small modular nuclear reactor designed by NuScale has received an order to prepare for a combined construction and operating license application to build their SMR as part of the Carbon Free Power Project of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS).

The real challenges to nuclear are external, says panel : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News

The real challenges to nuclear are external, says panel : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News: The challenges the nuclear industry faces are largely external and must be overcome if it is to help tackle the existential threat of climate change, panellists in the Nuclear Energy and its Future session of the Reuters Next conference on 11 January said. These challenges include: the notion nuclear is an out-dated technology; the cost of finance; market design; political changes; perceived competition with renewable energy; and the public's misconceptions about radioactive waste.

China on Track to Supplant US as Top Nuclear Energy Purveyor | Voice of America - English

China on Track to Supplant US as Top Nuclear Energy Purveyor | Voice of America - English: Experts say China is on a course to displace the United States as the global leader in the production and sale of nuclear power generation, providing yet another avenue for Beijing's drive to become the world's leading economic and diplomatic power.  A recent study published in Strategic Studies Quarterly, a journal sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, found that since 2000, 96 nuclear reactors have been connected to the grid in 13 countries.

CO2 Emissions Increase Ocean Acidity | IAEA

CO2 Emissions Increase Ocean Acidity | IAEA: CO2 Emissions Increase Ocean Acidity

Call for Papers: International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management | IAEA

Call for Papers: International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management | IAEA: Interested contributors have until 5 March 2021 to submit abstracts for the International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management: Solutions for a Sustainable Future, to be held in Vienna, Austria from 1-5 November 2021.

Final Brexit impact on nuclear supply chains remains unclear | Reuters Events | Nuclear

Final Brexit impact on nuclear supply chains remains unclear | Reuters Events | Nuclear: EU members with a civil nuclear program are subject to the rights and obligations under the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Treaty, established in 1957, and while the UK is no longer bound to this, it has signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) which closely tracks the older accord. The final 21-page, 24-article NCA was signed by the UK and Euratom on Christmas

Russian robot helps to dismantle graphite reactors - Nuclear Engineering International

Russian robot helps to dismantle graphite reactors - Nuclear Engineering International: Russia’s Special Design and Technological Bureau of Applied Robotics (SKTB PR) at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Technopolis Moscow has developed a mobile robotic complex for dismantling the graphite stack of carbon-graphite...

EPRI names Rita Baranwal as new VP of nuclear, CNO -- ANS / Newswire

EPRI names Rita Baranwal as new VP of nuclear, CNO -- ANS / Newswire

Critical energy workers need COVID-19 vaccine sooner, FERC tells CDC | Power Engineering

Critical energy workers need COVID-19 vaccine sooner, FERC tells CDC | Power Engineering: First posted in Hydro Review The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requesting that specific members of the energy workforce receive the COVID-19 vaccine sooner, moving from Phase 1c to 1b. In the letter, signed by all FERC commissioners, the agency says, “Over the course of […]

The social costs of nuclear power plant closure - Nuclear Engineering International

The social costs of nuclear power plant closure - Nuclear Engineering International

PG&E wins California safety certificate, protecting from fire liability (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha

PG&E wins California safety certificate, protecting from fire liability (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha: PG&E (PCG +4.6%) powers higher after the California Public Utilities Commission grants the utility a new wildfire safety certificate, Bloomberg reports.The certificate is said to be valid for 12 months and allows PG&E to use financing from California's wildfire fund to help pay for any fire it startsCiti analyst Ryan Levine says the certificate is "a big win and protects shareholders for the entire next wildfire season from wildfire liabilities."The PG&E share price is "a classic case of market mispricing," Robert Honeywill writes in a bearish analysis published on Seeking Alpha.

My Life at a Russian Propaganda Network - POLITICO Magazine

My Life at a Russian Propaganda Network - POLITICO Magazine: I thought they’d let me be a real journalist at Sputnik news. I was wrong.

NuScale, UAMPS Kick Off Idaho SMR Nuclear Plant Licensing

NuScale, UAMPS Kick Off Idaho SMR Nuclear Plant Licensing: NuScale Power, Fluor Corp., and Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) have executed a series of major agreements to prepare for licensing of the

Energy industry wary of hiring Trump staff - POLITICO

Energy industry wary of hiring Trump staff - POLITICO: Yazoo hullabaloo — High court takes small refinery exemption case

Nuclear fusion tech developer General Fusion now has Shopify and Amazon founders backing it | TechCrunch

Nuclear fusion tech developer General Fusion now has Shopify and Amazon founders backing it | TechCrunch: In a brief announcement today, the Canadian nuclear fusion technology developer General Fusion announced that the investment firm created by Shopify founder Tobias Lütke has joined the company’s cap table. The size of the investment made by Lütke’s Thistledown Capital was not disclosed,…

Bipartisan American Nuclear Infrastructure Act Looks to Revitalize U.S. Nuclear Energy Industry - Niskanen Center

Bipartisan American Nuclear Infrastructure Act Looks to Revitalize U.S. Nuclear Energy Industry - Niskanen Center: The provisions in AINA that maintain the existing nuclear fleet—while looking to achieve breakthroughs in advanced nuclear reactors—help ensure that nuclear power remains a valuable tool that we can leverage to meet short and long-term decarbonization goals.

NuScale Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Moves Another Step Forward

NuScale Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Moves Another Step Forward: The small modular nuclear reactor designed by NuScale has received an order to prepare for a combined construction and operating license application to build their SMR as part of the Carbon Free Power Project of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS).

China on Track to Supplant US as Top Nuclear Energy Purveyor | Voice of America - English

China on Track to Supplant US as Top Nuclear Energy Purveyor | Voice of America - English: Experts say China is on a course to displace the United States as the global leader in the production and sale of nuclear power generation, providing yet another avenue for Beijing's drive to become the world's leading economic and diplomatic power.  A recent study published in Strategic Studies Quarterly, a journal sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, found that since 2000, 96 nuclear reactors have been connected to the grid in 13 countries.

US grant made for Romanian SMR siting assessment : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

US grant made for Romanian SMR siting assessment : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Romanian national nuclear company Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica has been awarded a non-refundable grant of USD1.28 million by the US Trade and Development Agency for use in the identification of potential sites in Romania to host small modular reactors. The USTDA is an independent federal government agency focused on connecting US companies with export opportunities in emerging markets.

NWMO on track to start first borehole at South Bruce : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News

NWMO on track to start first borehole at South Bruce : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: Construction has been completed at the first of two sites in South Bruce, Ontario, ahead of the start of borehole drilling, Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organisation has announced. The boreholes are part of the organisation's investigations into the suitability of the site for a geologic repository for used nuclear fuel.

The real challenges to nuclear are external, says panel : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News

The real challenges to nuclear are external, says panel : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News: The challenges the nuclear industry faces are largely external and must be overcome if it is to help tackle the existential threat of climate change, panellists in the Nuclear Energy and its Future session of the Reuters Next conference on 11 January said. These challenges include: the notion nuclear is an out-dated technology; the cost of finance; market design; political changes; perceived competition with renewable energy; and the public's misconceptions about radioactive waste.

Nuclear power is a billion-dollar boost to N.J.’s recovery from the pandemic recession | Opinion - nj.com

Nuclear power is a billion-dollar boost to N.J.’s recovery from the pandemic recession | Opinion - nj.com: Our state’s nuclear plants provide a livelihood for 1,600 direct employees.

The social costs of nuclear power plant closure - Nuclear Engineering International

The social costs of nuclear power plant closure - Nuclear Engineering International

North Korea: Will Kim Jong Un resume ICBM and nuclear tests? | Nuclear Weapons News | Al Jazeera

North Korea: Will Kim Jong Un resume ICBM and nuclear tests? | Nuclear Weapons News | Al Jazeera: At party Congress, Kim pledges to expand weapons programmes with the aim of ‘making a preemptive nuclear strike’.

Agencies release final report into California’s heat-related blackouts | Energy Central

Agencies release final report into California’s heat-related blackouts | Energy Central: The final root cause report from the California Blackouts of 2020, is now available online. Any Balancing Authority or Reliability Coordinator that is facing increasing amounts of distributed energy resources, with intermittent performance, should take a serious look at these findings and consider the recommended changes to system planning, resource adequacy and load

Contaminated gear at Savannah River Site the focus of new DOE disposal study | News | postandcourier.com

Contaminated gear at Savannah River Site the focus of new DOE disposal study | News | postandcourier.com: The Department of Energy plans to review whether equipment used in the treatment of radioactive waste at the Savannah River Site can be shipped out of South Carolina for commercial

U.S., Canada complete nuclear material shipping effort -- ANS / Newswire

U.S., Canada complete nuclear material shipping effort -- ANS / Newswire

Schultz: Nuclear Icebreakers Are Not An Option for Coast Guard - USNI News

Schultz: Nuclear Icebreakers Are Not An Option for Coast Guard - USNI News: The Coast Guard will not pursue nuclear-powered icebreakers, despite previous White House requests that the service assess the possibility, its top officer said Wednesday. Speaking at the Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium, Coast Guard commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said the service and the Navy discuss what kind of icebreaking capability the sea services require, but …

White House executive order promotes development of space and defense nuclear power systems - SpaceNews

White House executive order promotes development of space and defense nuclear power systems - SpaceNews: Less than a month after issuing a policy directive on space nuclear power, the White House released an executive order Jan. 12 advancing those efforts.

New nuclear plant could rise at site of former one in NJ

New nuclear plant could rise at site of former one in NJ: LACEY, N.J. (AP) — The company that's in the process of mothballing one of the nation's oldest nuclear power plants says it is interested in building a new next-generation nuclear reactor at the...

"Nuclear" Shouldn't Frighten You - Persuasion

"Nuclear" Shouldn't Frighten You - Persuasion: To fight climate change, we need this power source. Still uneasy? Here's what you ought to know.

The U.S. Should Promote Nuclear Power - HumanProgress

The U.S. Should Promote Nuclear Power - HumanProgress: Reforming nuclear regulation should be at the forefront of energy policy in the years to come.

Advanced Nuclear Reactors: 5 Designs That Will Shape the Future

Advanced Nuclear Reactors: 5 Designs That Will Shape the Future: These five advanced nuclear reactors will shape the future of energy.

Rep. Fleischmann's Big Idea: How the US can stay ahead of China on nuclear energy | Fox News

Rep. Fleischmann's Big Idea: How the US can stay ahead of China on nuclear energy | Fox News: The U.S. must invest in its "nuclear renaissance" to stay ahead of global competitors like China, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., told Fox News.

A clean return to the Iran nuclear deal should be Biden’s first option - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

A clean return to the Iran nuclear deal should be Biden’s first option - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Many concerns about returning to the deal are misplaced—and others can be addressed with some smart planning.

Why Biden should designate a nuclear waste negotiator - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Why Biden should designate a nuclear waste negotiator - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: With Yucca Mountain dead and climate action resurrected, Biden has an opportunity to take a fresh run at America’s nuclear waste problem.

MIT Professor Arrested and Charged with Grant Fraud | USAO-MA | Department of Justice

MIT Professor Arrested and Charged with Grant Fraud | USAO-MA | Department of Justice: BOSTON – A professor and researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was charged and arrested today in connection with failing to disclose contracts, appointments and awards from various entities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the U.S. Department of Energy.

A Message from President Donald J. Trump - YouTube

A Message from President Donald J. Trump - YouTube

Iran Is Assembling Gear Able to Produce Key Nuclear-Weapons Material - WSJ

Iran Is Assembling Gear Able to Produce Key Nuclear-Weapons Material - WSJ: Tehran has started work on an assembly line to manufacture a key material used at the core of nuclear warheads, the United Nations atomic agency said in a confidential report.

EM Update January 13, 2021

EM Update | Vol. 13, Issue 1 | Jan. 13, 2021 GreenBar DOE Leaders Announce Completion of Key Step Toward Hanford Tank Waste Treatment The Results Are In — EM Accomplished Bulk of 2020 Cleanup Priorities Hanford Workers Retrieving Waste from Another Single-Shell Tank Oak Ridge on Pace for Another Big Year in 2021 In Mark of Progress, SRS Crews Remove Cesium Columns From Tank Closure Unit Idaho Calcine Project Partners With University for Radiation Testing Virtual Tours Give Public New Views of Hanford, Savannah River Cleanup EM Awards Fees for Contractors’ Performance Across DOE Complex Employee Feedback Improves Decontamination Project at West Valley DOE Leaders Announce Completion of Key Step Toward Hanford Tank Waste Treatment p Deputy Energy Secretary Mark W. Menezes, center, and Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar, left, receive ceremonial keys from Bechtel National, Inc. Senior Vice President and Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project Director Valerie McCain. The keys signify the turnover of the facilities used in the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste approach from construction to commissioning and startup. RICHLAND, Wash. – Deputy Energy Secretary Mark W. Menezes and Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar visited the Hanford Site last week to mark the completion of construction on facilities at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) needed to start treating radioactive waste from large underground tanks through the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) approach. “The Department is committed to the shared goal of initiating tank waste treatment at Hanford via DFLAW,” Menezes said. “This progress marks a tremendous leap forward for the Hanford workforce and the Tri-Cities community as we drive closer to a new era of tank waste treatment at Hanford.” Dabbar noted that a focus on solutions combined with a world-class workforce has led to results for the tank waste mission and beyond. “The impacts of this DFLAW achievement coupled with the overall progress of the past four years position Hanford for success throughout the decade ahead,” Dabbar said. p Workers at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant test the Low-Activity Waste Facility’s container handling system. All engineering, procurement, and construction has been completed on 17 facilities at the plant that will be used in the DFLAW approach. Through this approach, pretreated waste from Hanford tanks will be piped to the Low-Activity Waste Facility, where it will be vitrified, or immobilized in glass. The other facilities include the Analytical Laboratory, Effluent Management Facility, and 14 support structures consisting of electrical power, backup power, water purification, compressed air, steam, communication and control, and fire water systems. The 17 facilities are now in the startup testing and commissioning phases to prepare for operations and the next major achievement — heating large melters that will vitrify millions of gallons of low-activity tank waste. DOE Hanford Manager Brian Vance emphasized the significance of the achievement to the entire Hanford Site. “As the plant moves into full commissioning, other Hanford contractors continue their drive to prepare for round-the-clock operations by completing projects and infrastructure improvements that must operate with the plant to be successful,” Vance said. “We are moving deliberatively and safely toward treating tank waste and meeting our commitment to continue to protect our workforce, the people of this region, and the environment.” Valerie McCain, Bechtel National, Inc. senior vice president and project director for WTP, thanked current and former workers for their contributions and presented Menezes and Dabbar with ceremonial keys to signify the turnover of the facilities used for the DFLAW approach from construction to commissioning and startup activities. Members of the Washington congressional delegation, along with Washington State Department of Ecology Nuclear Waste Program Manager David Bowen, congratulated the Hanford workforce as well as the Tri-Cities community via video messages. View a video recording of the event here. -Contributor: Joan Lucas The Results Are In — EM Accomplished Bulk of 2020 Cleanup Priorities p In early 2020, EM set out an aggressive list of priorities for the coming year. As the year came to a close, EM accomplished the vast majority of its Calendar Year 2020 priorities, reaching major historic milestones that advanced its cleanup mission, according to a newly released scorecard. Notably, these accomplishments came amid the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our scorecard on EM’s 2020 mission priorities demonstrates remarkable progress by our cleanup workforce during a global pandemic,” EM Senior Advisor William “Ike” White said. “I am inspired by the way the EM workforce pulled together in 2020, adapting and finding ways to boost productivity and teamwork while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.” Overall, 2020 was an inflection point for EM, as the workforce marked accomplishments across the DOE complex that resulted in transformational tank waste capabilities, historic skyline changes, and other major cleanup advancements, positioning EM for a decade of transformational progress. At Oak Ridge, workers completed demolition at the East Tennessee Technology Park, making it the first site in the world to remove an entire uranium enrichment complex. At the Savannah River Site, crews began operations at the first-of-a-kind Salt Waste Processing Facility, the last major piece of the site’s liquid waste treatment system. The facility has the potential to process as much as 9 million gallons of liquid waste per year. EM also achieved significant advancement of key components of DOE’s tank waste treatment mission at other sites, including Hanford, where workers made progress in construction, startup, and commissioning critical to the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste approach. EM's small sites made significant accomplishments as well. At the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project in Utah, workers reached a milestone 11 million tons of mill tailings shipped from a former uranium ore processing site in Moab to a disposal cell near Crescent Junction. The 2020 priorities included: Achieving significant construction project milestones Executing key projects that enable the EM cleanup mission Reducing the EM complex footprint Awarding contracts that enable accelerated progress Driving innovation and improved performance in the EM mission These priorities position EM for sustainable success in its mission to complete the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. While not all of the priorities were fully accomplished, significant progress was made and EM looks forward to completing them in the future. “While we were not able to check off every item on our 2020 priorities, the full list demonstrates our ambitious view of what the EM program is capable of achieving,” White said. “All of those with an interest in our work can use tools like this to gauge our progress for themselves.” For more information on the breadth of EM’s accomplishments across the complex in 2020, please see the EM Year-in-Review. In addition, an equaling challenging list of priorities is being finalized for 2021 and EM looks forward to building on this year’s momentum to continue to move the clean-up mission forward. *A previous version of the scorecard incorrectly listed the priority to start up the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit as complete. Hanford Workers Retrieving Waste from Another Single-Shell Tank p EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions recently began retrieving waste from single-shell tank AX-104 at the Hanford Site. The waste is being transferred to a more robust double-shell tank for safe storage. RICHLAND, Wash. – EM’s Office of River Protection (ORP) continues to make substantial progress in its mission to safely and efficiently reduce risk at the Hanford Site by managing and retrieving millions of gallons of radioactive waste stored in massive underground tanks. ORP tank operations contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) recently began retrieving waste from single-shell Tank AX-104 and transferring the waste to a newer, more robust double-shell tank for safe storage. To date, EM has completed waste retrieval from 17 of Hanford’s single-shell tanks. “Moving waste into the double-shell tank system helps reduce risk to the environment and allows for safe storage of the waste until it can be treated,” said Brian Harkins, ORP deputy assistant manager for tank farms. Tank AX-104, one of four tanks that make up Hanford’s AX Farm, contains more than 5,000 gallons of highly radioactive sludge-like material on the tank floor and 2,000 gallons of the material on the tank walls. The retrieval strategy for the 1-million-gallon-capacity tank involves mobilizing the waste by using pressurized water directed through robotic sluicing equipment, then pumping the slurry to a double-shell tank for safe storage. p Dave McCary, a nuclear chemical operator for EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions, maneuvers robotic sluicing equipment to remove waste from Tank AX-104, one of four single-shell tanks that make up AX Farm. Each of the tanks has a capacity of 1 million gallons. WRPS set the stage for retrieval of Tank AX-104 by carefully removing highly contaminated legacy equipment from the tank — such as pumps and thermocouples — and installing waste retrieval infrastructure in AX Farm. A thermocouple is a device that measures the temperature of waste. The infrastructure included a new ventilation system to filter emissions and a state-of-the-art facility that houses the water supply systems used to support retrieval activities. The in-tank waste retrieval system consists of three cannon-like sluicers, a central pump, and six camera and lighting systems. Sluicers are used to mobilize the waste and move it to a central pump. Established safety controls will be in place throughout the entire retrieval process. ORP and WRPS also used lessons learned from previous retrieval projects to help keep workers safe. “We have a highly skilled, innovative team with a strong track record of meeting the unique challenges that come with tank waste retrieval. For all retrieval projects, we develop a thorough project plan, choose the right tools for the job, and complete work safely,” said Doug Greenwell, WRPS retrievals manager. -Contributor: Mark McKenna Oak Ridge on Pace for Another Big Year in 2021 p Demolition of the Building 9210, at left, is nearing completion, and crews will soon begin tearing down the six-story Building 9207, at right. This project will complete the removal of the Biology Complex at Y-12, opening 18 acres for national security missions. OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) enters a new chapter in cleanup this year that will transform the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and support the important missions at those sites. As EM workers look to build on their historical accomplishments in 2020 — namely the completion of demolition at the East Tennessee Technology Park — they will take on several projects in 2021 that will alter the landscape at ORNL and Y-12. Work is wrapping up on demolition of the 65,000-square-foot Building 9210 in Y-12’s former Biology Complex. That project is scheduled for completion early this year. Next, crews will start taking down the final structure in the complex — the six-story, 256,660-square-foot Building 9207. These buildings were vacant for many years and have deteriorated. Due to their structural condition, they were categorized as high-risk excess contaminated facilities. By eliminating them, EM is enhancing safety and clearing 18 acres of land that can be used for national security missions. p Workers finished installing a six-story protective cover over Building 3026’s remaining contaminated structures last year. Demolition of the structures is scheduled to begin early this year, and the cover will protect the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s ongoing missions from potential impacts from demolition. p Deactivation is underway inside Building 3005, which houses the Low Intensity Reactor. In 2021, EM is conducting deactivation projects at three former research reactors and nine isotope research and productions labs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. EM is also nearing the start of a demolition project in the heart of ORNL. In coming weeks, crews will begin tearing down the two remaining contaminated structures that were part of Building 3026, the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory. Last year, workers finished installing a six-story protective cover over the area to protect nearby facilities from potential impacts from the demolition of the two structures. Taking down these contaminated structures removes risks in the central campus of ORNL and clears land that can be used for future research missions. EM is also setting the stage for the next wave of demolitions by moving forward on numerous deactivation projects at ORNL and Y-12. At Y-12, workers will perform deactivation work at two Manhattan Project-era facilities, Alpha-2 and Beta-1, which have a combined footprint of more than a half-million square feet. Workers also continue to retrieve mercury and deactivate the Column Exchange process equipment at Alpha-4 prior to demolition. So far, crews have retrieved more than 10,000 pounds of mercury from dilapidated equipment that was installed in the 1950s and operated through the 1960s. At ORNL, deactivation is concentrated in the central campus area, which houses ORNL’s oldest buildings. Deactivation is ongoing in three former research reactors — the Low Intensity Test Reactor, the Bulk Shielding Reactor, and the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. Workers also are transitioning the Experimental Gas-Cooled Reactor to the “cold and dark” deactivation state. In addition to addressing former reactors, crews will also deactivate nine isotope research and productions labs. EM is also moving forward on its highest priority at ORNL – removing the remaining inventory of uranum-233. Workers are currently processing and downblending the lower dose portion of the inventory in gloveboxes. Meanwhile, facility upgrades are nearing completion so teams can begin processing and downblending the higher dose portion of the inventory later this year. This will mark a major step forward in this crucial project. “While the accomplishments of 2020 are now in the past, those projects have positioned Oak Ridge’s environmental cleanup for another impactful year and laid the foundation for many more successes in the year ahead,” said Jay Mullis, manager of OREM. -Contributor: Ben Williams In Mark of Progress, SRS Crews Remove Cesium Columns From Tank Closure Unit p Savannah River Remediation crews remove the first column filled with cesium from the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) unit via crane in H Tank Farm at the Savannah River Site. All four of the original columns have been removed from TCCR and will be replaced by new columns this year. AIKEN, S.C. – For the first time, EM and its liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) have removed columns that are filled with cesium in a demonstration project designed to accelerate removal of radioactive salt waste from underground tanks. Operated by Savannah River Remediation (SRR), the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) unit removes cesium from the salt waste in Tank 10 in the SRS H Tank Farm. TCCR is a pilot demonstration of innovative technology helping accelerate tank closure at SRS. Building on the experience of commercial nuclear plant decontamination and following the disaster response associated with the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the TCCR technology selectively removes radioactive cesium from dissolved salt waste. A commercial supplier designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered the mobile cesium removal system, which has been deployed at Tank 10 for the treatment of liquid salt waste. The radioactive cesium is filtered and holds to a specially engineered resin inside four ion-exchange columns within the process unit. The decontaminated salt solution discharge is sent to Tank 11 and eventually to the Saltstone Production Facility for onsite disposal. Savannah River National Laboratory supported research and development of the ion-exchange resin. The original columns were adequately filled with the cesium collected from the waste. The four columns, which were in operation since January 2019, were removed from the TCCR unit via mobile crane in December 2020. They were then transported to a nearby interim safe storage pad. Four new columns are expected to be installed in the spring. SRR President and Project Manager Phil Breidenbach said the task of removing the columns is a first for this project. “On the surface, it appeared to be like any other crane lift and equipment transport, which are routinely performed in the tank farms; however, this equipment contained cesium-rich, high-level waste, which was transported above-ground via roadway to an onsite interim safe storage pad,” Breidenbach said. “It was all handled safely and executed with outstanding teamwork by our highly skilled workforce.” The majority of the salt waste inside the tanks at SRS will be processed through the Salt Waste Processing Facility, which began radioactive operations in October 2020, and full operations are expected soon. TCCR will supplement that processing to help accelerate EM’s liquid waste mission. TCCR has processed three batches, or nearly 300,000 gallons, of salt waste since the demonstration project began. -Contributor: Colleen Hart Idaho Calcine Project Partners With University for Radiation Testing p Fluor Idaho Engineer Kevin Young, left, and Idaho Accelerator Center Imaging Laboratory Director Mike Smith prepare calcine retrieval project components for radiation testing with a high-powered X-ray generator. IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Engineers with EM contractor Fluor Idaho are working with Idaho State University to conduct radiation testing on components to be used to remove a granulated high-level radioactive waste called calcine from a storage bin at the DOE Idaho National Laboratory Site. Calcine is a dried byproduct of the legacy spent nuclear fuel reprocessing mission at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC). The engineers partnered with physicists at the Idaho Accelerator Center Imaging Laboratory at the university to subject electronic components, rubber seals, and eight small video cameras to high levels of radiation to replicate the conditions the components will encounter once inserted into a concrete bin set that houses 220 cubic meters of calcine. “The components faired very well,” Fluor Idaho engineer Kevin Young said. “The unshielded video cameras operated as designed for more than nine hours with minimal image degradation despite being in a very high radiation field.” The laboratory went online in the 1980s to perform nuclear-based applied research. It was chosen to conduct testing on the calcine retrieval components because it is more cost effective and safer than recovering a portion of calcine and conducting testing in a hot cell, which is a radiation containment chamber. Fluor Idaho has completed a full-scale mock-up of a calcine bin set where testing continues on entry, retrieval, and transfer technologies that will be employed to transfer calcine to a nearby bin set. The bin set emptied of calcine will then be closed under federal regulations. In an agreement with the state of Idaho, EM is required to retrieve, treat, repackage, and prepare 4,400 cubic meters of calcine to ship for out-of-state disposal by 2035. The material is in storage in six separate bin sets inside concrete vaults at an INTEC facility. -Contributor: Erik Simpson Virtual Tours Give Public New Views of Hanford, Savannah River Cleanup p The new Hanford Site virtual tours webpage gives viewers panoramic images of multiple locations of cleanup efforts. This picture shows the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant’s Low-Activity Waste Facility and has additional viewing options in the navigation panel. RICHLAND, Wash. – Tour the sprawling Hanford and Savannah River sites from the comfort of your home thanks to newly created virtual tours of each location. The Hanford Site and its cleanup contractors are set to unveil a public self-guided virtual tour platform of the 580-square-mile site on Jan. 14. Members of the public can access the tour from the top banner of the Hanford webpage. The Savannah River Site (SRS) virtual tour video is available here. In the past, Hanford offered limited in-person public tours in the spring and summer months as a way to engage the public in the Hanford cleanup mission. Since public tours are currently on hold, site leadership came up with the idea of a virtual tour with the intent of keeping the public involved in cleanup progress while upholding COVID-19 protocols. While on the virtual tour, participants can view up to 20 Hanford locations with 360-degree camera views, accompanied by descriptions to provide context of the various projects. “Hanford cleanup is one of the great public works of our time. We are excited to have the tools to expand public awareness and appreciation of our important work with the virtual tour,” said Brian Vance, the EM manager of the Hanford Site. “Some of the locations featured on the virtual tour would not have otherwise been accessible to visitors due to the nature of our work. By utilizing technology, the virtual tour provides a superior experience and promotes public engagement.” Some of the tour stops include Hanford’s 324 Building, the 200 West Groundwater Treatment Project, and various structures associated with Hanford’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste program, including the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and tank farms. Hanford’s virtual tour website is designed to be self-guided and will have the potential to reach an unlimited audience. p People who visit the new Hanford Site virtual tours webpage can get 360-degree views of locations like the 200 West Pump and Treat facility. Virtual tourists can click on icons to get additional details about the project. p A map of the 580-square-mile Hanford Site shows virtual tourists the geography of past site operations and the current cleanup mission. p In a still photo from the Savannah River Site (SRS) virtual tour, Tour Program Coordinator Bob Bonnett points out that SRS is larger in area than greater Washington, D.C. p From hearing cool factoids to learning more about the Savannah River Site's national missions, the public is invited to "get on the bus" for a virtual tour of the expansive 310-square-mile site. SRS public tours are usually booked months in advance, and the SRS Tour Program typically provides free guided bus tours of the 310-square-mile site to approximately 2,000 people each year. But with social distancing limiting tour bus group sizes, DOE decided to develop the virtual approach. Based on a driving tour of SRS, the virtual ride incorporates historical footage of the site’s construction along with glimpses inside many production facilities and environmental cleanup efforts, plus scenes from the diverse work at the Savannah River National and Savannah River Ecology laboratories. “We’ve seen so much of our world change and adapt to this pandemic, so this is an innovative way for us to continue telling our story,” DOE Savannah River Operations Manager Mike Budney said. “As SRS celebrates 70 years of protecting our nation, this virtual tour gives our surrounding communities a new window into our history, our current missions, and our talented workforce.” Other videos on SRS operations, history, and more can be found at the SRS YouTube Channel. Click here for SRS Tour Program updates. -Contributor: Coleen Drinkard, Julie Petersen, Barbara Smoak EM Awards Fees for Contractors’ Performance Across DOE Complex p Workers at the Hanford Site make final connections between a pipe sticking up out of one of three aging underground structures being stabilized and a grout delivery system. The structures are located near the former Plutonium Finishing Plant on Hanford’s Central Plateau. EM recently awarded performance-based fees payments to 10 of its contractors at sites across the DOE complex, including Hanford, Portsmouth, Paducah, Savannah River, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The cleanup program releases information relating to contractor fee payments — earned by completing work called for in the contracts — to further transparency in its cleanup program. Following are the fee payments for the 10 contractors over varying performance evaluation periods: Hanford Site Richland Operations Office contractor CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company was awarded about $17 million, or 85% of the available fee of more than $20 million for fiscal 2020. Mission Support Alliance, Hanford’s site services contractor, earned nearly $17 million, or approximately 93% of the available fee of more than $18 million for the period of October 2019 through May 25, 2020. Hanford Office of River Protection (ORP) contractor Wastren Advantage received more than $232,000, or 93% of the available fee of about $250,000 for the period of Sept. 21, 2019 to Sept. 20, 2020. Washington River Protection Solutions, the ORP tank operations contractor, earned about $42.6 million, or 95% of the available fee of $45 million for fiscal 2020. Nuclear Waste Partnership, the management-and-operations contractor for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant,

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EM Update January 13, 2021

banner EM Update | Vol. 13, Issue 1 | Jan. 13, 2021 GreenBar DOE Leaders Announce Completion of Key Step Toward Hanford Tank Waste Treatment The Results Are In — EM Accomplished Bulk of 2020 Cleanup Priorities Hanford Workers Retrieving Waste from Another Single-Shell Tank Oak Ridge on Pace for Another Big Year in 2021 In Mark of Progress, SRS Crews Remove Cesium Columns From Tank Closure Unit Idaho Calcine Project Partners With University for Radiation Testing Virtual Tours Give Public New Views of Hanford, Savannah River Cleanup EM Awards Fees for Contractors’ Performance Across DOE Complex Employee Feedback Improves Decontamination Project at West Valley DOE Leaders Announce Completion of Key Step Toward Hanford Tank Waste Treatment p Deputy Energy Secretary Mark W. Menezes, center, and Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar, left, receive ceremonial keys from Bechtel National, Inc. Senior Vice President and Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project Director Valerie McCain. The keys signify the turnover of the facilities used in the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste approach from construction to commissioning and startup. RICHLAND, Wash. – Deputy Energy Secretary Mark W. Menezes and Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar visited the Hanford Site last week to mark the completion of construction on facilities at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) needed to start treating radioactive waste from large underground tanks through the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) approach. “The Department is committed to the shared goal of initiating tank waste treatment at Hanford via DFLAW,” Menezes said. “This progress marks a tremendous leap forward for the Hanford workforce and the Tri-Cities community as we drive closer to a new era of tank waste treatment at Hanford.” Dabbar noted that a focus on solutions combined with a world-class workforce has led to results for the tank waste mission and beyond. “The impacts of this DFLAW achievement coupled with the overall progress of the past four years position Hanford for success throughout the decade ahead,” Dabbar said. p Workers at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant test the Low-Activity Waste Facility’s container handling system. All engineering, procurement, and construction has been completed on 17 facilities at the plant that will be used in the DFLAW approach. Through this approach, pretreated waste from Hanford tanks will be piped to the Low-Activity Waste Facility, where it will be vitrified, or immobilized in glass. The other facilities include the Analytical Laboratory, Effluent Management Facility, and 14 support structures consisting of electrical power, backup power, water purification, compressed air, steam, communication and control, and fire water systems. The 17 facilities are now in the startup testing and commissioning phases to prepare for operations and the next major achievement — heating large melters that will vitrify millions of gallons of low-activity tank waste. DOE Hanford Manager Brian Vance emphasized the significance of the achievement to the entire Hanford Site. “As the plant moves into full commissioning, other Hanford contractors continue their drive to prepare for round-the-clock operations by completing projects and infrastructure improvements that must operate with the plant to be successful,” Vance said. “We are moving deliberatively and safely toward treating tank waste and meeting our commitment to continue to protect our workforce, the people of this region, and the environment.” Valerie McCain, Bechtel National, Inc. senior vice president and project director for WTP, thanked current and former workers for their contributions and presented Menezes and Dabbar with ceremonial keys to signify the turnover of the facilities used for the DFLAW approach from construction to commissioning and startup activities. Members of the Washington congressional delegation, along with Washington State Department of Ecology Nuclear Waste Program Manager David Bowen, congratulated the Hanford workforce as well as the Tri-Cities community via video messages. View a video recording of the event here. -Contributor: Joan Lucas The Results Are In — EM Accomplished Bulk of 2020 Cleanup Priorities p In early 2020, EM set out an aggressive list of priorities for the coming year. As the year came to a close, EM accomplished the vast majority of its Calendar Year 2020 priorities, reaching major historic milestones that advanced its cleanup mission, according to a newly released scorecard. Notably, these accomplishments came amid the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our scorecard on EM’s 2020 mission priorities demonstrates remarkable progress by our cleanup workforce during a global pandemic,” EM Senior Advisor William “Ike” White said. “I am inspired by the way the EM workforce pulled together in 2020, adapting and finding ways to boost productivity and teamwork while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.” Overall, 2020 was an inflection point for EM, as the workforce marked accomplishments across the DOE complex that resulted in transformational tank waste capabilities, historic skyline changes, and other major cleanup advancements, positioning EM for a decade of transformational progress. At Oak Ridge, workers completed demolition at the East Tennessee Technology Park, making it the first site in the world to remove an entire uranium enrichment complex. At the Savannah River Site, crews began operations at the first-of-a-kind Salt Waste Processing Facility, the last major piece of the site’s liquid waste treatment system. The facility has the potential to process as much as 9 million gallons of liquid waste per year. EM also achieved significant advancement of key components of DOE’s tank waste treatment mission at other sites, including Hanford, where workers made progress in construction, startup, and commissioning critical to the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste approach. EM's small sites made significant accomplishments as well. At the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project in Utah, workers reached a milestone 11 million tons of mill tailings shipped from a former uranium ore processing site in Moab to a disposal cell near Crescent Junction. The 2020 priorities included: Achieving significant construction project milestones Executing key projects that enable the EM cleanup mission Reducing the EM complex footprint Awarding contracts that enable accelerated progress Driving innovation and improved performance in the EM mission These priorities position EM for sustainable success in its mission to complete the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. While not all of the priorities were fully accomplished, significant progress was made and EM looks forward to completing them in the future. “While we were not able to check off every item on our 2020 priorities, the full list demonstrates our ambitious view of what the EM program is capable of achieving,” White said. “All of those with an interest in our work can use tools like this to gauge our progress for themselves.” For more information on the breadth of EM’s accomplishments across the complex in 2020, please see the EM Year-in-Review. In addition, an equaling challenging list of priorities is being finalized for 2021 and EM looks forward to building on this year’s momentum to continue to move the clean-up mission forward. Hanford Workers Retrieving Waste from Another Single-Shell Tank p EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions recently began retrieving waste from single-shell tank AX-104 at the Hanford Site. The waste is being transferred to a more robust double-shell tank for safe storage. RICHLAND, Wash. – EM’s Office of River Protection (ORP) continues to make substantial progress in its mission to safely and efficiently reduce risk at the Hanford Site by managing and retrieving millions of gallons of radioactive waste stored in massive underground tanks. ORP tank operations contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) recently began retrieving waste from single-shell Tank AX-104 and transferring the waste to a newer, more robust double-shell tank for safe storage. To date, EM has completed waste retrieval from 17 of Hanford’s single-shell tanks. “Moving waste into the double-shell tank system helps reduce risk to the environment and allows for safe storage of the waste until it can be treated,” said Brian Harkins, ORP deputy assistant manager for tank farms. Tank AX-104, one of four tanks that make up Hanford’s AX Farm, contains more than 5,000 gallons of highly radioactive sludge-like material on the tank floor and 2,000 gallons of the material on the tank walls. The retrieval strategy for the 1-million-gallon-capacity tank involves mobilizing the waste by using pressurized water directed through robotic sluicing equipment, then pumping the slurry to a double-shell tank for safe storage. p Dave McCary, a nuclear chemical operator for EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions, maneuvers robotic sluicing equipment to remove waste from Tank AX-104, one of four single-shell tanks that make up AX Farm. Each of the tanks has a capacity of 1 million gallons. WRPS set the stage for retrieval of Tank AX-104 by carefully removing highly contaminated legacy equipment from the tank — such as pumps and thermocouples — and installing waste retrieval infrastructure in AX Farm. A thermocouple is a device that measures the temperature of waste. The infrastructure included a new ventilation system to filter emissions and a state-of-the-art facility that houses the water supply systems used to support retrieval activities. The in-tank waste retrieval system consists of three cannon-like sluicers, a central pump, and six camera and lighting systems. Sluicers are used to mobilize the waste and move it to a central pump. Established safety controls will be in place throughout the entire retrieval process. ORP and WRPS also used lessons learned from previous retrieval projects to help keep workers safe. “We have a highly skilled, innovative team with a strong track record of meeting the unique challenges that come with tank waste retrieval. For all retrieval projects, we develop a thorough project plan, choose the right tools for the job, and complete work safely,” said Doug Greenwell, WRPS retrievals manager. -Contributor: Mark McKenna Oak Ridge on Pace for Another Big Year in 2021 p Demolition of the Building 9210, at left, is nearing completion, and crews will soon begin tearing down the six-story Building 9207, at right. This project will complete the removal of the Biology Complex at Y-12, opening 18 acres for national security missions. OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) enters a new chapter in cleanup this year that will transform the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and support the important missions at those sites. As EM workers look to build on their historical accomplishments in 2020 — namely the completion of demolition at the East Tennessee Technology Park — they will take on several projects in 2021 that will alter the landscape at ORNL and Y-12. Work is wrapping up on demolition of the 65,000-square-foot Building 9210 in Y-12’s former Biology Complex. That project is scheduled for completion early this year. Next, crews will start taking down the final structure in the complex — the six-story, 256,660-square-foot Building 9207. These buildings were vacant for many years and have deteriorated. Due to their structural condition, they were categorized as high-risk excess contaminated facilities. By eliminating them, EM is enhancing safety and clearing 18 acres of land that can be used for national security missions. p Workers finished installing a six-story protective cover over Building 3026’s remaining contaminated structures last year. Demolition of the structures is scheduled to begin early this year, and the cover will protect the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s ongoing missions from potential impacts from demolition. p Deactivation is underway inside Building 3005, which houses the Low Intensity Reactor. In 2021, EM is conducting deactivation projects at three former research reactors and nine isotope research and productions labs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. EM is also nearing the start of a demolition project in the heart of ORNL. In coming weeks, crews will begin tearing down the two remaining contaminated structures that were part of Building 3026, the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory. Last year, workers finished installing a six-story protective cover over the area to protect nearby facilities from potential impacts from the demolition of the two structures. Taking down these contaminated structures removes risks in the central campus of ORNL and clears land that can be used for future research missions. EM is also setting the stage for the next wave of demolitions by moving forward on numerous deactivation projects at ORNL and Y-12. At Y-12, workers will perform deactivation work at two Manhattan Project-era facilities, Alpha-2 and Beta-1, which have a combined footprint of more than a half-million square feet. Workers also continue to retrieve mercury and deactivate the Column Exchange process equipment at Alpha-4 prior to demolition. So far, crews have retrieved more than 10,000 pounds of mercury from dilapidated equipment that was installed in the 1950s and operated through the 1960s. At ORNL, deactivation is concentrated in the central campus area, which houses ORNL’s oldest buildings. Deactivation is ongoing in three former research reactors — the Low Intensity Test Reactor, the Bulk Shielding Reactor, and the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. Workers also are transitioning the Experimental Gas-Cooled Reactor to the “cold and dark” deactivation state. In addition to addressing former reactors, crews will also deactivate nine isotope research and productions labs. EM is also moving forward on its highest priority at ORNL – removing the remaining inventory of uranum-233. Workers are currently processing and downblending the lower dose portion of the inventory in gloveboxes. Meanwhile, facility upgrades are nearing completion so teams can begin processing and downblending the higher dose portion of the inventory later this year. This will mark a major step forward in this crucial project. “While the accomplishments of 2020 are now in the past, those projects have positioned Oak Ridge’s environmental cleanup for another impactful year and laid the foundation for many more successes in the year ahead,” said Jay Mullis, manager of OREM. -Contributor: Ben Williams In Mark of Progress, SRS Crews Remove Cesium Columns From Tank Closure Unit p Savannah River Remediation crews remove the first column filled with cesium from the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) unit via crane in H Tank Farm at the Savannah River Site. All four of the original columns have been removed from TCCR and will be replaced by new columns this year. AIKEN, S.C. – For the first time, EM and its liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) have removed columns that are filled with cesium in a demonstration project designed to accelerate removal of radioactive salt waste from underground tanks. Operated by Savannah River Remediation (SRR), the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) unit removes cesium from the salt waste in Tank 10 in the SRS H Tank Farm. TCCR is a pilot demonstration of innovative technology helping accelerate tank closure at SRS. Building on the experience of commercial nuclear plant decontamination and following the disaster response associated with the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the TCCR technology selectively removes radioactive cesium from dissolved salt waste. A commercial supplier designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered the mobile cesium removal system, which has been deployed at Tank 10 for the treatment of liquid salt waste. The radioactive cesium is filtered and holds to a specially engineered resin inside four ion-exchange columns within the process unit. The decontaminated salt solution discharge is sent to Tank 11 and eventually to the Saltstone Production Facility for onsite disposal. Savannah River National Laboratory supported research and development of the ion-exchange resin. The original columns were adequately filled with the cesium collected from the waste. The four columns, which were in operation since January 2019, were removed from the TCCR unit via mobile crane in December 2020. They were then transported to a nearby interim safe storage pad. Four new columns are expected to be installed in the spring. SRR President and Project Manager Phil Breidenbach said the task of removing the columns is a first for this project. “On the surface, it appeared to be like any other crane lift and equipment transport, which are routinely performed in the tank farms; however, this equipment contained cesium-rich, high-level waste, which was transported above-ground via roadway to an onsite interim safe storage pad,” Breidenbach said. “It was all handled safely and executed with outstanding teamwork by our highly skilled workforce.” The majority of the salt waste inside the tanks at SRS will be processed through the Salt Waste Processing Facility, which began radioactive operations in October 2020, and full operations are expected soon. TCCR will supplement that processing to help accelerate EM’s liquid waste mission. TCCR has processed three batches, or nearly 300,000 gallons, of salt waste since the demonstration project began. -Contributor: Colleen Hart Idaho Calcine Project Partners With University for Radiation Testing p Fluor Idaho Engineer Kevin Young, left, and Idaho Accelerator Center Imaging Laboratory Director Mike Smith prepare calcine retrieval project components for radiation testing with a high-powered X-ray generator. IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Engineers with EM contractor Fluor Idaho are working with Idaho State University to conduct radiation testing on components to be used to remove a granulated high-level radioactive waste called calcine from a storage bin at the DOE Idaho National Laboratory Site. Calcine is a dried byproduct of the legacy spent nuclear fuel reprocessing mission at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC). The engineers partnered with physicists at the Idaho Accelerator Center Imaging Laboratory at the university to subject electronic components, rubber seals, and eight small video cameras to high levels of radiation to replicate the conditions the components will encounter once inserted into a concrete bin set that houses 220 cubic meters of calcine. “The components faired very well,” Fluor Idaho engineer Kevin Young said. “The unshielded video cameras operated as designed for more than nine hours with minimal image degradation despite being in a very high radiation field.” The laboratory went online in the 1980s to perform nuclear-based applied research. It was chosen to conduct testing on the calcine retrieval components because it is more cost effective and safer than recovering a portion of calcine and conducting testing in a hot cell, which is a radiation containment chamber. Fluor Idaho has completed a full-scale mock-up of a calcine bin set where testing continues on entry, retrieval, and transfer technologies that will be employed to transfer calcine to a nearby bin set. The bin set emptied of calcine will then be closed under federal regulations. In an agreement with the state of Idaho, EM is required to retrieve, treat, repackage, and prepare 4,400 cubic meters of calcine to ship for out-of-state disposal by 2035. The material is in storage in six separate bin sets inside concrete vaults at an INTEC facility. -Contributor: Erik Simpson Virtual Tours Give Public New Views of Hanford, Savannah River Cleanup p The new Hanford Site virtual tours webpage gives viewers panoramic images of multiple locations of cleanup efforts. This picture shows the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant’s Low-Activity Waste Facility and has additional viewing options in the navigation panel. RICHLAND, Wash. – Tour the sprawling Hanford and Savannah River sites from the comfort of your home thanks to newly created virtual tours of each location. The Hanford Site and its cleanup contractors are set to unveil a public self-guided virtual tour platform of the 580-square-mile site on Jan. 14. Members of the public can access the tour from the top banner of the Hanford webpage. The Savannah River Site (SRS) virtual tour video is available here. In the past, Hanford offered limited in-person public tours in the spring and summer months as a way to engage the public in the Hanford cleanup mission. Since public tours are currently on hold, site leadership came up with the idea of a virtual tour with the intent of keeping the public involved in cleanup progress while upholding COVID-19 protocols. While on the virtual tour, participants can view up to 20 Hanford locations with 360-degree camera views, accompanied by descriptions to provide context of the various projects. “Hanford cleanup is one of the great public works of our time. We are excited to have the tools to expand public awareness and appreciation of our important work with the virtual tour,” said Brian Vance, the EM manager of the Hanford Site. “Some of the locations featured on the virtual tour would not have otherwise been accessible to visitors due to the nature of our work. By utilizing technology, the virtual tour provides a superior experience and promotes public engagement.” Some of the tour stops include Hanford’s 324 Building, the 200 West Groundwater Treatment Project, and various structures associated with Hanford’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste program, including the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and tank farms. Hanford’s virtual tour website is designed to be self-guided and will have the potential to reach an unlimited audience. p People who visit the new Hanford Site virtual tours webpage can get 360-degree views of locations like the 200 West Pump and Treat facility. Virtual tourists can click on icons to get additional details about the project. p A map of the 580-square-mile Hanford Site shows virtual tourists the geography of past site operations and the current cleanup mission. p In a still photo from the Savannah River Site (SRS) virtual tour, Tour Program Coordinator Bob Bonnett points out that SRS is larger in area than greater Washington, D.C. p From hearing cool factoids to learning more about the Savannah River Site's national missions, the public is invited to "get on the bus" for a virtual tour of the expansive 310-square-mile site. SRS public tours are usually booked months in advance, and the SRS Tour Program typically provides free guided bus tours of the 310-square-mile site to approximately 2,000 people each year. But with social distancing limiting tour bus group sizes, DOE decided to develop the virtual approach. Based on a driving tour of SRS, the virtual ride incorporates historical footage of the site’s construction along with glimpses inside many production facilities and environmental cleanup efforts, plus scenes from the diverse work at the Savannah River National and Savannah River Ecology laboratories. “We’ve seen so much of our world change and adapt to this pandemic, so this is an innovative way for us to continue telling our story,” DOE Savannah River Operations Manager Mike Budney said. “As SRS celebrates 70 years of protecting our nation, this virtual tour gives our surrounding communities a new window into our history, our current missions, and our talented workforce.” Other videos on SRS operations, history, and more can be found at the SRS YouTube Channel. Click here for SRS Tour Program updates. -Contributor: Coleen Drinkard, Julie Petersen, Barbara Smoak EM Awards Fees for Contractors’ Performance Across DOE Complex p Workers at the Hanford Site make final connections between a pipe sticking up out of one of three aging underground structures being stabilized and a grout delivery system. The structures are located near the former Plutonium Finishing Plant on Hanford’s Central Plateau. EM recently awarded performance-based fees payments to 10 of its contractors at sites across the DOE complex, including Hanford, Portsmouth, Paducah, Savannah River, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The cleanup program releases information relating to contractor fee payments — earned by completing work called for in the contracts — to further transparency in its cleanup program. Following are the fee payments for the 10 contractors over varying performance evaluation periods: Hanford Site Richland Operations Office contractor CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company was

First turbine module delivered for Akkuyu plant : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

First turbine module delivered for Akkuyu plant : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: GE Steam Power has delivered the first Arabelle steam turbine module for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant under construction in Turkey. Manufactured at its factory in Belfort, France, the turbine module is the first equipment delivered by GE for the project and was delivered four months ahead of schedule.

Safety upgrades completed at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 7 : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

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US order promotes SMRs for space exploration and defence : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News

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Costain Announces SMR Collaboration With U-Battery :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Costain Announces SMR Collaboration With U-Battery :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: British construction and engineering group Costain is collaborating with U-Battery Developments Ltd to develop an advanced modular reactor which is being funded by the UK Department of Business.

The company said the work is in support of the government’s £12bn 10-point plan for carbon reduction to develop new nuclear energy solutions to help achieve the UK’s net zero carbon target.

The initial scope of Costain’s work is to advise on the engineering design of the modular, offsite construction and installation methods that will ultimately mean the SMR can be competitively priced and deployed locally to meet demand.

Consultation launched on new nuclear power station design proposed for UK - NS Energy

Consultation launched on new nuclear power station design proposed for UK - NS Energy

Fluor, NuScale providing SMR nuclear services for Carbon-Free Power Project | Power Engineering

Fluor, NuScale providing SMR nuclear services for Carbon-Free Power Project | Power Engineering: U.S. engineering, procurement and construction firm Fluor will provide its services for Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ Carbon-Free Power Project. Texas-based Fluor was awarded a contract for estimating, development, design and engineering services on the project actually located in Idaho. The project includes plans for nuclear energy featuring NuScale’s small modular reactor design. Fluor and […]

NRC Reactor Regulation Program Head Nieh Out - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

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DOE releases blueprint for advancing U.S. nuclear -- ANS / Newswire

DOE releases blueprint for advancing U.S. nuclear -- ANS / Newswire

Georgia Power Likely To Revise Schedule For Hot Testing And Fuel Load At Unit 3 :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Georgia Power Likely To Revise Schedule For Hot Testing And Fuel Load At Unit 3 :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Georgia Power is likely to adjust the dates for the start of hot functional testing and fuel load for the Vogtle-3 nuclear power plant under construction in the US, but still expects to achieve the November 2021 and 2022 regulatory-approved in-service dates for Units 3 and 4 respectively.

Since October 2020, the Vogtle site in the state of Georgia has seen a significant increase in Covid-19 cases, Georgia Power said. This increase, combined with “other productivity challenges”, continues to impact construction production and the pace of testing activity completion, it added.

Nuclear workforce resilient to challenges posed by COVID-19 - Nuclear Engineering International

Nuclear workforce resilient to challenges posed by COVID-19 - Nuclear Engineering International: Sixty per cent of those working in the nuclear industry feel confident their business is resilient to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Global Energy Talent Index (GETI). Only one-in-ten disagree.The report was...

ECA Update January 12, 2021 DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation

Image View this email in your browser ECA UPDATE Jan 12, 2021 FEATURED CLEANUP MANAGEMENT National Academies of Science Determines that EM “End State ”Contracting is Neither Outcomes-Based Nor Completion-Focused” ECA Staff | 1/12/2021 The National Academy of Science published a report entitled “Review of Effectiveness and Efficiency of Defense Environmental Cleanup Activities of the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management” (the “Report”). This Report was directed by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. In the detailed Report the National Academies of Science states that EM cleanup contracting can be and should be improved. Specifically it suggested that EM move away from the (misleadingly) titled End States contracting. This report further studied how the Office of Environmental Management (EM) performs its duties of executing mission activities related to cleanup. Specifically, the contracts used by EM to perform such duties for large projects are evaluated. In review of the existing end state contracting model (ESCM), the report reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of different contract types in comparison to previous cleanup contracting models. Both the present and former contracting models were compared with the new ESCM that EM has advanced as improved. Notably, the committee found: “the ESCM is neither outcomes-based nor completion-focused. Rather, ESCM is focused on delivery of a set of discrete outputs that are not clearly mapped by contract to achievement of either a clearly defined intermediate or final end-state. This significant deficiency deprives EM and the IDIQ contractor of the benefits of having a completion-oriented contract fully integrated throughout the supply chain and the fostering of innovation at the scale the program requires.” In review of Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), the report reviewed the effectiveness of resource management in terms of cost and time. The committee found: “that the IDIQ task order structure will create a significant number of task orders, triggering a pro rata increase in the project management burden to EM. The anticipated size of the task orders in the IDIQ clean-up contracts, averaging about $100 million, will result in EM having to manage potentially 100 task orders over the life of one clean-up contract. This process carries greater risk for EM, requiring the possible management of an unwieldy number of task orders and a significant amount of DOE oversight.” The report in general calls for an increase in transparency for contractor performance evaluation, for EM to establish well-defined, outcomes-based intermediated end-states in its contracts, and for EM to issue quarterly reports marking progress of end-state programs. Cleanup efficiency is put at risk by not achieving a streamlined procurement process when utilizing the ESCM of singled award for IDIQ contracts. Continue reading >> Upcoming ECA Events Jan. 25, 2021 ECA Advancing Alliances: Building Nuclear Workforce Development Initiatives in Communities; Virtual Sept. 8-10, 2021 National Cleanup Workshop; Alexandria, VA Follow the latest DOE budget updates with ECA's budget tracker Image Monitor DOE spending bills, detailed site budgets, and more. Find everything you need to know about the DOE budget here! NUCLEAR POWER NuScale Power and UAMPS Execute Agreements to Progress Carbon Free Power Project Argus-Press | 1/11/2021 NuScale Power today announced together with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) that it has executed agreements to facilitate the development of the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), which will deploy NuScale Power Modules™ at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and create cleaner, safer and cost-effective carbon-free power for UAMPS member utilities. Pursuant to the initial orders from UAMPS, Fluor Corporation and NuScale (as a subcontractor to Fluor) are to develop higher maturity cost estimates and initial project planning work for the licensing, manufacturing and construction of the CFPP. “The orders between NuScale and UAMPS mark the next major step in moving forward with the commercialization of NuScale’s groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) technology,” said John Hopkins, NuScale Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This is the first step in a prudent deployment plan that could result in the order of NuScale Power Modules in 2022. We are appreciative of UAMPS’ strong partnership and collaboration as we forge a new energy frontier together.” Continue reading >> Image UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 25, 2021 ECA Advancing Alliances: Building Nuclear Workforce Development Initiatives in Communities; Virtual Sept. 8-10, 2021 National Cleanup Workshop; Alexandria, VA ECA PUBLICATIONS Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation. ECA's Key Points on DOE HLW Interpretation ECA's FAQs on DOE HLW Interpretation Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications ECA BULLETIN Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org. View current and previous editions of the ECA Bulletin at www.energyca.org/bulletin DOE SITE PROFILES Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments. Access your community's profile by visiting: www.energyca.org/site-profiles DOE Site Proflies Energy Communities Alliance 1625 Eye St., NW Suite 800 Washington DC 20006 USA © 2019 Energy Communities Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved.

Donald Trump labelled a 'domestic terrorist' by former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage - ABC News

Donald Trump labelled a 'domestic terrorist' by former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage - ABC News: Former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage says he believes President Donald Trump is a "domestic terrorist" following last week's attack on the Capitol building.

NuScale Power and UAMPS Execute Agreements to Progress Carbon Free Power Project | National | argus-press.com

NuScale Power and UAMPS Execute Agreements to Progress Carbon Free Power Project | National | argus-press.com: PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 11, 2021--

With loss of nuclear plant, more clean energy is needed | The Gazette

With loss of nuclear plant, more clean energy is needed | The Gazette: For years nearly 10 percent of electricity produced in Iowa came from the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC), the nuclear reactor north of Palo. Now the reactor is gone for good. Its owner, NextEra, made the decision to close it. Even though more than 40 percent of our state's electricity comes from clean wind power, most of the rest comes from natural gas and coal, which produces local air pollution and contributes to warming the planet.

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Selects Everbridge to Ensure Safety of its Federal Workers and Facilities

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Selects Everbridge to Ensure Safety of its Federal Workers and Facilities: Everbridge, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVBG), the global leader in critical event management (CEM), today announced that the United States General Services Administration (GSA) selected the company’s Mass Notification platform to better protect the federal agency’s employees, facilities, and operations across more than 700 federally-owned and leased locations. Everbridge’s market-leading mass notification platform surpassed 5 billion communications on behalf of organizations around the world in 2020 alone. As COVID-19 impacted the GSA’s regional offices, field offices, and processing centers, much of the agency’s staff shifted to working remotely, a change which presented Duty of Care challenges to keeping employees safe and informed amid a variety of increasing threats such as a global pandemic, hurricanes, wildfires, cyberattacks, IT outages and more.

Georgia Power Expects to Adjust Key Milestones at Plant Vogtle

Georgia Power Expects to Adjust Key Milestones at Plant Vogtle: /PRNewswire/ -- Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear have made significant adjustments to work practices at the...

NuScale Power and UAMPS Execute Agreements to Progress Carbon Free Power Project | National | argus-press.com

NuScale Power and UAMPS Execute Agreements to Progress Carbon Free Power Project | National | argus-press.com: PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 11, 2021--

NRC Says Nuke Waste Policy Can't Be Fought In Court - Law360

NRC Says Nuke Waste Policy Can't Be Fought In Court - Law360: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an industry group can't challenge its determination that power plant operators must seek federal approval to dump low-grade waste at alternative sites not previously approved, arguing nuclear regulatory decisions are the exclusive authority of the commission.

NRC Issues Inspection Report for Turkey Point Shutdowns | Miami New Times

NRC Issues Inspection Report for Turkey Point Shutdowns | Miami New Times: Following three "scrams" at Florida Power and Light's (FPL) Turkey Point nuclear power plant in August 2020, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a safety report.

Talking About Low-dose Radiation Risk -- ANS / Webinars

Talking About Low-dose Radiation Risk -- ANS / Webinars

UK to start testing system to seal deep boreholes - Nuclear Engineering International

UK to start testing system to seal deep boreholes - Nuclear Engineering International

European states to co-operate on waste management - Nuclear Engineering International

European states to co-operate on waste management - Nuclear Engineering International: The European Repository Development Organisation has been established as a multinational association through which organisations from different European countries are joining forces following more than 10 years of preparation.Before its...

Ohio regulators set to officially pause nuclear bailout fees created through tainted energy bill - cleveland.com

Ohio regulators set to officially pause nuclear bailout fees created through tainted energy bill - cleveland.com: State regulators have ordered a pause on the $170 million in annual new fees created through the controversial House Bill 6, following a judge’s recent ruling in a lawsuit brought by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and officials in Cincinnati and Columbus.

Illinois AFL-CIO releases updated nuclear impacts report -- ANS / Newswire

Illinois AFL-CIO releases updated nuclear impacts report -- ANS / Newswire

Increasing costs of climate change–related disasters reflects importance of nuclear -- ANS / Newswire

Increasing costs of climate change–related disasters reflects importance of nuclear -- ANS / Newswire

Nuclear power backers hopeful Biden's climate focus will boost industry | Reuters

Nuclear power backers hopeful Biden's climate focus will boost industry | Reuters

US awards $20m for advanced nuclear reactor concepts - Energy Live News

US awards $20m for advanced nuclear reactor concepts - Energy Live News: The latest programme aims to assist the progression of advanced reactor designs in their earliest phases

UK HPR1000 design opened for public comment : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

UK HPR1000 design opened for public comment : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The UK's Environment Agency has published its assessment so far of the UK Hualong One pressurised water reactor (UK HPR1000) as it invites public comment on this proposed new reactor design. The UK HPR1000 is the Hualong One design that General Nuclear Services - a subsidiary of EDF and China General Nuclear - proposes to use at a prospective new nuclear power plant in Bradwell, England.

Costain partners with U-Battery on modular nuclear reactor design | Infrastructure Intelligence

Costain partners with U-Battery on modular nuclear reactor design | Infrastructure Intelligence: Industry, academia and research work together to develop a low carbon and reliable energy source.

Consultation launched on new nuclear power station design proposed for UK - GOV.UK

Consultation launched on new nuclear power station design proposed for UK - GOV.UK: The Environment Agency is consulting on its assessment of the UK Hualong Pressurised water reactor design.

N.Y. Law Spotlights Lost Nuclear Plant Tax Revenue Nationally

N.Y. Law Spotlights Lost Nuclear Plant Tax Revenue Nationally: Towns and cities across the country face the major loss of property taxes as nuclear power plants in their borders are shut down. They may be able to make up some of the loss, however, by taxing the nuclear waste storage property that still sits on the sites.

GE Steam Power delivers first Arabelle steam turbine module ahead of schedule for Akkuyu nuclear power plant | GE News

GE Steam Power delivers first Arabelle steam turbine module ahead of schedule for Akkuyu nuclear power plant | GE News: As part of its supply contract for the turbine islands’ main equipment, GE delivered the first Arabelle equipment for Akkuyu nuclear power plant, ahead of schedule, to Atomenergomash. Once completed, Akkuyu will generate 4.8 GW of carbon-free electricity, enough to power 5 million Turkish homes. Despite the on-going Covid 19 pandemic, GE was still able to deliver 4 months ahead of schedule, keeping employee safety a priority. Baden, Switzerland — January 12, 2021 —GE Steam Power (NYSE:GE) delivered the

SMRs: small modular reactors in Canada, explained | The Narwhal

SMRs: small modular reactors in Canada, explained | The Narwhal: Small modular reactors are variously described as a clean energy solution, a waste of time and a new danger. So, what’s the deal?

5 Advanced Reactors to Change Nuclear Energy in the Next Decade | IE

5 Advanced Reactors to Change Nuclear Energy in the Next Decade | IE: The future of nuclear energy appears bright as the US DOE was just awarded significant funding to continue research into 5 new reactor designs.

ERP036 - Advanced Nuclear Energy w/ Canon Bryan — Evolved Radio Podcast

ERP036 - Advanced Nuclear Energy w/ Canon Bryan — Evolved Radio Podcast: On the podcast today I'm speaking with Canon Bryan , CFO with Terrestrial Energy . Terrestrial Energy is an industry leader in next-generation nuclear energy. Nuclear is a fantastically efficient and clean source of energy, but over the years it's earned a bit of negative reputation. As Canon and

Experts | Canon Bryan

Experts | Canon Bryan

Reasons for hope going into 2021! | The Energy Collective Daily

Reasons for hope going into 2021! | The Energy Collective Daily Link to The Energy Collective Network Reasons for hope going into 2021! Energy, Ford and etc ... Visualizing North Dakota Oil & Gas Production (Through November 2020) Boston Joins Renewable-Energy Buying Alliance | Environmental Business Council of NE Transition to net zero could impact 10 million UK jobs | Net Zero Carbon Forest Carbon Offsets on the Agenda as France’s One Planet Summit Confronts Biodiversity Loss Haley: $170/Tonne Carbon Price Still Needs Green Industrial Policy to Set Direction Momentum from 2020 Drives Hopes for a Year of Climate Action Democrats’ Senate Majority Means Green Policy Shift, Wider Rollback of Trump Deregulation It’s time to power up, America Canadian Energy Weekly Round-Up: January 11, 2021 Unjust Transition: Anti-Energy Groups Mock Unemployed Energy Workers With Two More Petitions Filed Before SCOTUS, Climate Litigation Stakes Get Higher Natural gas transport in Colombia: unprofitable