Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Where Republican presidential candidates stand on Yucca
Where Republican presidential candidates stand on Yucca: With nine major Republicans declared to run for president, I looked through their past statements to see what they think of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
Nuclear, Coal, Green: Author Robert Bryce Talks About Energy | The Motley Fool
Nuclear, Coal, Green: Author Robert Bryce Talks About Energy | The Motley Fool: Bryce discusses the challenges of building any energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s Request for US Help with Its Nuclear Program | Energy Central
Saudi Arabia’s Request for US Help with Its Nuclear Program | Energy Central: Saudi Arabia’s Request for US Help with its Nuclear Program
Lack of funding 'problematic' for DOE's HALEU purchasing plan: NEI | S&P Global Commodity Insights
Lack of funding 'problematic' for DOE's HALEU purchasing plan: NEI | S&P Global Commodity Insights: Lack of adequate funding for the US Department of Energy s HALEU Availability Program could make realization of the purchasing plan described by DOE in a draft solicitation problematic, a Nuclear Ener
Global Warming Comes Home to Roost
Global Warming Comes Home to Roost: The smoke from wildfires in Canada that has drifted down to the United States, choking New York City and Philadelphia with their worst air quality in history and blanketing much of the East Coast a…
Friday, June 9, 2023
DOE Awards $26 Million to Support Consent-Based Siting for Spent Nuclear Fuel | Department of Energy
DOE Awards $26 Million to Support Consent-Based Siting for Spent Nuclear Fuel | Department of Energy: Funding Provides Engagement and Training Resources for Communities Interested in Learning More About Interim Storage
Westinghouse and Astrobotic to collaborate on space technology
Westinghouse and Astrobotic to collaborate on space technology: US-based Electric Company and Astrobotic have signed a MoU to explore collaboration on space technology programmes for NASA & DOD.
Deep borehole demo work to be conducted in Norway : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News
Deep borehole demo work to be conducted in Norway : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center has signed a memorandum of understanding with Norsk Kjernekraft to collaborate on demonstration of deep borehole disposal in Norway. The centre - launched earlier this year - has already begun demonstration work at a site in Cameron, Texas.
What kind of peace do we seek? At 60, JFK's speech never gets old - Responsible Statecraft
What kind of peace do we seek? At 60, JFK's speech never gets old - Responsible Statecraft: On Saturday it will be six decades since the 35th president made a call for not seeing the Soviet enemy as ‘evil.’ We have a lot to learn.
WIPP ventilation shaft reaches new depths : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News
WIPP ventilation shaft reaches new depths : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: A new utility shaft at the US Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico has now reached nearly 90% of the way to the underground waste repository depth of 2150 feet (655 metres). The new shaft is part of a major investment project to ensure the facility can operate safely and compliantly for decades to come.
US and UK back new 'Atlantic Declaration' for economic cooperation | Reuters
US and UK back new 'Atlantic Declaration' for economic cooperation | Reuters: Britain and the United States backed a new "Atlantic Declaration" on Thursday for greater cooperation on pressing economic challenges in areas like clean energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.
Saudi Arabia’s Request for US Help with its Nuclear Program | Neutron Bytes
Saudi Arabia’s Request for US Help with its Nuclear Program | Neutron Bytes: This week Saudi Arabia repeated this week its request for US assistance with its commercial nuclear power program during a visit by US Sec. of State Blinken. There are a lot of moving pieces in thi…
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Global: Kakhovka dam breach raises risk for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – receding waters narrow options for cooling | Energy Central
Global: Kakhovka dam breach raises risk for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – receding waters narrow options for cooling | Energy Central: Source: The Conversation – USA – By Najmedin Meshkati, Professor of Engineering and International Relations, University of Southern California The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant seen across the Dnieper River, which was receding after a downstream dam was destroyed. Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images A blast on June 6, 2023, destroyed the Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River in
NuScale Power Partners with Accelerant Solutions to Develop Small Modular Reactor Operator Training Program | Business Wire
NuScale Power Partners with Accelerant Solutions to Develop Small Modular Reactor Operator Training Program | Business Wire: NuScale and Accelerant celebrate agreement for the development and implementation of a NuScale Licensed Operator Training Program.
State Lands Commission Approves Extension of Diablo Canyon's Lease - The Santa Barbara Independent
State Lands Commission Approves Extension of Diablo Canyon's Lease - The Santa Barbara Independent: Approval for nuclear power plant follows appeal by Mothers for Peace and a public meeting.
WIPP ventilation shaft reaches new depths : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News
WIPP ventilation shaft reaches new depths : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: A new utility shaft at the US Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico has now reached nearly 90% of the way to the underground waste repository depth of 2150 feet (655 metres). The new shaft is part of a major investment project to ensure the facility can operate safely and compliantly for decades to come.
UKAEA awards funding focusing on fusion fuel requirements : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
UKAEA awards funding focusing on fusion fuel requirements : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Seven companies and universities have been selected for GBP6.8 million (USD8.5 million) of contracts to take their work on digital engineering and fusion fuel requirements to 'proof of concept' stage by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
Barakah 4 in final operational readiness tests : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Barakah 4 in final operational readiness tests : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Barakah's operations team has begun the final operational readiness testing needed before the fourth unit at the site near Ruwais in Abu Dhabi can receive an operating licence from the UAE's nuclear regulator.
S.Korea to design proven type reactor of nuclear fusion power - KED Global
S.Korea to design proven type reactor of nuclear fusion power - KED Global: South Korean government has initiated the design phase for a nuclear fusion power proven type reactor, taking a significant step toward harnessing nuclear fusi
State Lands Commission Approves Extension of Diablo Canyon's Lease - The Santa Barbara Independent
State Lands Commission Approves Extension of Diablo Canyon's Lease - The Santa Barbara Independent: Approval for nuclear power plant follows appeal by Mothers for Peace and a public meeting.
EDF Moves Back Into State Hands With a Multitude of Burdens
EDF Moves Back Into State Hands With a Multitude of Burdens: (Bloomberg) -- Electricite de France SA is set to return to full state ownership on Thursday, almost 18 years after its listing on the Paris stock exchange. Its nationalization ends a bumpy ride for shareholders but many challenges still loom large for the debt-laden nuclear behemoth. Most Read from BloombergRussian Elite Is Souring on Putin’s Chances of Winning His WarBonds Everywhere Suffer as Rate-Hike Fears Swamp TradersMystery Bet Before SEC Crypto Crackdown May Mint Trader MillionsThese Ar
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Keeping Diablo Canyon open wasn’t political, head of U.S. nuclear regulatory agency says
Keeping Diablo Canyon open wasn’t political, head of U.S. nuclear regulatory agency says: “At the moment, I’m happy to say that things are operating securely and safely here at the plant,” the chairman said during a visit to the nuclear power plant.
Die Ukraine sprengt russische Ammoniak-Pipeline – Anti-Spiegel
Die Ukraine sprengt russische Ammoniak-Pipeline – Anti-Spiegel
Ukraine blows up Russian ammonia pipeline
The ammonia pipeline, built in the 1970s, runs from the Russian city of Togliatti via Kharkov to Odessa and . used to pump about 2.5 million tons of ammonia annually into the port of Odessa, from where it was exported by ship all over the world. Ammonia is an important fertilizer. Ukraine has the transit on the 24th. February 2022 due to the Russian intervention in Ukraine.
Kiev accuses Russia of blowing up the pipeline. It is interesting that German media hardly report on the attack, and when they report on it, they largely re-enly replicate Ukrainian propaganda as usual. For most German media, however, the incident is not worth its own article so far, instead many only mention it as a short message in their news tickers on the Ukraine crisis.
In order to understand why it is clear that not Russia but Ukraine destroyed the pipeline, I have to catch up a little again, because this is about the grain agreement. First of all, I remind you once again of what is regulated in the grain agreement, then it becomes clear who has what interests in the attack on the ammonia pipeline.
The grain agreement
In the summer of 2022, the Western media reported for weeks that Russia was blocking Ukrainian grain exports and thus using global hunger as a weapon because Ukrainian grain is so urgently needed by the poorest countries in the world. The Ukrainian grain is intended for the Third World and the EU is said to be very committed to ensuring that the evil Russians finally allow the Ukrainian grain to be delivered to the poorest countries.
Subsequently, the grain agreement was concluded and the Ukrainian grain could be exported via the Black Sea. The media then quickly stopped reporting on it, because it turned out that the Ukrainian grain did not go to the poorest countries in the world, but above all to the EU. You can read this on the corresponding page of the UN, but people in the West did not have to know that.
What the Western media also does not report is that the grain agreement stipulates that the anti-Russian sanctions that hinder the export of Russian grain and Russian fertilizers should be lifted. These are sanctions against Russian banks, because how can someone buy Russian grain if they can't transfer money? These are sanctions against Russian logistics, i.e. against Russian ports, transport companies and so on.
This is not reported in the West, because then Western media would have to admit that it is the West that provokes a famine in the poorest countries of the world by hindering Russian exports of food and fertilizers.
This even goes so far that EU states have fixed Russian ships with fertilizers in 2022.Russia then offered to give these fertilizers to African states, but the EU still did not release the fertilizers. In order to prevent a famine as much as possible, the Russian president has even declared that Russia - should the West prevent the export of Russian grain - will give its grain to the countries in need if necessary.
But no one in the West knows anything about it either, because the Western media conceals it.
Extension of the grain agreement
The grain agreement is extended for a certain period of time each time. Since the West does not lift the sanctions that hinder the export of Russian grain and fertilizers, Russia has already declared before the last extension that further extensions of the agreement are unlikely because the agreement "does not work".
Russia has on the 18th May nevertheless agreed to a further extension of the grain agreement by two months. Analysts speculate that the reason was that Moscow wanted to help Erdogan in the election campaign, because the grain agreement is a success of Turkish diplomacy and breaking it immediately before the runoff elections of the Turkish presidential election could have hurt Erdogan.
However, during the extension, Moscow stated that for the next extension, it calls for the next extension to allow Russian ships to enter foreign ports, to change the conditions for the insurance of dry loads, to connect the Rosselchosbank (Russian Agricultural Bank) to SWIFT and - this is important! - to put the ammonia pipeline back into operation in order to facilitate the export of Russian ammonia.
On the 1st In June, the UN, one of the parties to the grain agreement, announced that Russia had informed the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul of its decision to restrict the registration of ships in the Yushny port near Odessa because no Russian ammonia was being exported. This measure did not apply for long, Russia took it back a few days later, but it was a clear "warning shot" that Russia insists on the commissioning of the ammonia pipeline.
And now, a week later, is Russia supposed to have blown up this pipeline itself?
Western media keep their readers stupid
Only Western media, who conceal the connections from their readers, can claim this nonsense. Der Spiegel, for example, has not yet published its own article about the blasting of the pipeline, but only briefly mentioned the attack in its news ticker on the Ukraine crisis. The Spiegel only writes about the background:
"The pipeline between Odessa and the Russian city of Toljatti may be crucial for the extension of the grain agreement, Russia demands its release. At the beginning of the war, the pipeline was blocked by Ukraine. At around 2470 kilometers, it is the longest ammonia line in the world."
Since Russia is the evil aggressor for the Spiegel reader, the Spiegel reader should already feel anger at the wording "Russia demands its release", because how can the evil aggressor demand anything? On top of that, from the unfortunate Ukraine?
Since the Spiegel - like the Western media in general - conceals from its readers the connections that are important for understanding, Western propaganda works so well. If people don't know things, they can't understand how they are lied to by the media.
This is also the reason why the EU has censored Russian media and is taking such a rigorous approach against alleged fake news: If the people in the EU knew the truth about this and all the other events related to Ukraine and Russia, Brussels and the governments of the EU states could no longer continue their anti-Russian policies.
So in the West you are censored with all your might because you are afraid of the truth there.
Antinukers want to hurry up lawsuit against Diablo Canyon restart - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1
Antinukers want to hurry up lawsuit against Diablo Canyon restart - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.
Finland's Fortum explores Nordic nuclear power with Westinghouse | Reuters
Finland's Fortum explores Nordic nuclear power with Westinghouse | Reuters: Finland's Fortum will cooperate with Westinghouse Electric to explore the development of new nuclear power production in Finland and Sweden, the two companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
After dam bursts, IAEA says Zaporizhzhia's cooling pond must be protected | Reuters
After dam bursts, IAEA says Zaporizhzhia's cooling pond must be protected | Reuters: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has enough water to cool its reactors for "several months" from a pond located above the reservoir of a nearby dam that has broken, the U.N. atomic watchdog said on Tuesday, calling for the pond to be spared.
Fortum, Westinghouse Electric Studying Nuclear Projects in Finland and Sweden - MarketWatch
Fortum, Westinghouse Electric Studying Nuclear Projects in Finland and Sweden - MarketWatch: By Dominic Chopping Fortum said Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Westinghouse Electric Company to explore prerequisites for...
Applying ARPA-I: A Proven Model for Transportation Infrastructure - Federation of American Scientists
Applying ARPA-I: A Proven Model for Transportation Infrastructure - Federation of American Scientists
A small but crucial part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was the birth of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I).
Building on other proven models – DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and ARPA-E (Advanced Research Program-Energy) – ARPA-I’s objective is to bring the nation’s most innovative technology solutions to bear on our most significant transportation infrastructure challenges.
Those challenges are numerous.
More people are dying on U.S. roads (42,915 in 2021, up 10.5% from 2020 according to NHTSA); the transportation sector contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector in the U.S.; according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 42% of the nation’s bridges are more than 50 years old, and 7.5% are “structurally deficient.”
The Federation of American Scientists, engaged by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology to scope research and technology topics suitable for an advanced research portfolio at USDOT, has authored a report that sets the table for a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring that spirit of untethered innovation to the transportation sector – laying out the obstacles unique to this sector, and how the ARPA model has worked in tackling complex problems in the past.
Grossi to lead IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia next week : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News
Grossi to lead IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia next week : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is to lead the latest rotation of its experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant next week. It comes as the IAEA and nuclear experts in Ukraine and in Russia say there is no short-term risk to its safety and security as a result of the damaged Nova Kakhovka dam.
Engineer who saved nuclear plant from meltdown shares leadership lessons | CUA
Engineer who saved nuclear plant from meltdown shares leadership lessons | CUA: The story of how one leader's actions stopped a second nuclear power plant in Fukushima from melting down is now a case study in crisis management. Former site manager for Fukushima Daini Naohiro Masuda came to campus May 31 to share his experiences to a packed auditorium in Hannan Hall.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
U.S. knew about Ukrainian plot to bomb Nord Stream pipeline months before attack - The Washington Post
U.S. knew about Ukrainian plot to bomb Nord Stream pipeline months before attack - The Washington Post: THE DISCORD LEAKS | The CIA learned last June, via a European spy agency, that a six-person team of Ukrainian special operations forces intended to sabotage the Russia-Germany natural gas pipeline.
Lewis County’s Centralia bets on clean energy as coal economy fades | The Seattle Times
Lewis County’s Centralia bets on clean energy as coal economy fades | The Seattle Times: A step in Washington’s move to a green grid, the power plant’s closure is likely to mark the end of the coal economy in the region and the start of...
Massive US nuclear hydrogen power plan put on pause by Constellation Energy - H2 News
Massive US nuclear hydrogen power plan put on pause by Constellation Energy - H2 News: The billion-dollar pink H2 strategy is now on hold in the face of potential tax credit limits. Constellation Energy Corp. has announced that it is placing its
Ukrainian dam collapse ‘no immediate risk’ to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant | Ukraine | The Guardian
Ukrainian dam collapse ‘no immediate risk’ to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant | Ukraine | The Guardian: But IAEA says damage to Nova Kakhovka dam raises long-term concerns for power station’s future
U.S. Department of Energy to Acquire High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium Material | Department of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy to Acquire High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium Material | Department of Energy: DOE seeks feedback on two draft Requests for Proposals for HALEU supply chain services.
Monday, June 5, 2023
NRC chair visits Diablo Canyon as commission works to help keep plant on - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1
NRC chair visits Diablo Canyon as commission works to help keep plant on - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.
Going in Big On Tiny Reactors | Arkansas Business News | ArkansasBusiness.com
Going in Big On Tiny Reactors | Arkansas Business News | ArkansasBusiness.com: NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. of New York is leading a well-financed effort to develop micro-reactors, tinier versions of the small modular reactors Arkansas is looking into powering with recycled nuclear fuel.
ANALYSIS: The True Cost of Energy Generated From Wind Turbines
ANALYSIS: The True Cost of Energy Generated From Wind Turbines: Claims of wind power being pro-environment often do not consider the damaging effects these projects can have on wildlife and ecosystems, thus hiding the “true cost” of such initiatives.
Why Small Modular Reactors Herald a Nuclear Energy Renaissance | The National Interest
Why Small Modular Reactors Herald a Nuclear Energy Renaissance | The National Interest: If successful, a recently announced project will prove that small nuclear reactors can be used in a wide variety of settings, with significant benefits to the environment.
Green Projects Hit Iron Wall | RealClearWire
Green Projects Hit Iron Wall | RealClearWire: Green Projects Hit Iron Wall
Nuclear Power May Become Crucial In Decarbonization Efforts | OilPrice.com
Nuclear Power May Become Crucial In Decarbonization Efforts | OilPrice.com: Nuclear power generation could help the world decarbonize energy amid growing global demand for electricity, but there's a number of challenges that make widescale adoption in the short term unlikely
Israeli energy minister opposed to idea of civilian Saudi nuclear programme | Reuters
Israeli energy minister opposed to idea of civilian Saudi nuclear programme | Reuters: Israel's energy minister voiced opposition on Monday to the idea of Saudi Arabia developing a civilian nuclear programme as part of any U.S.-mediated forging of relations between the countries.
France, Germany Dispute Over Nuclear Energy Leaves EU Deadlocked on Renewables - BNN Bloomberg
France, Germany Dispute Over Nuclear Energy Leaves EU Deadlocked on Renewables - BNN Bloomberg: France is seeking to reopen negotiations over a key Green Deal law in an effort to ensure a greater role for nuclear in Europe’s energy transition, a move fiercely opposed by Germany, leaving the talks in deadlock.
Record level of US support for nuclear continues : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News
Record level of US support for nuclear continues : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: US public support for nuclear energy has remained at a record high level for the third consecutive year, according to the latest survey by Bisconti Research Inc. The results show three quarters of the public favour nuclear energy, and about seven in ten support the construction of more nuclear power plants.
IAEA aims to expand team at Zaporizhzhia : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News
IAEA aims to expand team at Zaporizhzhia : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has said he hopes to "reinforce" the agency's team of experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to reflect its expanded role, which includes monitoring compliance with the five safety and security principles outlined at the United Nations last week.
OPG and OSGE enhance cooperation on SMRs : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
OPG and OSGE enhance cooperation on SMRs : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Canada's Ontario Power Generation will provide operator services to Poland's Orlen Synthos Green Energy under a letter of intent signed between the partners, extending their existing cooperation on the deployment of small modular reactors.
Arnaud Bertrand on Twitter: "Despite being used to it, I remain absolutely gobsmacked at the lies coming from the American government. Anyone who pays even remote attention to the subject can see U.S. policy on China and Taiwan has changed dramatically. For one the core of the policy towards Taiwan was… https://t.co/b8b8bEeoJ8" / Twitter
Arnaud Bertrand on Twitter: "Despite being used to it, I remain absolutely gobsmacked at the lies coming from the American government. Anyone who pays even remote attention to the subject can see U.S. policy on China and Taiwan has changed dramatically. For one the core of the policy towards Taiwan was… https://t.co/b8b8bEeoJ8" / Twitter
Despite being used to it, I remain absolutely gobsmacked at the lies coming from the American government.
Anyone who pays even remote attention to the subject can see U.S. policy on China and Taiwan has changed dramatically.
For one the core of the policy towards Taiwan was strategic ambiguity, meaning the US not saying if it would defend Taiwan, or not, in case of conflict. Biden has now said at 4 different occasions that the US would.
Another key aspect of US policy towards Taiwan was the absence of American soldiers on the ground. They left when the US recognized the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China in 1978, 45 years ago and... came back this year when 200 US military trainers were officially announced.
Or yet another key aspect of the policy was the absence of official relations between Taiwan and the US... policy shattered by Pelosi's visit to the Island in her official capacity as Speaker of the House.
I could go on and on: the unprecedented arm sales to Taiwan, the constant flow of US warships in the Taiwan strait, etc.
So why lie? For a very simple reason. So that when war arises, just like the Ukraine war, the US can claim it was "totally unprovoked"...
https://politico.com/news/2023/06/04/china-taiwan-biden-sullivan-00100100
Nuclear power may again be on horizon for Clark County - The Columbian
Nuclear power may again be on horizon for Clark County - The Columbian: Discussions surrounding potential nuclear projects are making the rounds in Washington as the state works to completely phase out carbon-emitting energy resources, and now talks have landed in Clark C
Westinghouse, Astrobotic team up on space projects : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Westinghouse, Astrobotic team up on space projects : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Westinghouse Electric Company and lunar landers and rovers developer Astrobotic have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore collaboration on space technology programmes for NASA and the US Department of Defense.
Sunday, June 4, 2023
IAEA recognizes Saudi Arabia’s role in Compass nuclear initiative | Arab News
IAEA recognizes Saudi Arabia’s role in Compass nuclear initiative | Arab News: VIENNA: Saudi Arabia has received a certificate of appreciation and gratitude from the International Atomic Energy Agency for its recent participation in the IAEA’s Comprehensive Capacity Building Initiative (Compass), a first-of-its-kind initiative. The certificate of merit was handed over by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Jalawi bin Nasser Al-Qahtani, Saudi Nuclear
NuScale joins Rolls-Royce and Bill Gates in race to build UK nuclear reactors
NuScale joins Rolls-Royce and Bill Gates in race to build UK nuclear reactors: A US nuclear developer is poised to join the race to build new reactors in the UK and has urged the government to go faster in picking a preferred technology. N
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