Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Scientists of Chinese descent leaving the US at an accelerating pace | News | Chemistry World
Scientists of Chinese descent leaving the US at an accelerating pace | News | Chemistry World: Researchers of Chinese descent are leaving the US 75% faster since state-backed espionage investigations began in 2018
Georgia Power Vogtle 3 Enters Revenue Service | Neutron Bytes
Georgia Power Vogtle 3 Enters Revenue Service | Neutron Bytes: Georgia Power Vogtle 3 Enters Revenue Service Senate Passes Nuclear Legislation to Position US as an ‘International Leader’ Senate Approves Nuclear Fuel Amendment NEI Launches New Nuclear Energy PR…
(2) "America has turned Ukraine into a GRAVEYARD" - Col. Douglas MacGregor | Redacted w Clayton Morris - YouTube
(2) "America has turned Ukraine into a GRAVEYARD" - Col. Douglas MacGregor | Redacted w Clayton Morris - YouTube: America's proxy war against Russia has turned Ukraine into a graveyard. Colonel Douglas MacGregor joins Redacted to talk about how Ukraine has so many bodies...
(2) "America has turned Ukraine into a GRAVEYARD" - Col. Douglas MacGregor | Redacted w Clayton Morris - YouTube
(2) "America has turned Ukraine into a GRAVEYARD" - Col. Douglas MacGregor | Redacted w Clayton Morris - YouTube: America's proxy war against Russia has turned Ukraine into a graveyard. Colonel Douglas MacGregor joins Redacted to talk about how Ukraine has so many bodies...
Friday, August 4, 2023
Atlantic’s Biggest Offshore Wind Turbine to Rise Next Week in US - Bloomberg
Atlantic’s Biggest Offshore Wind Turbine to Rise Next Week in US - Bloomberg: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, project that will power 400,000 homes makes progress amid industry turmoil
Final environmental assessment issued for US reactor experiment : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Final environmental assessment issued for US reactor experiment : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The US Department of Energy has released a final environmental assessment and draft finding of no significant impact for the design, construction, and operation of the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment, which is to be built by Southern Company at Idaho National Laboratory.
Contract signed for IMSR fuel pilot plant : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
Contract signed for IMSR fuel pilot plant : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: Terrestrial Energy has signed a manufacturing and supply contract with Westinghouse subsidiary Springfields Fuels Limited to deliver a pilot Integral Molten Salt Reactor fuel plant in the UK, paving the way to provide the fuel to support future fleet deployment of such reactors. The project is receiving support from the UK government's Nuclear Fuel Fund.
Zero oil companies bid in BLM's Nevada lease sale - E&E News by POLITICO
Zero oil companies bid in BLM's Nevada lease sale - E&E News by POLITICO: The bust amplified conservationists’ calls to turn away from oil production in the state, where 95 percent of acres leased […]
Thursday, August 3, 2023
JEA confirms Plant Vogtle Unit 3 sends nuclear energy to Jacksonville
JEA confirms Plant Vogtle Unit 3 sends nuclear energy to Jacksonville: JEA confirmed the nuclear energy plant began flowing power to the Northeast Florida grid at 10 a.m. Monday.
Nuclear power's landmark project stumbles across the finish line - POLITICO
Nuclear power's landmark project stumbles across the finish line - POLITICO: Critics blast the ever-extending timeline and bloated budget of Plant Vogtle’s expansion. Supporters say the Georgia project is part of a nuclear revival.
The Era of Advanced Nuclear Energy Arrives in the U.S. with First AP1000® Reactor Achieving Commercial Operation at Vogtle
The Era of Advanced Nuclear Energy Arrives in the U.S. with First AP1000® Reactor Achieving Commercial Operation at Vogtle: The first U.S. Gen III+ advanced nuclear Westinghouse AP1000® reactor has begun commercial operation at Southern Nuclear’s Plant Vogtle.
U.S. nuclear power leadership started with Oppenheimer - Washington Times
U.S. nuclear power leadership started with Oppenheimer - Washington Times: For many, this past weekend started with the release of the film "Oppenheimer" and the story that changed forever how countries fortify their national defense.
USNC reveal fuel technology breakthrough - Nuclear Engineering International
USNC reveal fuel technology breakthrough - Nuclear Engineering International: Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), has announced updates to the design of its Gen IV gas-cooled microreactor with fuel developments with a tripling of power output. The company’s flagship Micro-Modular...
Two Big Nuclear Regulatory Milestones for Idaho NuScale SMR Project
Two Big Nuclear Regulatory Milestones for Idaho NuScale SMR Project: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 31 accepted a standard design approval (SDA) application for NuScale Power’s VOYGR-6, a plant design that
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Accepts NuScale Power’s Standard Design Approval Application | Energy Central
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Accepts NuScale Power’s Standard Design Approval Application | Energy Central: Updated design will support a wider range of customers seeking clean energy through small modular nuclear reactors PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) today announced the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) accepted its Standard Design Approval (SDA) Application for formal review. After beginning the technical review of NuScale’s
Armageddon For California's Diablo Canyon Nukes - LA Progressive
Armageddon For California's Diablo Canyon Nukes - LA Progressive: Lethal radiation clouds could pour into Los Angeles, the Central Valley the Bay Area, then across the entire North American continent.
Microgrids are the way of the future and there’s money available to help | Commentaries | Santa Maria Sun
Microgrids are the way of the future and there’s money available to help | Commentaries | Santa Maria Sun: Sammy Roth, the reporter who covers energy issues for the LA Times, recently had occasion to express the received wisdom on how energy must be...
Uranium results reflect market improvements : Corporate - World Nuclear News
Uranium results reflect market improvements : Corporate - World Nuclear News: Cameco and Kazatomprom have increased their sales and revenue guidance for 2023 upwards as market fundamentals continue to improve.
Chugoku, Kansai consider joint development of used fuel store : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News
Chugoku, Kansai consider joint development of used fuel store : Waste & Recycling - World Nuclear News: Japanese utilities Chugoku Electric Power Company and Kansai Electric Power Company plan to jointly investigate the construction of a used fuel interim storage facility in Kaminoseki town in Yamaguchi prefecture. The facility would be built on land Chugoku acquired to build a nuclear power plant, plans for which have stalled.
India eyes SMRs but focuses on large reactors : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News
India eyes SMRs but focuses on large reactors : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: The Indian government is exploring options for small modular reactors, but large-size plants are still the mainstay of the country's plans to expand its nuclear generating capacity, Minister of State Jitendra Singh has told the country's parliament.
Nuclear units generate 25pc of global clean electricity: report
Nuclear units generate 25pc of global clean electricity: report: Globally, the world's nuclear reactors generated more than 2500 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity for the sixth year running. Nuclear generation supplies around one-quarter of the world's clean electricity, second only to hydropower.
The Nuclear Notes - Will Small Modular Reactors Rescue the Grid from Solar?
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7089592540483518465/
Will Small Modular Reactors Rescue the Grid from Solar?
A well-recognized problem for power grids fed by a lot of solar panels is that when the sun goes down, they have to ramp up other power sources very quickly. And the time around sunset is usually a high-demand period, as people come home from work and turn on appliances. If we seek to decarbonize by switching to electric cars and electric heat, the challenge grows.
Grid experts call the pattern of demand in a solar-heavy system the “duck curve,” because a graph showing the demand net of solar has a deep trough, while the morning and evening demand is high, creating a line that looks like the outline of a duck.
The eastern United States does not have this problem, at least not yet. But a new study by the PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power market which extends from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland (for which it was named) through parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and the Chicago area, predicts that the difference between the lowest level of demand, when the sun is shining strongly, and the level after sunset could be 70 gigawatts. Arshad Mansour, president of the Electric Power Research Institute, noted that this number is “more than peak summer loads in the Northwest and New England combined.”
The first inclination of most system operators is to meet the challenge by cranking up gas turbine generators, which can respond quickly. Bu these emit carbon dioxide. To the extent that solar is paired with natural gas it limits the usefulness of solar in decarbonization. The problem is another illustration of why a “100 percent renewable” grid is an ideological position, not an engineering approach.
Mansoor points to another possibility, that gas-fired systems will be started up during the day, to displace carbon-free renewables, to assure that the gas-powered generators are available at sunset. But, he notes, there are other ways to solve the problem, including changes in retail electricity prices, to give users an incentive not to use electricity at sunset, or adding transmission or energy storage. But small modular reactors could also help solve the problem, he argues. And when solar floods the market, the reactors can turn to other jobs, like making low-carbon fuels, he points out.
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology: A Company Compendium | NIA
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology: A Company Compendium | NIA: The Company Compendium serves as an introduction to the advanced reactor business ecosystem for potential investors and other key stakeholders. The document was originally release in July 2022, and was last updated in July 2023.
US Senate votes to 'onshore' nuclear fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
US Senate votes to 'onshore' nuclear fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: The US Senate has voted by 96-3 to approve legislation that would strengthen domestic nuclear fuel production and ensure that disruptions in uranium supply will not impact the development of advance reactors or the operation of the USA's existing power reactor fleet.
The Implications of Georgia's Strategic Partnership With China | OilPrice.com
The Implications of Georgia's Strategic Partnership With China | OilPrice.com: Georgia's recent inauguration of a "strategic partnership" with China has raised concerns among critics about the potential geopolitical implications for the pro-Western nation.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
The High Costs and Failures of Nuclear Reactors
The High Costs and Failures of Nuclear Reactors: The High Costs and Failures of Nuclear Reactors - EnergyPortal.eu
Singleton Schreiber files lawsuit against PG&E Over Environmental Impact of Dixie Fire and Fly Fire
Singleton Schreiber files lawsuit against PG&E Over Environmental Impact of Dixie Fire and Fly Fire: /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys for Northern California residents impacted by the Dixie Fire and Fly Fire filed a class action lawsuit in San Francisco Superior...
NuScale / NRC Accepts Standard Design Approval Application For Voygr-6 Nuclear Plant :: NucNet | The Independent Nuclear News Agency
NuScale / NRC Accepts Standard Design Approval Application For Voygr-6 Nuclear Plant :: NucNet | The Independent Nuclear News Agency: Company planning demonstration facility in Idaho
South Africa's Necsa and Russia's TVEL sign nuclear fuel MoU : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
South Africa's Necsa and Russia's TVEL sign nuclear fuel MoU : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and Russia's TVEL have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the manufacture of nuclear fuel and its components.
U.S. Withdraws Offer To Buy 6 Million Barrels Of Oil For The SPR | OilPrice.com
U.S. Withdraws Offer To Buy 6 Million Barrels Of Oil For The SPR | OilPrice.com: The Department of Energy has canceled its offer for the purchase of 6 million barrels of oil for the SPR as oil prices continue to climb.
What Vogtle’s stumbling finish means for U.S. nuclear energy - E&E News by POLITICO
What Vogtle’s stumbling finish means for U.S. nuclear energy - E&E News by POLITICO: Critics blast the ever-extending timeline and bloated budget of Plant Vogtle’s expansion. Supporters say the Georgia project is part of a nuclear revival.
China’s Xi Calls for Combat Readiness Amid Nuclear Force Shakeup
China’s Xi Calls for Combat Readiness Amid Nuclear Force Shakeup: Chinese leader Xi Jinping is reiterating the army's "combat readiness" and overhauling the leadership of China's nuclear arsenal. ...
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Podcast: World Nuclear Performance Report : Perspectives - World Nuclear News
Podcast: World Nuclear Performance Report : Perspectives - World Nuclear News: The 2023 edition of World Nuclear Performance Report is packed full of stats - its author Jonathan Cobb presents the headlines and discusses what the findings reveal about overall output and different types and ages of reactors.
The Era of Advanced Nuclear Energy Arrives in the U.S. with First AP1000® Reactor Achieving Commercial Operation at Vogtle
The Era of Advanced Nuclear Energy Arrives in the U.S. with First AP1000® Reactor Achieving Commercial Operation at Vogtle: The first U.S. Gen III+ advanced nuclear Westinghouse AP1000® reactor has begun commercial operation at Southern Nuclear’s Plant Vogtle.
Czech Republic Expanding Nuclear Power Program
Czech Republic Expanding Nuclear Power Program: The Czech Republic is looking to expand its use of nuclear power, with utility CEZ launching another tender looking for companies to bid on construction of new reactors and generators at the country’s two
China Approves Six Nuclear Reactors at $17 Billion Investment - Bloomberg
China Approves Six Nuclear Reactors at $17 Billion Investment - Bloomberg: China’s State Council approved six new nuclear reactors as it continues to expand the world’s biggest pipeline of new atomic energy projects.
Southern California Edison eyeing ‘substantial investments’ in grid resilience and reliability, CEO says | Utility Dive
Southern California Edison eyeing ‘substantial investments’ in grid resilience and reliability, CEO says | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
First new Vogtle nuclear reactor enters operation, making history
First new Vogtle nuclear reactor enters operation, making history: After years of delays and billions of dollars over the original budget, the first of the two new units at Plant Vogtle has officially entered commerci
Anti-nuclear zealots are still fighting to cripple California's grid | Washington Examiner
Anti-nuclear zealots are still fighting to cripple California's grid | Washington Examiner: Nothing quite defines the present state of California more than a debate about whether keeping the lights on for residents is worth the money.
For a cleaner energy future, we must embrace small nuclear reactors | The Hill
For a cleaner energy future, we must embrace small nuclear reactors | The Hill: Small nuclear reactors offer numerous advantages like efficient power generation, low carbon emissions and potential versatility that make them a key component in achieving a renewable energy future.
Monday, July 31, 2023
Global Boiling? Don’t Be Ridiculous | RealClearPolicy
Global Boiling? Don’t Be Ridiculous | RealClearPolicy: It’s time to stand up to the eco-fearmongering of our medieval elites.
At PG&E innovation conference, Musk warns of looming challenges to meet energy needs
At PG&E innovation conference, Musk warns of looming challenges to meet energy needs: IN ITS INAUGURAL conference dedicated to innovative energy technology, the Bay Area’s largest utility company, PG&E, heard from one of the most influential figures in the renewable energy space — Tesla CEO Elon Musk. PG&E kicked off its first Innovation Summit last week with panels featuring Musk and other technology leaders, along with discussions of […]
Op-Ed: One Simple Energy Question Devastates 'Net-Zero' Pipe Dreams
Op-Ed: One Simple Energy Question Devastates 'Net-Zero' Pipe Dreams: Wind, solar and other "green" energy sources require massive amounts of land compared to traditional power plants.
The Clash of Opinions on the Future of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant
The Clash of Opinions on the Future of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant: The Clash of Opinions on the Future of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant - EnergyPortal.eu
US Senate votes to 'onshore' nuclear fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
US Senate votes to 'onshore' nuclear fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: The US Senate has voted by 96-3 to approve legislation that would strengthen domestic nuclear fuel production and ensure that disruptions in uranium supply will not impact the development of advance reactors or the operation of the USA's existing power reactor fleet.
Vogtle 3 begins commercial operation : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Vogtle 3 begins commercial operation : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The USA's first newly constructed nuclear power plant in more than 30 years is now serving customers - it reached first criticality in March, was connected to the electricity grid in April and is now officially generating electricity for customers, Georgia Power has announced.
Alaska simplifies microreactor regulations : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News
Alaska simplifies microreactor regulations : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The US state of Alaska has adopted regulations to streamline the regulatory process for the siting of microreactors. The new regulations, which waive some requirements imposed on larger nuclear facilities, come into effect in August.
First new Vogtle nuclear reactor enters operation, making history
First new Vogtle nuclear reactor enters operation, making history: After years of delays and billions of dollars over the original budget, the first of the two new units at Plant Vogtle has officially entered commerci
Sunday, July 30, 2023
The Profiteers of Armageddon - TomDispatch.com
The Profiteers of Armageddon - TomDispatch.com
William Hartung, Cashing in on a Perpetual Nuclear Arms Race
July 30, 2023
Yes, the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, would kill staggering numbers of people and be an eerily (if all too grimly) appropriate ending to the war that started with the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and, by August 1945, had resulted in the saturation bombing of 64 Japanese cities.
The scientist who led the team responsible for creating the bombs that destroyed those two cities (and for the initial nuclear test in New Mexico that, as we only recently learned, spread fallout over 46 states, Canada, and Mexico), the 41-year-old J. Robert Oppenheimer, would later borrow a line from the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scriptures, to describe his mood at the time: "Now, I am become death, the destroyer of worlds." And eerily enough, the use of the weapon that would prove to be the second way humanity found to destroy our planet -- the first, climate change, was already in effect but not yet known -- would find all too few in the U.S. government hesitant to use it at that time. As historian John Dower would put it in his memorable book Cultures of War,
"The policy makers, scientists, and military officers who had committed themselves to becoming death... never seriously considered not using their devastating new weapon. They did not talk about turning mothers into cinders or irradiating even the unborn. They brushed aside discussion of alternative targets, despite the urging of many lower-echelon scientists that they consider this. They gave little if any serious consideration to whether there should be ample pause after using the first nuclear weapon to give Japan's frazzled leaders time to respond before a second bomb was dropped."
They just did it, twice, and the world changed radically. Almost 80 years later, at a moment when a global leader is once again evidently considering the possible use of what are now called "tactical nuclear weapons" (but can be several times more powerful than the bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki), Oppenheimer is having his moment in the sun (or is it a blaze of atomic light?) in a film that, to the surprise of many, has hit the big time in an almost nuclear fashion. And as TomDispatch regular and Pentagon expert William Hartung reminds us while considering that three-hour odyssey of a film, what "Oppie" began then has by now become a full-scale nuclear-industrial complex on a planet where ultimate destruction, it often seems, always lurks just around the corner. Tom