Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Judge Rejects Lawsuit Challenging California Nuclear Plant's Operations

Judge Rejects Lawsuit Challenging California Nuclear Plant's Operations: A California judge rejected a lawsuit from an environmental group seeking to keep Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) from extending the operating life

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Saudi Arabia Says It Might Select China for Nuclear Reactors | Neutron Bytes

Saudi Arabia Says It Might Select China for Nuclear Reactors | Neutron Bytes: In what should have come to few as a surprise for those who follow the nuclear industry, Saudi Arabia went on the record, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) (firewall) on August 25th, tha…

AI Is Beginning to Subtract Jobs, Control Needed

AI Is Beginning to Subtract Jobs, Control Needed: The conventional wisdom — don’t you love it? — holds that artificial intelligence won’t cost jobs. But it will. The evidence is mounting. I say this after doing my best to divine the thinking of th…

Activists criticize evaporation of radioactive waste water at Pilgrim plant - The Boston Globe

Activists criticize evaporation of radioactive waste water at Pilgrim plant - The Boston Globe: Activists discovered this month that Holtec, the company dismantling the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, had evaporated radioactive waste water and discharged the vapor.

Why Are There So Many Fires? Dr. David Martin Unveils What He Thinks Is Behind It

Why Are There So Many Fires? Dr. David Martin Unveils What He Thinks Is Behind It

Friday, August 25, 2023

The Thorium Zone, Episode 2: Why Thorium - Liquid Fission Thorium - YouTube

The Thorium Zone, Episode 2: Why Thorium - Liquid Fission Thorium - YouTube

Fukushima News | Fukushima Nuclear Disaster | Fukushima Accident

Fukushima News | Fukushima Nuclear Disaster | Fukushima Accident

Fire Concepts

Fire Concepts

California judge rules Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can stay open (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha

California judge rules Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can stay open (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha: A California judge rejected an environmental group's lawsuit that sought to block PG&E (PCG) from extending the operating life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

Carbon Obsession Is A Distraction

Carbon Obsession Is A Distraction

Saskatchewan seeks to develop SMR supply chain : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Saskatchewan seeks to develop SMR supply chain : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Saskatchewan's Crown Investments Corporation is providing CAD479,000 (USD352,296) to the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association and its partners to prepare local companies for their future participation in provincial, national and global small modular reactor development.

Slovenské elektrárne and Westinghouse fuel supply agreement : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News

Slovenské elektrárne and Westinghouse fuel supply agreement : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: A long-term agreement with Westinghouse for the licensing and supply of VVER-440 fuel assemblies has been signed as part of Slovenské elektrárne's efforts to diversify its supplies for power plants in Slovakia.

Growing share of Americans favor more nuclear power | Pew Research Center

Growing share of Americans favor more nuclear power | Pew Research Center: A majority of Americans (57%) say they favor more nuclear power plants to generate electricity in the country, up from 43% who said this in 2020.

Illinois governor vetoes effort to lift moratorium on new nuclear reactors | Energy News Network

Illinois governor vetoes effort to lift moratorium on new nuclear reactors | Energy News Network: Unless the governor vetoed the bill, the state’s 1987 ban on new nuclear power plants would have been lifted Wednesday.

Investing in American Energy: Significant Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on the U.S. Energy Economy and Emissions Reductions | Department of Energy

Investing in American Energy: Significant Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on the U.S. Energy Economy and Emissions Reductions | Department of Energy

Carolinas Resource Plan - Duke Energy

Carolinas Resource Plan - Duke Energy

Biden's Middle East Balancing Act: Iran’s Nuclear Program and Saudi-Israeli Ties - Foreign Policy Research Institute

Biden's Middle East Balancing Act: Iran’s Nuclear Program and Saudi-Israeli Ties - Foreign Policy Research Institute

The New Apocalypticism - by Roger Pielke Jr.

The New Apocalypticism - by Roger Pielke Jr.

Environmental group suffers setback in legal fight to close California's last nuclear power plant | AP News

Environmental group suffers setback in legal fight to close California's last nuclear power plant | AP News: A California judge is rejecting an environmental group’s lawsuit that sought to block the state's largest utility from seeking to extend the operating life of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

New Evidence is Uncovered That the Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions Were an 'Inside Job'

New Evidence is Uncovered That the Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions Were an 'Inside Job'

Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric Company for damages from disastrous fires : NPR

Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric Company for damages from disastrous fires : NPR: The civil suit filed Thursday seeks a jury trial and "punitive and exemplary damages" to recoup costs and loss of revenue from the deadly wildfires.

The Road to Totalitarianism (Part 3) - CJ Hopkins

The Road to Totalitarianism (Part 3) - CJ Hopkins

TVA reverses course, won’t sell Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant; future use for facility undecided | Chattanooga Times Free Press

TVA reverses course, won’t sell Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant; future use for facility undecided | Chattanooga Times Free Press: Seven years after voting to sell its Bellefonte nuclear plant site, the Tennessee Valley Authority has reversed itself and decided to keep the Jackson County, Alabama, power plant for another potential use.

Nuclear Power: NRC Needs to Take Additional Actions to Prepare to License Advanced Reactors | U.S. GAO

Nuclear Power: NRC Needs to Take Additional Actions to Prepare to License Advanced Reactors | U.S. GAO: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses nuclear reactors. In the coming years, the agency expects an increase in licensing applications for...

Saudi Arabia considering Chinese bid to build nuclear plant, report says | Energy | Al Jazeera

Saudi Arabia considering Chinese bid to build nuclear plant, report says | Energy | Al Jazeera

Wyoming picks BWXT microreactor project for funding -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Wyoming picks BWXT microreactor project for funding -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear worker data examined in new low-dose radiation health effects study -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear worker data examined in new low-dose radiation health effects study -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Veto or no veto, UIUC forges ahead with microreactor plans -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Veto or no veto, UIUC forges ahead with microreactor plans -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Advanced liquid waste processing systems: Safely processing Fukushima’s wastewater -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Advanced liquid waste processing systems: Safely processing Fukushima’s wastewater -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Saudi Arabia Eyes Chinese Bid for Nuclear Plant - WSJ

Saudi Arabia Eyes Chinese Bid for Nuclear Plant - WSJ: Beijing’s offer gives Riyadh leverage in talks with Washington on proliferation.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

The US, Russia, and Iran butt heads in Syria and Iraq

The US, Russia, and Iran butt heads in Syria and Iraq

Iran oil output to reach near-capacity before summer's end

Iran oil output to reach near-capacity before summer's end: The Islamic Republic has significantly boosted its oil production levels over the past two years despite crushing western sanctions

Oppenheimer: Behind the Scenes with Los Alamos National Laboratory -- ANS / Webinars

Oppenheimer: Behind the Scenes with Los Alamos National Laboratory -- ANS / Webinars

Going Bananas Over Release of Fukushima Wastewater | Neutron Bytes

Going Bananas Over Release of Fukushima Wastewater | Neutron Bytes: Going Bananas Over Release of Fukushima Wastewater into the Ocean Today (08/24/23) Japan is starting the controlled release of wastewater that is slightly radioactive from the Fukushima nuclear sit…

US doubles imports of Russian uranium to largest amount since 2005 | Al Mayadeen English

US doubles imports of Russian uranium to largest amount since 2005 | Al Mayadeen English: Contrary to previous US calls for a ban on Russian uranium imports, the nation records its highest volume of uranium imports since 2005.

Groundwater extraction begins at Zaporizhzhia : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Groundwater extraction begins at Zaporizhzhia : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Missouri’s MURRs: Old and new -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Missouri’s MURRs: Old and new -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear Power, Electrification, and Carbon-Free Fuel Are Key to INL Achieving Net-Zero by 2031

Nuclear Power, Electrification, and Carbon-Free Fuel Are Key to INL Achieving Net-Zero by 2031: In 2021, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Director John Wagner set a lofty goal for the lab to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within 10 years. An

Wyoming History: Sundance Had First Portable Nuclear Reactor In The United States | Your Wyoming News Source

Wyoming History: Sundance Had First Portable Nuclear Reactor In The United States | Your Wyoming News Source: The first U.S. portable land-based nuclear reactor was packed into 16 shipping containers during the Cold War, flown to Ellsworth Air Force Base and built below Warren Peak near Sundance, Wyoming.

U.S. ambassador to eat fish in Fukushima, back release of nuclear plant water - Japan Today

U.S. ambassador to eat fish in Fukushima, back release of nuclear plant water - Japan Today: U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will visit a city in Japan's northeastern prefecture of Fukushima on Aug 31, and plans to eat fish from the area to show support for Tokyo's decision to release treated radioactive water from a crippled nuclear plant there into the sea, an embassy official…

How gas station economics will change in the EV charging future

How gas station economics will change in the EV charging future: Gas stations will face big decisions related to costs and opportunities as gasoline-powered cars are replaced by EVs.

US-China Solar Trade Probe Ruling to Reshape Billions in Trade - Bloomberg

US-China Solar Trade Probe Ruling to Reshape Billions in Trade - Bloomberg: The Commerce Department is expected this week to conclude some Chinese manufacturers are illegally dodging tariffs by assembling solar equipment in other Asian countries before shipping it to the US — the culmination of a 17-month probe that could have profound impacts on tens of billions of dollars in trade.

Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The expansion of the nuclear power sector at the speed and scale required to meet net-zero, energy security and sustainable development targets will necessitate sustained and coordinated investment in the global nuclear supply chain, according to World Nuclear Association.

Saudi Arabia Seeks Civilian Nuclear Program in Return for Ties with Israel - IDN-InDepthNews

Saudi Arabia Seeks Civilian Nuclear Program in Return for Ties with Israel - IDN-InDepthNews

South Korea sees no scientific problem with Fukushima water release plan | Reuters

South Korea sees no scientific problem with Fukushima water release plan | Reuters: South Korea said on Tuesday it sees no problem with the scientific or technical aspects of Japan's plan to release water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant but it does not necessarily support the plan.

Fukushima nuclear waste water: China bans all seafood from Japan after release begins | CNN

Fukushima nuclear waste water: China bans all seafood from Japan after release begins | CNN

Japan Starts Releasing Radioactive Fukushima Water - The New York Times

Japan Starts Releasing Radioactive Fukushima Water - The New York Times

The Fukushima Hysteria Has a Lesson for the Nuclear Renaissance - The Washington Post

The Fukushima Hysteria Has a Lesson for the Nuclear Renaissance - The Washington Post

Chandrayaan-3 landing: India becomes the fourth country ever to land a spacecraft on the moon | CNN

Chandrayaan-3 landing: India becomes the fourth country ever to land a spacecraft on the moon | CNN

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

China Retaliates Over Fukushima Water Dump: Blocks Seafood Imports As Nobody "Wants To Eat Radioactive Salmon" | ZeroHedge

China Retaliates Over Fukushima Water Dump: Blocks Seafood Imports As Nobody "Wants To Eat Radioactive Salmon" | ZeroHedge

Sail Into a Career in Nuclear Science and Technology -- ANS / Webinars

Sail Into a Career in Nuclear Science and Technology -- ANS / Webinars

Transition from large-scale nuclear to SMRs gains momentum in US - ShareCafe

Transition from large-scale nuclear to SMRs gains momentum in US - ShareCafe: The central theme driving the energy transition and decarbonisation efforts revolves around the objective of maximising the use of electricity and sourcing this electrical power from renewable and low-carbon origins.

(21) Scott Peters Urges Congress To Remove 'Roadblocks To Exporting US Nuclear Technology' - YouTube

(21) Scott Peters Urges Congress To Remove 'Roadblocks To Exporting US Nuclear Technology' - YouTube: During a House Energy Committee hearing prior to the Congressional recess, Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) questioned witnesses about US nuclear technology and the ...

US NRC issues final environmental impact statement for Hermes test reactor - Nuclear Engineering International

US NRC issues final environmental impact statement for Hermes test reactor - Nuclear Engineering International

Pritzker promotes higher ed funding, calls for nuclear plant bill to be amended - IPM Newsroom

Pritzker promotes higher ed funding, calls for nuclear plant bill to be amended - IPM Newsroom: Governor J-B Pritzker hopes lawmakers will come up with an amended version of SB76, a bill he vetoed on August 11 that would have ended Illinois’ moratorium on building nuclear power plants. During a visit to tout higher education funding at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Pritzker said that despite his veto, he favors the bill as a way to allow the construction of small modular reactors, or SMR’s.

In A World Ruled By Propaganda, A Sane Worldview Will Necessarily Be A Fringe Worldview

In A World Ruled By Propaganda, A Sane Worldview Will Necessarily Be A Fringe Worldview

A Startling Compilation: ‘Neither Safe Nor Effective’

A Startling Compilation: ‘Neither Safe Nor Effective’

The Race to Ditch Russian Uranium Starts in New Mexico’s Desert - BNN Bloomberg

The Race to Ditch Russian Uranium Starts in New Mexico’s Desert - BNN Bloomberg: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is forcing the US and Europe to search for alternative sources of enriched uranium to power their reactors.

Biden’s Anti-Nuclear Move Fits His Anti-American Energy Agenda | National Review

Biden’s Anti-Nuclear Move Fits His Anti-American Energy Agenda | National Review: The American people want our nation to be energy-independent. They know increasing production of American energy is the best way to achieve that. President Biden is telling the American people to pound sand.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

China And Russia Execute A Pincer Movement Around Iraq’s Biggest Oil Assets | naked capitalism

China And Russia Execute A Pincer Movement Around Iraq’s Biggest Oil Assets | naked capitalism

Hawaiian Electric Faces Claims for Fire Damage. Remember PG&E's Bankruptcy. | Barron's

Hawaiian Electric Faces Claims for Fire Damage. Remember PG&E's Bankruptcy. | Barron's

Cheer on the left’s looming love affair with nuclear power - The Fulcrum

Cheer on the left’s looming love affair with nuclear power - The Fulcrum

FOE concludes strong hearing over Diablo Canyon retirement

FOE concludes strong hearing over Diablo Canyon retirement: Friends of the Earth had a strong showing today at its first court hearing in litigation against PG&E in efforts to retire Diablo Canyon.

Of Judaism, but Not in It - Tablet Magazine

Of Judaism, but Not in It - Tablet Magazine: A Nobel Prize winning physicist who helped build the atomic bomb had a deep and abiding relationship to his Orthodox Jewish upbringing

Chart: The US can't meet its climate goals unless… | Canary Media

Chart: The US can't meet its climate goals unless… | Canary Media: But if the 24 states with aggressive emissions-reduction targets make good on their pledges, the country could get within striking distance of its 2030…

Natura selects Zachry Nuclear for design of ACU’s molten salt research reactor -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Natura selects Zachry Nuclear for design of ACU’s molten salt research reactor -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Growing share of Americans favor more nuclear power | Pew Research Center

Growing share of Americans favor more nuclear power | Pew Research Center

Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The expansion of the nuclear power sector at the speed and scale required to meet net-zero, energy security and sustainable development targets will necessitate sustained and coordinated investment in the global nuclear supply chain, according to World Nuclear Association.

Preparations begin for Fukushima water discharge : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Preparations begin for Fukushima water discharge : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Aug. 30 | Hear how nuclear is impacting space exploration -

Aug. 30 | Hear how nuclear is impacting space exploration - Event header Nuclear prepares for liftoff Join the American Nuclear Society next Wednesday, August 30, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET, and learn about the latest advances in nuclear technology used for space exploration. Register now. Nuclear technologies and extra-terrestrial applications have a long, storied, and successful history together; however, the famed nuclear programs of previous decades have not resulted in further applications and deployment as many originally believed. But programs at NASA, DARPA, and the DOD aim to change that paradigm and accelerate humanity's space-based ambitions with nuclear rockets and non-terrestrial reactors for energy. As these programs continue to grow and expand, a potential revolution in the way humans travel, live, and work in space is underway and ANS is excited to share perspectives around these programs and activities from the experts helping lead these efforts. Panelists Anthony Calomino, Space Nuclear Technologies Lead, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters Tabitha Dodson, Program Manager, Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) Lt. Col. Thomas Nix, U.S. Space Force, JETSON Project Lead and Senior Military Advisor, Spacecraft Technology Division (RVS), Air Force Research Laboratory( AFRL) Moderator Craig Piercy, Executive Director/CEO, American Nuclear Society Submit questions in advance of the event. Register!

The Power Of Power Density - Robert Bryce

The Power Of Power Density - Robert Bryce: Paul Krugman hypes renewables in the New York Times, but the Iron Law of Power Density won’t be repealed

Governor Abbott Touts Nuclear Energy Development At UT Fireside Chat | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

Governor Abbott Touts Nuclear Energy Development At UT Fireside Chat | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

Should the NRC Revise the Aircraft Rule for SMRs? | Neutron Bytes

Should the NRC Revise the Aircraft Rule for SMRs? | Neutron Bytes: In a cordial email exchange this week with Rod Adams, long time blogger at Atomic Insights, and more recently the Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital, we discussed whether the Nuclear Regulatory…

US regulator OKs SMR emergency preparedness rule : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

US regulator OKs SMR emergency preparedness rule : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has directed its staff to issue a final rule and associated regulatory guide that applies risk-informed, performance-based emergency preparedness requirements to small modular reactors  and other new technologies.

US / New Rule Will Help Licensing Of Advanced Reactors, Says Regulator :: NucNet | The Independent Nuclear News Agency

US / New Rule Will Help Licensing Of Advanced Reactors, Says Regulator :: NucNet | The Independent Nuclear News Agency: Current regulations updated for new generation of nuclear plants

Turning Down the Temperature on Extreme… | The Breakthrough Institute

Turning Down the Temperature on Extreme… | The Breakthrough Institute: The Breakthrough Institute is an environmental research center based in Berkeley, California. Our research focuses on identifying and promoting…

Is Workforce Ready for Green Energy Transition? | RealClearPolicy

Is Workforce Ready for Green Energy Transition? | RealClearPolicy: The rapidly growing clean energy sector is bumping up against serious labor constraints.

On Energy, Finally Some Good News | RealClearPolicy

On Energy, Finally Some Good News | RealClearPolicy

Here Comes the Green Energy Future? | RealClearPolicy

Here Comes the Green Energy Future? | RealClearPolicy: Among the media sources serving as propagandists and cheerleaders for the “green energy transition,” two of the most prominent are the New York Times and Bloomberg News. To get an idea how the “

Monday, August 21, 2023

Hawaiian Electric Faces Claims for Fire Damage. Remember PG&E's Bankruptcy. | Barron's

Hawaiian Electric Faces Claims for Fire Damage. Remember PG&E's Bankruptcy. | Barron's

How to Avoid a U.S.-China War

How to Avoid a U.S.-China War: Americans and Chinese have to rehumanize each other in terms of the way we conceive of our problems and engage.

What Really Happened In Maui - by A Midwestern Doctor

What Really Happened In Maui - by A Midwestern Doctor: What Really Happened In Maui and how can you help?

An Ancient Dialogue - The Catholic Thing

An Ancient Dialogue - The Catholic Thing

Maui Fire May Have Been Caused by Power Grid Malfunctions: Report

Maui Fire May Have Been Caused by Power Grid Malfunctions: Report

US trying to politicize nuclear nonproliferation: China Daily editorial - Chinadaily.com.cn

US trying to politicize nuclear nonproliferation: China Daily editorial - Chinadaily.com.cn: In yet another blow to the already souring bilateral relations, the Joe Biden administration has tightened controls on the export of materials and components for nuclear power plants to China on the spurious grounds that it would help prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

US unloads seized Iranian oil amid threats of IRGC retaliation

US unloads seized Iranian oil amid threats of IRGC retaliation

Oppenheimer: Behind the Scenes with Los Alamos National Laboratory -- ANS / Webinars

Oppenheimer: Behind the Scenes with Los Alamos National Laboratory -- ANS / Webinars

IEA Warns Of Winter NatGas Crisis If Russia Cuts Supplies | ZeroHedge

IEA Warns Of Winter NatGas Crisis If Russia Cuts Supplies | ZeroHedge: ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero