Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, August 29, 2025

Trump Halts Wind Project as U.S., China Diverge on Clean Energy, Renewables

Trump Halts Wind Project as U.S., China Diverge on Clean Energy, Renewables

[Salon] NPT and diplomacy will be dismantled after 'snapback' activation, source tells Tehran Times (8/28/25.) -

[Salon] NPT and diplomacy will be dismantled after 'snapback' activation, source tells Tehran Times (8/28/25.) - NPT and diplomacy will be dismantled after 'snapback' activation, source tells Tehran Times TEHRAN – A high-level informed Iranian source has told the Tehran Times that activating the disputed “snapback” mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran would force a “very strong” reaction from Iran, deal a serious blow to global non-proliferation efforts, and permanently destroy the path of diplomacy. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Western states have miscalculated Iran’s resolve and operate under the “perception” that Tehran would not respond forcefully to such a move. "We consider leaving the snapback unanswered as a path towards greater tension," the source said. The so-called snapback mechanism is a clause of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It allows signatories to reinstate UN sanctions against Iran should they find it noncompliant. Iranians contend that activating the snapback under the current circumstances is illegal and immoral, as the U.S. left the pact in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, the Europeans subsequently scrapped their own commitments, and Iran’s nuclear facilities came under attack by Washington and Israel this past June. The Europeans, nonetheless, appear adamant about triggering the mechanism. While the return of UN sanctions would not add to the long list of economic sanctions targeting Iran - as they were largely re-imposed after Washington left the JCPOA in 2018 - it could have temporary effects on Iran’s currency market and further affect the value of the Iranian Rial. While Iran previously said it would leave the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) if the snapback were triggered, it now appears to believe such a move would mean it should no longer negotiate its nuclear program with the West. "With the activation of the snapback mechanism, neither Iran's economy nor its internal unity will be destroyed; but the negotiations will certainly be destroyed," the source said.

On Breaking Nuclear Things - The Ecomodernist

On Breaking Nuclear Things - The Ecomodernist

SMRs 'hold immense promise' for Africa - World Nuclear News

SMRs 'hold immense promise' for Africa - World Nuclear News

A national lab made a nuclear fusion breakthrough. A new startup wants to make it into a power plant - Fast Company

A national lab made a nuclear fusion breakthrough. A new startup wants to make it into a power plant - Fast Company

DOE Allocates Second Round of HALEU Fuel to Three U.S. Nuclear Companies

DOE Allocates Second Round of HALEU Fuel to Three U.S. Nuclear Companies

Are small modular reactors the future of energy?

Are small modular reactors the future of energy?

U.S. Government Is Taking Historic Steps To Restart Nuclear Plants

U.S. Government Is Taking Historic Steps To Restart Nuclear Plants

US Private Sector ‘Cannot Build And Deploy Nuclear Plants Without Strong Policy Support’

US Private Sector ‘Cannot Build And Deploy Nuclear Plants Without Strong Policy Support’

Poland to build Europe’s first of its kind small-scale nuclear power plant in Włocławek | Euronews

Poland to build Europe’s first of its kind small-scale nuclear power plant in Włocławek | Euronews

Nuclear officials endorse using plutonium from dismantled warheads

Nuclear officials endorse using plutonium from dismantled warheads

Iran’s parliament submits emergency bill to withdraw from NPT | Al Mayadeen English

Iran’s parliament submits emergency bill to withdraw from NPT | Al Mayadeen English

IAEA Hosts First Spanish-Language Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law | IAEA

IAEA Hosts First Spanish-Language Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law | IAEA

IAEA Observes Commitment to Operational Safety at Bangladesh’s First Nuclear Power Plant | IAEA

IAEA Observes Commitment to Operational Safety at Bangladesh’s First Nuclear Power Plant | IAEA

Russia, China, reject attempt of E3 to Reimpose Sanctions on Iran over Nuclear Program

Russia, China, reject attempt of E3 to Reimpose Sanctions on Iran over Nuclear Program

Nuclear Energy's Strategic Role in California's Clean Energy Transition: Diablo Canyon as a Catalyst for Energy Security and Cost Stability

Nuclear Energy's Strategic Role in California's Clean Energy Transition: Diablo Canyon as a Catalyst for Energy Security and Cost Stability

Nvidia, Google, and Bill Gates help Commonwealth Fusion Systems raise $863M | TechCrunch

Nvidia, Google, and Bill Gates help Commonwealth Fusion Systems raise $863M | TechCrunch

IAEA team seeks access to new dam at Zaporizhzhia plant - World Nuclear News

IAEA team seeks access to new dam at Zaporizhzhia plant - World Nuclear News

Inner containment construction set to begin for Leningrad’s seventh unit - World Nuclear News

Inner containment construction set to begin for Leningrad’s seventh unit - World Nuclear News

Aalo breaks ground for experimental reactor - World Nuclear News

Aalo breaks ground for experimental reactor - World Nuclear News

Further proposal submitted for SMR plant in Norway - World Nuclear News

Further proposal submitted for SMR plant in Norway - World Nuclear News

Impacts of the Nuclear Weapons Industry across America

Impacts of the Nuclear Weapons Industry across America

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Rare Arctic buildup suggests Russia may test ‘doomsday’ nuclear missile

Rare Arctic buildup suggests Russia may test ‘doomsday’ nuclear missile

Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame. | RealClearEnergy

Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame. | RealClearEnergy

Constellation-Meta agreement ensures future of Clinton plant -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Constellation-Meta agreement ensures future of Clinton plant -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Palisades becomes first decommissioned US nuclear plant to reach ‘operations’ status | Utility Dive

Palisades becomes first decommissioned US nuclear plant to reach ‘operations’ status | Utility Dive

Diablo Canyon Enters Full Extended Operations | PG&E

Diablo Canyon Enters Full Extended Operations | PG&E

Utah initiates search for nuclear reactor site – Deseret News

Utah initiates search for nuclear reactor site – Deseret News

X-energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Doosan Enerbility Announce Partnership to Scale Advanced Nuclear Energy for AI Infrastructure — X-energy

X-energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Doosan Enerbility Announce Partnership to Scale Advanced Nuclear Energy for AI Infrastructure — X-energy

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

Historic First: Palisades Transitions Back to Operations Status - Holtec International

Historic First: Palisades Transitions Back to Operations Status - Holtec International

Google Backs Kairos Nuclear Deal As Bill Gates' TerraPower Rivalry Heats Up: 'Help America Win The AI Race,' Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Says - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) - Benzinga

Google Backs Kairos Nuclear Deal As Bill Gates' TerraPower Rivalry Heats Up: 'Help America Win The AI Race,' Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Says - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) - Benzinga

US to boost nuclear fuel, reactor development with uranium allocation

US to boost nuclear fuel, reactor development with uranium allocation

Real-time 3D imaging shows nuclear materials corroding under stress

Real-time 3D imaging shows nuclear materials corroding under stress

The World Bank Gives Nuclear Power a Jolt in the Global South | WPR

The World Bank Gives Nuclear Power a Jolt in the Global South | WPR

Sweden picks mini-reactors for first nuclear expansion in 50 years - Euractiv

Sweden picks mini-reactors for first nuclear expansion in 50 years - Euractiv

Polish oil company Orlen to build small nuclear power | Reuters

Polish oil company Orlen to build small nuclear power | Reuters

South Korea minister says agreed with US to discuss nuclear fuel reprocessing

South Korea minister says agreed with US to discuss nuclear fuel reprocessing

Amazon, X-energy partner with South Korean consortium to advance SMR development across US - DCD

Amazon, X-energy partner with South Korean consortium to advance SMR development across US - DCD

Constellation Outlines Nuclear Expansion Plans at Clinton Site as Meta Partnership Strengthens

Constellation Outlines Nuclear Expansion Plans at Clinton Site as Meta Partnership Strengthens

New report lays out path to U.S. nuclear energy dominance -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

New report lays out path to U.S. nuclear energy dominance -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

US DOE seeks to use Defense Production Act to spur domestic nuclear fuel supply | S&P Global

US DOE seeks to use Defense Production Act to spur domestic nuclear fuel supply | S&P Global

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

US DOE Announces ‘Significant Step’ In Strengthening Nuclear Fuel Supply Chains

US DOE Announces ‘Significant Step’ In Strengthening Nuclear Fuel Supply Chains

New report lays out path to U.S. nuclear energy dominance -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

New report lays out path to U.S. nuclear energy dominance -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

Nuclear Energy: The Only Green Technology That Can Meet the World’s Growing Energy Needs - The National Interest

Nuclear Energy: The Only Green Technology That Can Meet the World’s Growing Energy Needs - The National Interest

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Proposal submitted for SMR power plant in Lund - World Nuclear News

Proposal submitted for SMR power plant in Lund - World Nuclear News

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant | Cowboy State Daily

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant | Cowboy State Daily

Centrus Signs Agreement To Explore South Korean Investment In Ohio Uranium Enrichment Plant

Centrus Signs Agreement To Explore South Korean Investment In Ohio Uranium Enrichment Plant

Import tariffs could slow transmission development, drive up utility costs: Morningstar | Utility Dive

Import tariffs could slow transmission development, drive up utility costs: Morningstar | Utility Dive

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

Palisades Nuclear Plant Moved to Operations Status, Ready to Receive Fuel

U.S. Nuclear Energy Drive to Spur Uranium Enrichment - WSJ

U.S. Nuclear Energy Drive to Spur Uranium Enrichment - WSJ

China tests meltdown-proof tech for nuclear waste-recycling fast reactor | South China Morning Post

China tests meltdown-proof tech for nuclear waste-recycling fast reactor | South China Morning Post

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower eyes Utah for 345 MW nuclear reactor

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower eyes Utah for 345 MW nuclear reactor

Zimbabwe to evaluate deployment of Korean SMR - World Nuclear News

Zimbabwe to evaluate deployment of Korean SMR - World Nuclear News

General Atomics invests in UNITY-2 - World Nuclear News

General Atomics invests in UNITY-2 - World Nuclear News

The Nuclear Frontier Documentary to Premiere at the Kennedy Center on September 15 - NewsBreak

The Nuclear Frontier Documentary to Premiere at the Kennedy Center on September 15 - NewsBreak

China says trilateral nuclear disarmament talks with US, Russia 'unreasonable' - The Economic Times

China says trilateral nuclear disarmament talks with US, Russia 'unreasonable' - The Economic Times

The chilling document that traces nuclear weapons back to Britain - and the threat we now face | Science, Climate & Tech News | Sky News

The chilling document that traces nuclear weapons back to Britain - and the threat we now face | Science, Climate & Tech News | Sky News

The Ultimate Deterrent: Modern Strategic Conventional Weapons | Toda Peace Institute

The Ultimate Deterrent: Modern Strategic Conventional Weapons | Toda Peace Institute

China says trilateral nuclear disarmament talks with US, Russia 'unreasonable' - The Economic Times

China says trilateral nuclear disarmament talks with US, Russia 'unreasonable' - The Economic Times

China Won't Join US, Russia Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations

China Won't Join US, Russia Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations

US-Russia nuclear talks – China will not participate | RBC-Ukraine

US-Russia nuclear talks – China will not participate | RBC-Ukraine

US-Russia nuclear talks – China will not participate | RBC-Ukraine

US-Russia nuclear talks – China will not participate | RBC-Ukraine

Exclusive | U.N. Atomic Agency Chief Rafael Grossi Given Security Protection Over Iran Threat - WSJ

Exclusive | U.N. Atomic Agency Chief Rafael Grossi Given Security Protection Over Iran Threat - WSJ

"China Unleashes Nuclear Power Shift": CFR-1000 Reactor Promises Efficiency Leap While Stirring Fierce Global Battle Over Energy Dominance

"China Unleashes Nuclear Power Shift": CFR-1000 Reactor Promises Efficiency Leap While Stirring Fierce Global Battle Over Energy Dominance

Looks like nuclear fusion is picking up steam  | The Verge

Looks like nuclear fusion is picking up steam  | The Verge

'This technology is possible today': Nuclear waste could be future power source and increase access to a rare fuel | Live Science

'This technology is possible today': Nuclear waste could be future power source and increase access to a rare fuel | Live Science

Centrus Signs Agreement with KHNP and POSCO International for Potential Investment in American Uranium Enrichment

Centrus Signs Agreement with KHNP and POSCO International for Potential Investment in American Uranium Enrichment

How Nuclear Energy Powers American Aircraft Carriers

How Nuclear Energy Powers American Aircraft Carriers

Google teams up with nuclear power giants to fuel massive data center growth with reactors in Tennessee by 2030 | TechRadar

Google teams up with nuclear power giants to fuel massive data center growth with reactors in Tennessee by 2030 | TechRadar

UN nuclear inspectors 'back in Iran' for 1st time since war with Israel, watchdog chief says | The Times of Israel

UN nuclear inspectors 'back in Iran' for 1st time since war with Israel, watchdog chief says | The Times of Israel

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

Palisades nuclear power plant returns to “operating status” three years after shutdown

Palisades nuclear power plant returns to “operating status” three years after shutdown

NuScale's bigger reactor design approved by Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NuScale's bigger reactor design approved by Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower, Utah to explore nuclear reactor sites amid power demand surge | Reuters

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower, Utah to explore nuclear reactor sites amid power demand surge | Reuters

Utah signs MOU to explore building nuclear reactor with new technology • Utah News Dispatch

Utah signs MOU to explore building nuclear reactor with new technology • Utah News Dispatch

US States Continue to Generate Nuclear Legislation – Up & Atom

US States Continue to Generate Nuclear Legislation – Up & Atom

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

Westinghouse AP1000® Design Receives US Licensing Extension to 2046

More Coal Reality, With Seven New Charts - Robert Bryce

More Coal Reality, With Seven New Charts - Robert Bryce

Cold War Plutonium Could Power Future U.S. Reactors | OilPrice.com

Cold War Plutonium Could Power Future U.S. Reactors | OilPrice.com

Utah working with Bill Gates-backed nuclear company to identify site for nuclear power plant

Utah working with Bill Gates-backed nuclear company to identify site for nuclear power plant

Trump Calls for Maintaining Strategic Nuclear Arms Limits | ACA Calls for Interim Deal Not to Exceed New START Limits Until U.S., Russia Hammer Out New Framework Deal | Arms Control Association

Trump Calls for Maintaining Strategic Nuclear Arms Limits | ACA Calls for Interim Deal Not to Exceed New START Limits Until U.S., Russia Hammer Out New Framework Deal | Arms Control Association

China supports Trump's plan to reduce US and Russia's nuclear weapons - Newsweek

China supports Trump's plan to reduce US and Russia's nuclear weapons - Newsweek

Trump wants nuclear arms talks with Russia and China

Trump wants nuclear arms talks with Russia and China

More than 2,000 nuclear weapons have been detonated in the past 80 years. Their effects still linger around the world | CNN

More than 2,000 nuclear weapons have been detonated in the past 80 years. Their effects still linger around the world | CNN

Monday, August 25, 2025

Energy Department to Establish New Consortium for Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain | Department of Energy

Energy Department to Establish New Consortium for Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain | Department of Energy

Exclusive: Trump plans to make Cold War-era plutonium available for nuclear power | Reuters

Exclusive: Trump plans to make Cold War-era plutonium available for nuclear power | Reuters

Nuclear Industry Ponders Risks of Building New Reactors

Nuclear Industry Ponders Risks of Building New Reactors

Nuclear Energy: The Only Green Technology That Can Meet the World’s Growing Energy Needs - The National Interest

Nuclear Energy: The Only Green Technology That Can Meet the World’s Growing Energy Needs - The National Interest

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Debunking Nuclear Power’s Biggest Misconceptions and Why It’s Needed Today

Texas AI Data Center Could House Largest US Nuclear Site | Hart Energy

Texas AI Data Center Could House Largest US Nuclear Site | Hart Energy

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant | Cowboy State Daily

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant | Cowboy State Daily

China develops new version of “Guam Killer” missile

China develops new version of “Guam Killer” missile

Sunday, August 24, 2025

(666) Why Thorium is About to Power Everything - YouTube

(666) Why Thorium is About to Power Everything - YouTube

Exclusive | How US nuclear sanctions on China backfired | South China Morning Post

Exclusive | How US nuclear sanctions on China backfired | South China Morning Post

Google, Kairos Partner to Help Power TVA | Neutron Bytes

Google, Kairos Partner to Help Power TVA | Neutron Bytes

Can Europe confront Vladimir Putin’s Russia on its own?

Can Europe confront Vladimir Putin’s Russia on its own?

Fusion breakthrough uses inverted D plasma to solve key energy challenge

Fusion breakthrough uses inverted D plasma to solve key energy challenge

'This technology is possible today': Nuclear waste could be future power source and increase access to a rare fuel | Live Science

'This technology is possible today': Nuclear waste could be future power source and increase access to a rare fuel | Live Science

Exclusive | How US nuclear sanctions on China backfired | South China Morning Post

Exclusive | How US nuclear sanctions on China backfired | South China Morning Post

US approves sale of ERAM missiles to Ukraine, WSJ reports

US approves sale of ERAM missiles to Ukraine, WSJ reports

US approves sale of ERAM missiles to Ukraine, WSJ reports

US approves sale of ERAM missiles to Ukraine, WSJ reports

Energy company announces $900 million plant set to deliver massive amounts of power to Meta project — here's what we know

Energy company announces $900 million plant set to deliver massive amounts of power to Meta project — here's what we know

Energy company announces largest-of-its-kind project set to reshape power grid: 'The most powerful ever installed'

Energy company announces largest-of-its-kind project set to reshape power grid: 'The most powerful ever installed'

Russia's nuclear chief cites 'colossal threats,' calls for major nuclear shield update - Washington Times

Russia's nuclear chief cites 'colossal threats,' calls for major nuclear shield update - Washington Times

South Korea’s nuclear deal with Westinghouse sparks controversy - UPI.com

South Korea’s nuclear deal with Westinghouse sparks controversy - UPI.com

Race to Build Lunar Nuclear Reactor Heats Up - IEEE Spectrum

Race to Build Lunar Nuclear Reactor Heats Up - IEEE Spectrum