Restart for nuclear plants

New approaches needed to support new nuclear projects
The drive for new nuclear plants can be maximized if the financial and regulatory risks are minimized, writes L. Preston Bryant Jr., a former secretary of natural resources in Virginia. Lawmakers need to reshape the terms of loan guarantees to shield companies from economic uncertainties, he argues. State and federal regulators should also curtail their processes to lessen the upfront funding necessary for building, he adds. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)

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Dominion won't build North Anna reactor without partner

Dominion is still seeking partner for Va. nuclear project
Dominion continues its search for a suitable partner in its bid for a third nuclear reactor at the North Anna Power Station in Virginia. While the company has picked Mitsubishi Heavy Industry's Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor technology for the project, it remains undecided whether to push through. "We are still trying to work through the financials on that before moving forward," said Richard Zuercher, a spokesman for the company. The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.)

NRC conducts special inspection at Dominion's North Anna power plant

NRC: No safety risk at North Anna
Dominion's North Anna nuclear facility in Virginia has been subjected to a special inspection by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after Microtherm insulation was found in the reactors' containments. While there is no imminent safety risk, "analyses completed for the plant did not appear to take into account the presence of the material inside containment," according to the agency. Platts