Why the Vermont Yankee case matters

Why the Vermont Yankee case matters

Beyond the obvious implications for nuclear and the state of Vermont itself, the outcome of the Vermont Yankee case has several key implications for energy projects writ large.

Updates from the American Nuclear Society 01/23/12

Small Modular Reactors on Military Installations? By rmichal on Jan 23, 2012 01:00 am By William J. Barattino (This article summarizes a paper presented by the author at the ASME 2011 Small Modular Reactors Symposium) Federal agencies have been directed by public laws and executive orders to reduce energy consumption, increase usage of clean … Continue reading → Read in browser » 88th Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers By dyurman on Jan 23, 2012 12:04 am The 88th Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers is up at Next Big Future. This post is the collective voice of blogs with legendary names which emergeeach week to tell the story of nuclear energy. If you want to hear the … Continue reading → Read in browser »

More to read: A win for Vermont Yankee Full agenda for National Nuclear Science Week 2012 Photo Time! Covert bombing kills another Iranian nuclear scientist Development: Taking Charge of Your Career

Japanese Scientists: 98 Percent Chance of Major Quake by 2042

Japanese Scientists: 98 Percent Chance of Major Quake by 2042

Next big quake could hit Tokyo ‘within 4 years’

IAEA Says Japan Alone Should Decide on Reactors

Obama's Head-Fake on U.S. Energy Development

By Gary Jason

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/obamas_head-fake_on_us_energy_development.html#ixzz1kIMG9VFp

Small Modular Reactors on Military Installations?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by rmichal| Leave a comment

By William J. Barattino
(This article summarizes a paper presented by the author at the ASME 2011 Small Modular Reactors Symposium)

Godzilla’s 21st Century Legacy

Platt: Fukushima fallout hit home

13

Nuclear critic says Health Canada should have issued warning on radioactive raindrops

Energy This Week: Pipeline Abandoned, EPA Gas Data, and China's CO2 Plans by Mike Orcutt

Energy This Week: Pipeline Abandoned, EPA Gas Data, and China's CO2 Plans by Mike Orcutt

Thinking small is big deal: DOE to push US manufacturing of small modular reactors

Thinking small is big deal: DOE to push US manufacturing of small modular reactors

Can Japan Do Away with Nuclear Power in its New Energy Master Plan?

Ourview | Paranoia over radiation

Ourview | Paranoia over radiation

It would be better for NPCIL to stick to promoting nuclear energy as being vital for India’s energy security and continually updating safety features at nuclear plants as much is feasible, than specious lectures about the harmlessness of radiation

NHK: No records of gov’t meetings on Fukushima — Decided evacuation zones, food restrictions, more — Violation of law? — Also missing for meetings with Tepco (VIDEO)

TEPCO left backup power for nuclear data equipment detached for 4 months

TEPCO left backup power for nuclear data equipment detached for 4 months

UPDATE 2-EU states agree gradual ban on Iran oil, sanctions on central bank

The Flawed Logic of Striking Iran

The Flawed Logic of Striking Iran

Alexandre Debs and Nuno P. Monteiro

To suggest a nuclear Iran would result in a cascade of proliferation across the Middle East neglects the United States' power to prevent clients from building their own bombs.

Stop the Madness

Despite all the hype, Iran's nuclear program has yet to violate international law. It's time to calm down, think, and above all halt the rush to war.

Global nuclear stakeholders to meet in KL

Next week Malaysia welcomes the key players in the nuclear power industry to Nuclear Power Asia 2012, on 31st Jan - 1st Feb. www.nuclearpowerasia.com

Over 200 of your industry peers have already signed up for this event, where across two full days there will be 35+ presentations on strategic issues and case-studies on cutting-edge technologies.

Companies already registered to attend include:

Alstom Asia Pacific, Altran, Andra, Areva, Atomic Energy Licensing Board, Australian High Commission, Barclays Capital, BHP Billiton, BNP Paribas, Booz Allen Hamilton, Burns & Roe Enterprises, CH2M HILL, China National Nuclear Corporation, China Nuclear Power Engineering , Chuan Kai Electric, Citi Group, CNNC China Zhongyuan Engineering Corp, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Directorate General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, EDF, Edupartners, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, ENEC, ENCO, ENCONET Consulting , Enercon Services, Energy Commission Malaysia, Energy Market Authority, EXCEL Services Corporation, Exelon Corporation, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, France International Nuclear Agency, French Embassy, GDF SUEZ CC SCRL, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy International, Goodnight Consulting, GSE System, GSE-UNIS, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, HSBC, HuaNeng, IEA of Japan, Independent Power Producers Forum , International Atomic Energy Agency, International Institute of Nuclear Energy , Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, JGC, KAIST, KEPCO , King Abdulaziz City , Korea Nuclear Energy Promotion Agency , L-3 Mapps, Law Council of Australia, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Lloyd's Register, Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Marubeni Utility Service, Medco Power Indonesia, Milbank, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mitsubishi , MZ Consulting, NAC International, National Nuclear Energy Agency, National Power Corporation, National Security Engineering Centre, Ninh Thuan NPP Project Management Board, Norton Rose, Nuclear Society, Numark Associates, Office of Nuclear Regulation, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman , Platts, Regulation and Supervision Bureau, Rosemount Nuclear, Samsung, State Minister of Research and Technology Indonesia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, The Export-Import Bank of Korea, The Japan Steel Works, The Shaw Group, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Toshiba , US Department of Energy, Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency, Westinghouse Electric Company, Women in Nuclear Association Indonesia, World Association of Nuclear Operators, World Nuclear Association, Worley Parsons, and many more..

Press Release 12-011 New Report Outlines Trends in U.S. Global Competitiveness in Science and Technology

Press Release 12-011
New Report Outlines Trends in U.S. Global Competitiveness in Science and Technology

 Aspects of this report were digested in the Washington Post on January 17 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-losing-high-tech-manufacturing-jobs-to-asia/2012/01/17/gIQA9P1S6P_story.html).  But the overview (http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind12/) contains a lot of information not covered in the press.  The full report is at: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=122859&org=NSB&from=news  It turns out that if you disinvest enough in education and foster anti-science attitudes sufficiently, there can be long-term consequences.

The bottom line:

The United States remains the global leader in supporting science and technology (S&T) research and development, but only by a slim margin that could soon be overtaken by rapidly increasing Asian investments in knowledge-intensive economies. So suggest trends released in a new report by the National Science Board (NSB), the policymaking body for the National Science Foundation (NSF), on the overall status of the science, engineering and technology workforce, education efforts and economic activity in the United States and abroad.

"This information clearly shows we must re-examine long-held assumptions about the global dominance of the American science and technology enterprise," said NSF Director Subra Suresh of the findings in the Science and Engineering Indicators 2012 released today. "And we must take seriously new strategies for education, workforce development and innovation in order for the United States to retain its international leadership position," he said.

****

According to the new Indicators 2012, the largest global S&T gains occurred in the so-called "Asia-10"--China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand--as those countries integrate S&T into economic growth. Between 1999 and 2009, for example, the U.S. share of global research and development (R&D) dropped from 38 percent to 31 percent, whereas it grew from 24 percent to 35 percent in the Asia region during the same time.

In China alone, R&D growth increased a stunning 28 percent in a single year (2008-2009), propelling it past Japan and into second place behind the United States.

"Over the last decade, the world has changed dramatically," said José-Marie Griffiths, chair of the NSB committee that oversees production of the report. "It's now a world with very different actors who have made advancement in science and technology a top priority. And many of the troubling trends we're seeing are now very well established."

Report: Japan kept secret about scary nuclear scenario

Aftershocking: Frontline’s Fukushima Doc a Lazy Apologia for the Nuclear Industry

Despite disasters risk in nuclear energy lowest: Kakodkar

PTI | 10:01 PM,Jan 21,2012 Bangalore, Jan 21 (PTI) Notwithstanding disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima, risk in nuclear energy is the lowest, eminent nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar said today. "Despite disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima, risk in nuclear energy is the least. Climate change could be bigger than a nuclear bomb," Kakodkar, Homi Bhabha Chair Professor at BARC, said delivering a lecture on 'Sustainable Energy Security for India: Challenges and Options' organised by the IISc here.

How Fukushima Has Changed Nuclear Power in Japan

Judge’s decision in Vermont Yankee case raises questions about the efficacy of an appeal

Vermont Yankee foes ponder next moves

Emerging United States: Nuclear Energy Picking Up Momentum

Emerging

United States: Nuclear Energy Picking Up Momentum

State of Utah Approves Use of Water Rights for Blue Castle Nuclear Plant Project

Planned Utah nuclear project receives water rights from state

 Planned Utah nuclear project receives water rights from state

Ruling passed, but continued operation not done deal By JOSH STILTS / Reformer Staff

TEPCO left backup power for nuclear data equipment detached for 4 months

TEPCO left backup power for nuclear data equipment detached for 4 months

Meltdown at Hamaoka plant certain if power supply knocked out for 3 days

New Legal Challenge to UK Nuclear Power Expansion Plans

ETF Center Is Nuclear Power Safe Yet?

ETF Center

Is Nuclear Power Safe Yet?

Cleaner and safer Nuclear Power Plants with Thorium

Cleaner and safer Nuclear Power Plants with Thorium

Supporters of nuclear energy development face off with antinuclear activists in Gaffney, SC

A brief summary of the Vermont Yankee decision

A brief summary of the Vermont Yankee decision

by Steve Skutnik

A disclaimer: I am not a lawyer (although I play one on TV the internet); I do hold a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering however and have at least some basic ability to read indecipherable tomes. End disclaimer

Full agenda for National Nuclear Science Week 2012

Full agenda for National Nuclear Science Week 2012

Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes A win for Vermont Yankee

 

Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes

A win for Vermont Yankee

Federal District Court rules against efforts by the State of Vermont to assert regulatory authority over radiological safety issues

Blog Post: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Blog Post: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

by Nuclear Street News

Avoiding a Natural Gas Bridge to Nowhere

Avoiding a Natural Gas Bridge to Nowhere

By Jesse Jenkins, January 20, 2012
Just as the history of unconventional natural gas production in America was fundamentally shaped by government support for new technology development, so too will the future of natural gas depend on America's willingness to make long-term public investments in advanced energy technologies. A convenient narrative has taken hold concerning the development of unconventional gas extraction from shale...  » Continue...

Vermont Yankee Lives to Power Another Day

Spain May Extend Garona Nuclear Plant's Life Until 2019

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/01/19/spain-may-extend-garona-nuclear-plants-life-until-201/#ixzz1k2KEIb66

Japan turns to endoscope to inspect leaking reactor

Japan Girds for Summer Power Cuts

Report Says Radiation Exposure Was Preventable

Federal judge rules Vermont’s only nuclear plant can remain open, over state’s objection

Help Next-Generation Nuclear Power Advance During Long Building Lull: View

Small Is Beautiful—So Go Nuclear

As environmentally friendly as they sound, biofuels and wind power squander land and other resources.

The Future of Oil & Gas:
Exploring New Innovation in Old-Fashioned Energy

Live, Free Webcast from
The Energy Collective
January 27, 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

While renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels experience unprecedented levels of growth and attention, projections confirm that fossil fuels such as oil and gas will continue to make up large parts of our energy mix for quite some time to come. With that in mind, it's important to ask: What significant innovations, if any, are taking place within oil & gas to tackle energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, or otherwise improve the impact of those fuels? What more needs to be done?

Join us as we ask our expert panel:

• Which factors could have the largest impacts on whether oil and gas remain so prominent or whether they are replaced with other fuel sources?
• Where in the fuel lifecycle do significant carbon emissions occur from oil and gas?
• Can innovation make meaningful impacts, in the context of the global carbon picture and concern over climate change?
• What are the most promising fuel competitors to oil and gas?

Join us for this live webinar » to explore what can and is being done to improve sustainability in oil and gas.

FEATURING...

Geoffrey Styles is Managing Director of GSW Strategy Group, LLC, an energy and environmental strategy consulting firm. His industry experience includes 22 years at Texaco Inc., culminating in a senior position on Texaco’s leadership team for strategy development, focused on the global refining, marketing, transportation and alternative energy businesses, and global issues such as climate change. Previously he held senior positions in alliance management, planning, supply & distribution, and risk management. His "Energy Outlook" blog has been quoted frequently by the Wall Street Journal and was named one of the “Top 50 Eco Blogs” by the Times of London.

Terrance Ivers is CEO of the Compression and Solutions Business Unit of the Oil & Gas Division at Siemens Energy, based in Houston, Texas. Terri took the position in August 2011 after serving since 2007 as President of AMEC, an international project management company and service provider to the upstream and midstream (especially pipeline) industries. A native Houstonian, he is a mechanical engineer and began his career at KBR, an international supplier for the oil and gas industry.

Jesse Jenkins is Director of Energy and Climate Policy at the Breakthrough Institute, and is one of the country's leading energy and climate policy analysts and advocates. Jesse's work and analysis has been featured in Time, Newsweek, Fortune, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other major media outlets. He is founder and chief editor of WattHead - Energy News and Commentary and a featured writer at the Energy Collective.

Sign up for this exclusive webinar »

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Westinghouse Statement Regarding U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Westinghouse Statement Regarding U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Draft
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Small Modular Reactors
(SMR)


PITTSBURGH, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is
attributable to Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of
Research and Technology of Westinghouse Electric Company Dr. Kate
Jackson.

"A draft Funding Opportunity Announcement to facilitate the
development and deployment of SMR technologies that offer affordable,
safe, secure and robust sources of zero-carbon energy was issued by
the U.S. Department of Energy yesterday. DOE plans to consider SMR
applications that incorporate passive safety features and that can be
licensed expeditiously, achieving a commercial operation date on a
domestic site by 2022.

"Westinghouse will apply for DOE's small modular reactor investment
funds with a consortium of utilities. Access to this investment fund
helps lower the barrier to market entry for American companies.
Virtually all energy sources that feed the national grid have been
developed through public investments in public-private research and
development partnerships.

"Westinghouse is well positioned to be the first to market with the
most economical small modular reactor. Our experience, capabilities,
and licensing expertise are a competitive advantage for our utility
partners and help to ensure a rapid deployment of operating plants.
The state in which our application partner is located will gain
significant economic-development benefits."

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation
(TKY:6502), is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a
leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to
utilities throughout the world. Westinghouse supplied the world's
first pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa. Today,
Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the
world's operating nuclear plants, including 60 percent of those in the
United States.

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation
(TKY:6502), is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a
leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to
utilities throughout the world.  Westinghouse supplied the world's
first pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa.  Today,
Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the
world's operating nuclear plants.

SOURCE Westinghouse Electric Company

Energy Department Takes First Step to Spur U.S. Manufacturing of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Energy Department Takes First Step to Spur U.S. Manufacturing of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

January 20, 2012 - 10:48am

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the first step toward manufacturing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the United States, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to advancing U.S. manufacturing leadership in low-carbon, next generation energy technologies and restarting the nation’s nuclear industry.  Through the draft Funding Opportunity Announcement announced today, the Department will establish cost-shared agreements with private industry to support the design and licensing of SMRs.
“America’s choice is clear - we can either develop the next generation of clean energy technologies, which will help create thousands of new jobs and export opportunities here in America, or we can wait for other countries to take the lead,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The funding opportunity announced today is a significant step forward in designing, manufacturing, and exporting U.S. small modular reactors, advancing our competitive edge in the global clean energy race.”
Small modular reactors, approximately one-third the size of current nuclear plants, have compact designs that are expected to offer a host of safety, siting, construction and economic benefits. Specifically, they could be made in factories and transported to sites where they would be ready to “plug and play” upon arrival, reducing both capital costs and construction times. The small size also makes SMRs ideal for small electric grids and for locations that cannot support large reactors, providing utilities with the flexibility to scale production as demand changes.
The draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) announced today solicits input from industry in advance of a full FOA, which will support first-of-a-kind engineering, design certification and licensing through a cost-shared partnership. The full FOA will fund up to two SMR designs with the goal of deploying these reactors by 2022.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s certification of Westinghouse Electric’s AP1000 nuclear reactor design, which was supported through a cost-shared agreement with the Energy Department. The Department’s efforts, in coordination with the NRC and private industry, have helped American companies lead the way in obtaining certification and licensing approvals for new reactor designs, which will further streamline these processes for future investments in the U.S. nuclear industry.
For more information on SMRs, please visit the Office of Nuclear Energy website.

DOE takes first step to spur U.S. manufacturing of small modular nuclear reactors

Westinghouse Statement Regarding U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Feds To Finance Small Nuclear Reactor Designs

NRC New Nuclear Licensing Process

NRC New Nuclear Licensing Process

U.S. cedes the lead on nuclear energy

DOE Funding U.S. Manufacturing of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

DOE Funding U.S. Manufacturing of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Fukushima Accident Updates Has Unit #2 had a “phantom melt-through”?

Fukushima Accident Updates

Fukushima Accident Updates
The internet\\\'s top source of Fukushima accident updates. The Fukushima accident is the worst since Chernobyl. It\\\'s often called the Fukushima nuclear disaster. (3 times weekly; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.)
For prior updates dating back to March 12, 2011, please scroll to the bottom of each page and click the \\\"earlier posts\\\" button.

January 20
Has Unit #2 had a “phantom melt-through”?
TEPCO has made a brief endoscopic (visual) inspection inside the primary containment structure surrounding the unit two Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV). What seems surprising to TEPCO and the Japanese Press, is no indication of melted fuel outside the RPV. TEPCO spokesperson Junichi Matsumoto told Japan Times, “We could not spot any signs of fuel, unfortunately.” He added that the endoscopic device used for the inspection only looked at a small portion of the interior, so a better inspection technology and longer visual examinations should find evidence of melted fuel having leaked from the RPV. Or will they?
I suspect the problem is neither technological nor temporal. I have maintained since the Fukushima Daiichi control room records were released in July that unit #2 probably did not experience a full, core-relocating meltdown. Severe fuel damage inside the fuel cell is a given. From the operator records, it seems the fuel cell was completely uncovered and had no cooling water flow whatsoever for up to 5 hours. With unit #2 generating the lowest decay heat rate and after four days of continual decay heat reduction, that isn’t enough time for a total catastrophic meltdown! Some melting is probable in the upper, central portions of the core. Perhaps even the severe degree of melting found at TMI in 1984. But not the core-relocating event postulated by TEPCO. In other words, TEPCO can look all they want, and express as much disappointment as they wish for not finding evidence of RPV melt-through, but I believe they are chasing a phantom. A few corium drips solidified on the vessel-penetrating control rod mechanisms? Maybe. But a melt-through just doesn’t seem likely to me, and the preliminary endoscopic images taken yesterday only add fuel to my fire.
This blog is probably the singular place on the internet you will find this speculation….I’ve been looking diligently for months and have found this
assumption nowhere else. If I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to admit it and ask that my crow be served medium rare with fries and plenty of ketchup. But,
that’s one meal I don’t think I’ll have to eat.

Help Next-Generation Nuclear Advance During Building Lull: View

Update from the American Nuclear Society 12/20

A win for Vermont Yankee By dyurman on Jan 20, 2012 08:07 am Federal District Court rules against efforts by the State of Vermont to assert regulatory authority over radiological safety issues By: Dan Yurman Efforts by the State of Vermont to regulate a nuclear reactor within its borders were struck down January … Continue reading → Read in browser » Full agenda for National Nuclear Science Week 2012 By lscheele on Jan 20, 2012 01:15 am National Nuclear Science Week—a weeklong celebration to focus local, regional and national interest on all aspects of nuclear science—has nearly arrived! From January 24-27, events and activities will be held across the country to recognize the benefits of nuclear science … Continue reading → Read in browser » Photo Time! By rmichal on Jan 20, 2012 01:00 am This summer should see the first use of a nuclear-powered land vehicle—on Mars! On November 26, NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), which includes a rover named Curiosity, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The MSL/Curiosity package is … Continue reading → Read in browser »

More to read: Covert bombing kills another Iranian nuclear scientist Development: Taking Charge of Your Career Nuclear News and the new year ANS Special Committee on Fukushima Update – Dr. Dale Klein 87th Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers

ANS Nuclear Cafe A win for Vermont Yankee

ANS Nuclear Cafe

A win for Vermont Yankee

Posted on January 20, 2012 by dyurman| Leave a comment

Federal District Court rules against efforts by the State of Vermont to assert regulatory authority over radiological safety issues
By: Dan Yurman

A brief summary of the Vermont Yankee decision

A brief summary of the Vermont Yankee decision

A disclaimer: I am not a lawyer (although I play one on TV the internet); I do hold a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering however and have at least some basic ability to read indecipherable tomes. End disclaimer


Reading through the court decision rejecting the Vermont legislature's attempt to shut down Vermont Yankee through a pocket veto, several key points come up:

Fracking Quakes Shake the Shale Gas Industry

Fracking Quakes Shake the Shale Gas Industry
by Peter Fairley
Well shutdowns prompted by fracking-induced seismicity may inspire technology tweaks.
Read More »

OIG Investigation of NRC's Decision to Terminate Yucca Mountain

China Economic Clout and Nuclear Expertise Invades Saudi Arabia

The existential imperative and Iran’s nuclear scientists from Shadow Government by William Tobey

The existential imperative and Iran’s nuclear scientists

from Shadow Government by William Tobey

Federal judge: Vt. nuclear plant can remain open

Judge Says Federal Law Pre-empts State's Effort To Close Yankee

Small Is Beautiful—So Go Nuclear

As environmentally friendly as they sound, biofuels and wind power squander land and other resources.

LLEWELLYN KING: AP1000 Approval A Triumphal Advance to the Frontier -- Nuclear is Again on the Move

LLEWELLYN KING: AP1000 Approval A Triumphal Advance to the Frontier --
Nuclear is Again on the Move

http://www.nucleartownhall.com

Nuclear Power as a Foundation for a Sustainable Energy Future

Nuclear Power as a Foundation for a Sustainable Energy Future
By Denise Carpenter, President and CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association, 18/01/2012

Fracking and Seismic Activity

Can the World Phase Out Nuclear Power?

Boroscope at Fukushima Daiichi No. 2 inconclusive

atomic power review

---

Boroscope at Fukushima Daiichi No. 2 inconclusive

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:51 AM PST

TEPCO has completed the first examination inside any of the primary containment vessels at Fukushima Daiichi, using a boroscope inserted into No. 2 plant's dry well. Below is a graphic explaining the location, practiced a few days back at No. 5 plant.

Tepco Update - Camera in Unit 2

They got a camera into unit 2 containment.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9-69OPtAkWgYzcxY2IxYTYtZDNjOC00NjdlLTkxZmEtZDc0NTRlNzJjYzBh

Federal District Court rules AGAINST Vermont Legislature in reactor case

Full text

http://www.vtd.uscourts.gov/Supporting%20Files/Cases/11cv99.pdf

Mindful that relief must be “narrowly tailored to fit specific legal violations,” City of N.Y. v. Mickalis Pawn Shop, LLC, 645 F.3d 114, 144 (2d Cir. 2011), the Court orders, for the reasons described in this opinion, see Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(d), the following permanent injunctive relief:

1. Defendants are permanently enjoined, as preempted under the Atomic Energy Act, from enforcing Act 160 by bringing an enforcement action, or taking other action, to compel Vermont Yankee to shut down after March 21, 2012 because it failed to obtain legislative approval (under the provisions of Act 160) for a Certificate of Public Good for continued operation, as requested by Plaintiffs’ pending petition in Public Service Board Docket No. 7440, or in any subsequent petition. Case 1:11-cv-00099-jgm Document 181 Filed 01/19/12 Page 100 of 102 101

2. Defendants are permanently enjoined, as preempted under the Atomic Energy Act, from enforcing the single provision within section 6522(c)(4) of title 10, enacted as part of Act 74, stating “Storage of spent nuclear fuel derived from the operation of Vermont Yankee after March 21, 2012 shall require the approval of the general assembly under this chapter,” by bringing an enforcement action, or taking other action, to compel Vermont Yankee to shut down or to prevent storage of spent nuclear fuel after March 21, 2012 because it failed to obtain legislative approval (under the same preempted provision) for a Certificate of Public Good for storage of spent fuel, as requested by Plaintiffs’ pending petition in Public Service Board Docket No. 7440, or in any subsequent petition.

3. Defendants are permanently enjoined, as prohibited by the dormant Commerce Clause, from conditioning the issuance of a Certificate of Public Good for continued operation on the existence of a below-wholesale-market power purchase agreement between Plaintiffs and Vermont utilities, or requiring Vermont Yankee to sell power to Vermont utilities.

 

Gregory Jaczko: What the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Can Learn From Fukushima

PBS Frontline Documentary on Indian Point Nuclear Reactor After Japanese Nuke Meltdown

PBS Frontline Documentary on Indian Point Nuclear Reactor After Japanese Nuke Meltdown

Keystone: front and center in the plan to bring down Obama

Thorium

(Updated 11 November 2011) 

• Thorium is more abundant in nature than uranium. 
• It is fertile rather than fissile, and can be used in conjunction with fissile material as nuclear fuel. 
• Thorium fuels can breed fissile uranium-233. 

The use of thorium as a new primary energy source has been a tantalizing prospect for many years. Extracting its latent energy value in a cost-effective manner remains a challenge, and will require considerable R&D investment.

Nature and sources of thorium

Palisades Nuclear Power Plant under NRC review

Radiation, rusty metal seen in tsunami-hit reactor

MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Radiation-rusty-metal-seen-in-tsunami-hit-reactor-2621541.php#ixzz1jvrU65hz

China to Aid Saudi Arabia in 'Peaceful' Nuclear Power Development

By Oilprice.com Jan 19, 2012 11:40 am

Many of the questions asked about Iran's civilian nuclear power program, such as why a leading petro-state needs nuclear energy, are unlikely to be asked about this particular venture.

Read more: http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/Saudi-Arabia-China-Saudi-state-oil/1/19/2012/id/38927#ixzz1jvqysqV5

Edano: Japan Bracing for Nuclear-Free Summer

A New source for Nuclear Plant news, INPO-WANO

A new source for Nuclear Plant news, INPO - WANO best practices, and solutions is here: http://inpowano.blogspot.com/

If you have news, want too add your opinion or read up on solutions and best practices, the site is updated daily.

From the NRC Blog: A Letter from Afghanistan Part II

U.S. NRC Blog

A Letter from Afghanistan Part II by Moderator Bob Carlson Robert Carlson, a branch chief in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, is a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army Reserves. In May, he was called to active duty to serve as the chief of staff for the U.S. Agency for International Development delegation in Kabul. Below is part of a recent letter he sent to work colleagues updating them about his experiences. His first letter can be found here .   Dear Friends – Happy New Year! I hope this note finds you all doing well. As promised, I am sending you an update of my deployment to Afghanistan. I’ve now been in Afghanistan approximately seven months of my year-long tour. Much has transpired since my last update back in August 2011. As you might expect, I have seen and experienced a lot during this timeframe that has left an indelible imprint on me regarding Afghanistan, war, working in an interagency and international organizational environment, and the physical/mental effects of wartime stress. Hopefully by the end of this deployment my experiences and lessons learned here will serve me well when I return to assume future leadership positions within the military and NRC. Since I last wrote, there have been many high-profile attacks and suicide bombings in Afghanistan. Before the Country Team staff meeting at the Embassy each Sunday morning the Ambassador conducts a roll call and a moment of silence for all the U.S. soldiers killed in action that week – often numbering in the dozens. This is a very sobering way to begin a staff meeting and helps to put things in perspective when we carry out our routine daily affairs. The single largest attack involving U.S. forces was the downing of a Chinook helicopter this summer killing 30 Special Operations Forces members and eight Afghan soldiers during a planned night raid. Afterwards there was an emotionally charged ramp ceremony involving a very solemn memorial service for the fallen soldiers before they were boarded on a plane headed to the U.S. for final burial – extremely heart wrenching. A few weeks after this event the Embassy where I’m located was assaulted for 20 continuous hours by insurgents who had overtaken an abandoned building near our compound and began firing down on us. My building took much small-arms fire and a direct RPG hit less than 40-meters from my office – definitely causing me to hit the deck and low-crawl to safety! Fortunately, our office walls and ceilings are reinforced with sandbags that help to mitigate the effects of shrapnel. No U.S. casualties from this attack – but there were a lot of frayed nerves (unfortunately approximately 20 Afghan civilians were killed in this attack). There were several high-profile government assassinations involving the former Vice-President of Afghanistan, the Governor of Kandahar Province and President Karzai’s half-brother, and numerous other mayors and local officials. In many instances the assassination involved a suicide bomber wearing either an explosive laden vest or device hidden beneath a turban. In one sensational attack, the suicide bomber used a VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) directly outside one of our combat outposts, completely obliterating many of the life-support structures within. The exterior blast walls of the compound withstood much of the explosion and deflected most of the shrapnel. However, the resultant concussion from the blast wave leveled many of the temporary structures within the compound. Miraculously, although there were more than 70 casualties, only a few resulted in death. We visited the site shortly afterwards to survey the damage and visit with the soldiers. You can only marvel at and admire the courage, determination, and sense of duty these soldiers exhibited under these trying circumstances – unbelievable! I continue to conduct missions with the Ambassador throughout the country. These missions are usually to visit our folks in the field, view infrastructure projects, meet with Afghan government officials, and attend ceremonial events. Our primary mode of transportation is fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft because of the long distances involved, hostile terrain, and the threat of IEDs. We also have a large entourage footprint when traveling due to the staff and security requirements of my boss, which often attracts unwanted attention – thus better to fly than drive. As you can imagine, the grind of long hours and endless work weeks, being without family, and living in poor environmental and stressful wartime conditions can take its mental and physical toll on you after awhile. That said I see a light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to being home soon. Bob Carlson

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