Environmental groups seek to block new Duke nuclear power plants in SC
http://www.thestate.com/2014/09/29/3713028_environmental-groups-seek-to-black.html?rh=1
Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Environmental groups seek to block new Duke nuclear power plants in SC
http://www.thestate.com/2014/09/29/3713028_environmental-groups-seek-to-black.html?rh=1
Factors internal and external hinder China's nuclear export plans
Factors internal and external hinder China's nuclear export plans
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1202&MainCatID=12&id=20140930000130
Greenland Ice Sheet more vulnerable than previously thought
Greenland Ice Sheet more vulnerable than previously thought
Cambridge, UK (SPX) Sep 30, 2014 - A new model developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge has shown that despite its apparent stability, the massive ice sheet covering most of Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than earlier estimates have suggested, which would accelerate the rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities worldwide. In addition to assessing the impact of the increasing levels of ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Greenland_Ice_Sheet_more_vulnerable_to_climate_change_than_previously_thought_999.html
Cambridge, UK (SPX) Sep 30, 2014 - A new model developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge has shown that despite its apparent stability, the massive ice sheet covering most of Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than earlier estimates have suggested, which would accelerate the rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities worldwide. In addition to assessing the impact of the increasing levels of ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Greenland_Ice_Sheet_more_vulnerable_to_climate_change_than_previously_thought_999.html
PennEnergy's Daily Power Update 9/30
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New Mexico's largest electricity provider wants to build new
solar centers to produce enough power to serve 40,000 homes. 
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Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Energy Tax Policy Reforms
DOE issues draft solicitation for nuclear loan guarantees
DOE issues draft solicitation for nuclear loan guarantees
http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/09/doe-issues-draft-solicitation-for-nuclear-loan-guarantees.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Utility%20Dive&utm_campaign=Issue%3A%202014-09-30%20Utility%20Dive%20NewsletterFull Transcript: Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Speech at the United Nations General Assembly, 2014 (VIDEO)
Weak Security For America's Electric Grid Makes Us Vulnerable
Weak Security For America's Electric Grid Makes Us Vulnerable
http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/092614-719235-us-needs-to-prepare-for-possible-attack-on-its-electrical-grid.htm
Environmental groups challenge nuke spent fuel rule
Environmental groups challenge nuke spent fuel rule
Environmental
groups on Sept. 29 challenged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's
long-awaited rule on the storage of spent fuel at nuclear reactor sites,
claiming that it is unlawful for the agency to issue licenses or renew
licenses because the rule ignores the need for nuclear waste to be
disposed of in a long-term underground repository.
The
petition filed by the groups, including Beyond Nuclear, the Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League, the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter and the
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, comes only a month after the NRC
ended a two-year suspension on licensing activity by 
approving a new rule on how to consider the safety of spent fuel storage.
If
successful, the new challenge could cause the license applications of
more than a dozen proposed or existing reactors to go back on hold. The
challenge was filed with the NRC directly as a petition demanding the
agency to stop issuing licenses and also as a contention claiming the
agency lacks authority under the Atomic Energy Act to continue
licensing. A contention is a
formal protest of an NRC action and the first step to lead to a hearing
before the NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.approving a new rule on how to consider the safety of spent fuel storage.https://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-29335658-12326
NEI: Aging Management Program Ensures Safety of Long-Term Fuel Storage
Aging Management Program Ensures Safety of Long-Term Fuel Storage
http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/Aging-Management-Program-Ensures-Safety-of-Long-Te
NEI: NRC Says It Is Ready for Small Reactor Licensing
NRC Says It Is Ready for Small Reactor Licensing
http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/NRC-Says-It-Is-Ready-for-Small-Reactor-Licensing
Nuclear reactors at Vogtle, Summer to use General Cable products
Nuclear reactors at Vogtle, Summer to use General Cable products
http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/09/nuclear-reactors-at-vogtle-summer-to-use-general-cable-products.htmlCan nuclear talks overcome Arak?
Can nuclear talks overcome Arak?
Amid the thorny nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers, most observers have recognized two main sticking points: How much to limit Tehran’s ability to enrich uranium, and how sanctions will be lifted. But as meetings resume between Iran and its negotiating partners—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, also known as the P5+1— an issue once thought settled is anything but.
http://thebulletin.org/can-nuclear-talks-overcome-arak7643
Entergy revises Vermont Yankee shut down schedule; plans staff cuts
Entergy revises Vermont Yankee shut down schedule; plans staff cuts
http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/09/entergy-revises-vermont-yankee-shut-down-schedule-plans-staff-cuts.html
Russia in Global Nuclear Energy Market (Ambassador Yakovenko, for Russia Today)
Russia in Global Nuclear Energy Market (Ambassador Yakovenko, for Russia Today)
Within the context of the recent 58th IAEA General Conference held in Vienna it is worth making an overview of Russia’s position in this important and sophisticated global industry.Civil nuclear energy is fascinating, promising and complicated. In the right hands it is able to bring power to remote parts of the world, move huge icebreakers, and cure people. It is also an important source of energy security in terms of achieving sustainable development and mitigation of climate change. But in certain circumstances using such technologies can become dangerous and risky. That is why the Russian atomic industry and “Rosatom” pay so much attention to openness, transparency, security and international cooperation in this field, including under the auspices of the IAEA.
Russia’s nuclear power industry is one of the oldest in the world. This year the Obninsk nuclear power station outside Moscow, the world’s first ever to be built and connected to the grid, celebrated its 60th anniversary (it was decommissioned a few years ago to serve as a scientific and educational centre). Russia continues to invest heavily into research and development, which is essential for further evolutionary and innovative improvement of the relevant technologies. For instance, this year new types of high-purity radiation-resistant steel were developed and introduced for Russian “VVER”-type reactors. These materials provide for over 100 years of operation. Another example is our continued active participation in the “ITER” fusion project – a large international conference on this topic will be organized, together with the IAEA, this October in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
The accumulated experience in successfully developing, building and operating nuclear power stations makes Russia one of the best-placed players in the atomic business internationally. Among our latest achievements this year are serious progress regarding projects in China, Belarus, India, Bangladesh and Hungary. Some new agreements were discussed and signed with Finland, South Africa, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Argentina.
Despite current political tensions, Russia continues to act upon its agreements with Ukraine, providing its stations with nuclear fuel. Last year we have successfully fulfilled our obligations within the “Megatons to Megawatts Program” with 500 tons of Russian military-grade high-enriched uranium, enough for 20,000 warheads, converted into nuclear fuel, including for US power stations.
The UK is another important player in the global nuclear energy market. Its national civil nuclear industry is aimed at enhancing energy security and safety. But with British power plants ageing, successful involvement of international investors and companies is increasingly important. Russia could play a positive role in such diversification of suppliers, raising the level of competition. Last year DECC and Rolls Royce signed MOUs with “Rosatom” to examine the possible steps for mutually beneficial practical cooperation. Despite the current temporary interruption of this work, we remain optimistic that it could be carried on in the future in favourable political atmosphere.
http://www.rusemb.org.uk/article/377
New Nuclear Fuel Could Boost Reactors, But Also Safety Worries
New Nuclear Fuel Could Boost Reactors, But Also Safety Worries
A new fuel rod design will be tested in a full-size reactor, but some worry it could bring fresh safety problems.http://www.technologyreview.com/news/530981/new-nuclear-fuel-could-boost-reactors-but-also-safety-worries/
Powered by Our People
Powered by Our People
http://www.nei.org/Knowledge-Center/Powered-by-Our-People
Bechtel Recommendation for Sustainable Development Goals
Recommendation for Sustainable Development Goals
White paper covering the thematic development of infrastructure
currently under consideration in the post 2015 United Nations
sustainable development goals (SDGs) deliberations
Bechtel–U.S. Council for International Business Submission to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Infrastructure Managing Director Walker Kimball explains that today people want to know more about all aspects of a project.
Infrastructure Managing Director Walker Kimball discusses customers' expectations regarding sustainability.
Project Manager Linda Miller talks about the importance of leaving a legacy.
Project Manager Linda Miller highlights the importance of improving communities.
http://bechtel.com/unleashpotential
The purpose of this discussion paper is to contribute to the thematic
development of infrastructure currently under consideration in the post
2015 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) deliberations.
This paper was prepared by Bechtel Corporation on behalf of the U.S.
Council for International Business (USCIB).
I. Executive Summary
There are two underlying premises of the paper. First, infrastructure
is not just about physical assets (e.g., roads and bridges), but also
about sustainable solutions for the delivery of reliable energy, clean
water, communications, logistics and mobility. Second, infrastructure
advances the poverty reduction outcomes envisioned in the post 2015
SDGs, and business, including the engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) industry, is an essential partner in this global
effort.
In many respects, the growing recognition of infrastructure as a
fundamental forcing agent for development is connected to key global
trends and their impacts and implications on shared prosperity. With an
expected population of almost nine billion by 2030, purposeful,
smartly-designed and properly maintained infrastructure will become
critical to expanding society’s access to public goods, as well as
productive assets and innovations that progress individual and community
capacity, wellbeing, and national economic growth. Conversely, failing
to address global infrastructure needs will not only weaken economic
growth but also potentially reverse some of the positive gains from the
2000 United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and compromise
future SDG targets.
We offer four recommendations, to help develop infrastructure as one of
the critical anchors to achieving the post 2015 SDGs. These
recommendations are not exhaustive.
- Promote governance frameworks involving multi-stakeholder inputs from civil society, government and business to strike the right balance between top-down and bottom-up decision-making processes. This approach also helps to organize policies and prioritize projects at a systems level, rather than create single-purpose projects, thereby promoting benefits for multiple sectors.
- Promote strategic infrastructure planning alongside the wider development agenda through technical and contracting frameworks which rank and prioritize investments according to need, return on investment, and affordability. This approach helps governments to prioritize within infrastructure sectors and to assess benefits with costs and budget accordingly.
- Develop a fuller range of alternative financing schemes to address the constraints on public funding and commercial debt. This includes continuing to support multilateral financing institutions and export credit agencies, improving public-private partnerships, promoting project bonds and non-bank lending instruments, and optimizing existing infrastructures for productivity gains.
- Leverage technology and data analytics to improve project quality and greater certainty of outcome. Information technologies and data analytics should not only be used to operate cities more efficiently and sustainably, but also to help advance master planning, conceptual design and engineering, and construction. Designs for climate resilience, for example, can take into account projections for rainfall, tides, temperature and population in order to prepare for changing needs, vulnerabilities and opportunities.
Infrastructure Managing Director Walker Kimball explains that today people want to know more about all aspects of a project.
Infrastructure Managing Director Walker Kimball discusses customers' expectations regarding sustainability.
Project Manager Linda Miller talks about the importance of leaving a legacy.
Project Manager Linda Miller highlights the importance of improving communities.
http://bechtel.com/unleashpotential
Tokai reprocessing plant to shut
Tokai reprocessing plant to shut
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) will shut its reprocessing plant in Tokai, reportedly due to the costs of modifications required under post-Fukushima safety regulations.
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Tokai-reprocessing-plant-to-shut-2909144.html
Plans for new Wylfa nuclear power station go on show to the public
Plans for new Wylfa nuclear power station go on show to the public
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plans-new-wylfa-nuclear-power-7850026
Japan vows to push ahead with nuclear reactor restarts after volcanic eruption highlights risks
Japan vows to push ahead with nuclear reactor restarts after volcanic eruption highlights risks
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/japan-vows-push-ahead-nuclear-reactor-restarts-after-volcanic-eruption-hig#sthash.VXg8J2h3.dpufJapan vows to push ahead with nuclear reactor restarts after volcanic eruption highlights risks
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/japan-vows-push-ahead-nuclear-reactor-restarts-after-volcanic-eruption-hig#sthash.VXg8J2h3.dpufhttp://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/japan-vows-push-ahead-nuclear-reactor-restarts-after-volcanic-eruption-hig
South Africa: The call for a referendum on nuclear power in South Africa
South Africa: The call for a referendum on nuclear power in South Africa
http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/25393.html
Modi acts to boost supply of nuclear power
Modi acts to boost supply of nuclear power
Energy-starved India hit by cancellation of coal permits
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/india/modi-acts-boost-supply-nuclear-power-20140929
Research and Markets: Nuclear Power Plant and Equipment Market Outlook 2019 - Reactor & Equipment Type Analysis
Research and Markets: Nuclear Power Plant and Equipment Market Outlook 2019 - Reactor & Equipment Type Analysis
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140929005463/en/Research-Markets-Nuclear-Power-Plant-Equipment-Market#.VCq6V-dH1FU
Unease in Finland over Russian-designed nuclear reactor
Unease in Finland over Russian-designed nuclear reactor
http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pei/2014/09/unease-in-finland-over-russian-designed-nuclear-reactor.htmlWestinghouse, Southern Co, FLUOR, SCANA confirmed for nuclear construction summit
Southern Co., SCANA and Blue Castle Holdings are leading the US nuclear renaissance by investing tens of billions of dollars into the US’ first nuclear new build programs of the 21st century.
These plant owners – plus every key stakeholder from regulators, OEMs, major contractors and industry bodies – will meet at the 6th Annual Nuclear Construction Summit (21-22 October, Charlotte).
Take a look at a detailed sample of the 100+ strong attendee list here
This is the only US meeting to bring together all primary industry decision makers to specifically discuss the challenges involved in the financing, licensing and execution of nuclear construction. At no other event will you get an SMR ‘super session’, funding guidance from the DOE Loan Programs Office and insight on all US nuclear new build projects on one agenda!
Let me know if you have any questions,
Best wishes
Siobhan
Siobhan O'Meara
Senior Industry Analyst
Nuclear Energy Insider
+44(0)207 375 7512
US Toll Free: +1 800 814 3459
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