Near St. Petersburg the accident occurred at the nuclear power plant: may have leaked radioactive steam

http://en.news-4-u.ru/near-st-petersburg-the-accident-occurred-at-the-nuclear-power-plant-may-have-leaked-radioactive-steam.html

Special Environmental Radiation in Canada Report on Fukushima Accident Contaminants

Special Environmental

Radiation in Canada Report

on Fukushima Accident

Contaminants

Technical Report

Surveillance of Fukushim

a Emissions in Canada

March 2011 to June 2011

https://fukushimainform.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/fukushimareport_final2015nov_en1.pdf

AREVA awarded decontamination contract for Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2015/12/areva-awarded-decontamination-contract-for-kr-mmel-nuclear-power-plant.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerDecember222015&eid=288118515&bid=1262187

Greenland Ice Sheet during the 20th Century

Greenland Ice Sheet during the 20th Century Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX) Dec 22, 2015 - For the very first time, climate researchers from the Centre for GeoGenetics at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, together with a national and an International team of researchers, publish in the scientific journal Nature their direct observations of the reduction and melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet during the latest 110 years. All previous estimations have been based on computer models, ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Greenland_Ice_Sheet_during_the_20th_Century___a_missing_link_in_IPCCs_climate_report_999.html

(AWARENESS/NO ACTION REQUIRED) INITIAL: STEAM PIPE RUPTURE at LENINGRAD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, RUSSIA

For everyone’s information.

Purpose:

This report provides awareness to Senior Leadership of current news or events that may be of interest to DOE principals, but not necessarily actionable.

Context: On Friday, December 18, 2015, 2:30 PM EDT, the Emergency Operations Center received a notification that a  steam pipe at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in Sosnovy Bor (43 miles west of St. Petersburg) burst Friday afternoon. The pipe began leaking radioactive material through the steam upon rupture, however the plant's management says the relevant unit has been shut down and the situation is under control. All non-essential staff at that the unit were sent home. The local government in Sosnovy Bor says the situation is under control and that there is no need for an evacuation of local residents. The incident has not yet been picked up by major international or Russian media outlets. The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is made up of four RMBK-1000 nuclear reactors, the same type used at Chernobyl, that have since been replaced by VVER reactors. The EOC has been in contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State Department with no additional information to provide. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this event, please contact the DOE Watch Office at 202-586-8100.

Link/Image:

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US Senate Expected to Take up Microgrid Policy in Early 2016

US Senate Expected to Take up Microgrid Policy in Early 2016
Elisa Wood
December 17, 2015 | Post Your Comment
	A grid modernization bill — one that takes steps toward federal microgrid policy — is likely to reach the floor of the U.S. Senate early next year, according to Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/u-s-senate-expected-to-take-up-microgrid-policy-in-early-2016.html

New York Backs New Transmission Lines to Ease Power Prices, Access Renewable Energy

New York Backs New Transmission Lines to Ease Power Prices, Access Renewable Energy
Jim Polson
December 18, 2015 | Post Your Comment
	New York’s utility regulator backed construction of $1.2 billion of new power lines aimed at easing electricity prices while cutting greenhouse gas emissions in southern New York state, including New York City. Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/new-york-backs-new-transmission-lines-to-ease-power-prices-access-renewabl-energy.html?cmpid=renewablesolar12222015&eid=288118515&bid=1261960

Making Sense of the Tax Credit Extensions for Wind, Solar (and Bioenergy, Too)

Making Sense of the Tax Credit Extensions for Wind, Solar (and Bioenergy, Too)
Jennifer Runyon
December 16, 2015 | Post Your Comment
	In a landmark deal that could mark the first time the Senate and House Democrats and Republicans under Barack Obama were able to compromise on anything at all, the two parties released an omnibus spending bill that... Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/making-sense-of-the-itc-extension-for-wind-solar-and-bioenergy-too.html?cmpid=renewablesolar12192015&eid=288118515&bid=1261943

Solar Market Analyst: Extension of ITC Will Double Installed Capacity of Solar in US by 2020

Solar Market Analyst: Extension of ITC Will Double Installed Capacity of Solar in US by 2020
Jennifer Runyon
December 18, 2015 | Post Your Comment
	According to Paula Mints, the five-year extension of the investment tax credit, which passed both the U.S. House and Senate today, will result in a steady ramp-up of solar for the foreseeable future. Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/solar-market-analyst-extension-of-itc-will-double-installed-capacity-of-solar-in-us-by-2020.html?cmpid=renewablesolar12192015&eid=288118515&bid=1261943

Contract to manage federal nuke lab up for grabs after 2017 - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |

Contract to manage federal nuke lab up for grabs after 2017 - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |

US DOE plans to launch consent-based process to site nuclear waste facilities

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-doe-plans-to-launch-consent-based-process-21649031?hootpostid=f005a124afe82a5226f037cfa985b9eb

Finding Long-Term Solutions for Nuclear Waste

Finding Long-Term Solutions for Nuclear Waste

The Department of Energy is working toward long-term solutions for nuclear waste storage. | Photo by James Marvin Phelps.

Franklin (Lynn) Orr

Under Secretary for Science and Energy

What does this mean for me?

• Nuclear technology has been a key contributor to America’s energy and security for generations.
• We are working to find long-term solutions for nuclear waste storage through our Consent-Based Siting Initiative.
• Learn more on our website or send us your questions at consentbasedsiting@hq.doe.gov.

http://energy.gov/articles/finding-long-term-solutions-nuclear-waste

North Slope permafrost thawing sooner than expected

North Slope permafrost thawing sooner than expected Fairbanks AK (SPX) Dec 19, 2015 - New projections of permafrost change in northern Alaska suggest far-reaching effects will come sooner than expected, scientists reported this week at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union. "The temperature of permafrost is rapidly changing," said Vladimir Romanovsky, head of the Permafrost Laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. "For the last 30 ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/North_Slope_permafrost_thawing_sooner_than_expected_999.html

"Old design" blamed for Oyster Creek performance

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/southern-ocean-county/lacey/2015/12/18/oyster-creek-nrc-old-design/77518474/

Nuclear reactor reliability defying gloomy predictions, for now

Nuclear reactor reliability defying gloomy predictions, for now
https://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-34752728-12584

 

NEI: Omnibus Appropriations Act Strongly Supports Nuclear Energy

http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/12/21/797351/10158698/en/NEI-Omnibus-Appropriations-Act-Strongly-Supports-Nuclear-Energy.html

Vermont Yankee to start moving spent nuclear fuel into dry storage in 2017

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/vermont_yankee_to_start_moving.html

Iran says new US visa law goes against nuclear deal

Iran says new US visa law goes against nuclear deal Tehran (AFP) Dec 20, 2015 - Iran said Sunday new US visa regulations for visitors from 38 mainly European countries but including Iran flies in the face of Tehran's landmark nuclear deal with the West. The ISNA news agency reported Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying Tehran had consulted with European countries on countering the new law passed by Congress on Friday. "This law certainly affects economic ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_says_new_US_visa_law_goes_against_nuclear_deal_999.html

China's New 'Carrier-Killer' Missile Goes Nuclear

China's New 'Carrier-Killer' Missile Goes Nuclear Beijing (Sputnik) Dec 21, 2015 - China's new 'carrier-killer' DF-26 missile is capable of going nuclear and more mobile, with the intent of becoming a deterrent against conflict in the South China Sea. The DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missile was unveiled in September and has the capability to arm a nuclear warhead against an aircraft carrier, according to findings by researcher Andrew Erickson in the Chinese-language China ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Chinas_New_Carrier_Killer_Missile_Goes_Nuclear_999.html

A rethink on sanctions necessary

http://gulfnews.com/opinion/thinkers/a-rethink-on-sanctions-necessary-1.1640274

Gulf News

By Kofi Annan and Kishore Mahbubani

19 December 2015

A rethink on sanctions necessary

They do serve some purpose, but excessive dependence on them as a coercive tool can be counterproductive

 

Today, the United Nations Security Council has more sanctions regimes in place than at any time in its history. During the 1990s, the maximum was eight. In the 2000s, the peak rose to 12; now it stands at 16. And these totals do not include sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and the United States. Judging by this escalation, one might conclude that sanctions have proved a remarkably effective tool in promoting international peace and security. Unfortunately, that is far from being the case.

 

In fact, studies suggest that sanctions have had limited success. Thomas Biersteker of the Graduate Institute in Geneva estimates that sanctions are effective only about 20 per cent of the time. According to Oxford University's Adam Roberts, "There are very few cases where you can definitely identify sanctions as having had a success, except sometimes in combination with other factors". For example, while the US and EU sanctions on Myanmar may have contributed to the country's decision to open up its economy and engage in gradual political reform, fear of becoming overly reliant on China may have been a bigger consideration.http://gulfnews.com/opinion/thinkers/a-rethink-on-sanctions-necessary-1.1640274