Cheong Wa Dae declines to confirm report on nuclear fuel purchase plan

Cheong Wa Dae declines to confirm report on nuclear fuel purchase plan: South Korea's presidential office on Tuesday declined to comment on a media report that Seoul approached Washington to purchase nuclear fuel to operate a nuclear-powered submarine. On Tuesday, Donga Ilbo reported that Kim Hyun-chong, Cheong Wa Dae deputy national security adviser, traveled to Washington in mid-September and expressed Seoul's wish to buy nuclear fuel from the United States to run a nuclear submarine....

New measurement of nucleus of thorium-229 moves scientists step closer to a nuclear clock

New measurement of nucleus of thorium-229 moves scientists step closer to a nuclear clock: A team of researchers from Germany and Austria has taken a new measurement of the nucleus of a thorium-229 isotope, moving one step closer to a nuclear clock. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the group describes how they measured the isotope and their results.

Chernobyl nuclear plant to test South Korean decommissioning technologies - Nuclear Engineering International

Chernobyl nuclear plant to test South Korean decommissioning technologies - Nuclear Engineering International: Chernobyl nuclear power plant is to become a testing ground for South Korean experimental technologies after the Head of the State Agency of Ukraine for the Management of the Exclusion Zone (GAZO) Serhiy Kalashnik and the President of the Korea...

U.S. Extends Deal to Limit Russian Uranium Imports - Bloomberg

U.S. Extends Deal to Limit Russian Uranium Imports - Bloomberg: The U.S. Commerce Department and the Russian government have agreed to extend for 20 years limits on imports of Russian uranium, the Trump administration announced Tuesday in a move it said would benefit American miners and others in the domestic nuclear industry. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross speaks exclusively to David Westin on "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)

Report: Hanford unprepared for potential nuclear waste leak

Report: Hanford unprepared for potential nuclear waste leak: TRI-CITIES, Wash. (AP) — A decommissioned nuclear site in Washington state could face immediate issues as double-shell tanks holding high-level radioactive waste deteriorate, a report by the...

Y-12 conducts successful emergency exercise; first since pandemic began

Y-12 conducts successful emergency exercise; first since pandemic began: The Y-12 National Security Complex successfully conducted its first full-scale emergency exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Westinghouse Signs Engineering Analysis Contract For Angra-1 :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency

Westinghouse Signs Engineering Analysis Contract For Angra-1 :: The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency: Westinghouse Electric Company has signed a contract with Brazil’s state-run power company Eletronuclear to conduct engineering analysis critical to the safety, reliability and long-term life of the Angra-1 nuclear power plant.



The company said the contract supports Eletronuclear’s long-term operations programme designed to enable continued operations at Angra-1 until the end of 2044. The current operating licence is valid through December 2024.



The LTO programme at Angra-1 includes engineering assessments, system testing and plant system upgrades, to be implemented in several stages by 2030.

Neutrino Detectors Could Be Used to Spot Nuclear Rogues | WIRED

Neutrino Detectors Could Be Used to Spot Nuclear Rogues | WIRED: In theory, the particles could reveal whether a reactor is building up plutonium for weapons. US energy experts are starting to take the idea seriously.

As California Moves Towards EVs, Can the Grid Keep Up?

As California Moves Towards EVs, Can the Grid Keep Up?: The short answer is yes. But long term, the electric grid will need to be reinforced to support the growing demands of an all-electric California.

Environmental News News Duke nuclear plant demolition timeline cut from half-century to 7 years

 Duke nuclear plant demolition timeline cut from half-century to 7 years

 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/environment/os-ne-duke-nuclear-plant-demolition-20201007-oa4bvubxanevnof2dzyzyshg2a-story.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202020-10-07%20Utility%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:30096%5D&utm_term=Utility%20Dive

'Buyer beware': Report highlights challenges to new PJM gas plants | Utility Dive

'Buyer beware': Report highlights challenges to new PJM gas plants | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.

ECA Update October 7, 2020

 

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ECA UPDATE Oct 7, 2020

FEATURED ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP   Oak Ridge Clears Stored Waste in Advance of ETTP Cleanup Completion DOE-EM | 10/6/2020   Just as Oak Ridge crews have removed unneeded buildings at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), they also have disposed of wastes stored there, a critical step to completing cleanup at the site.   Wastes generated and handled at ETTP, the former Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, have been managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) — laws that address the proper management of hazardous and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes.   Those wastes at ETTP, generated from site operations or brought to Oak Ridge’s TSCA Incinerator for processing, were stored at various permitted locations across the site prior to treatment and disposal.   Previously, wastes were treated onsite at the TSCA Incinerator and offsite at commercial treatment facilities, depending on the type of waste. After the incinerator closed in 2009, all treatment took place at off-site facilities.   Continue reading >> Follow the latest DOE budget updates with ECA's budget tracker Monitor DOE spending bills, detailed site budgets, and more. Find everything you need to know about the DOE budget here! CONTRACTS   Waste contract at Savannah River Site could be worth $21B The Sumter Item | 10/6/2020   The federal government is soliciting pitches to manage and clean up nuclear waste at the Savannah River Site, a contract that could be worth $21 billion over years.   The Aiken Standard reported the U.S. Department of Energy published a final request for proposals on Thursday.   The Department of Energy wrote that it wants to complete liquid waste cleanup at the Savannah River Site in 15 years and directs bidders to propose work plans to meet that goal.   The contract could hand off the work of two current contractors including Savannah River Remediation, which is in charge of handling and processing millions of gallons of radioactive waste at the site. A single contractor, officials have said, is in the best interest of the government and will ensure "maximum" reduction in environmental and financial risk.   Continue reading >> IN OTHER NEWS WASTE STORAGE Governor Greg Abbott writes letter opposing storage of high level nuclear waste in Andrews County  (News West, 10/6/2020)   DEFENSE US sees “important progress” in Helsinki nuclear arms talks (AP, 10/6/2020)   LEGISLATION Meadows says White House stimulus efforts ongoing amid Trump's back-and-forth (Politico, 10/7/2020) UPCOMING EVENTS Oct. 29 ECA Advancing Alliances: STEM and Workforce; Virtual Nov. 12 ECA and ECOS: Analyzing the 2020 Election; Virtual ECA PUBLICATIONS Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation   Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation. ECA's Key Points on DOE HLW Interpretation ECA's FAQs on DOE HLW Interpretation Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications ECA BULLETIN Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World   Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.    View current and previous editions of the ECA Bulletin at www.energyca.org/bulletin DOE SITE PROFILES  Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles   ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.    Access your community's profile by visiting: www.energyca.org/site-profiles

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Regulator approves Ikata 2 decommissioning plan : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Regulator approves Ikata 2 decommissioning plan : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority today approved Shikoku Electric Power Company's decommissioning plan for unit 2 of its Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime prefecture. Decommissioning of the unit is expected to be completed by 2059.

UAE regulatory experience provides lessons for SMR deployment : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

UAE regulatory experience provides lessons for SMR deployment : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation's experience of licensing the UAE's first nuclear power plant - including applying international regulatory standards where appropriate - will also be valuable for any country considering nuclear power plants for the first time, and also for the future licensing of small modular reactors, according to the regulator's former deputy director general of operations, Ian Grant.

Fortum and MIT launch SMR modelling project : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Fortum and MIT launch SMR modelling project : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Finnish utility Fortum and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have entered into a three-year cooperation to create an open source tool for techno-economic modelling of small modular reactor projects.

Fate of Iran nuclear deal hinges on US election, says Raab : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News

Fate of Iran nuclear deal hinges on US election, says Raab : Regulation & Safety - World Nuclear News: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is unlikely to be improved or replaced before the US president is sworn in early next year, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday. Raab was responding to questions from the House of Commons foreign affairs select committee in a session held to discuss the work of the newly merged Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Mixed Reactions on Looming DOE NOPR for Bulk Power System Security

Mixed Reactions on Looming DOE NOPR for Bulk Power System Security: The Department of Energy (DOE) will issue a notice of proposed rule-making (NOPR) to implement President Trump’s broad bulk power system (BPS) security

Fusion energy needs smart federal government regulation - Washington Times

Fusion energy needs smart federal government regulation - Washington Times: Creating new sources of sustainable, reliable and zero-carbon energy is a critical national security question and may prove to be an existential threat to humanity.

Clean energy funding roundup: minigrids, nanogrids, microreactors and batteries – pv magazine USA

Clean energy funding roundup: minigrids, nanogrids, microreactors and batteries – pv magazine USA: Investors continue to invest and clean energy entrepreneurs continue to innovate — despite, or because of, global setbacks.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott slams nuclear waste project in New Mexico

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott slams nuclear waste project in New Mexico: Building a storage site for high-level nuclear waste in the Permian Basin could imperil oil and gas operations, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott argued.