Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Democrats back down, reach deal to not call witnesses in Trump impeachment trial.

Democrats back down, reach deal to not call witnesses in Trump impeachment trial.: Five Republicans had joined all Democrats in voting to consider witnesses in former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial.

Will the ICC Finally Put an End to Israel’s War Crimes?

Will the ICC Finally Put an End to Israel’s War Crimes?: Juan Cole explains why a recent decision by the International Criminal Court should make all believers in human rights rejoice.

'A Complete Capitulation': Outrage as Democrats Abruptly Back Off Push for Witnesses in Trump Trial | Common Dreams News

'A Complete Capitulation': Outrage as Democrats Abruptly Back Off Push for Witnesses in Trump Trial | Common Dreams News: "This is retreat. White flag. Malpractice. Completely unstrategic."

On China, Biden should stop following in Trump’s footsteps – Responsible Statecraft

On China, Biden should stop following in Trump’s footsteps – Responsible Statecraft: The administration is communicating its intent to contain the rise of China, with little thought to either the costs and or the likelihood of success.

NEI Again Asks Judge to Reverse NRC Interpretation of Very Low-Level Waste Guidelines - ExchangeMonitor

NEI Again Asks Judge to Reverse NRC Interpretation of Very Low-Level Waste Guidelines - ExchangeMonitor: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

As the United States develops advanced reactors, a new fuel supply chain is critical to national security - Atlantic Council

As the United States develops advanced reactors, a new fuel supply chain is critical to national security - Atlantic Council: Over the past five years, the United States has made meaningful progress in the development of advanced nuclear reactor designs critical to keeping the country on the cutting edge of nuclear technology. These positive trends signal a growing need for the Department of Energy to address a key challenge that many reactor developers face as they move toward deployment: the lack of a reliable source of high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel.

Nuclear Propulsion Fastest Way to Get Astronauts to Mars | Neutron Bytes

Nuclear Propulsion Fastest Way to Get Astronauts to Mars | Neutron Bytes: A National Academy of Sciences Report recommends that NASA get moving to develop nuclear propulsion technologies that will get U.S. astronauts to Mars much faster that conventional chemical rockets…

ICBM Commander Makes Case for US Nuke Modernization – The Diplomat

ICBM Commander Makes Case for US Nuke Modernization – The Diplomat: The Biden administration is highly unlikely to continue with Trump’s maximalist nuclear modernization plans.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Second lawsuit filed to stop storage of nuclear waste in Andrews | newswest9.com

Second lawsuit filed to stop storage of nuclear waste in Andrews | newswest9.com: Beyond Nuclear claim that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission violated the Nuclear Waste Policy Act

Big money, nuclear subsidies, and systemic corruption - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Big money, nuclear subsidies, and systemic corruption - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: The speaker of the house of the state of Ohio and four other defendants were charged in July 2020 with racketeering in regard to a $1.5 billion bailout of nuclear power plants in return for $61 million in "dark money.” Ohio is not alone in its nuclear energy corruption. The same month, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), a subsidiary of Exelon, was charged with bribery to “Public Official A,” Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has denied wrongdoing.

DC Circ. Urged To Scrap Texas Nuclear Waste Site License - Law360

DC Circ. Urged To Scrap Texas Nuclear Waste Site License - Law360: Anti-nuclear advocacy group Beyond Nuclear Inc. on Wednesday asked the D.C. Circuit to stop the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from licensing an interim storage facility in the Permian Basin, arguing the license violates the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.

EU considers power import restrictions over Belarus nuclear safety fears | Reuters

EU considers power import restrictions over Belarus nuclear safety fears | Reuters: The European Commission is considering whether to restrict power imports from nuclear plants outside the European Union that flout the bloc's safety standards, it said on Thursday, amid concerns over a nuclear facility in neighbouring Belarus.

WIPP: Nuclear waste shipments reduced, projects delayed amid COVID-19

WIPP: Nuclear waste shipments reduced, projects delayed amid COVID-19: As of Feb. 3, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant was averaging about five shipments per week.

Biden names pick for deputy Energy chief | TheHill

Biden names pick for deputy Energy chief | TheHill: President Biden on Wednesday named former Obama administration official David Turk as his choice for the No. 2 role at the Department of Energy.

Review of pit production, other nuke projects on new deputy defense secretary's radar | Savannah River Site | postandcourier.com

Review of pit production, other nuke projects on new deputy defense secretary's radar | Savannah River Site | postandcourier.com: Kathleen Hicks, confirmed as the deputy secretary of defense Monday, recently pledged to support a review of the nation's nuclear modernization programs, including plutonium pit production.

Investments in nuclear energy could help solve the economic and climate crises | TheHill

Investments in nuclear energy could help solve the economic and climate crises | TheHill: Paired with its comprehensive plan to reach net zero emissions quickly, the Biden administration can build a more resilient economy powered by clean, carbon-free energy sources.