Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Temelin: Strategic Growth Project for Russian-Czech relations

Temelin: Strategic Growth Project for Russian-Czech relationshttp://www.opednews.com/articles/Temelin-Strategic-Growth-by-Igor-Alexeev-130601-792.html

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Will Kill No One - As I Told You

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Will Kill No One - As I Told You
Forbes
That there would be both hydrogen explosions damaging the outer casing and also a meltdown of the core. That was and is the limiting worst case for these types of reactor. A chain reaction of nuclear explosions is no more possible than it is that the ...http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/06/01/the-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-will-kill-no-one-as-i-told-you/

Local power plant battling lawmakers and environmentalists to stay open


Local power plant battling lawmakers and environmentalists to stay open
New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV
About 20 million people live within 50 miles of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, a huge concern for lawmakers and environmentalists who want it shut down before a there's a major accident or natural disaster. So while Entergy, the company that ...http://pix11.com/2013/05/31/local-power-plant-battling-lawmakers-and-environmentalists-to-stay-open/#axzz2Uzhs2T6f
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Westinghouse Electric Takes Steps To Close Windsor Plant


Westinghouse Electric Takes Steps To Close Windsor Plant
Hartford Courant
Employees learned Friday morning that Westinghouse is negotiating with a boilermakers union to close the plant, where parts are made to hold fuel used in nuclear power plants. At stake are 73 machinists, welders, engineers, assemblers and inspectors ...http://articles.courant.com/2013-05-31/business/hc-westinghouse-layoffs-20130531_1_westinghouse-electric-nuclear-power-plants-arizona-public-service-co

What is "Smartgrid"

http://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid

No Longer Unthinkable: Should US Ready For ‘Limited’ Nuclear War?


No Longer Unthinkable: Should US Ready For ‘Limited’ Nuclear War? http://breakingdefense.com/2013/05/30/no-longer-unthinkable-should-us-ready-for-limited-nuclear-war/

Nuclear Fuel Co. Says Feds Owe $38M In Unpaid Bills

http://www.law360.com/articles/446386/nuclear-fuel-co-says-feds-owe-38m-in-unpaid-bills

Nukes In My Backyard - No Big Deal


Nukes In My Backyard - No Big Deal

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2013/06/01/nukes-in-my-backyard-no-big-deal/

Why can't we quit fossil fuels?

 

Why can't we quit fossil fuels?

Despite the clean technology of the past decade, we continue to extract and burn fossil fuels more than ever before
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/17/why-cant-we-give-up-fossil-fuels?goback=.gde_78238_member_243919629

Nonproliferation: US NRC Blog


nonproliferation | U.S. NRC Blog
Nonproliferation is a policy objective of the U.S. and the international community ( most notably through the International Atomic Energy Agency) to prevent the ...
public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov/tag/nonproliferation/

Recipe for Disaster: Israel & Pakistan’s Sea-Based Nukes

By Iskander Rehman

http://thediplomat.com/2013/05/31/recipe-for-disaster-israel-pakistans-sea-based-nukes/

New component issues idle Korean reactors

New component issues idle Korean reactors

28 May 2013
Two South Korean power reactors have been ordered offline and another two must remain out of operation until uncertified cabling has been replaced. The government is worried about possible power shortages over the coming months as a result.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Substandard_cables_lead_to_Korean_shutdowns-2805134.html?goback=.gde_2170900_member_245634507

Kinder Morgan shelves Texas-California pipeline

Kinder Morgan shelves Texas-California pipeline
Los Angeles Times
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP said Friday that it has shelved plans for a pipeline carrying crude oil from Texas to California because refineries weren't interested enough. At an estimated cost of $2 billion, the Freedom pipeline would have been a ...http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pipeline-shelved-20130531,0,777287.story

UNSCEAR's findings of no future cancers for Fukushima residents

UNSCEAR's findings of no future cancers for Fukushima residents has received a lot of Press, both inside and outside Japan. Here's the UNIS (United Nations Information Service) press release on it.

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New York Strengthens Electric Grid for Storm Season

New York Strengthens Electric Grid for Storm Season


http://theenergycollective.com/ecsjessica/231496/restoration-reinforcement-new-york-strengthens-electric-grid-storm-season?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

EU May Make German Industry Pay for Renewables


EU May Make German Industry Pay for Renewables

http://theenergycollective.com/robertwilson190/232111/eu-may-make-german-industry-pay-renewables?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Latin America’s Largest Solar Energy Plant In The Works


Latin America’s Largest Solar Energy Plant In The Works

http://theenergycollective.com/tinacasey/230651/latin-america-s-largest-pv-solar-plant-works-mexico?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Scotland Goes Ahead With World's Largest Wave Energy Project

The 40 megawatt project will power 30,000 homes in 2018.http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24933?utm_source=feedly

Abu Dhabi turns to nuclear energy with second reactor

The oil-rich UAE began construction yesterday of a second nuclear power plant, one of four reactors aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by some 12 million tonnes a year in 2020.Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) said it poured the first part of safety concrete for Unit 2, in a ceremony attended by visiting Korean Trade, Industry and Energy Sang-jick Yoon.In 2009, an international cons

Reversing the Nuclear Reversal of Fortune


Reversing the Nuclear Reversal of Fortune

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2013/05/reversing-nuclear-reversal-of-fortune.html?utm_source=feedly

“In coming years, reaching [climate] goals can't be done without nuclear power.”

We never forget that nuclear energy has a lot to offer in climate change mitigation, a fact that can get lost in the enthusiasm for natural gas. So it never hurts to be reminded of it, especially when the one doing the reminding has some heat. European Commissioner for Energy, Gunther Oettinger, Thursday said the European Union's goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat climate c

First County In The U.S. Bans Fracking To Save Its Water

Drought map of New Mexico. As oil and gas executives look to New Mexico as the next major area to develop natural gas, one county is taking preventative measures to protect its water. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Mora County in New Mexico became the first county in the U.S. to ban oil drilling and the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing. For Mora County, fracking is pa

Nuclear detonation the best way to deflect threatening asteroids, say experts

May 31, 2013 – SPACE - If a dangerous asteroid appears to be on a collision course for Earth, one option is to send a spacecraft to destroy it with a nuclear warhead. Such a mission, which would cost about $1 billion, could be developed from work NASA is already funding, a prominent asteroid defense expert says. Bong Wie, director of the Asteroid Deflection Research Center at Iowa State Universit
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Thorium news update 5/31


NRC Finalizes Rules on Using and Distributing Uranium and Thorium
No: 13-043. May 29, 2013. CONTACT: Maureen Conley, 301-415-8200. NRC Finalizes Rules on. Using and Distributing Uranium and Thorium. The Nuclear ...
www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/.../13-043.pdf
Thorium nuclear power: Forever the bridesmaid? | millicentmedia
The Electric Power Industry. News. Features. Analysis.
millicentmedia.com/.../thorium-nuclear-power-forever-the-bri...

Friday, May 31, 2013

Russian-Czech Agreement on Temelin Power Plant to Irk US

Russian-Czech Agreement on Temelin Power Plant to Irk US
Energy Tribune
Infrastructure investment projects like Temelin nuclear power plant could be the cornerstone of successful bilateral cooperation. Temelin NPP means not only thousands new jobs, but also affordable energy for the Czech industry. It can truly be a safety ...http://www.energytribune.com/77333/russian-czech-agreement-on-temelin-power-plant-to-irk-us#sthash.8SXde0tr.dpbs

Russian contractor to hold tenders for Turkish nuclear plant


Russian contractor to hold tenders for Turkish nuclear plant
Reuters
ANKARA May 30 (Reuters) - Atomstroyexport, the main contractor chosen by Russia's Rosatom to build Turkey's first nuclear plant, is planning to hold engineering procurement and construction tenders for the $20 billion power plant in September, an .http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/05/30/turkey-nuclear-russia-idINL5N0EB1F320130530

US imposes sanctions on Iran's petrochemical industry

US imposes sanctions on Iran's petrochemical industry

Al-Arabiya - ‎47 minutes ago‎
The Nouri petrochemical plant is seen in Assalouyeh, 1,000 km (621 miles) south of Tehran, January 27, 2011. (Reuters). Tweet. Timothy Gardner - Reuters, WASHINGTON. The United States blacklisted on Friday eight companies in Iran's petrochemical ...http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/economy/2013/06/01/U-S-imposes-sanctions-on-Iran-s-petrochemical-industry.html

Iran offers joint construction of nuclear power plants


Iran offers joint construction of nuclear power plants
AzerNews
Tehran is ready to show a much greater openness in its work with the IAEA and offers joint construction of nuclear power plants and other areas of cooperation with the international community in exchange for reciprocal steps taken by the Group of six.http://www.azernews.az/region/54733.html

China looks to 'deepen' energy ties with Canada, ambassador says


China looks to 'deepen' energy ties with Canada, ambassador says
Ottawa Citizen
CALGARY — China is counting on “breakthroughs in energy trade” with Canada to help fuel economic growth in the world's most populous country, one of the country's top diplomats said Thursday. Speaking to a Calgary business crowd, Zhang Junsai, ...http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/China+looks+deepen+energy+ties+with+Canada+ambassador+says/8460774/story.html

China Building Energy Conservation Industry 2013-2017


China Building Energy Conservation Industry 2013-2017
SBWire (press release)
Building energy consumption, industrial energy consumption and transportation energy consumption are the main energy consumption territories in China. Energy consumption in the process of building and using accounts for about 30% of the total social ...http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/china-building-energy-conserva/sbwire-259207.htm

Taking a Closer Look at South Korea, Section 123 and the "Gold Standard" When it Comes to Nonproliferation

Taking a Closer Look at South Korea, Section 123 and the "Gold Standard" When it Comes to Nonproliferation


http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2013/05/why-gold-standard-in-nonproliferation.html

Fukushima fishermen forced to test fish for radiation


Fukushima fishermen forced to test fish for radiation

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/31/us-fukushima-fishermen-idUSBRE94U0D620130531

No rise in cancer seen from Japan's nuclear disaster: U.N.

No rise in cancer seen from Japan's nuclear disaster: U.N.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/31/us-japan-fukushima-un-idUSBRE94U0KR20130531

NRC Denies Petition Calling for Proliferation Assessments by Applicants for Enrichment or Reprocessing Facilities


May 31.2013
CONTACT:
David McIntyre

NRC Denies Petition Calling for Proliferation Assessments
by Applicants for Enrichment or Reprocessing Facilities
 
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has denied a petition for rulemaking submitted by the
American Physical Society that would have required applicants for uranium enrichment or spent fuel reprocessing licenses to assess potential proliferation risks posed by their facilities.
The Commission approved the staff’s recommendation to deny the petition in a Staff
Requirements Memorandum made public today.One of the NRC’s primary concerns is to ensure the facilities it regulates that manufacture or use enriched uranium do so safely and securely. TheCommission agreed with the staff’s assertion that the NRC’s comprehensive regulations for licensing,oversight and security of nuclear facilities protect classified
information, nuclear materials and technology. Such protections aid the U.S. government’s nonproliferation efforts.
The staff also reasoned that the federal government, with its intelligence resources and
assessment capabilities, assesses proliferation risks of new technologies or facilities more effectively than a commercial applicant can. In this regard, the NRC routinely interacts with and provides expertiseto its Executive Branch partners, including the departments of State, Defense, Energy and Commerce.
The Commission said the agency should explain to the public in plain language how its
regulations and activities address these nonproliferation efforts. The Commission also directed that theNRC should periodically review its regulations to ensure th
ey are robust enough to address potential proliferation challenges raised by enrichment or reprocessing technologies the agency has not previously licensed.
“While the Commission denied the petition, the American Physical Society raised important
issues that we carefully considered,” NRC Chairman Allison M. Macfarlane said. “We will nowperiodically review our regulations and guidance to ensure that they take new technologies into account, and we will more clearly communicate how we look holistically at
nonproliferation objectives in our licensing process.”
The APS filed the petition in November 2010, and the NRC published the petition for public
comment the following month. The agency received nearly 2,400 comment letters, the majority identical form letters supporting the petition. A summary of the comments received and the staff’s responses will be published in a Federal Register notice, expected shortly.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2013/13-044.pdf

Action urged on nuclear waste Yet another agency? That’s no solution


s | Action urged on nuclear waste

Yet another agency? That’s no solution


http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2013/05/30/yet-another-agency-that-solution-nuclear-waste/uFRJf5n09xecNh3r5gOIvK/story.html

Latest Dynatom Magazine, your window to the Chinese nuclear power market

Latest Dynatom Magazine, your window to the Chinese nuclear power market

We published the latest Dynatom Magazine, with a focus on inspection, qualification and control. This month we interviewed Zhang Qian from ASME China, Zhang Weiying from Bureau Veritas, and Bruno Marquis from EDF China.
You can download the magazine for free here
http://www.dynabondpowertech.com/images/stories/2013_DYNATOM_April/dynatom2013april.pdf
Or read it online: http://www.dynabondpowertech.com/en/service/dynatom-magazine

Most read on The Energy Collective 5/31

Most read on The Energy Collective

Nuclear rocket puts Mars within reach

Nuclear rocket puts Mars within reach (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/ON-Nuclear_rocket_puts_Mars_within_reach-3105134.html)
Space travel to Mars and beyond may only be possible using nuclear rockets, NASA suggests. These would be much faster than conventional craft, cutting the duration of the mission and thereby reducing cosmic radiation exposure to astronauts.

Fear and stress outweigh Fukushima radiation risk

Fear and stress outweigh Fukushima radiation risk (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Fear_and_stress_outweigh_Fukushima_radiation_risk_3105131.html)
The most extensive international report to date has concluded that the only observable health effects from the Fukushima accident stem from the stresses of evacuation and unwarranted fear of radiation.

ANS Update 5/31 Nuclear Matinee: Plant Vogtle Nuclear Construction Update

Nuclear Matinee: Plant Vogtle Nuclear Construction Update

By pbowersox on May 31, 2013 01:00 am

Last week at the ANS Nuclear Cafe Matinee we caught up with the latest milestones in nuclear construction going on at the V.C. Summer site in South Carolina.  Now, let’s take a look at history in the making at Plant … Continue reading
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Fukushima Updates 5/31

Today's Fukushima update topics -
 
METI has told Tepco to freeze the ground around the leaking building basements at F. Daiichi... JAEA says isotopes from the radiological incident may have reach one kilometer from the site... The NRA began a probe to find out if F. Daiichi unit #1 was damaged by the 3/11/11 earthquake... The NRA has opened a new SFP issue, this time at Tsuruga station... Author Paul Blustein wants the people of Japan to see Pandora's Promise... The steel frame for F. Daiichi unit #4 enclosure is completed... Japan’s congress has passed a bill extending the statute on Fukushima damages suits... A Russian report says health effects from Chernobyl have been greatly exaggerated.
 

NRC: Community Leaders Get Invites to SONGS Small Group Discussions

inviteThis week, the NRC is sending letters to dozens of state and local government officials in California, as well as environmental groups and business leaders, inviting them to participate in small group discussions with NRC officials. The discussions will focus on the processes and activities we’re using to evaluate a possible restart decision on the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Unit 2.
The NRC is offering these small group meetings as opportunities for productive discussions on how the NRC fulfills its regulatory mandate for protecting public safety and the environment. Those invited to participate are recognized as community leaders, who could then share the information with their constituency and the public at large.
These small group discussions will focus on process issues concerning the NRC’s review, rather than specific areas of the staff’s technical analysis. They do not replace the larger public meeting the staff will conduct. That meeting will occur after Southern California Edison has submitted, and the NRC staff has completed our inspection and technical evaluation of, SCE’s response to the NRC’s Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL).
This new effort will consist of multiple small group gatherings in California with state elected officials, local elected officials, environmental non-governmental organizations, and economic development, energy, and local union/building and trade representatives.
The discussion will include 15-20 participants with three to four NRC representatives and a facilitator. The NRC’s objective is to maintain the small group size to promote frank, two-way discussions and dialogue.
The discussions will be closed to public observation. The information discussed as part of this effort will be placed on the NRC SONGS special webpage prior to the discussions. No decisions about restart will be announced at these gatherings.
Moderator | May 31, 2013 at 3:21 pm | Tags: NRC, nuclear, San Onofre | Categories: Operating Reactors | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-15t

NRC Blog Update 5/31 Assessing NRC’s Nonproliferation Efforts

Assessing NRC’s Nonproliferation Efforts

 
The NRC has denied a petition for rulemaking filed by the American Physical Society. The APS wanted the NRC to require applicants for licenses for uranium enrichment or spent fuel reprocessing facilities to include a proliferation risk assessment in their license applications.
In denying the petition, the Commission approved the staff’s two main reasons for the decision:
 nonproliferation considerations are already an important part of the NRC’s regulatory process; and
 the federal government, with its diplomatic and intelligence resources, can evaluate proliferation risks better than a license applicant.
What does this mean?
dropquote1Proliferation in international affairs refers to the spread of nuclear weapons knowledge, technology and capability. Uranium enrichment and the extraction of plutonium through reprocessing spent fuel are two primary paths for developing nuclear weapons.
Nonproliferation is a policy objective of the U.S. and the international community (most notably through the International Atomic Energy Agency) to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by state and non-state actors. A key way of achieving this goal is to block the spread of nuclear technology used to produce weapons-usable material. dropquote2The State Department is the lead U.S. agency on nonproliferation issues. Support comes from the Commerce, Defense and Energy departments, the intelligence community and the NRC.
The APS said in the petition they were concerned advances in enrichment or reprocessing technologies might make it easier for other countries to develop nuclear weapons. The group filed the petition after GE-Hitachi applied for a license to build and operate an enrichment plant in North Carolina using laser technology developed in Australia. (The NRC granted that license last September.)
Because the laser technology was developed in Australia, the State Department conducted a proliferation assessment in 1999 as part of the original agreement to import the technology to this country. There is no requirement for such an assessment if the technology is developed and licensed here.
NRC regulations already provide a number of protections against the unauthorized spread of sensitive information, technology or material from the U.S.
Physical security: Licensees must protect against sabotage or theft of special nuclear material at their facilities and in transit.
Material control and accounting: Licensees must control and account for their inventories of special nuclear material and document its transfer. This includes protection against unauthorized production of enriched uranium or plutonium.
Information security: Licensees must prevent unauthorized access to classified information and technology, through security clearances, physical protection, and cyber security.
Export-import licensing: The NRC must approve the export or import of certain nuclear materials and equipment. Countries receiving the exports must provide assurances that the material or equipment will be protected, at least to the level in internationally-agreed guidelines.
As the staff noted in the petition denial, these requirements and NRC’s continuous oversight form a tapestry of protection for nuclear material and technology. These regulations – focusing on preventing the theft or diversion of radioactive materials and classified technologies – provide day-to-day protection against proliferation risks.
The Commission directed the NRC staff to periodically review these regulations and guidance. Why? To ensure they are robust enough to meet new proliferation challenges related to building and operating enrichment or reprocessing facilities the NRC has not previously licensed.
flagBut that’s not all. The NRC also supports U.S. nonproliferation policy through its regular interactions with the State Department and other agencies. The NRC continuously shares and receives information related to various threats and activities, including those related to proliferation concerns, inside and outside the country. The NRC also supports U.S. participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This group of countries seeks to ensure that nuclear trade for peaceful purposes does not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.
The Commission also concluded there is a need to communicate more effectively with the public on how the NRC holistically addresses non-proliferation objectives in agency processes. And to communicate on how the agency contributes to broader government nonproliferation efforts.
The NRC will continue to support the State Department and other federal agencies in these efforts, we will also continue to address proliferation risks in our comprehensive regulations for physical security, material control and accounting, information security, cyber security, and export control.
For these reasons, the NRC is confident these multiple layers address proliferation risks and concerns that might be raised by NRC licensing enrichment or reprocessing facilities.
The NRC’s decision to deny the APS petition will be explained in greater detail in a Federal Register notice to be published soon. The staff paper recommending denial, the Staff Requirements Memorandum approving that recommendation, and the Commissioners’ voting records are available on the NRC website.
Moderator | May 31, 2013 at 2:03 pm | Tags: nonproliferation, NRC, uranium | Categories: General | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-15k
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Greenpeace challenge may delay Hinkley Point C for years


Greenpeace challenge may delay Hinkley Point C for years

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Greenpeace-challenge-delay-Hinkley-Point-C-years/story-19146342-detail/story.html#axzz2Us9Xid6B

EU Energy and Climate Change Policy After 2020

EU Energy and Climate Change Policy After 2020http://theenergycollective.com/oliver-geden/231596/eu-energy-and-climate-policy-after-2020-tough-negotiations-ahead?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

The steel frame of an enclosure for unit 4 was completed at Fukushima Daiichi this week. Meanwhile, the government has suggested that Tokyo Electric Power Co. freeze soil around the plant to help prevent groundwater intrusion.Recent developments related to the nuclear plant blacked out following Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami include ......(read more)

SoCal Edison Responds To Boxer's Charges on San Onofre

by Chris ClarkeSouthern California Edison (SCE) has responded to charges by Senator Barbara Boxer that the utility may have misled regulators about the scope of the steam generator replacement at its San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, and the utility's characterization of the events leading to the replacement couldn't be more different from the Senator's.

Solar Crisis: Cheap Chinese Solar Panels Prove Defective

The photovoltaic industry is in a perverse situation. To make power generation from solar competitive, prices of solar panels had to come down. Tens of billions in subsidies were plowed into the industry. Technological advances came along. And the price per watt crashed exponentially, from $76 in 1977 to about $7 in 1989. Then it leveled off. By 2000 it began to drop again, hit $4 in 2005, $2 in 2

Al Qaeda Planned to Pack Trucks with Explosives and Drive into Key Oil Facility

A source from security forces in Iraq has told Bloomberg that they have just foiled an attempted al Qaeda plan to pack Oil tanker trucks full of explosives and then drive them into a major oil facility in Baghdad before detonating the bombs.The exact facility was not named as the investigation into the attack is still on-going, but it may have been one of three key oil facilities in the area, that