Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, November 20, 2009

UAE should diversify its power generation sources: minister

UAE should diversify its power generation sources: minister
Abu Dhabi (AFP) Nov 16, 2009 - The United Arab Emirates should diversify its power generation sources, with nuclear energy providing the best option for the oil-rich country, the minister of state for foreign affairs said on Monday. "The UAE needs a diverse portfolio of energy in order to remain safe," Anwar Gargash told the energy security conference organised by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research. ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/UAE_should_diversify_its_power_generation_sources_minister_999.html

Russia delays Iranian nuclear reactor

Russia delays Iranian nuclear reactor
Moscow (UPI) Nov 16, 2009 - Russia said the launch of a nuclear power plant it is building in Iran will be delayed, in a move observers say is linked to the slow progress in the nuclear conflict with the Islamic Republic. "We expect serious results by the end of the year, but the launch itself will not take place," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko was quoted by the BBC as saying. "The engineers have to reach ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Russia_delays_Iranian_reactor_Turkey_awaits_response_on_uranium_storage_999.html

Electricity-hungry Vietnam looks to join nuclear club

Electricity-hungry Vietnam looks to join nuclear club
Hanoi (AFP) Nov 17, 2009 - Vietnam is expected to take a key step towards meeting its burgeoning appetite for electricity by paving the way for its first nuclear power plant, but debate is still raging over the controversial project. Parliament in the fast-growing communist state is set to vote at the end of November on the project -- which lawmakers have been mulling for more than a decade -- after legalising the ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Electricity-hungry_Vietnam_looks_to_join_nuclear_club_999.html

Thursday, November 19, 2009

China, U.S. Remove Each Other From Nuclear Crosshairs -- Global Security Newswire

China, U.S. Remove Each Other From Nuclear Crosshairs -- Global Security Newswire

http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20091118_1273.php



China and the United States yesterday announced they would refrain from targeting each other with their strategic nuclear arsenals, the Union of Concerned Scientists said (see GSN, Nov. 6).

The decision, described in a joint statement issued during President Barack Obama's visit to Beijing, is an about-face from a 2002 Bush administration decision to aim U.S. nuclear weapons at the Asian state, according to the organization. Washington and Beijing this week "reaffirmed their commitment made on 27 June 1998 not to target at each other the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control," according to the release.

In addition, the powers agreed to work toward ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and negotiating a fissile material cutoff treaty through the international Conference on Disarmament (see GSN, Sept. 8).

"The two sides believed that the two countries have common interests in promoting the peaceful use of outer space and agree to take steps to enhance security in outer space," the White House statement adds. The language hints that Washington might be open to negotiating curbs on deploying offensive and defensive weapons in orbit, a step Beijing has advocated and linked to its willingness to end production of weapon-usable fissile material, the science group said.

The nations also reaffirmed their commitment to eventual nuclear disarmament and pledged their continued support for nuclear nonproliferation safeguards (Union of Concerned Scientists release, Nov. 17).

U.S., India try to conclude nuclear-cooperation deal during Singh's visit

U.S., India try to conclude nuclear-cooperation deal during Singh's visit
The U.S. and India are hoping to resolve issues related to their nuclear energy pact when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Washington, D.C., on Saturday, said U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer. Among the issues are India's passage of legislation on liability and its development of a dedicated nuclear-reprocessing site, Roemer said. The Hindu (India)

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article51029.ece

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Progress makes information-sharing deal in China on nuclear energy

Progress makes information-sharing deal in China on nuclear energy
Progress Energy is among several major power companies in the U.S. that are teaming up with Chinese firms to gain access to China's booming nuclear industry. Progress Energy recently agreed to share input with Shangdong Nuclear in hopes of learning from its experience in nuclear construction. In return, Progress has agreed to impart its knowledge in the safe operation of nuclear facilities. The Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704538404574537712028807656.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Nuclear "evangelist" is out to save the world

Nuclear "evangelist" is out to save the world
Esquire magazine characterizes Eric Loewen as "the evangelist of the sodium fast reactor, which burns nuclear waste, emits no CO2, and might just save the world." The former U.S. Navy officer with an doctorate faces a challenge of biblical scope with consequences including global warming, widespread starvation, financial ruin, resource wars and a long-term energy crisis, says the magazine. Esquire.com (subscription required)

http://www.esquire.com/features/best-and-brightest-2009/nuclear-waste-disposal-1209

The Coming Nuclear Crisis MIT Technology Review. How come no one is talking about Peak Uranium?

The Coming Nuclear Crisis MIT Technology Review. How come no one is talking about Peak Uranium?

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24414/

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

U.S., Japan form partnership to study nuclear-waste reprocessing

U.S., Japan form partnership to study nuclear-waste reprocessing
The U.S. has agreed to work with Japan to develop "advanced fuel-cycle technologies" for nuclear plants or reprocessing nuclear waste, according to media reports. The partnership suggests that the Energy Department might review the plan to reprocess nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain site, according to this blog post. Greentech Media/Green Light blog

http://www.greentechmedia.com/green-light/post/u.s.-japan-to-cooperate-on-nuclear-fuel-reprocessing-wsj/

Tripartite Conference Reveals Top Energy Priorities For US And Canada

Tripartite Conference Reveals Top Energy Priorities For US And Canada
Chicago IL (SPX) Nov 12, 2009 - A recent construction industry conference cited nuclear power, green technology, and skilled worker recruitment and training as top energy priorities for the United States and Canada. Solutions for these concerns were also presented as part of the event. The United Association (UA) of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Techs held the Tripartite Conference, entitled "Building Stronger ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Tripartite_Conference_Reveals_Top_Energy_Priorities_For_US_And_Canada_999.html

Pakistan rejects report of bomb-grade uranium from China

Pakistan rejects report of bomb-grade uranium from China
Islamabad (AFP) Nov 13, 2009 - Pakistan on Friday angrily rejected a US newspaper report that China provided the nuclear-armed Muslim state with weapons grade uranium for two bombs in 1982. A spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry rejected the allegations in a Washington Post article as "baseless." "Pakistan strongly rejects the assertions in the article that is evidently timed to malign Pakistan and China," the ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Pakistan_rejects_report_of_bomb-grade_uranium_from_China_999.html

UAE should diversify its power generation sources: minister

UAE should diversify its power generation sources: minister
Abu Dhabi (AFP) Nov 16, 2009 - The United Arab Emirates should diversify its power generation sources, with nuclear energy providing the best option for the oil-rich country, the minister of state for foreign affairs said on Monday. "The UAE needs a diverse portfolio of energy in order to remain safe," Anwar Gargash told the energy security conference organised by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research. ... more


http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/UAE_should_diversify_its_power_generation_sources_minister_999.html

Russia delays Iranian nuclear reactor

Russia delays Iranian nuclear reactor
Moscow (UPI) Nov 16, 2009 - Russia said the launch of a nuclear power plant it is building in Iran will be delayed, in a move observers say is linked to the slow progress in the nuclear conflict with the Islamic Republic. "We expect serious results by the end of the year, but the launch itself will not take place," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko was quoted by the BBC as saying. "The engineers have to reach ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Russia_delays_Iranian_reactor_Turkey_awaits_response_on_uranium_storage_999.html

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pakistan rejects report of bomb-grade uranium from China

Pakistan rejects report of bomb-grade uranium from China
Islamabad (AFP) Nov 13, 2009 - Pakistan on Friday angrily rejected a US newspaper report that China provided the nuclear-armed Muslim state with weapons grade uranium for two bombs in 1982. A spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry rejected the allegations in a Washington Post article as "baseless." "Pakistan strongly rejects the assertions in the article that is evidently timed to malign Pakistan and China," the ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Pakistan_rejects_report_of_bomb-grade_uranium_from_China_999.html

Russia, US say Iran running out of time on nuclear row

Russia, US say Iran running out of time on nuclear row
Singapore (AFP) Nov 15, 2009 - President Barack Obama on Sunday won the strongest backing yet from Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on the Iranian nuclear crisis as the US leader warned that Tehran was "running out of time". Obama expressed frustration with Iran's failure to give an answer three weeks after it received a UN-brokered offer aimed at defusing the stand-off, while Medvedev suggested that even Russian ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_US_say_Iran_running_out_of_time_on_nuclear_row_999.html

N. Korea can prosper if it gives up nuclear weapons: Obama

N. Korea can prosper if it gives up nuclear weapons: Obama
Seoul (AFP) Nov 13, 2009 - North Korea can achieve security and prosperity if it honours its commitment to give up nuclear weapons, US President Barack Obama said in an interview published Friday. The impoverished communist state's nuclear and missile programmes are a grave concern to the world and make the North itself less secure, he told South Korea's Yonhap news agency in a written interview. But "negotiations ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/N._Korea_can_prosper_if_it_gives_up_nuclear_weapons_Obama_999.html