Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, October 29, 2011

October 27th, 2011 – North Anna Power Station, Units 1 & 2 ...

October 27th, 2011 – North Anna Power Station, Units 1 & 2 ...
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Serial No.: 11-544B Attention: Document Control Desk NL&OS/ETS R1 Washington, DC 20555 Docket Nos.: 50-338/339 ...

The Rossi one megawatt Energy Catalyzer test has started and reports 470 kW maintained continuously during self-sustained operation with customer satisfied

The Rossi one megawatt Energy Catalyzer test has started and reports 470 kW maintained continuously during self-sustained operation with customer satisfied

Snapshot of deaths per terawatt hour with recent reports on deaths from coal, oil and natural gas

Video of Rossi Claiming Breakthrough with Energy Catalyzer test of October 28, 2011

Reports on the Rossi 1 MW October 28, 2011 test

Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Power in Japan

Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Power in Japan
The Ocean of Light above the Ocean of Darkness
"...there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness." (George Fox, An Autobiography)

The dangers of nuclear power in light of Fukushima

The dangers of nuclear power in light of Fukushima

Greenpeace Files FOI Request for Japanese Nuclear Plant Meltdown Scenario

Greenpeace Files FOI Request for Japanese Nuclear Plant Meltdown Scenario

Is Nuclear Energy a Fuel with a Future?

Is Nuclear Energy a Fuel with a Future?

Japan's Fukushima plant dismantling needs over 30 yrs

Japan's Fukushima plant dismantling needs over 30 yrs

atomic power review Fukushima Daiichi update: October 28, 2011

Fukushima Daiichi update: October 28, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Plan would send SRS plutonium to New Mexico

Plan would send SRS plutonium to New Mexico

ONGC to invest in nuclear power plants of NPCIL

ONGC to invest in nuclear power plants of NPCIL

Boehner Demands $2 Billion for Ohio Plant After Solyndra

Boehner Demands $2 Billion for Ohio Plant After Solyndra

The lies we tell about green energy

The lies we tell about green energy

Global Warming -- RIP By Victor Davis Hanson

Global Warming -- RIP

By Victor Davis Hanson

The Party Line – October 28, 2011: NRC Moves to Adopt Fukushima Recommendations “Without Delay”

The Party Line – October 28, 2011: NRC Moves to Adopt Fukushima Recommendations “Without Delay”

The wrong approach to looking for nuclear problems

The wrong approach to looking for nuclear problems

NRC issues positive EA for nuclear fuel fabrication facility license renewal in Tennessee

NRC issues positive EA for nuclear fuel fabrication facility license renewal in Tennessee

NRC seeks comment on DTE's proposed new Mich. reactor

NRC seeks comment on DTE's proposed new Mich. reactor

Post Fukushima USA Nuclear Reactors Design Flaws to NRC

Post Fukushima USA Nuclear Reactors Design Flaws to NRC

latest Fukushima Daiichi update

This past week, Will Davis has noted a number of places on the internet (mostly those spewing anti-nuclear vitriol) which are asserting that the facts about what is going on at Fukushima Daiichi are being suppressed.  This could not be any further from the case, and he'll prove it.
 
 
 
 
Three videos above, and the latest Fukushima Daiichi update on APR below.
 

In Japan, Provocative Case for Staying Nuclear Some Say Bombs' Potential as Deterrent Argues for Keeping Power Plants Online

In Japan, Provocative Case for Staying Nuclear

Some Say Bombs' Potential as Deterrent Argues for Keeping Power Plants Online

Bavaria to Swap Nuclear for Fossil Energy

Bavaria to Swap Nuclear for Fossil Energy

Bavaria is expected to trade out their significant nuclear electricity portfolio for fossil generation in the coming decade, according to new analysis from Der Spiegel. While the contribution of non-hydro renewables is anticipated to increase from 10 to 36 percent of generating capacity, the largest increase comes from natural gas, which will increase its portfolio share from 10 to 46 percent, far more than any other single fuel.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review from Nuclear Power Industry News by Nuclear Street News Team

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Fossil Fuels are the Whale Oil of Tomorrow - Matthew Wald, NYT

Fossil Fuels are the Whale Oil of Tomorrow - Matthew Wald, NYT

Kansai Electric to submit reactor stress test results

Kansai Electric to submit reactor stress test results


TOKYO | Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:51pm EDT
TOKYO Oct 28 (Reuters) - Japan's second-biggest utility Kansai Electric Power Co will submit to Japanese government authorities on Friday the result of a first-stage stress test on the No.3 reactor at its Ohi nuclear power plant, the trade ministry said.
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US House science lawmakers spar over Yucca Mountain

US House science lawmakers spar over Yucca Mountain
Washington (Platts)--27Oct2011/344 pm EDT/1944 GMT

TVA sees future in small reactors

TVA touts opportunities in small-reactor projects
The Tennessee Valley Authority is keen on paving the way for the emergence of small modular reactors, which cost less to build and can be transported to a location. "We thought the small modular reactors would be a good opportunity, not just for TVA as a future option, but for the country," said Jack Bailey, vice president of nuclear development at TVA. The utility has invested about $6 million in small-reactor studies, and has allocated an additional $6 million to continue evaluating the construction of up to six of those units on the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee.

Talks between Utah nuclear plant planners, feds ‘well under way’

Talks between Utah nuclear plant planners, feds ‘well under way’
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission held discussions this week on Blue Castle Holdings' "early site application" for a proposed nuclear plant in Utah. Consultants for Blue Castle updated NRC officials on the progress they made on earthquake studies and archaeological and environmental surveys at the proposed site. "We're well under way," said William Lettis of Fugro Consultants, the firm leading the seismic review team.

Modified Thu, Oct 27, 2011 08:04 AM Plan would send SRS plutonium to New Mexico Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/10/27/2467122/plan-would-send-srs-plutonium.html#ixzz1c5maRqqe

The Department of Energy is studying whether to send some of the Savannah River Site's plutonium to an underground storage facility in New Mexico that is run by the federal government. The plutonium is slated to be converted into fuel for reactors, but some of it is not suitable for fuel, said Jim Giusti, a spokesman for the department.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu, renowned physicist, at center of Solyndra policy storm

Energy Secretary Steven Chu, renowned physicist, at center of Solyndra policy storm


Energy Secretary Steven Chu has faced criticism in the aftermath of the Solyndra scandal and the federal loan program behind it. Some lawmakers expressed concerns with the program in 2009, saying that the loans may not be awarded to the best projects, according to this article. Others said the reviews of projects were going too slowly
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Radiation and Reason: A Visit to Tokyo and Fukushima

Radiation and Reason: A Visit to Tokyo and Fukushima

By Akira Tokuhiro and Skye Anderson

Geographical wind smoothing, supergrids and energy storage

Geographical wind smoothing, supergrids and energy storage

Roasting technique could separate cesium from soil

Roasting technique could separate cesium from soil

Energy Finance Forum

Energy Finance Forum
 
Started by David Parkin, Sloan Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management
 
Energy Finance Forum will be held on 18th November at the Media Lab at MIT. The program looks fantastic, with a wide variety of excellent...
more » By David Parkin, Sloan Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management

GE Breakthrough Aims to Cut Solar Costs in Half

GE Breakthrough Aims to Cut Solar Costs in Half
Washington DC (SPX) Oct 28, 2011 - Despite great leaps in solar panel technology, the biggest obstacle hindering their widespread use is quite pedestrian: stubbornly high installation costs. While the cost of panels has dropped by half since 2007, total installation costs, which include panels, labor and additional equipment, declined just 20% over the same period. Charlie Korman, manager of Solar Energy programs at GE's Gl ... more

DDRD Fall 2011 Newsletter.pdf

DDRD Fall 2011 Newsletter.pdf
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=1334a6d81cbc4fdb&mt=application/pdf&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3Daf338169f3%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1334a6d81cbc4fdb%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26zw&sig=AHIEtbQPveLHEyV7VuK-Cygz9yMTf3kDkw
 
Attached is the latest DDRD newsletter.  The Officers of DDRD and ESD think the information is of interest to both Divisions members.

John Bowen, Chair, DDRD                         Gene Carpenter, Chair, ESD

What should "Radioactive Wolves" teach critical thinkers?

What should "Radioactive Wolves" teach critical thinkers?

http://atomicinsights.com/2011/10/what-should-radioactive-wolves-teach-critical-thinkers.html

Radioactive Wolves, the first episode of the 30th season of PBS’s Nature, documents current conditions in the area that was forcibly evacuated following the uncontrolled radioactive material releases caused when the operators at the Chernobyl nuclear power station conducted a poorly planned experiment and blew up their power plant.

In the absence of human beings, the remaining creatures seem to be doing just fine. Rod believes that is because it is hard to teach animals to be afraid of radiation; they do not watch many scary movies or news programs.

IAEA Fukushima Dai-ichi Status Report

IAEA Fukushima Dai-ichi Status Report

The IAEA now issues regular Status Reports on the current status of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, including information on environmental radiation monitoring, the status of workers and current conditions on-site at the plant.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Westinghouse Signs Contract For Design Of Kozloduy Repository

Westinghouse Signs Contract For Design Of Kozloduy Repository
Cranberry Township PA (SPX) Oct 28, 2011 -
Westinghouse Electric Company has announced the signing of a multi-million dollar contract to de Intermediate Level Waste Repository at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant site in Bulgaria. The contract was signed by a of Spanish waste management company ENRESA, Westinghouse Electric Spain (WES) and DBE Technology. The cu SERAW, the Bulgarian State Enterprise with responsibility for the ... more

Fukushima Meltdown Has Led to 'World's Worst' Nuclear Pollution of the Sea

Fukushima Meltdown Has Led to 'World's Worst' Nuclear Pollution of the Sea

Beijing Plans to Build China's Best Environment for New Energy Cars

Beijing Plans to Build China's Best Environment for New Energy Cars

To Flee or Not to Flee, That Was the Question

To Flee or Not to Flee, That Was the Question

During an event sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Monday, October 24, Dr. Gregory Jaczko, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), defended his March 16 decision to recommend the evacuation of American citizens out to 50 miles from the stricken Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan. It was not the first and likely not the last time the Chairman will have to defend his decision.

TVA sees future in small reactors

TVA sees future in small reactors

30 years to decommission: Inside the Fukushima nuclear plant

30 years to decommission: Inside the Fukushima nuclear plant

ABC Online - ‎2 hours ago‎
A draft report by Japan's nuclear agency says it will take more than 30 years to decommission the shattered Fukushima nuclear plant. Authorities hope to have the stricken reactors in a state of cold shutdown by the end of the year. ...

Key Renewable Energy Subsidies About to Expire

By Geoffrey Styles, October 27, 2011
The US renewable energy industry faces a greatly altered incentive environment next year, as eligibility for two of its largest current subsidies comes to an end at the close of 2011. The corn ethanol sector will likely see the complete withdrawal of the blenders' credit that has fueled its growth for more than 30 years, while new projects generating electricity from renewable energy sources...  » Continue...

Advanced Biofuels: Great Opportunity, Significant Challenges

By John McDonald, October 27, 2011
Legislation can’t change the fundamental laws of science. The energy industry, government laboratories, research facilities, private industry, academic institutions, agricultural groups and entrepreneurs are all racing to deliver biofuels cost effectively to consumers.  Petroleum producers are also striving to meet targets set out by the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS2”), which...  » Continue...

NIMBYism NY Edition, or Risky Energy Near Major Cities

By Gernot Wagner, October 27, 2011
Forty miles north of New York City is the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. I don’t care what you think of nuclear power, having an aging plant within forty miles of 20 million people isn’t the outcome of any rational policy decision. Still, Indian Point’s impact so far pales in comparison with another genius planning move. Jersey City, across the river from Manhattan, is home to the PSEG Hudson...  » Continue...

Nuclear Power Plant Construction Market Research Report Now Available from IBISWorld

Nuclear Power Plant Construction Market Research Report Now Available from IBISWorld

The Nuclear Power Plant Construction industry will continue to grow over the next five years, albeit at a slower rate than the previous five years, according to a new report from IBISWorld, the nation’s largest publisher of industry research. Revenue is anticipated to expand 4.1% per year to $5.3 billion in the five years to 2016. Firms will increasingly focus their efforts on design and construction abroad, limiting revenue growth over the same period.

Recognizing Nuclear Energy’s Value

Recognizing Nuclear Energy’s Value

atomic power review Report from Fukushima Daiichi - #2

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 02:05 PM PDT
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has released a second installment of its video series "Report from Fukushima Daiichi." This is one of three general types of video that TEPCO has been producing since the accident (the other two being the continuing coherent series on accident recovery actions, and a gaggle of unrelated videos which happen to be specific to whatever problem is being dealt with at the moment, which we might call situational videos.) This type of video is meant to give an overall view of conditions and operations at the site.

TEPCO has promised (as this video notes) to give as complete and open a picture as possible concerning recovery operations on site, and considering the massive efforts underway there, these videos are a bonus addition to the voluminous web and paper reporting TEPCO is performing.

The newest video is presently the featured video on the APR YouTube Channel.

Click here to get to the APR YouTube Channel.

Another round of good news about nuclear energy Serious efforts to get reactors built continue to make progress

Another round of good news about nuclear energy
Serious efforts to get reactors built continue to make progress

Fallout forensics hike radiation toll : Nature News

Fallout forensics hike radiation toll : Nature News

www.nature.com/news/2011/111025/full/478435a.html

MIT Energy Series complains about nuclear power plant concrete but Wind Power four times more concrete per megawatt

“We cannot keep the lights on without nuclear energy.”

“We cannot keep the lights on without nuclear energy.”

Is the Future Outlook for Nuclear Energy Bright?

Is the Future Outlook for Nuclear Energy Bright?

Entergy Rejects Reports SR-90 Found In Connecticut River Is From Vermont Yankee from NEI Nuclear Notes by Victoria Barq

Entergy Rejects Reports SR-90 Found In Connecticut River Is From Vermont Yankee

from NEI Nuclear Notes

The Sun Rises on New Nuclear from NEI Nuclear Notes by Victoria Barq

The Sun Rises on New Nuclear

from NEI Nuclear Notes

Incentivizing Energy from NEI Nuclear Notes by Mark Flanagan

Incentivizing Energy

from NEI Nuclear Notes

Take Action Supporting Nuclear Power from AREVA North America: Next Energy Blog by AREVA North America Blog

Take Action Supporting Nuclear Power

from AREVA North America: Next Energy Blog

“Possibilities, Problems And Potential Envisioned For Nuclear-Powered California in 2050″

“Possibilities, Problems And Potential Envisioned For Nuclear-Powered California in 2050″

from AREVA North America: Next Energy Blog

IEA Chief: Scrap Fossil Fuel Subsidies

IEA Chief: Scrap Fossil Fuel Subsidies

As academics warn the world could exceed "safe" temperature levels in our lifetimes, the chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged the world to slash hundreds of billions of dollars of fossil fuel subsidies or face catastrophe.

World Nuclear Operators Approve Post-Fukushima Actions

World Nuclear Operators Approve Post-Fukushima Actions

Making the U.S.-Chinese Nuclear Dialogue Effective

Making the U.S.-Chinese Nuclear Dialogue Effective

Making the U.S.-Chinese Nuclear Dialogue EffectiveTalks between China and the United States on the countries’ respective nuclear weapons programs are going nowhere, with each side expressing frustration. The United States must find a way to promote more effective dialogue.

Florida Regulators OK Rate Increase for FP&L Nuclear Build

Florida Regulators OK Rate Increase for FP&L Nuclear Build

Westinghouse Signs Contract for Design of a Low Level Radioactive Waste Storage Site

Westinghouse Signs Contract for Design of a Low Level Radioactive Waste Storage Site

NRC Sets Date For Decision on Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Design Certification

NRC Sets Date For Decision on Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Design Certification

Panetta pledges 'nuclear umbrella' for S.Korea

Panetta pledges 'nuclear umbrella' for S.Korea

Fuel use for Gen III+ nuclear power from BraveNewClimate.com by Barry Brook

Fuel use for Gen III+ nuclear power

from BraveNewClimate.com

Geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source

Geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source
Dallas TX (SPX) Oct 27, 2011 - New research from SMU's Geothermal Laboratory, funded by a grant from Google.org, documents significant geothermal resources across the United States capable of producing more than three million megawatts of green power - 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today. Sophisticated mapping produced from the research, viewable via Google Earth at www.google.org/egs, demonstrate ... more
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From today's NRC Blog

Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service

by Moderator
Are you a customer of the NRC? We frequently interact with licensees, industry groups, other federal agencies, states and the general public. Some of these groups (licensees for example) do not fit the traditional definition of a “customer.”
Nonetheless, consistent with the basic intent of Executive Order (EO) 13571, “Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service,” dated April 27, 2011, and subsequent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the NRC has developed a Customer Service Plan.
The plan, posted at our website this week, describes several initiatives we’ve undertaken to streamline our interactions and transactions with key stakeholder groups. In particular, we are focusing on enhancing licensing operations and critical interactions with licensees, and public access to regulatory documents.
As part of its guidance, OMB asked each agency to include in its plan three to five key customer service areas and to include a “signature initiative” demonstrating the use of technology to improve the customer experience.
The NRC chose online licensing for radioactive material license applications as its signature initiative. Under this initiative, our web-based licensing system will provide an online platform for individuals and organizations to apply for a new license, renew a license, or amend an existing license for the use of radioactive materials. It will also provide an opportunity for Agreement States to use the same licensing platform.
Additionally, the system will provide a current, nationwide repository for official radioactive materials licenses that will provide an authoritative source that federal and state regulatory agencies can use to verify the validity of a license.
Our plan also
• Streamlines the process for criminal history background checks
• Increases public engagement through improved information access using quick response codes and smartphone technology.
• Makes it easier for hearing participants to use our electronic hearing docket (through which the NRC provides access to docket materials related to High Level Waste and Reactors, Materials, and Other Hearings).
• Improves customer service with a new Web-based tool to solicit customer feedback about the NRC Public Document Room.
We hope you’ll take the time to read out plan. We welcome your comments on our planned initiatives and any other ideas you may have for streamlining and improving the way we interact with our stakeholders.
Francine F. Goldberg
Co-Chair, Open Government Advisory Group

Fukushima Station Discharged More Radiation Than Estimated

Fukushima Station Discharged More Radiation Than Estimated

On the Front Lines of the Power Grid - Matthew Wald, New York Times

On the Front Lines of the Power Grid - Matthew Wald, New York Times

Google Funded Project Confirms Vast Potential for Geothermal Energy

Google Funded Project Confirms Vast Potential for Geothermal Energy

U.S. to study cancer risks near nuclear sites

U.S. to study cancer risks near nuclear sites

The Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor: What Fusion Wanted To Be.

The Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor: What Fusion Wanted To Be.
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63473243E73D44C9...

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The U.S. Nuclear Policy Shift towards India

The U.S. Nuclear Policy Shift towards India

by Dr. Mohammad Samir Hussain

October 26, 2011

The United States has created a history by concluding the long overdue civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with India. This move came as a surprise to many countries which were not expecting such developments to take place. But for India, this is one of the most important steps taken by the United States during the last almost two decades since the cold war end.

CALIFORNIA ADOPTS FINAL CAP-AND-TRADE REGULATION


CALIFORNIA ADOPTS FINAL CAP-AND-TRADE REGULATION
After three years of development, dozens of public workshops, and hundreds of meetings with stakeholders, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) on Thursday adopted a final rule to cap California’s greenhouse gas emissions and put a price on carbon. The cap-and-trade program starts in 2013 for electric utilities and large industrial facilities. Read More »

Germany's Self-Contradictory Climate Attitudes POSTED BY: Bill Sweet

Germany's Self-Contradictory Climate Attitudes

POSTED BY: Bill Sweet 

atomic power review New video at APR YouTube

atomic power review



Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:46 AM PDT
TEPCO has released the first in its continuing series of videos on Fukushima Daiichi which covers the contaminated water situation at the site.

Click here to see the new video at APR/YouTube.

NEED TO KNOW | The nuclear option | PBS

NEED TO KNOW | The nuclear option | PBS

NEED TO KNOW | The case against nuclear power | PBS

NEED TO KNOW | The case against nuclear power | PBS

UPDATE 1-US NRC to decide on amended ABWR reactor certification

UPDATE 1-US NRC to decide on amended ABWR reactor certification

Recycling nuclear waste makes sense for energy future

Recycling nuclear waste makes sense for energy future

Ditching EU Atomic Project After Japan May Strand $2 Billion

Ditching EU Atomic Project After Japan May Strand $2 Billion

EU energy supply at risk after Fukushima

EU energy supply at risk after Fukushima -Capgemini

PARIS | Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:04am EDT
PARIS Oct 26 (Reuters) - European Union governments must encourage investments of as much as 1.1 trillion euros ($1.53 trillion) by 2020 to ensure the bloc's continued energy supply security, French computer consultancy Capgemini said in a study on Wednesday.

I.H.T. Special Report: Business of Green Japan Gets Electricity Wake-Up Call

I.H.T. Special Report: Business of Green

Japan Gets Electricity Wake-Up Call

Electricity to Play Bigger Role in China's Future Energy Consumption

Electricity to Play Bigger Role in China's Future Energy Consumption

US Regulator Defends Fukushima Daiichi Policy


US Regulator Defends Fukushima Daiichi Policy
Wall Street Journal (blog)
At a Washington forum Monday night, Mr. Jaczko, chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said he is sympathetic to the Japanese government's standard of 20 millisieverts of annual exposure for determining which areas need to be evacuated ...

Exelon CEO Expects To Close Constellation Merger By Early 1Q 2012

Exelon CEO Expects To Close Constellation Merger By Early 1Q 2012
Wall Street Journal
The merger requires the approval of both companies' shareholders, as well as the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the New York State Public Service Commission. ...

Fukushima Nuclear Plant Released Far More Radiation than Government Said

Fukushima Nuclear Plant Released Far More Radiation than Government Said

Global radioactivity data challenge Japanese estimates for emissions and point to the role of spent fuel pools
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Quake hits Japan's Fukushima prefecture

Quake hits Japan's Fukushima prefecture
USA Today
NEW YORK (AP) – A moderate earthquake has shaken the northeastern Japanese prefecture where the much more massive earthquake and tsunami touched off the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl earlier this year. The magnitude-5.2 quake struck Fukushima ...

The DeLorean Goes Electric by David Zax

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monitoring the Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants



Mesothelioma.com
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants
Power Engineering Magazine
SUMMARY: On September 6, 2011 (76 FR 55137), the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) re-issued Draft Regulatory Guide, DG-1278, "Monitoring the Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants," in the Federal Register for a 60 day public ...

Unedited Fukushima accident manual released, loss of power sources not envisioned


Unedited Fukushima accident manual released, loss of power sources not envisioned
Mainichi Daily News
(Mainichi) The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) released part of an unedited severe accident manual for the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant on Oct. 24, revealing that Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) had not envisioned the ...
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Prospects Dim for India's Nuclear Power Expansion as Grassroots Uprising Spreads

Prospects Dim for India's Nuclear Power Expansion as Grassroots Uprising Spreads

A rare and powerful grassroots movement of fishermen, farmers, former judges, scientists and bureaucrats is threatening to scuttle nuclear megaprojects.

NRC Blog: On The Road With the Regulators

U.S. NRC Blog

On the Road With the Regulators

by Moderator
Last week the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) held its 21st annual convention in Miami which, for the first time in a couple of years, included a day-trip with a nuclear focus.
The trip started with a visit to a National Park Service solar project on an island at the outer reaches of the Biscayne National Park. Two houses on Adams Key operate entirely with solar power, though, like nuclear plants, there is a backup diesel generator as a backstop. (Reactors generally have two or more units each the size of a locomotive.)
The boat to Adams Key, which has its own interesting history, went past the Turkey Point power plant where a Florida firm operates two reactors. Several years ago the NRC issued a 20-year extension to the original 40-year licenses, and the company wants to put two more reactors on the site. In addition, the firm has asked the NRC for permission to get a bit more power out of the two existing reactors. The site also has two coal- and one oil-fired generators.
Senior NRC official Jack Grobe, most recently a member of the team of NRC veterans who developed recommendations to enhance reactor safety in this country after the Fukushima accident, and myself, accompanied about 40 environmental journalists on the day trip. It was our job to provide information about NRC activities, and later Jack participated in a panel discussion on nuclear issues.
Reaching out to journalists and editorial writers, and by extension their audiences, is one of the ways the NRC works to inform the public about what it does. Our message was short and simple – we have one job, and that is to protect people and the environment.
On a bus between tour stops, I offered a summary of “who we are and what we do,” and Jack and I took questions – no small feat while standing at the front of a bouncing bus. With one hand on a support and the other holding a microphone, it was a bit like surfing and trying to carry on a conversation. Jack took the question about the work of the NRC inspectors assigned to each of the 104 reactors in this country. As deputy director of the NRC office that oversees the cadre of highly trained experts with that job, he provided a look at the areas of inspection, inspection cycles and what we do if an inspector spots something unusual.
The subsequent roundtable discussion got a tad esoteric and delved into some very nuanced issues. It was there that Jack described the NRC Fukushima recommendations, which had been endorsed as an action plan for the agency in an announcement just hours before he spoke.
The bus ride question and answer session was fun for us and hopefully educational for reporters and editors, and at the roundtable it as interesting to hear so many different perspectives in one place at one time. Thanks to the SEJ for the opportunity.
Eliot Brenner
Public Affairs Director

Cash injection talks for UK nuclear plans

Cash injection talks for UK nuclear plans The German consortium planning to build new nuclear plants in the UK is negotiating a cash injection of up to €5bn in exchange for a 25 per cent stake, according to people familiar with the situation
http://link.ft.com/r/S4XZQQ/TU8W9S/YHT6RI/WTTUUV/DWEBOD/KI/h?a1=2011&a2=10&a3=25

Turkey Expected to Cancel Nuclear Plans After Massive Earthquake



Valley Advocate
Turkey Expected To Cancel Nuclear Plans After Massive Earthquake
Green Prophet
Sinop is on a small peninsula that juts into the Black Sea, and was one of the areas in Turkey most affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear meltdown. The radiation that emanated from Chernobyl destroyed years of harvest for Turkish farmers along the ...

Czechs Plan Nuclear Push

Czechs Plan Nuclear Push
Wall Street Journal
The Czech strategy runs counter to the approach of Berlin, which, after the partial meltdown this year of a Japanese nuclear plant following an earthquake, has

Will Turkey quake derail Korean nuke reactor project?

Will Turkey quake derail Korean nuke reactor project?

Purpose of 1969 Nuclear Alert Remains a Mystery from Secrecy News by Steven Aftergood

Purpose of 1969 Nuclear Alert Remains a Mystery

from Secrecy News

The 15 Countries That Are Loving The Surge In Oil Prices

The 15 Countries That Are Loving The Surge In Oil Prices


US Map
Recent economic data has generally been better than expected.  In fact, the Citigroup Economic Surprise Index is near a six-month high.
Crude oil prices have been on a tear lately as the improving economic picture could mean more energy will be consumed.  Yesterday, light sweet crude oil futures settled at $91.27 per barrel, which is up 19.9% from its October 3 low of $76.15.  It's up more than $2 during today's trading.
Of course, if prices rise too high, they could also hurt the economy, causing energy demand to fall.  Regardless, when the price of oil rises, so does the value of oil reserves.
We've outlined the countries with the largest oil proved reserves and valued them at current oil prices.
Note: The data is effective January 1, 2011 from the CIA World Factbook. Total reserves are valued assuming $91.27 per barrel of oil.
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Municipalities reluctant to host storage facilities for contaminated waste

Municipalities reluctant to host storage facilities for contaminated waste

Japan, France to take joint nuclear safety measures

Japan, France to take joint nuclear safety measures

Future of Nuclear Energy Former IAEA Chief ElBaradei Says World's Energy Demand Will Overcome Short-Term Fears of Sector's Safety

Future of Nuclear Energy

Former IAEA Chief ElBaradei Says World's Energy Demand Will Overcome Short-Term Fears of Sector's Safety

Nuclear industry gets go-ahead after Fukushima disaster - Rosatom

Nuclear industry gets go-ahead after Fukushima disaster - Rosatom

ANS Special Committee on Fukushima focuses on communication

ANS Special Committee on Fukushima focuses on communication

Roadblock in Congress for SMR Development

Roadblock in Congress for SMR Development

Platts to Unveil World's Top 250 Energy Firms November 2; Singapore Trade & Industry Minister to Keynote

Platts to Unveil World's Top 250 Energy Firms November 2; Singapore Trade & Industry Minister to Keynote

Entergy to Acquire Rhode Island State Energy Center

Entergy to Acquire Rhode Island State Energy Center

Company Signs Definitive Agreement with NextEra for Purchase of Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant

Platts Report: China's September Oil Demand Reaches Lowest Level in 2011

Platts Report: China's September Oil Demand Reaches Lowest Level in 2011

Ur-Energy Announces Receipt of Wyoming State Permit to Mine for the Lost Creek ISR Uranium Project

Ur-Energy Announces Receipt of Wyoming State Permit to Mine for the Lost Creek ISR Uranium Project

Russia Nuclear Industry Optimistic - Despite Fukushima

Russia Nuclear Industry Optimistic - Despite Fukushima

Analysis of Impacts of a Clean Energy Standard as requested by Chairman Hall

http://www.eia.gov/analysis/requests/ces_hall/

Analysis of Impacts of a Clean Energy Standard as requested by Chairman Hall

Release date: October 25, 2011

Introduction

This report responds to a request from Chairman Ralph M. Hall for an analysis of the impacts of a Clean Energy Standard (CES). The request, as outlined in the letter included in Appendix A, sets out specific assumptions and scenarios for the study.

Background

A CES is a policy that requires covered electricity retailers to supply a specified share of their electricity sales from qualifying clean energy resources. Under a CES, electric generators would be granted clean energy credits for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity they produce using qualifying clean energy sources. Utilities that serve retail customers would use some combination of credits granted to their own generation or credits acquired from other generators to meet their CES obligations. Generators without retail customers or utilities that generated more clean energy credits than needed to meet their own obligations could sell CES credits to other companies.
The impact of a CES will be sensitive to its design details and to assumptions made regarding the cost of the different fuels and technologies that can be used for electricity generation. Chairman Hall's request asks for an evaluation of a particular CES under a variety of alternative assumptions regarding the costs of generation fuels and technologies.
The CES specified by Chairman Hall, hereinafter referred to as the Hall CES (HCES), has the following characteristics:
  • Eligible resources to meet the HCES target include: hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass power, municipal solid waste, landfill gas, nuclear, coal-fired plants with carbon capture and sequestration, and natural gas-fired plants with either carbon capture and sequestration or utilizing combined cycle technology.
  • Generators earn 0.5 MWh of compliance credits for every 1 MWh of generation from a combined cycle plant that burns natural gas, and 0.9 MWh of compliance credits for every 1 MWh of generation from coal- or gas-fired generation with carbon capture and sequestration. All other HCES-qualified resources earn one HCES credit for every MWh of generation.
  • Generation using qualified resources from either new or existing plants in any economic sector can receive HCES credits.
  • The HCES target starts from an initial share of 44.8 percent (qualified generation as a percent of sales) in 2013 and rises linearly to 80 percent in 2035. Beyond 2035, the target remains at 80 percent.
  • There is no option to purchase compliance credits from the government. All credits are backed by physical generation.
  • All electricity retailers are covered by the requirement, regardless of ownership type or size.
  • HCES credits earned in one year cannot be "banked" for use in a subsequent year. All credits must be used for compliance in the year that the underlying generation was produced.
  • HCES obligations are based on total electricity sales, regardless of source. There is no provision for excluding any electricity sales from a seller'ss baseline based on resources used to produce the electricity or type of customer purchasing the electricity.
  • The HCES operates independent of any State-level policies. The same underlying generation can be used to simultaneously comply with the HCES and any State generation requirements, if otherwise allowed for by both Federal and State law.

Interesting Art from Tokyo

An old friend of mine from art school, who is currently living in Tokyo, will be displaying several paintings in an upcoming exhibit. The complexity and sincerity of her concept is very much in contrast to the anti-nuclear art exhibits I've seen publicized:
"On exhibit at the ULTRA 004 art fair in Tokyo this weekend are three small paintings (see more under Portfolio » Miyagi : www.sadiestarnes.com) drawn from photographs found in the tsunami debris. They were taken the day of April 27, 2008 and are mostly of two girls and their grandfather running around Sakamoto, Miyagi - a town which isn’t much there anymore.
After the quake there has been a general dislike in Tokyo of any discussion of the quake, tsunami, or radiation. There is a silent rule that we simply do not speak about it for the sake of everyday business, but certainly we all think about it. I hope to do more of these paintings to remind myself, and all of us Tokyo kids, that things still aren’t so peachy past the pachinko parlor."
Best, 
Suzy

Time for a grand bargain in Northeast Asia

Time for a grand bargain in Northeast Asia

Nuclear disarmament has taken center stage in most reports on the resumption of talks between North Korean and US diplomats in Geneva, but the nuclear issue may not be resolved unless other conflicts are addressed. Each side has its own goals in the negotiations: Washington wants arms control and security. Pyongyang has a wider agenda that includes not only economic assistance but also military and political security. A grand bargain could enhance each side's objectives and help Northeast Asia become a zone of peace rather than a crucible for conflict.

Updates from ANS Nuclear Cafe Blog 75th Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers

Updates from ANS Nuclear Cafe Blog
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75th Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers

By dyurman on Oct 22, 2011 10:14 pm

The latest edition of the Carnival of Nuclear Energy Blogs is up at Atomic Power Review. This post is the collective voice of the best pro-nuclear blogs in North America. If you want to hear the voice of the nuclear … Continue reading
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EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2011

EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards

Announcement is part of administration’s priority to ensure natural gas development continues safely and responsibly

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a schedule to develop standards for wastewater discharges produced by natural gas extraction from underground coalbed and shale formations. No comprehensive set of national standards exists at this time for the disposal of wastewater discharged from natural gas extraction activities, and over the coming months EPA will begin the process of developing a proposed standard with the input of stakeholders – including industry and public health groups. Today’s announcement is in line with the priorities identified in the president’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, and is consistent with the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board recommendations on steps to support the safe development of natural gas resources.

"The president has made clear that natural gas has a central role to play in our energy economy. That is why we are taking steps -- in coordination with our federal partners and informed by the input of industry experts, states and public health organizations -- to make sure the needs of our energy future are met safely and responsibly,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We can protect the health of American families and communities at the same time we ensure access to all of the important resources that make up our energy economy. The American people expect and deserve nothing less."

Recent technology and operational improvements in extracting natural gas resources, particularly shale gas, have increased gas drilling activities across the country. Production from shale formations has grown from a negligible amount just a few years ago to almost 15 percent of total U.S. natural gas production and this share is expected to triple in the coming decades. The sharp rise in domestic production has improved U.S. energy security and created jobs, and as with any resource the administration is committed to ensuring that we continue to leverage these resources safely and responsibly, including understanding any potential impact on water resources.

Shale Gas Standards:
Currently, wastewater associated with shale gas extraction is prohibited from being directly discharged to waterways and other waters of the U.S. While some of the wastewater from shale gas extraction is reused or re-injected, a significant amount still requires disposal. As a result, some shale gas wastewater is transported to treatment plants, many of which are not properly equipped to treat this type of wastewater. EPA will consider standards based on demonstrated, economically achievable technologies, for shale gas wastewater that must be met before going to a treatment facility.

Coalbed Methane Standards:
Wastewater associated with coalbed methane extraction is not currently subject to national standards for being directly discharged into waterways and for pre-treatment standards. Its regulation is left to individual states. For coalbed methane, EPA will be considering uniform national standards based on economically achievable technologies.

Information reviewed by EPA, including state supplied wastewater sampling data, have documented elevated levels of pollutants entering surface waters as a result of inadequate treatment at facilities. To ensure that these wastewaters receive proper treatment and can be properly handled by treatment plants, EPA will gather data, consult with stakeholders, including ongoing consultation with industry, and solicit public comment on a proposed rule for coalbed methane in 2013 and a proposed rule for shale gas in 2014.

The schedule for coalbed methane is shorter because EPA has already gathered extensive data and information in this area, EPA will take the additional time to gather comparable data on shale gas. In particular, EPA will be looking at the potential for cost-effective steps for pretreatment of this wastewater based on practices and technologies that are already available and being deployed or tested by industry to reduce pollutants in these discharges.

This announcement is part of the effluent guidelines program, which sets national standards for industrial wastewater discharges based on best available technologies that are economically achievable. EPA is required to publish a biennial outline of all industrial wastewater discharge rulemakings underway. EPA has issued national technology-based regulations for 57 industries since 1972. These regulations have prevented the discharge of more than 1.2 billion pounds of toxic pollutants each year into US waters.