Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Plate tectonics: Studies show movements of continents speeding up after slow 'middle age'

Plate tectonics: Studies show movements of continents speeding up after slow 'middle age'


Two studies show that the movement rate of plates carrying Earth's crust may not be constant over time. This could provide a new explanation for the patterns observed in the speed of evolution and has implications for the interpretation of climate models. The work is presented today at Goldschmidt 2014, the premier geochemistry conference taking place in Sacramento, California, USA.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140613225155.htm

Chinese Hackers Are Practicing How To Blow Up US Pipelines And Shut Down Power Plants

Chinese Hackers Are Practicing How To Blow Up US Pipelines And Shut Down Power Plants


http://www.businessinsider.com/china-us-energy-infrastructure-hacks-2014-6?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

China could complete 9 nuclear reactors in the next 7 months and then start construction on 30 reactors over the next 18 months


http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/06/china-could-complete-9-nuclear-reactors.html

NRDC: US Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Deployment Fades Further into an Uncertain Future

US Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Deployment Fades Further into an Uncertain Future


http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/cpaine/us_small_modular_reactor_smr_d.html

Iran sets deadline for nuclear programme deal


Iran sets deadline for nuclear programme deal

Hassan Rouhani wants settlement to end ongoing cycle of talks breaking down and restarting over uranium enrichment

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/14/iran-deadline-nuclear-programme-deal-hassan-rouhani

U.S. Nuclear Industry Explores Accident-Resistant Fuel


Nuclear Industry Explores Accident-Resistant Fuel


http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/nuclear-industry-explores-accident-resistant-fuel-24139241

Will Oyster Creek close in 2019?

Will Oyster Creek close in 2019?


http://www.app.com/story/news/local/land-environment/2014/06/13/oyster-creek-lacey-ocean-county/10508721/

U.S. Natural Gas Exports No Better for Climate Than China’s Coal, Experts Say

U.S. Natural Gas Exports No Better for Climate Than China’s Coal, Experts Say

As the Obama administration inches toward a major expansion of natural gas exports, one of the thorniest questions is how that growth will affect greenhouse gas emissions, possibly worsening the problem of global warming.

Small Wars Journal News and Commentary on Iraq 6/14

Iraq
Transcript of Obama's Remarks on Iraq - BG
Obama: US Considering 'Range of Options' on Iraq - VOA
Obama Says No US Ground Forces for Iraq - S&S
Obama: US Considering 'Range of Options' on Iraq - VOA
Obama Rules Out Ground Troops in Iraq - NYT
Obama Calls Iraqi Militants a Threat to US Interests - WP
Obama: No Combat Troops in Iraq; ‘We Can’t Do it For Them’ - WT
Obama Says He Won't Send Troops to Iraq But Weighing Options - LAT
US Weighs Airstrikes, Obama Says He Won't Send Combat Troops - CNN
Obama: All Options Open on Iraq - BBC
Obama on Iraq: 'The United States Will Do its Part' - USAT
Obama on Iraq Security: We Can't Do It for Them - AP
Obama Weighs US Action in Iraq But Rules Out Combat Troops - Reuters
Obama to Decide on Iraq Strikes ‘in the Days Ahead’ - AFP
Obama Faces Limited Options in Iraq Crisis, Doubts Over Air Strikes - Reuters
Obama Finds He Can’t Put Iraq War Behind Him - NYT
Clinton Urges Caution Over Iraq - BBC
Iraq Militants Make Strides, Shi'ite Cleric Issues Call to Arms - VOA
Iraqi Shiite Cleric Issues Call to Arms - NYT
Top Shiite Cleric Calls on Iraqis to Fight Insurgents - WP
Iraq Cleric Issues Shia Call to Arms - BBC
Iraq May Turn to Iran for Help, Maliki Aide Says - NYT
Pentagon Cannot Confirm Iranian Special Forces in Iraq - Reuters
Iraq's Spiral Into Chaos Exposes Many Weaknesses - S&S
How 800 ISIS Fighters Routed 2 Iraqi Divisions - MT
Iraqi Military Breakdown Fueled by Corruption, Politics - Reuters
Loss of Mosul Threatens Iraqi PM's Hold on Power - AP
Kurds Realize Dream as Baghdad Loses Grip on North Iraq - Reuters
Volunteers Rally to Defend Baghdad Against Insurgents - WP
UN Warns of Rights Abuses in Iraq - NYT
Iraq Reportedly Blocks Social Networks - NYT
China Offers to Help Iraq - Reuters
Reactions to the Turmoil in Iraq From Those Who Served - NYT
Angry and Sad, Vets Watch as Insurgents Undo Sacrifices in Iraq - AP
Obama’s Choice in Iraq - WP Opinion
Why Barack Obama Can’t Get Out of Iraq - Politico Opinion
Avoiding Another Iraq Quagmire - NYT Opinion
Panic Over the ISIS Offensive in Iraq - TNI Opinion
How Iraq Unraveled Since the US Withdrawal - WP Opinion
Iraq's Long Unraveling - TA Opinion
Welcome to the New Iraq War - TNI Opinion
The Battle for Iraq Is a Saudi War on Iran - FP Opinion
Don't Be Sucked Into War in Iraq Again - DO Opinion

http://smallwarsjournal.com/node/15812

Energy News Roundup: Iraq Could Send Oil Prices to $150, Utility Executive Applauds EPA Rule and Oil Rallying

Energy News Roundup: Iraq Could Send Oil Prices to $150, Utility Executive Applauds EPA Rule and Oil Rallying

By Jared Anderson
Price Of Oil Rises As Iran Possibly Halts Exports To Some EU Countries
As militants spilling over from Syria advance toward Baghdad, oil traders are jittery and market observers are trying to evaluate the level of risk posed to Iraq’s main southern oil export facilities. Analyst Michael Lynch proposed potential oil price scenarios that range from relatively minor geopolitical risk premiums to more severe spikes that could see

Infographic: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Infographic: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

By Roman Kilisek
Obama's New Proposed Regulations On Coal Energy Production Met With Ire Through Kentucky's Coal Country
After analyzing the EPA’s ‘Clean Power Plan’ proposal for the Scientific American, David Biello aptly concludes that in order “to burn coal or even natural gas without exacerbating global warming requires CO2 capture and storage whether in India or Indiana. The EPA, because of the cost of such CCS technology, will not go that far.”

IAEE President: Range of Prescriptions Needed to Address Africa’s Nuanced and Varied Energy Challenges

IAEE President: Range of Prescriptions Needed to Address Africa’s Nuanced and Varied Energy Challenges

By Jared Anderson
Life In One Of South Africas Oldest Townships
Many in developed economies often think and speak about Africa in a one size fits all context, and of course nothing could be further from the truth. The vast continent is a diverse tapestry of sovereign nations with varied geography, demographics, religions and energy-related challenges. One challenge many countries share with regard to energy, however,

Barclays Just Threw Gasoline on the Fire that is the Battle Between Utilities and the Solar Industry

Barclays Just Threw Gasoline on the Fire that is the Battle Between Utilities and the Solar Industry

By Elias Hinckley
Worthy Farm To Install UK's Largest Private Solar Panel System
Last week Barclays downgraded the high-grade bond market for the entire electric utility sector because “we believe that a confluence of declining cost trends in distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation and residential-scale power storage is likely to disrupt the status quo.”  While this is not the first statement about vulnerability of electric utilities to competition from new technology

In NJ Settlement, EDF Fights to Strengthen the State’s Energy Infrastructure


Saturday, June 14, 2014

In NJ Settlement, EDF Fights to Strengthen the State’s Energy Infrastructure

By Environmental Defense Fund Energy Exchange Blog
Australian Electricity Prices Surge 50 Percent In Five Years
The recent Energy Strong settlement between New Jersey regulators and Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), the state’s largest utility, should help reinforce vulnerable energy infrastructure ahead of future severe storms. Last month, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) agreed that customers could fund $1.2 billion in PSE&G improvements to New Jersey’s electric grid to

UglyGorilla Hack of U.S. Utility Exposes Cyberwar Threat - Bloomberg


UglyGorilla Hack of U.S. Utility Exposes Cyberwar Threat - Bloomberg UglyGorilla’s surveillance sortie was one of dozens conducted on natural gas pipelines and electric utilities by People’s Liberation Army Unit 61398 over at least 14 months in 2012 and 2013, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg News and people involved in the investigations but who asked not to be named because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Unit members appeared to be performing the digital equivalent of mapping the dams or airfields or fuel routes of a potential enemy, what’s known in military jargon as preparation of the battlefield. While that kind of spying has been standard practice for centuries, technology is scrambling traditional rules of war, blurring the distinction between intelligence-gathering and aggression.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-13/uglygorilla-hack-of-u-s-utility-exposes-cyberwar-threat.html?utm_source=The+Sinocism+China+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4e5be99e75-Sinocism06_14_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_171f237867-4e5be99e75-29615013&mc_cid=4e5be99e75&mc_eid=5935182a65

President Xi stresses efforts to revolutionize energy sector

President Xi stresses efforts to revolutionize energy sector - Xinhua  While presiding over a meeting of the Central Leading Group on Financial and Economic Affairs, Xi, head of the group, acknowledged that China faces challenges to cope with rising energy demand, supply restraints, huge environmental costs and backward technology. To ensure national energy security, the country needs to take steps to rein in irrational energy consumption and build a diversified supply system that is based on secure supply from multiple channels, clean and efficient use of coal, and the development of non-coal energy, Xi noted...http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-06/13/c_133405882.htm?utm_source=The+Sinocism+China+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4e5be99e75-Sinocism06_14_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_171f237867-4e5be99e75-29615013&mc_cid=4e5be99e75&mc_eid=5935182a65

Nuclear energy remedies single largest environmental health risk

Nuclear energy remedies single largest environmental health risk


http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Nuclear+energy+remedies+single+largest+environmental+health+risk/9873139/story.html

Book Review: The Power to Save the World by Gwyneth Cravens

Published by Knopf
Gwyneth Cravens has contributed articles and op-eds on science and other topics to Harper’s Magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. She has published five novels. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New Yorker, where she also worked as a fiction editor, and in Harper’s Magazine, where she was an associate editor. She grew up in New Mexico and now lives on eastern Long Island.
Site Design and Administration:
ArtTechWeb.com

http://www.cravenspowertosavetheworld.com/index.php

Seeing How a Lithium-Ion Battery Works

 
Posted by: Energy @ MIT

Seeing How a Lithium-Ion Battery Works

http://theenergycollective.com/energyatmit/396986/seeing-how-lithium-ion-battery-works

Electricity is the ultimate commodity. Since gadgets and appliances work no matter where they plug in, it's nearly impossible for consumers to distinguish between different products. But executives say that utilities need to start marketing more personalized products in order to stay relevant. read more Energy Quote of the Day: 'It Would be to Europe's Detriment to Ditch the Workhorses of Its Energy System...'

Electricity is the ultimate commodity. Since gadgets and appliances work no matter where they plug in, it's nearly impossible for consumers to distinguish between different products. But executives say that utilities need to start marketing more personalized products in order to stay relevant.read more
Posted: 14 Jun 2014 01:00 AM PDT
Breaking Energy covered the G7 energy ministers’ meeting in Rome. Back on the agenda thanks to the Ukraine crisis was European energy security, which is a topic of continuous deliberation, failed attempts at improving the European status quo such as the Nabucco pipeline project and, above all, complacency.read morehttp://theenergycollective.com/jared-anderson/397231/energy-quote-day-it-would-be-europe-s-detriment-ditch-workhorses-its-energy-sy

PROMETHEUS TRAP/ THE EMPEROR AND 3/11 DISASTER (8): Akihito wanted to fly over crippled nuclear power plant

PROMETHEUS TRAP/ THE EMPEROR AND 3/11 DISASTER (8): Akihito wanted to fly over crippled nuclear power plant

June 14, 2014
By RYUICHI KITANO/ Senior Staff Writer
Editor's note: This is the eighth part of a new series under The Prometheus Trap heading. It centers on the involvement of imperial family members with victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, as well as the Fukushima nuclear accident. The series will appear on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201406140007

Thermo-acoustic nuclear fuel rods could scream for help when stressed, preventing nuclear meltdown

Thermo-acoustic nuclear fuel rods could scream for help when stressed, preventing nuclear meltdown


http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/184126-thermo-acoustic-nuclear-fuel-rods-could-scream-for-help-when-stressed-preventing-nuclear-meltdown

Officials say 6 barrels of waste in Texas tied to nuke dump leak


Officials say 6 barrels of waste in Texas tied to nuke dump leak

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2014/06/11/officials-eye-6-barrels-tied-to-nuke-dump-leak

Friday, June 13, 2014

Securing Nuclear Materials - The Way Forward

Securing Nuclear Materials - The Way Forward

IAEA Director General Encourages States to Improve Nuclear Security

CPPNM
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano addresses delegates attending the Seminar on the Promotion of the Entry into Force of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, hosted at the IAEA headquarters on 12 and 13 June 2014. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)
The entry into force of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) is the single most important step which the international community can take in strengthening nuclear security globally. This was the key message highlighted by the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in his statement to delegates attending the Seminar on the Promotion of the Entry into Force of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, hosted at the IAEA headquarters on 12 and 13 June 2014.
"Since 1999, the year when States began to identify the need to amend the Convention, the amount of nuclear material under IAEA safeguards around the world has risen by 70 percent. I repeat - 70 percent," Director General Amano said. "That figure will continue to grow. Responsibility for the security of this material rests with each State."
The objective of this Seminar was to encourage States to contribute to the reinforcement of the global nuclear security regime by adhering to the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM and, demonstrating a global commitment to punish those who would engage in nuclear theft, sabotage or even terrorism.
The two-day event focused on a range of topics that are central and related to assisting States to take the steps necessary to adhere to the Amendment. The agenda of the Seminar had four sessions that concentrated on: Nuclear Security and the International Legal Framework for Nuclear Security; Overview of the CPPNM and its Amendment; National Adherence to and Implementation of the Amendment; and, IAEA assistance: in adhering to and implementing the amendment.
During the opening session, the representatives of altogether five countries stated that they were in the final stage of adhering to the Amendment and they would accordingly deposit the necessary instruments with the Depositary, shortly.
"This Seminar is another important milestone in our continuous efforts to support States' efforts, upon request, to establish and strengthen their national nuclear security regimes, and enable them to promptly meet their international obligations in general and the provision of the Amendment to the CPPNM in particular," explained Khammar Mrabit, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security.
Encouraged by the development, Peri L. Johnson, IAEA Legal Adviser and Director of the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs, said "This is very positive. It shows that what was considered to be an insurmountable number of States Parties needed to bring the Amendment into force is in fact achievable. We are now very close. With these additional countries, we only need 18 more States Parties. It is within our grasp."
The Amendment will enter into force only after it has been ratified by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties to the CPPNM.
At the conclusion of his opening remarks, the Director General Amano made clear the significance of the Amendment: "Entry into force of the Amendment helps to set global minimum standards for the security of nuclear material and facilities. It provides for the sharing of information on potential attacks on nuclear facilities. It provides for States to cooperate on improving national systems of physical protection. I encourage all countries not just to ratify the Amendment, but to make full use of the nuclear security services offered by the IAEA."
Background
The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) was signed at Vienna and at New York on 3 March 1980 and entered into force on 8 February 1987. The CPPNM is the only international legally binding undertaking in the area of physical protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes. It establishes measures related to the prevention, detection and punishment of offences relating to nuclear material.
A Diplomatic Conference in July 2005 was convened to amend the CPPNM and strengthen its provisions. The amended Convention makes it legally binding for States Parties to protect nuclear facilities and nuclear material in peaceful domestic use and storage, as well as transport. It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among States regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences.
Currently there are 149 Parties to CPPNM and 76 Contracting States to the Amendment to the CPPNM.

- By Aabha Dixit, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication
(Note to Media: We encourage you to republish these stories and kindly request attribution to the IAEA)

Most read on The Energy Collective 6/13

Most read on The Energy Collective

Study: West Antarctic Glacier Melt Due To Volcanoes, Not Global Warming

Study: West Antarctic Glacier Melt Due To Volcanoes, Not Global Warming



http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/11/study-west-antarctic-glacier-melt-due-to-volcanoes-not-global-warming/

China produces first AP1000 vessel


China produces first AP1000 vessel

11 June 2014
The manufacture of the reactor pressure vessel in China for Sanmen 2 has been completed - the first AP1000 vessel to be domestically produced.
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-China-produces-first-AP1000-vessel-1106144.html

China’s nuclear growth


China’s nuclear growth


http://www.neimagazine.com/features/featurechinas-nuclear-growth-4288665/

Batteries May Replace Some Power Plants


Batteries May Replace Some Power Plants

http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Batteries-May-Replace-Some-Power-Plants.html

Energy Infrastructure Development in East Africa: Big Potential Meets Big Roadblocks

 

Energy Infrastructure Development in East Africa: Big Potential Meets Big Roadblocks

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/06/energy-infrastructure-development-in-east-africa-big-potential-meets-big-roadblocks?cmpid=rss

Ukraine Signs Nuclear Agreement With Poland Utility

Ukraine Signs Nuclear Agreement With Poland Utility


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/nucnet-communications/archive/2014/06/13/ukraine-signs-nuclear-agreement-with-poland-utility.aspx

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review


Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/06/13/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-plant-weekly-review-061302.aspx#.U5tFThlXDgo

Young Generation Calls For Industry To Adapt


Young Generation Calls For Industry To Adapt


http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2014/06/13/young-generation-calls-for-industry-to-adapt

Sellafield designs filling station for sludge drums

Sellafield designs filling station for sludge drums


http://www.neimagazine.com/news/newssellafield-designs-filling-station-for-sludge-drums-4292951

Former U.S. Trade Rep. Ambassador Kirk discusses economics of technology exports

Former U.S. Trade Rep. Ambassador Kirk discusses economics of technology exports


http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/1840

Electric-power crisis in the making?




Electric-power crisis in the making?
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140613/GJOPINION_0102/140619695/-1/FOSOPINION

Rosatom to build nuclear power plants in Russia, India


Rosatom to build nuclear power plants in Russia, India

http://yekaterinburgnews.com/industry-opportunity/rosatom-to-build-nuclear-power-plants-in-russia-india/9349/

Railways, nuclear power on agenda of Li's European visit

Railways, nuclear power on agenda of Li's European visit


http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/06-13/118811.shtml

Power Engineering's Top Stories 6/13

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Top Stories
MHI, Siemens evaluate Alstom proposal
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Siemens AG are working together to evaluate a potential proposal for Alstom’s assets.
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Tradinghouse Power Plant demolishes second boiler
The second boiler of the Tradinghouse Power Plant, located in McLennan County, Texas was demolished on Tuesday morning.
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Martin Drake Power Plant boilers expected to run by fall
A Colorado Springs Utilities spokesperson said two boilers at the Martin Drake Power Plant should be operational by the fall.
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TVA exploring distributed generation
The surge in distributed generation has prompted the Tennessee Valley Authority, a major utility producing power from large central power stations, to study the value of generation from small power producers using solar panels, micro wind turbines and small gas turbines.
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The Week's Most Read Articles
Video: World's first ocean energy test site to be installed
The world's first offshore test site for small-scale ocean current turbines will soon be installed by Florida Atlantic University's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC).
Read More

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PGE breaks ground on natural gas-fired power plant
Portland General Electric (PGE) broke ground on the $450 million Carty Generating Station next to the site of the 610-MW Boardman coal-fired power plant, according to The East Oregonian.
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Waste-to-energy power plant in the works in Ontario
UK-based Advanced Plasma Power (APP) signed a £20 million ($33.6 million) contract to supply its technology to a waste-to-energy power plant in Ontario, Canada.
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Coal-fired power plant fire caused by human error
An initial investigation says the cause of a fire at a coal-fired power plant in Colorado was accidental and caused by human error.
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More Headlines
GE breaks ground on Power & Water manufacturing center
Agreement signed to install commercial & on-site solar in California
Jim Rogers named senior advisor of investment firm
Nautilus Solar Energy secures investors for Canadian solar project portfolio
NREL: CSP with thermal storage in California shows added value
Bechtel names new director of Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12 National Security Complex
Elevated tritium levels found at Dresden nuclear power plant
GAO report: DOE “did not have authority” to transfer uranium to USEC
Kudankulam nuclear Unit 2 may be operational in 8 months
Portland Generating Station to convert coal-fired boilers to use diesel fuel
Transmission project requested for Hinkley Point C nuclear project
Tohoku Electric applies to restart nuclear reactors
Power plant prepares for startup in ND; multimillion-dollar plant has been idled for years
EDF Renewable Services signs wind O&M contract in Michigan
Industry Trends
Henry Hub Average Natural Gas Spot Prices
The Henry Hub is the pricing point for natural gas futures contracts. Here's a look at how prices have changed up to June 4, 2014.
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Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Economic Indicators
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers a glimpse into how the markets are doing domestically and internationally.
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EIA’s weekly coal production report
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its coal production report for the week ending June 5.
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