Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, December 16, 2016

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup December 16, 2016

 
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Nuclear Roundup
December 16, 2016
A compilation of quality nuclear policy news published on the Web, around the world.
Iran Nuclear Deal

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief to visit Iran on Sunday

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-visit-idUSKBN14527E

Iran sanctions extended, but without Obama’s signature

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iran-sanctions-extended-but-without-obamas-signature/2016/12/15/33eaa664-c2db-11e6-9a51-cd56ea1c2bb7_story.html?utm_term=.dffdfde262b4

United States

The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy

Donald Trump’s energy program needs a middle ground — nuclear power

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/16/donald-trump-should-embrace-nuclear-power-before-we-start-to-try-to-sell-off-all-the-public-lands-for-drilling/

Trump, nuclear weapon realist, can correct Obama's idealistic blunders

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/310535-trump-nuclear-weapon-realist-can-correct-obamas

Trump Should Change U.S. Policy On Nuclear Weapons

http://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/trump-should-change-u-s-policy-on-nuclear-weapons/

The Air Force Is Hopeful on Trump's Nuclear-Weapons Plan

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/the-air-force-is-unworried-by-trumps-fickle-nuclear-weapons-talk

Feds: No ‘show-stoppers’ found in nuke readiness review

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/16/feds-no-show-stoppers-found-in-nuke-readiness-review/

$2.6B Contract Awarded for Sandia National Labs Management

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/26b-contract-awarded-sandia-national-labs-management-44242644

Spent nuclear fuel dropped in Savannah River Site's L Basin

http://www.aikenstandard.com/news/spent-nuclear-fuel-dropped-in-savannah-river-site-s-l/article_665203ca-c30a-11e6-b626-abdc57e459b5.html

International

Russia to 'expand mobile nuclear missile patrols' near European borders to respond to Nato 'threats' in 2017

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-nuclear-missile-patrols-europe-nato-tensions-exercises-ukraine-sanctions-crimea-a7478966.html

Assessing the ban treaty from Ukraine

http://thebulletin.org/can-treaty-banning-nuclear-weapons-speed-their-abolition/assessing-ban-treaty-ukraine

Commentary: The future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-the-future-of-nuclear-security-in-southeast-asia/3353314.html

China should seek nuclear stability, not disarmament utopia

http://thebulletin.org/nuclear-order-what-role-china/china-should-seek-nuclear-stability-not-disarmament-utopia

First to use or not to use first: A curious case of Indian nuclear doctrine

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/310633-first-to-use-or-not-to-use-first-a-curious-case-of-indian

The Indo-Japanese nuclear deal

http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/16-Dec-16/the-indo-japanese-nuclear-deal

UN: Threat of a hacking attack on nuclear plants is growing

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/un-threat-of-a-hacking-attack-on-nuclear-plants-is-growing/2016/12/15/745d6f3a-c329-11e6-92e8-c07f4f671da4_story.html?utm_term=.504e85113389

Security Council underlines need to halt proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55812#.WFPwYFUrIdU

General Interest

Reflections on the IAEA Nuclear Security Conference: More Participants, Less Focus

http://allthingsnuclear.org/elyman/reflections-on-the-iaea-nuclear-security-conference-more-participants-less-focus

If nuclear war broke out where's the safest place on Earth?

https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2016/dec/16/if-nuclear-war-broke-out-wheres-the-safest-place-on-earth

Economist Found a Higher Calling: Saving the World From Nuclear War

http://www.wsj.com/articles/economist-found-a-higher-calling-saving-the-world-from-nuclear-war-1481900404

Toward safer, long-life nuclear reactors—metal design could raise radiation resistance by 100 times

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-safer-long-life-nuclear-reactorsmetal-resistance.html

The Energy Collective Daily: A Rush to Subsidies as Power Plants in Europe Face Existential Threat

A Rush to Subsidies as Power Plants in Europe Face Existential Threat | The Energy Collective Daily


Link to The Energy Collective

DOE Approves Modified Contract and Baseline for Hanford Waste Treatment Plant

DOE Office of Environmental Management

EM News Flash | Dec. 16, 2016


DOE Approves Modified Contract and Baseline for Hanford Waste Treatment Plant 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Bechtel National Inc. (BNI) have modified the contract and baseline for the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) project to support the Department’s approach to begin treating Hanford’s tank waste as soon as practicable. 
   The contract modification implements DOE’s Direct Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) approach for the Hanford tank waste treatment mission. The DFLAW approach involves the WTP Low Activity Waste (LAW) Facility, Analytical Laboratory (LAB) and a set of 23 support facilities, collectively known as Balance of Facilities (BOF). Together, these three areas are commonly referred to as “LBL.” The contract modification aligns both the contractor responsibility and the project risks through the restructuring of incentives in order to deliver the best value for the Federal government and the taxpayer.
   “DOE is committed to addressing the environmental legacy of decades of nuclear weapons production activities at the Hanford Site in a safe and cost-effective manner. We are confident that the modified contract and baseline represents the most effective and expeditious path towards beginning tank waste treatment at Hanford as soon as practicable,” said Kevin Smith, Manager of the DOE Office of River Protection, which oversees the WTP Project.  
   The contract modification includes incentives for BNI to complete the LBL sections of the WTP by specific dates and for the contractor to share in cost savings for completing work early. It also includes sections to benefit the American taxpayer by reducing the fee for work that fails to meet the agreed upon schedule. 
   To date, BNI has made significant progress on the LBL sections of the WTP, with the LAB and BOF near completion and some support systems commencing activities for startup. In addition, nearly all major pieces of equipment have been installed in the LAW Facility.
   Along with the contract modification, DOE has revised the baseline for the LBL sections of the WTP project. The cost increase for the approved baseline change of the project is approximately $4.5 billion and results from multiple factors, including changes in quality standards, performance and construction challenges, and updated commissioning costs based on improved understanding of current industry best practices. As a result, the incremental total project cost for the entire WTP has increased to $16.8 billion. This revised baseline has been thoroughly reviewed by the Project Management Risk Committee and the revitalized Energy Systems Acquisition Advisory Board, reflecting the Department's recent project management improvements.
   To learn more about the WTP project, please visit the DOE Office of River Protection website. 

An Open Letter to Rick Perry, U.S. Energy Secretary Nominee


An Open Letter to Rick Perry, U.S. Energy Secretary Nominee


https://whchronicle.com/an-open-letter-to-rick-perry-u-s-energy-secretary-nominee/

Draft Plan for a Defense Waste Repository - Released for Public Comment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a Draft Plan for a repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) resulting from DOE's atomic energy defense activities.  This defense waste repository (DWR) could be used to dispose of some or all of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and HLW resulting from DOE's atomic energy defense activities and/or research and development activities.  The DOE intends to use a consent-based process for siting the DWR and is preparing for that process by sharing the Draft Plan for public comment.

The Draft Plan is available at the following website - energy.gov/DWR.  You are invited to submit your comments by e-mail to DWR@hq.doe.gov.

Thank you!

Andrew R. Griffith
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition
Office of Nuclear Energy
Department of Energy

TRC’s Top 12 Predictions for the Energy Industry in 2017

TRC’s Top 12 Predictions for the Energy Industry in 2017

$subtitles.get($x) Top 12 predictions for the energy, utility, and oil and gas sectors for 2017, including robust funding for utility mergers and acquisitions and infrastructure upgrades as well as big shifts in power plant and pipeline construction focus. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/12/trc-s-top-12-predictions-for-the-energy-industry-in-2017.html?cmpid=enl_PennEnergy_PennEnergyWeeklyPowerUpdates_2016-12-16&email_address=micheletkearney@gmail.com&eid=288118515&bid=1616884

New Plan Needed For San Onofre Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

New Plan Needed For San Onofre Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

Utility commission orders redo for $10.4 billion closure and cleanup plan



http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california/New-Plan-Needed-For-San-Onofre-Nuclear-Plant-Decommissioning--406643735.html

Uranium Resources signs binding amendment for sale of New Mexico assets

http://www.mining-technology.com/news/newsuranium-resources-signs-binding-amendment-for-sale-of-new-mexico-assets-5698059

UN: Threat of a hacking attack on nuclear plants is growing

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/un-threat-of-a-hacking-attack-on-nuclear-plants-is-growing-1.444679

ESKOM PROMISES TRANSPARENCY IN NUCLEAR PROJECT

http://www.yesafrica.biz/business/eskom-promises-transparency-nuclear-project-90816

Experts urge more studies on the opening of Bataan nuclear plant

Experts urge more studies on the opening of Bataan nuclear plant



http://www.manilatimes.net/experts-urge-studies-opening-bataan-nuclear-plant/302080/

The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy

The Conservative Case for Nuclear Energy

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy


http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443120/conservative-case-nuclear-energy

Commentary: The future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia

Commentary: The future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia

In her winning entry for the International Atomic Energy Agency's essay competition, Singapore student Noor Azura Zuhairah binte Abdul Aziz discusses regional nuclear security problems stemming from terrorism, maritime piracy and insufficient border controls.


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/commentary-the-future-of-nuclear-security-in-southeast-asia/3353314.html

Russia, Japan to Cooperate in Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies - Rosatom


Russia, Japan to Cooperate in Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies - Rosatom

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/world/201612161048633440-nuclea-fuel-cycle-russia/

https://sputniknews.com/world/201612161048633440-nuclea-fuel-cycle-russia/

Wylfa Newydd: UK government holds talks in Japan

Wylfa Newydd: UK government holds talks in Japan



http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-38336893

Global Steam Generators for Nuclear Power Market: New Research Report 2021!!!

Global Steam Generators for Nuclear Power Market: New Research Report 2021!!!


http://www.mynewsdesk.com/in/pressreleases/global-steam-generators-for-nuclear-power-market-new-research-report-2021-1696884?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Alert&utm_content=pressrelease

New Mexico finds no 'red flags' in nuclear dump inspection


New Mexico finds no 'red flags' in nuclear dump inspection


http://phys.org/news/2016-12-mexico-red-flags-nuclear-dump.html

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Friday, December 16, 2016


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Friday, December 16, 2016

 
 
Siegfried S. Hecker
For two decades, Russian and American nuclear scientists cooperated to successfully avoid catastrophe. Can they do it again?
 
 
Seth Baum
 
Will the president-elect increase dangers to human civilization?
 
 
 
Laura Kahn
President-elect Trump has the opportunity to make his country safer against biological threats—if he focuses on these five things.

Joelien Pretorius, Polina Sinovets,
Mustafa Kibaroglu
Over the objections of most nuclear-armed nations, a UN committee on disarmament and security resoundingly approved a resolution in October that would mandate negotiations toward a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons. Will the pace of disarmament quicken if a new treaty is negotiated that bans nuclear weapons outright? A new debate opens.

It's more important than ever to stay up on the Nuclear Roundup
Sign up to receive Jodi Lieberman's Nuclear Roundup. It's a must-read collection that no one can afford to miss.
 
 
Robert Alvarez
It appears that the Trump transition team has no clue about how all the elements of the Energy Department fit together.
 
 
Payam Mohseni

The election of Donald Trump only reinforces the hardline rhetoric and stance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, who were critical of the nuclear agreement.
 
 
 
Lawrence Krauss, Chair of the Bulletin's Board of Sponsors, has been on fire the last few weeks, even more than usual. Krauss has been published in The New Yorker as well as the New York Times, writing about signs from the Trump transition team and various nominations that bode ill for US science and energy policy.
 
 
 
Dan Drollette Jr., Elisabeth Eaves
 
Must-read posts this week examine what ExxonMobil knew about climate change and fossil fuels (and when they knew it), the big banks behind deforestation, why scientists fear the Trump presidency, and the idea that Donald Trump isn't fully aware of what he is doing.
 
How the economic changes caused by the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will affect world security
The November/December subscription journal features an indispensible mix of free-access and subscription-only articles.
 
 
In a time of fake news and false equivalencies, the Bulletin serves as a trusted source of expertise and analysis, providing a refuge to those who continue to insist that facts and reasoned policy prescriptions matter. But we can’t do what is needed without your support.
 
 
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has named Nikita Perumal the 2016 Leonard M. Rieser Award recipient for her Voices of Tomorrow essay entitled “The value in activism: Lessons from the Columbia University climate sit-in.” Perumal is a Fulbright Scholar currently in Vanuatu conducting research on the intersections of human rights and climate change. 
Apply for a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
Work at NGOs in Washington, DC to solve some of the world's toughest problems of war, weapons, diplomacy and security. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2017.
 
 
Saleemul Huq, Meraz Mostafa, M. Feisal Rahman
 
There are two major issues related to the future of adaptation funding: where the funds will flow from, and how to ensure the appropriate distribution and allocation of the available funds. From the November/December subscription issue
About the Bulletin
For more than 70 years the Bulletin has engaged science leaders, policy makers, and the interested public on topics of nuclear weapons and disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies.
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