Nuclear Power Industry News

AREVA And EDF Reach Accord On Spent Nuclear Fuel Management

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:50:00 GMT

The agreement lays down the conditions for applying the framework agreement of December 19, 2008, which sets the principles of a long-term partnership for operations of treatment-recycling of used fuel, and reprocessed fuel fabrication (MOX1) - By Stephen Heiser - AREVA and EDF have reached an agreement covering the transportation, treatment and recycling of used nuclear fuel, for which a contract will be signed before the end of the first quarter of 2010. ...(read more)

NRC: New Open Government Web Page Features Citizen Engagement Tool

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:47:00 GMT

The public, including NRC employees, can use the tool to easily share ideas and comments on how the agency can work better with others inside and outside government, improve the availability and quality of information, and be more innovative and efficient - By Linton Levy - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today launched an Open Government Web page to serve as the gateway for agency activities related to the White House’s Open Government initiative. The NRC is actively supporting the open government initiative and encouraging public participation through a new user-friendly citizen engagement tool accessible through this page. The Web page is at: http://www.nrc.gov/open.html. ...(read more)

AREVA, KEPCO Ink Deal To develop Imouraren Mine, Plan To Grow Cooperation

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:45:00 GMT

Under the terms of the agreement, KEPCO will take an indirect 10 % stake in the Imouraren SA mining company, jointly owned by AREVA and the Nigerien state - By Linton Levy - AREVA CEO Anne Lauvergeon and Ssang-Soo Kim, CEO of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), met in Paris to sign an agreement for the Korean group to join the Imouraren mine in Niger. The agreement is a continuation of that reached by AREVA and KEPCO for the Georges Besse II enrichment plant, and confirms their desire to work together at the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle. ...(read more)

India's 18th Nuclear Power Plant Begins Commercial Operations

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:16:00 GMT

With the commissioning of this unit, number of nuclear power reactors in commercial operation has increased to 18 with a total installed capacity 4340 MW - By April Murelio - According to the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL), Unit - 5 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP-5&6) has commenced commercial operation with effect. The unit was earlier synchronized to the grid, for the first time, on December 22, 2009. ...(read more)

New Study Provides Detailed Analysis Of Indian Energy And Utilities market

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:13:00 GMT

The report shows the current size and share of nuclear energy as well as short-term and long-term targets indicating a demand ranging anywhere between USD 80 bn to USD 200 bn over the next twenty years - By Mark McFadden - According to a new study by Companiesandmarkets.com the Indo-US nuclear deal and waiver granted to India from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has opened the country to global nuclear commerce. With access to global technological advances and uranium fuel supplies, the country renewed an ambitious nuclear energy program creating a huge demand for equipment and services. ...(read more)

NRC Appoints New Resident Inspector At Perry Nuclear Power Plant

steveheiser — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:03:00 GMT

Hartman joined the NRC in Region III as a reactor engineer in 2009, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor’s of science degree in nuclear engineering - By Chris Smith - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Thomas Hartman as the new Resident Inspector at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Perry, Ohio, roughly 35 miles northeast of Cleveland. ...(read more)

Westinghouse AP1000 Completes Phase 1 Of CNSC Pre-Project Design Review

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:54:00 GMT

A Phase 1 review of the AP1000 involved an overall assessment of the reactor design against the most recent CNSC design requirements for new nuclear power plants in Canada - By Stephen Heiser - The Westinghouse AP1000 pressurized water reactor has completed Phase 1 of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Pre-Project Design Review. The objective of a Pre-Project Design review is to verify, at a high level, the acceptability of a nuclear reactor design with respect to Canadian safety requirements and criteria, including the identification of fundamental barriers to licensing a new reactor design in Canada. The review is conducted in two phases. ...(read more)

Baker Wins 2010 ACEC/PA Diamond Honor Award for Three Mile Island Steam Generator Transport Project

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:50:00 GMT

This fast-track project required delivery of the generators in September 2009 to support TMI’s license renewal to continue operations through 2034 - By April Murelio - Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation, was presented with a Diamond Honor Award in the Special Projects Category at the 2010 Annual Awards Dinner by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) in Hershey, Pa. Baker received the award for its outstanding route planning, and bridge and highway engineering to support AREVA NP Inc.’s delivery of two steam generators to Three Mile Island Generating Station (TMI) at Middletown, Pa. ...(read more)

NRC: License Renewal Application Available For Columbia Generating Station Nuclear Power Plant

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:39:00 GMT

The Columbia Generating Station is a boiling-water nuclear reactor, located 12 miles northwest of Richland, Wash. The current operating license expires on Dec. 20, 2023 - By Stephen Heiser - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced that an application for a 20-year renewal of the operating license for the Columbia Generating Station is available for public review. ...(read more)

NRC Seeks Input On Draft Environmental Impact Statement For Kewaunee Nuclear Plant Renewal

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:19:00 GMT

As part of Kewaunee’s license renewal application, dated Aug.14, 2008, Dominion Energy Kewaunee submitted an environmental report. The NRC staff reviewed the information and performed an on-site review - By Linton Levy - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comments on its preliminary conclusion that there are no environmental impacts that would preclude renewal of the operating licenses for the Kewaunee Power Station located in Kewaunee, 27 miles east of Green Bay, Wis. ...(read more)

Jaczko: Addressing the Demands of Today, Preparing for the Challenges of Tomorrow

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:05:00 GMT

The Honorable Gregory B. Jaczko Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Energy and Environment Conference - Edited by Stephen Heiser - Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I understand that the conference will be focusing on the role that various energy technologies, including nuclear power, can play in reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy independence. ...(read more)

Khan Announces Take Over Bid From CNNC at C$0.96 Per Common Share

steveheiser — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:01:00 GMT

The CNNC Offer will be in the form of a take-over bid. The definitive agreement provides for customary Board support and non-solicitation covenants subject to customary "fiduciary out" provisions entitling Khan to consider and accept an unsolicited superior offer - By Mark McFadden - Khan Resources Inc. has announced that is has entered into a definitive agreement with CNNC Overseas Uranium Holding Ltd. ("CNNC"), a Chinese nuclear energy corporation based in Beijing and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation, pursuant to which CNNC has agreed to acquire all of Khan's outstanding common shares for C$0.96 per share in cash (the "CNNC Offer"). The CNNC Offer represents a premium of approximately 118% to the closing share price prior to the Atomredmetzoloto JSC ("ARMZ") unsolicited bid, and a 48% premium to the unsolicited C$0.65 per share bid. ...(read more)

APS Palo Verde Unit 1 Sets Production Record

steveheiser — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:55:00 GMT

Entire Site Generates Second-Highest Amount of Electricity Ever - By Chris Smith - Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station’s Unit 1 just completed its best year since beginning commercial operation more than 20 years ago. The unit, which began operation in 1986, generated more than 11.5 billion net kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power in 2009, enough to serve more than a million people in four Southwestern states. ...(read more)

NNSA FY2011 Budget A “Direct and Tangible Display” Of Commitment To Nonproliferation

steveheiser — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:43:00 GMT

D’Agostino Highlights Nonproliferation Budget in Remarks to INMM Conference - By Linton Levy - In his first public remarks since the President’s FY2011 Budget Request was sent to Congress on Monday, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Thomas D’Agostino called it a “direct and tangible display of the President’s commitment to this mission, and a demonstration of the critical role NNSA plays in implementing the President’s unprecedented nuclear security agenda.” ...(read more)

Alexander Statement On DOE Blue Ribbon Commission On Nuclear Waste

steveheiser — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:43:00 GMT

This commission and the president’s endorsement of a new generation of nuclear power plants are welcome steps that will enable the United States to catch up with the rest of the world - Edited by April Murelio - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has released the following statement regarding U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu’s announcement of the formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future to provide recommendations for developing a safe, long-term solution to managing the nation’s used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste: ...(read more)